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Inviting Writers Into the Process: Three Strategies for Increasing Access 

October 13, 2023 Melanie Meehan, Author & Elementary Writing Coordinator

Author & Elementary Writing Coordinator Melanie Meehan explains how she makes the writing process more accessible to students who are struggling.

Tags: Teaching

Trusting Emergent Readers

October 10, 2023 Hannah Schneewind & Jennifer Scoggin, Literacy Consultants

Literacy consultants Hannah Schneewind & Jennifer Scoggin discuss the importance of developing students’ reading identities.

Tags: Teaching

Restorative Reading for Educators

October 6, 2023 Stephanie Affinito, Author & Educator, University at Albany, NY

Enhance the reading experience to soothe the body, spark the mind, and connect readers together.

Calling All Coaches: Consider Small Language Moves for a Big Impact  

September 22, 2023 Irene Fountas, Director

If you are a coach, teacher leader, principal or other administrator, you may not fully realize how your language impacts each educator in your school community.

Tags: Coaching

Getting to Know Your Readers

September 12, 2023 Nikki Drury, Literacy Trainer

Observational assessment, in the form of a benchmark reading conference, is a good way to begin the journey of teaching literacy in the new school year.

Tags: Teaching

A World of Songs, Poems, and Nursery Rhymes 

August 10, 2023 Genevieve Arcovio, Literacy Trainer

Have you considered the many benefits of using songs, nursery rhymes, and poetry in your classroom? Here are some recommendations as you get started.

Tags: Teaching

Growing as Educators: Making the Shift to a Culture of Professional Learning

August 7, 2023 Irene Fountas, Director

The shift from “professional development” to “professional learning” implies a thoughtful design that is part of the school’s shared vision, values, and beliefs.

Teaching Readers (Not Reading): Peter Afflerbach Discusses the Role of Motivation, Engagement, and Metacognition

August 2, 2023 Genevieve Arcovio

Looking back on the recent Summer Literacy Institute at Lesley University, researcher and educator Dr. Peter Afflerbach discussed the importance of instruction that moves beyond skills and strategies.

Tags: Teaching

Carl Anderson: Teaching with Mentor Texts

August 1, 2023 Genevieve Arcovio, Literacy Trainer

Reflecting on the recent Summer Literacy Institute at Lesley University, educator and author Carl Anderson spoke about how a well-crafted text can model strong writing for students.

Tags: Teaching

Word Study: Pairing Joy and Purpose with Pam Koutrakos 

July 27, 2023 Genevieve Arcovio, Literacy Trainer

Looking back at the recent Summer Literacy Institute at Lesley University, educator and author Pam Koutrakos discussed how to combine joy and purpose while teaching word study.

Tags: Teaching

Upcoming Professional Development

July 13 – September 6, 2026 (Summer Term II)

Effective Reading Instruction: Community & Practice, K-8

In this 8-week online course for grades 3-8 teachers, learn the purpose, organization, and structure of a readers’ workshop.

$2,730 ($875/credit + $35/credit comprehensive fee) + required texts
July 13-16, 2026

Building Deep Thinkers Through Reading: Engaging Students in Robust Comprehension

Let’s teach readers to think deeply. Join us to explore robust comprehension as an active, layered, and dynamic process to synthesize ideas, make inferences, and critique texts – not just recall facts.

$895 (includes professional text)
July 1-2, 2026

Wondrous Words: Igniting Children’s Passion, Purpose, and Skills for Writing

Join us for this two-day, hands-on workshop where you’ll strengthen your ability to read like a writer and learn how to use mentor texts to help students expand their repertoire of craft moves, grow their identities as writers, and deepen their understanding of writing as a meaningful act.

$595 (Text Included)

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