How do teachers stay true to the design of Bookworms while still responding to the learners in front of them? In this session, participants will explore the tension between fidelity and adaptive practice and consider when, why, and how lesson adjustments can support students without compromising instructional intent. Educators will examine strategies for balancing consistency and flexibility, using reflective practice to guide decisions, and maintaining high-quality instruction that benefits every learner.
Translating materials is often a go-to strategy for supporting newcomers or multilingual learners. While translations can be effective at certain times, multilinguals need opportunities to engage with English content to develop language alongside new learning. In this session, we’ll explore cross-linguistic strategies that allow children to use both their home languages and English while reading, writing, and talking about math.
Move beyond One Teach-One Support by clearly defining Roles and Responsibilities through the lens of student needs and maximizing the use of various co-instructional approaches, all while utilizing the Bookworms instructional routines to increase student access and engagement with the curriculum.
When anchor charts are used well, they become tools for thinking, not just classroom wallpaper. In this session, participants will explore how to design and use anchor charts in ELA and math to make learning visible, reinforce key concepts, and support students as they work independently and together. Expect concrete examples and practical takeaways you can use right away.
Creating classrooms where all students contribute meaningfully takes intentional planning and facilitation. In this session, educators will explore the goals of productive classroom conversation and how strategic questioning can strengthen participation, engagement, and deeper understanding. Participants will learn practical ways to structure and sustain discussions that support literacy, communication, and critical thinking across lessons and content areas. Educators will leave with concrete tools for embedding purposeful talk into daily instruction.
Pop culture often portrays learning as effortless genius or heroic teaching. In reality, joyful learning grows from curiosity, collaboration, and student thinking. In this session, we examine common myths about teaching in film and television and contrast them with practices that support meaningful literacy and numeracy learning. Participants will leave with reflection tools and practical strategies to foster joyful, thinking-centered classrooms.
Effective instruction starts with knowing your students well. In this session, teachers will explore what to assess and when at each grade level in the Bookworms curriculum, with a focus on using rubrics to make assessment clear, consistent, and actionable. Participants will examine practical strategies for collecting meaningful data, interpreting results, and using insights to inform instruction, support every learner, and strengthen student confidence. You’ll leave with concrete tools and routines to make assessment more purposeful and manageable.
Families and caregivers play an essential role in students’ learning, but too often they are invited in only through one-time events or traditional conferences. In this session, participants will explore practical strategies for building authentic family partnerships around instruction, helping caregivers feel more connected, informed, and equipped to support learning at home. You’ll leave with concrete ideas for strengthening trust, communication, and shared investment in student learning.
Creating strong conditions for multilingual learners starts with intentional leadership. In this session, participants will explore five practical ways leaders can strengthen support for multilingual learners. Leaders will leave with concrete ideas for building more inclusive classrooms, supporting teachers in effective practice, and creating learning environments where multilingual learners can engage deeply with content, language, and identity.
