Workshops, Study Sessions, and Focus Seminars

Data-Driven Instruction, Assessment, and Intervention

Closing the Literacy Gap: A Whole-School Approach to Prevention and Intervention—
Guide the design, planning, and implementation of initiatives for improving literacy performance in grades PreK–6 based on the research and work of literacy expert Miriam Trehearne. Using the dramatic turnaround in literacy performance achieved by 56 high-needs schools in Calgary, Canada as a case study and other examples, recommendations for assessments, instructional strategies, school and classroom organization, classroom resources, and literacy benchmarks are shared.

Effective Literacy Intervention for Kindergarten and First Grade Students—
Support educators in using data collected from assessments, such as DIBELS, to provide research-based intervention for at-risk children in Kindergarten and Grade 1. Examples of assessments, lessons, and activities are shared for developing oral language, phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and concepts of print.
Differentiated Instruction

Creating a Comprehensive Literacy Program for Every Learner—
Present a framework for designing an intentional, multi-sensory instructional plan that meets the needs of children working at various levels within a grade. Teachers of grades K–6 build understanding of the interrelated nature of modeled, shared, guided, and independent reading and writing.

Center-Based Learning

Hands-on Centers for Literacy Success—
Provide complete support for setting up, implementing, and managing centers in grades K–2. Participants learn how to use centers to engage students cognitively and socially in their Zone of Proximal Development. Center-ready manipulatives and materials are modeled with suggestions for how to incorporate them into center activities and the curriculum.

Family Literacy

Involving Families in Literacy Learning­—
Build a practical framework for effective school-home connections aligned to NCLB standards for Reading First. Educators in grades PreK–2 receive valuable support for conducting family involvement programs, including take-home backpacks of developmentally-appropriate materials, that provide the means for parents and other family members to take an active role in children’s literacy development.
Practice What You Teach! Essential Strategies for Literacy Development

SBRR Instructional Reading and Writing Strategies­­—
Explore standards-based SBRR strategies for grades K–6 instruction and ways to integrate phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing throughout the school day.

Building Content Vocabulary—
Model a research-proven, interactive approach for fostering vocabulary and word knowledge in the content areas for grades 1–3 using nonfiction literature. Teachers learn how effective vocabulary instruction strengthens reading and listening comprehension and builds speaking and writing fluency.

Teaching Across the Content Areas with Informational Text—
Use nonfiction photo essays, biographies, and other forms of informational text to demonstrate ways to integrate literacy instruction with other subject areas in grades 3–6.

Reader’s Theater: Using Plays to Improve Fluency—
Model how to use Reader’s Theater to give grades 3–5 students an authentic and intentional purpose for reading and re-reading high-interest text. Teachers learn how to develop fluency and listening skills, as well as an understanding of character, story development, setting, and plot by having students "act out" various types of play scripts.

Contact the ETA/Cuisenaire Director of Reading and Language Arts at 800-445-5985 x5128 for more information about these or other topics in which on-site professional development support is available, as well as customized programs that can be developed for your district.