This session aims to equip educators with a practical, innovative strategy, “hexagonal thinking” to enhance student engagement and critical thinking in social studies classrooms using the DBQ Project. Participants will learn how to implement this strategy to help students connect historical documents, synthesize key themes, and craft compelling arguments. What is Hexagonal Thinking?
Hexagonal thinking is an interactive, student-centered approach that promotes critical analysis and deep connections between concepts. By using hexagons to visualize and connect ideas, students uncover relationships between key terms, historical events, and perspectives. This strategy is particularly effective for navigating the complexity of DBQ tasks, where students analyze multiple documents to respond to a central question.
Come and discover the updated mathematics framework and the benefits of transitioning to a "Big Ideas" approach. This shift will not only save you instructional time but also equip you with the necessary knowledge to deliver a cohesive and rigorous math program. This will drive your students towards success, ensuring you won't have to worry about their readiness for next year's math class and beyond. Suitable for all teachers.
Have you given an SVMI task but are unsure of the next steps? In this session, we will start with a brief review of what SVMI is and the scoring protocol. Our main focus, however, will be on exploring tools for re-engagement and how these tools can be used to drive productive PLC discussions and inform your next steps in classroom instruction. We will examine the distinction between reteaching and re-engaging students, as well as identify where an SVMI task can be effectively placed within your unit plan. While this session was scheduled to fit the dismissal time of middle school teachers, all grade levels are invited to attend.
In the second session of our three-part series on effective literacy supports for grades 4-12, we’ll be diving into strategies that boost student motivation, engagement, and foster meaningful discussions to help students interpret and understand texts. If you missed part 1, don't worry! Please join us :)
With nearly half of 4th graders and a third of 8th graders reading below grade level nationwide, it's more important than ever to provide effective classroom strategies that meet students' diverse needs. This professional development session will offer you proven techniques, routines, and structures that have been shown to have a significant impact on literacy. Plus, you'll walk away with practical routines, instructional practices, graphic organizers, and plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your colleagues to implement these strategies.
Join us for an engaging professional development session designed to empower educators with strategies for vocabulary development in their classrooms. Explore the critical importance of vocabulary acquisition, effective teaching methods, and creating an environment conducive to language enrichment. Walk away with practical tools and insights to elevate student communication skills and academic success. Please bring a text 📚 with you that you are either currently reading or plan to read in the future. Content is applicable K-8. See you there!
This professional development session is designed to empower educators with the skills and strategies needed to write effective, measurable, and individualized education plan (IEP) goals. Participants will learn how to align goals with students' unique needs, strengths, and present levels of performance while ensuring compliance with legal and educational standards. Through hands-on activities and collaborative discussions, attendees will explore best practices for crafting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals that drive student progress and success. This session is ideal for special education teachers, general educators, and support staff involved in the IEP process
Lunch will be served. Please notify Wendy Enochs if you require meal accommodations at least 1 week before the event.
Please make sure you work with your site administrator and secretary to arrange coverage. All materials will be made available after the PDs in the SEIS User Group.
This one-hour PAID professional development session will review the distinctions between phonological awareness and phonemic awareness while providing several small-group activities that can be immediately implemented in the classroom. Participants are encouraged to bring a colleague, as there will be time for hands-on practice and their foundational skills teachers guide. (95% or National Geographic)
Note: This session will be similar to the Five Pillars Phonemic Awareness PD offered last year, as well as the professional development session led by Kirsten Kelley during the district PD day.
This session is ideal for teachers seeking to incorporate phonemic awareness activities into their classrooms. It is particularly beneficial for K-2 teachers, special education teachers, and 3rd-5th grade teachers providing remediation.
Dive into an interactive Professional Development session that unveils the secrets of building fluency in literacy. Discover the 'why,' 'how,' and 'what' to empower your students and elevate reading fluency to new heights!
The Why Session: Leveraging the DBQ project in secondary History. We can start with why we're using the DBQ project. What can it replace in your teaching? How does it bring writing and critical thinking into the classroom, directly relating to the HSS framework. We’ll look at the continuous use of primary and secondary sources, identifying point of view and author bias, incorporating McRel's ideas for best first instruction, Avid annotating techniques and cooperative structures. We will discuss the 6 parts of the DBQ project and how to successfully facilitate each part. Teaching with the DBQ project doesn't always mean constant five-paragraph essays—it can be broken down into smaller assignments to complement the existing curriculum.
This one-hour PAID professional development session will review the distinctions between phonological awareness and phonemic awareness while providing several small-group activities that can be immediately implemented in the classroom. Participants are encouraged to bring a colleague, as there will be time for hands-on practice and their foundational skills teachers guide. (95% or National Geographic)
Note: This session will be similar to the Five Pillars Phonemic Awareness PD offered last year, as well as the professional development session led by Kirsten Kelley during the district PD day.
This session is ideal for teachers seeking to incorporate phonemic awareness activities into their classrooms. It is particularly beneficial for K-2 teachers, special education teachers, and 3rd-5th grade teachers providing remediation.
This 90-minute PAID professional development session will provide a brief overview of the importance of phonics instruction, followed by practical small-group activities designed to strengthen phonics skills. Participants should bring their Foundational Skills Teacher’s Guide and be prepared for interactive practice with a colleague.
Note: This session will be similar to the Five Pillars Phonics PD offered last year, as well as the professional development session led by Kirsten Kelley on PD day.
This session is ideal for teachers seeking to incorporate phonemic awareness activities into their classrooms. It is particularly beneficial for K-2 teachers and special education teachers.
This session aims to equip educators with a practical, innovative strategy, “hexagonal thinking” to enhance student engagement and critical thinking in social studies classrooms using the DBQ Project. Participants will learn how to implement this strategy to help students connect historical documents, synthesize key themes, and craft compelling arguments. What is Hexagonal Thinking?
Hexagonal thinking is an interactive, student-centered approach that promotes critical analysis and deep connections between concepts. By using hexagons to visualize and connect ideas, students uncover relationships between key terms, historical events, and perspectives. This strategy is particularly effective for navigating the complexity of DBQ tasks, where students analyze multiple documents to respond to a central question.
This professional development session explores evidence-based strategies to enhance understanding across all content areas. Discover how to integrate comprehension instruction into your daily routines, leverage the reading and writing ropes, and support diverse learners, including English language learners.
This 90-minute PAID professional development session will provide a brief overview of the importance of phonics instruction, followed by practical small-group activities designed to strengthen phonics skills. Participants should bring their Foundational Skills Teacher’s Guide and be prepared for interactive practice with a colleague.
Note: This session will be similar to the Five Pillars Phonics PD offered last year, as well as the professional development session led by Kirsten Kelley on PD day.
This session is ideal for teachers seeking to incorporate phonemic awareness activities into their classrooms. It is particularly beneficial for K-2 teachers and special education teachers.
This 90-minute professional development session will explore Vowel Valley and the articulation chart from LETRS, with a focus on incorporating kinesthetic motions to support sound instruction. Participants will analyze current student writing samples and discuss strategies for effectively utilizing classroom sound walls. Please bring 95% letter cards or the National Geographic Volume One Teacher’s Guide, along with a few current student writing samples.
This session is ideal for teachers seeking to incorporate phonemic awareness activities into their classrooms. It is particularly beneficial for K-1 teachers and special education teachers.
The Why Session: Leveraging the DBQ project in secondary History. We can start with why we're using the DBQ project. What can it replace in your teaching? How does it bring writing and critical thinking into the classroom, directly relating to the HSS framework. We’ll look at the continuous use of primary and secondary sources, identifying point of view and author bias, incorporating McRel's ideas for best first instruction, Avid annotating techniques and cooperative structures. We will discuss the 6 parts of the DBQ project and how to successfully facilitate each part. Teaching with the DBQ project doesn't always mean constant five-paragraph essays—it can be broken down into smaller assignments to complement the existing curriculum.
This 90-minute professional development session will explore Vowel Valley and the articulation chart from LETRS, with a focus on incorporating kinesthetic motions to support sound instruction. Participants will analyze current student writing samples and discuss strategies for effectively utilizing classroom sound walls. Please bring 95% letter cards or the National Geographic Volume One Teacher’s Guide, along with a few current student writing samples.
This session is ideal for teachers seeking to incorporate phonemic awareness activities into their classrooms. It is particularly beneficial for K-1 teachers and special education teachers.
Empower your students to think beyond the textbook and engage in authentic STEM research! This dynamic two-day workshop will provide you with the tools, strategies, and inspiration to develop and expand student-led Science Fair program at your school site. Learn how to support students at every stage—from project ideation to competition—while overcoming common obstacles, fostering mentorships, and creating a sustainable STEM research culture in your school. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to enhance an existing program, this session will equip you with actionable steps to ignite curiosity and drive success.
Empower your students to think beyond the textbook and engage in authentic STEM research! This dynamic two-day workshop will provide you with the tools, strategies, and inspiration to develop and expand student-led Science Fair program at your school site. Learn how to support students at every stage—from project ideation to competition—while overcoming common obstacles, fostering mentorships, and creating a sustainable STEM research culture in your school. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to enhance an existing program, this session will equip you with actionable steps to ignite curiosity and drive success.
