Applying The Science of Reading Principles in the Content Areas (Grades 6-12)
| This online course for teachers is designed to guide educators of every content area through a variety of strategies and interventions, all of which are based on reading science so that students’ overall comprehension is positively impacted. The course begins by demystifying the science of reading, and from there, takes a deep dive into both the word recognition strand and the language comprehension strand of Scarborough’s Reading Rope. Teachers are guided through each strand so that they completely understand how decoding, background knowledge, vocabulary, language structures, verbal reasoning, and literacy knowledge all weave together to create the complex process known as reading. Teachers will also understand how to address the needs of struggling students in any content area through the exploration of root words, prefixes, suffixes, academic vocabulary, and direct instruction. Teachers will learn specific strategies to access students’ background and cross-curricular knowledge as they work to improve their analytical reading and writing skills as they engage with complex texts. Finally, teachers will learn a variety of literacy routines that support content literacy, such as CLOZE activities, choral reading, text puzzles, and student-created tests. By the end of this continuing education course, content area teachers will gain increased confidence and proficiency in effectively facilitating the science of reading principles to increase students’ proficiency as they continue their journey in reading to learn.
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Best Practices for a Successful Classroom
| *4 courses offered to cover different grade bands
This online course for teachers covers strategies for implementing the grade level standards, while managing time so that all content is covered. Common issues are covered along with overall classroom management techniques. Teachers learn how to maximize the resources which are available to them as well as find innovative ways to gain more resources at little-to-no cost. This course also explores successful strategies for gaining students’ attention and interest, and truly engaging them in lessons. Teachers will also learn how to respond to a variety of teaching challenges, including how to effectively reach their most at-risk populations such as students with special needs and those living in poverty. Mainstreaming English language learners and techniques for differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students is covered as well. Finally, tips for working with parents are also shared. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel better prepared to successfully manage their classroom. For more information, visit the website. |
Unlocking Literacy: Science of Reading Strategies for Multilingual Learners
As states and districts across the country embrace the science of reading, do you find yourself wondering if those same principles and best practices can also be used with your multilingual learners? Or does this “special” population need to rely on a completely different approach to literacy so that they can simultaneously master English and content successfully? This online professional development course provides K-12 teachers with a deep dive into the unique challenges faced by multilingual learners as they strive to master content standards while simultaneously learning English. Teachers will explore the various stages of new language acquisition, and they will understand the differences between a student’s social language (BICS) and their academic language (CALP). From there, teachers will thoroughly explore the science of reading, including all five areas of the “Big 5” of reading instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension), along with a variety of strategies to engage multilingual learners in a culturally relevant way. Teachers will learn how to overcome the challenge of trying to align second language acquisition with the science of reading including how to stimulate students’ growth mindsets while embracing several different co-teaching models to further engage their multilingual learners in the learning process. Research-based assessment best practices for multilingual learners are shared, including specific assessments for students’ language ability as well as how to assess and monitor their academic progress across all areas of the “Big 5” using both formative and summative assessments. Teachers will also learn how to use the WIDA Can-Do Descriptors to guide their students to greater understanding while simultaneously providing them with equitable grading practices. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident and successful in their quest to combine science of reading best practices with research-based strategies to help their multilingual learners become more literate readers.
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Best Small Group Practices to Reach All Readers and Writers (PreK-5)
| Do you find yourself searching for high-yield strategies to support your students’ widespread literacy needs? With the diversity of today’s classrooms, it is becoming more difficult to meet every student’s literacy needs. This online course for PreK-5 teachers takes a deep dive into the various stages of literacy. Teachers will explore evidence-based small group practices that are centered around how best to support the needs of their readers and writers across all literacy stages —emergent, beginning, transitional, and fluent and independent — in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. The course begins by presenting teachers with assessment practices geared toward getting to know students’ literacy needs so they can be better served in small groups. The course then guides teachers through all phases of literacy — from emergent to independent — so that they not only have a solid understanding of each phase, but they also have thoroughly explored several small group strategies for each of the foundational skills (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing), all of which are based on reading science to better support the specific needs of their readers and writers. Teachers will also gain strategies for working with students who are English language learners, have disabilities, and/or have experienced trauma, poverty, and/or have missed a significant portion of school. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident in their quest to leverage small group practices to better support their readers and writers throughout all the stages of literacy.
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Targeted Instruction and Interventions with Reading Strategy Groups Grades K-5
This online course for teachers begins by discussing the elements and benefits of reading strategy groups. Since strategy groups are based on assessment, the course delves into a variety of assessment types and approaches. Throughout the course, teachers learn how to use research-based best practices to choose strategies, books, and activities for before, during, and after reading. Teachers will also learn specific reading strategies for working with English language learners and those who struggle with reading. Teachers will learn how to build students’ stamina and engagement as they work to become successful, independent readers. Teachers will learn the importance of relying on the science of reading as they work with their students across all areas of reading.
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The Science of Reading Grades K-5
This online course for teachers provides K-5 educators with the perfect tools to approach reading instruction using best practices, with readers specifically putting five areas of focus together (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension) in order to become successful readers. Teachers will be provided with thorough background information and research-based support for each component of reading, as backed by reading science. As they progress through this course, teachers will be introduced to a variety of best practices as they relate to the teaching and learning of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and reading comprehension. Teachers will add many tools to their already-existing schemas to help students who struggle in any of these five areas of reading. Additionally, effective research-based strategies for working with students who are learning English as an additional language and students with dyslexia are also shared.
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Preparing Students with Special Needs to Meet the Standards Grades K-3
| This online course for teachers is designed for K-3 educators who are attempting to do just this. Teachers will learn specific strategies for helping their special education students build strong foundational reading skills by using assessment to guide and differentiate their instruction. In addition, teachers will be given a variety of tools and strategies to help guide their struggling writers as they work to balance meaningful writing with explicit strategy instruction. Other topics include differentiating the mathematics block, providing tactile, kinesthetic, and auditory learning opportunities, student collaboration, cooperative group activities, and Universal Design for Learning. Rounding out the course is engaging special needs students in the art of conversation and using interventions and other teaching techniques to engage special needs students, including those who also happen to be English language learners.
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Preparing English Language Learners (ESL/ELL/ENL) for Success Grades K-6
This online course for teachers is designed for educators who want to dig deep into their own teaching practices and explore strategies and initiatives for incorporating students’ cultural backgrounds and experiences so that the focus is on the whole child/student, including his/her cultural and linguistic identity. The course begins by building a solid understanding of language domains, types, and the levels of language acquisition. Information on ENL best practices and models for teaching ESL are shared as well as specific strategies for incorporating them into the teaching of reading, writing, speaking and listening, mathematics, science, and social studies. Teachers will gain a solid understanding of the various ESL models and how to grow their ELL students’ vocabularies and comprehension by setting goals, using their home language and culture, and communicating with caregivers. Teachers will also learn appropriate ways to assess their ESL students. Finally, teachers will learn best practices for serving newcomers.
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Classroom Management Survival Course Grades K-8
| This online course for teachers focuses on helping educators explore a variety of classroom management strategies including learning how to develop and establish a discipline plan. Teachers will learn many useful and practical techniques for working with students. A particular focus is effective strategies for working with special populations such as difficult students, English language learners, and students with learning disabilities. Teachers will also spend time learning about the importance of establishing clear and concise classroom rules and routines. Character education will also be introduced as it relates to classroom management. Teachers will also learn the benefits of cooperative learning in creating a positive classroom environment. Conflict resolution strategies that can be taught to students will also be explored, particularly within the context of bullying situations. Finally, teachers will learn how to properly and effectively create individualized behavior plans. |
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Embracing Diversity and Equity through Culturally Responsive Teaching Grades K-12
This online course for teachers is designed for K-12 educators who are looking to dig deeper into their own teaching practices and explore strategies and initiatives for incorporating students’ cultural backgrounds and experiences so that the focus is on the whole child/student. This course begins by discussing the history of marginalization and how it has impacted both teaching and learning within the classroom. The foundations of culturally responsive teaching are addressed, as well as strategies for helping students who have suffered from trauma. Teachers will learn how to create a culturally inviting classroom environment, complete with specific strategies for creating and sustaining culturally relevant relationships, a cornerstone of culturally responsive teaching. Teachers will also learn how to help students build confidence and competence through culturally inspiring teaching practices which are designed to nurture the whole student, including his/her social and emotional needs. Additional topics include addressing individual differences and similarities by giving students voice and choice, as well as how to manage the classroom in a culturally responsive and inclusive manner. Specific culturally-responsive classroom management strategies will also be shared so teachers can be more effective working with students from diverse populations. Resources for choosing excellent examples of multi-cultural literature will also be shared. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident implementing the principles of culturally responsive teaching into their classrooms.
For more information, visit the website.