In this session, participants will build a knowledge base of foundational reading skills and learn how to interpret data to identify foundational reading skill gaps. We will establish how to determine appropriate strategies to target instructional needs and the best practices that support students through ongoing support. This session would be a review for those who have completed Reading Academies.

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Come join fellow local ELAR curriculum supervisors and leaders across the DFW area to learn and share instructional strategies as well as practices to plan for district educator support.

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This session focuses on the implementation of small group instruction in English Language Arts and Reading classrooms. Participants will learn how to structure and organize small group rotations to maximize student learning, differentiate instruction, and target specific literacy skills such as phonics, fluency, and comprehension. We will explore effective grouping strategies based on assessment data, and attendees will gain practical strategies for managing classroom centers and ensuring accountability during independent work time.

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In this session, educators will explore effective strategies for seamlessly incorporating foundational reading skill intervention into Tier 1 instruction within a 4-12 English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) classroom. Recognizing that not all 4-12 students have mastered essential reading skills, we will dive into the importance of addressing these foundational skills, even as we tackle complex texts. Learn to identify and support students with foundational reading needs, adapt materials, and differentiate instruction. This session is designed to empower 4-12 ELAR educators to create inclusive and supportive learning environments that ensure all students, regardless of their reading proficiency, can effectively engage with and comprehend complex texts. Join us in bridging the gap for all students.

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This session is tailored for elementary teachers and focuses on practical strategies to inspire a lifelong love of reading in students. Centered on the joy and empowerment that literacy brings, educators will discover how to create dynamic, student-centered environments that foster curiosity and engagement. Participants will explore ways to make reading relevant and enjoyable by incorporating diverse, relatable texts and promoting positive reading habits. The session provides actionable techniques to build students' foundational literacy skills while nurturing their intrinsic motivation to read for enjoyment and personal growth. Perfect for educators aiming to ignite a passion for reading in every child!

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Research-Based Instructional Strategies represent the most significant changes needed to bridge the gap between research and practice. Covering the topics of Foundational Skills, Text Complexity, Knowledge Coherence, and Text-Based Responses, this session will equip instructional leaders with strategies to support teachers in implementing these approaches effectively, ensuring that impactful shifts are sustained and supported at the classroom level. This session will not provide a TEA RBIS certification but is designed to support instructional leaders supporting teachers implementing research-based instructional practices.

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The ICE series is designed to provide content-specific instructional strategies to amplify core content for gifted and advanced learners. In this course, we will explore what inquiry, creativity, and enrichment can look like in 3rd- through 10th-grade ELAR classrooms. We will examine methods to promote inquiry and creativity in daily lessons, including choice boards, book trailers, and questioning strategies.

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Are you looking to take your classroom to the next level with student-facilitated learning? Join us to learn how to develop and facilitate Socratic Seminars that promote critical thinking and inquiry for all students while meeting the needs of advanced learners for additional depth and complexity. Participants will understand the process of setting up and participating in a Socratic Seminar and walk away from the session with a framework and multiple instructional strategies that will allow for implementation of student-facilitated learning. Please make sure to bring a technology device. Resources for this session will be digital.

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This workshop will provide actionable strategies for using writing conferences and portfolios to enhance student writing skills. Participants will explore effective techniques for conducting personalized writing conferences that offer meaningful feedback and promote student growth. Additionally, the session will cover the implementation and management of writing portfolios as a tool for tracking progress, encouraging self-reflection, and celebrating student achievements. Through interactive activities and collaborative discussions, teachers will gain practical insights and tools to foster a supportive and engaging writing environment for their students.

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This session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively navigate and utilize the ELAR TEKS in your teaching practice. Our goal is to empower you in deconstructing the ELAR TEKS and comprehending their interconnected nature. Throughout the course, you'll gain insights into the significance of vertical alignment by examining student expectations across different grade levels and how they change year to year. To enhance your instructional planning, we provide guidance on unpacking the ELAR standards and creating Know-Show charts. Please make sure to bring a technology device. Resources and artifacts for the session will be digital.

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In this session, participants will explore the framework of connecting reading and writing in the ELAR classroom. They will dive deep into the process of using mentor texts to examine and analyze genre characteristics and authors' craft from the perspective of both a reader and writer. Participants will leave the session with an understanding for how to integrate reading and writing through mentor texts. Participants will need technology devices for this session.

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The TRI (Texas Reading Initiative) K-5 Unlocking the Power of Literacy Conference will provide educators with evidence-based strategies grounded in the science of teaching reading. Attendees will benefit from dynamic keynote speakers and engaging sessions covering key topics like phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, writing, and nurturing a love for reading. The conference will offer practical insights to elevate literacy instruction and boost student achievement. Educators supporting K-5 literacy are encouraged to attend this session.

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