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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Digital Projects that Inspire and Support Student Learning (Grades K-12)
| This online course for teachers is designed to help K-12 educators design authentic, multimedia digital projects to showcase students’ learning. The course starts with a discussion on shifting the focus from students consuming knowledge to being producers of knowledge by leveraging technology to enhance learning. Teachers will dive into the Four Cs of 21st Century Learning to foster students’ critical thinking skills as well as explore how the backward design method can aid in designing student projects that align to content standards. The course presents three frameworks for teachers to follow for designing projects that require students to use various thinking skills, engage in inquiry and application to deepen understanding of content, and apply their learning in an authentic and meaningful context. Supporting students as they complete challenging projects is important, so instructional and differentiating strategies are provided to help teachers guide students through their projects. Teachers also gain their own hands-on experience with various digital tools that students can use to create digital content, including eBooks, comic books, infographics, podcasts, videos, websites, apps, and virtual experiences. Additionally, teachers are introduced to artificial intelligence tools that students can use to support their learning. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will have the confidence and skills to design engaging digital projects that inspire and support students’ learning.
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Using Library of Congress Resources to Build a Historical Argument
| Featuring resources from the Library of Congress, National History Day (NHD) offers a course for teachers that focuses on the skills of historical argumentation.
The course includes four live webinars with an expert historian and an NHD curriculum specialist. Teachers will develop strategies to help their students think like historians and develop solid historical arguments. What is NHD? These research-based projects are entered into local and affiliate contests. The top student projects have the opportunity to advance to the national competition at the University of Maryland at College Park. NHD also seeks to improve the quality of history education by providing professional development opportunities for educators. Summer 2025 – Montana State University, Bozeman For more information contact Dr. Hailey Hancock at nationalhistorydaymt@gmail.com |
Teaching Students with Special Needs in the Mainstream Classroom Grades K-6
This course teaches K-6 educators how to address students with special needs in the general classroom. This online course for teachers begins by providing a clear definition and scope of special needs. Then, the course provides information about teacher involvement in the special education process in terms of assessment, intervention, and collaboration. A variety of suggestions for working with students who have special needs such as learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, communication disorders, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, sensory impairments, and low-incidence disabilities are provided. Also included are strategies to assist English language learners, students who are considered at-risk, and gifted and talented students. Each special need is defined, and common causes and characteristics are identified, along with suggested instructional strategies. Intervention strategies and classroom adaptations are also provided to help teachers accommodate students with special needs in an inclusive classroom.
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Teaching STEM and NGSS at the Primary Level Grades K-2
This online course for teachers takes K-2 educators through a step-by-step explanation of the standards and includes examples and suggestions of how to incorporate them into your science classroom. The course also guides you through how to interpret the science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas at the K-2 level. Then, teachers are taken through each dimension with details provided for how to translate the standards into daily instruction. The 5Es of inquiry-based science are discussed, as well as how Universal Design for Learning, multiple intelligences, and STEM strategies all work together to connect the design and implementation of science lessons, labs, and stations. Specific strategies for connecting math and science are also shared. Additionally, teachers will be introduced to an overview of assessment and how it applies to the Next Generation Science standards, as well as a brief overview of how to manage an inquiry-based classroom.
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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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Study Smarter Not Harder: Study Skills for Students Grades 4-12
This online course for teachers is designed to provide educators in grades 4-12 with the necessary tools to help students improve their study skills, not by working harder, but by working smarter. Throughout the course, teachers will gain valuable insights into helping their students set and track S.M.A.R.T. goals as they work to become active participants in the learning process. Teachers will be taken through the problem-solving process as they learn how to help their students apply their metacognitive skills so that they become more adept at studying. Teachers will learn specific techniques to help students stay organized (including space, time, and process). Teachers will be introduced to multiple techniques, ideas, and resources to help students learn how to ask questions, dissect different types of text, and understand text structures and features, all of which are geared toward helping them develop their study skills. Teachers will take a deep dive into specific study strategies for reading and vocabulary, and they will explore a variety of additional study techniques that can be applied to any content area across grades 4-12. Teachers will also learn several tips and tricks for helping their students master the art of taking tests, making them prepared and confident once test day arrives. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident and successful in their quest to prepare their students for the future by working smarter, not harder.
For more information, visit the website.
Social, Emotional, and Physical Wellness for Students and Teachers Grades PreK-12
| This online course for teachers is specifically designed to assist PreK-12 educators as they search for ways to make wellness, mindfulness, and mental health a priority, not just for their students, but for themselves as well. Teachers will learn specific self-care strategies for both students and staff. Teachers will explore ways to cultivate a more joyful classroom and school environment so that everyone’s social and emotional needs are better met. Specific strategies to cultivate empathy, compassion, and diversity are shared, including circle practices, modeling, making curriculum meaningful, connecting with the greater community, and celebrating student success.
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Responsive Classroom Management for the Primary Grades Grades K-3
This online course for teachers begins by introducing different management styles and helping you find just the right fit for your classroom. The course also addresses the importance of creating a trusting environment for students so they feel both engaged and motivated to learn. Some of the most daunting classroom management issues are addressed including how to keep your students motivated, working with diverse student populations, and response to intervention. Issues related to social-emotional learning will also be fully explored. Teachers will also learn about the importance of being organized, as well as how to create clear and concise rules and routines which have logical consequences. Suggestions for the best ways to connect character education to classroom management are explored. Rounding out the course is managing small groups, establishing a solid home-school connection, and how to prevent and address bullying issues.
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Responding to Students’ Mental Health Challenges with SEL Grades 6-12
| This online course for teachers is specifically designed for educators in grades 6-12 who are looking to dig deeper into how these challenges impact mental health and how effective social-emotional strategies such as empathy, coping, problem solving, decision making, emotional resilience, and effective communication can make a difference. Teachers will be provided with thorough background information on each mental health challenge. The foundations of equity and equality in education will be discussed, as well as strategies for helping students who have suffered from trauma. Specific culturally-responsive social-emotional strategies will also be shared so teachers can be more effective working with students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Finally, teachers will learn how to explicitly teach self-advocacy — a skill that all students can benefit from, regardless of the challenges they face.
For more information, visit the website.
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