New Webinars
Jason DeHart, Ph.D.
Transforming Reader Identity: Positive Approaches to Literacy for Older Readers
Older readers often have a fixed sense of what reading means (as seen in the work of researcher and author Dr. Peter Johnston), how often reading occurs in their daily lives, and if they like reading at all. As educators, we sometimes have a lot to work against in terms of family dynamics, negative feelings of self as reader, and the sense that “it’s too late.” Even adults who share their stories of striving in reading sometimes carry a sense of negativity about these emotions and experiences. Our goal is to curb that.
This insightful presentation will help teachers and administrators understand it’s never too late, and there are applicable strategies that can address reframing, motivation, and helping all readers see themselves as more than their challenges. Research proves that early intervention is key, and there are concrete ways to help middle and high school students make gains and improve literacy and confidence.
In this presentation, our expert will share:
- How to develop a framework for success
- Ways to take what is known and tackle what is unknown
- New ways to frame literacy
- Why educators must consider both assets and needs students bring with spoken language, social and cultural awareness, writing and composing, and real-life uses for the content we teach
- Why specific, systematic instruction is needed, going from part to whole
- How instructors can refresh skills for older readers as needed and pay attention to the areas of most significant and critical need by taking what students are already familiar with and adding to it (especially important for working with English Learners)
Upcoming!
Dr. Anita Archer
The Human Heart Characteristics of Teachers
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 | 2 p.m. (CT)
When we look at the profession of teaching, three bodies of knowledge are necessary:
- Knowledge of the content to be taught
- Knowledge of effective instructional practices
- Knowledge of how students learn
But underlying these essential bodies of knowledge are the characteristics of teachers we must celebrate on this Valentine’s Day. What makes a great teacher? What sets some apart from others? Who lives
on in the memories of their students?
In this webinar, Dr. Anita Archer will explore the characteristics as she reflects on the teachers she has known during the past 56 years of her career. Dr. Archer will share stories of the “greats” and their heart characteristics: passion,
intention, order, tenacity, compassion, and JOY. We’ll also discuss the recent teacher exodus and what teachers need to stay committed to the classroom.
Please join us to celebrate the human hearts of teachers.
Previous Webinars
Dr. John Woodward
Math Standards, Research, and the Making of a Curriculum: Evidence-Based Practices from the IES Guide
It has always been a game of catch up. New math standards often appear before there’s enough research to support them. Fortunately, we are a decade out from the last major changes to standards at the state and national levels. Research is catching up, particularly at the elementary and middle school levels.
This presentation will describe findings from a recent federal research synthesis that gives specific guidance for students who struggle in the elementary grades. These findings also have implications for middle school students. Finally, the presentation will provide examples of how standards and research have been embedded in a middle school intervention curriculum.
Participants will learn:
- Why there is an understandable gap between standards and supporting research
- Key recommendations supported by high-quality research for math interventions and elementary and middle school
- What these recommendations look like in an intervention curriculum
We hope you’ll join us!
Dr. Jan Hasbrouck
Reading Fluency: The Key for Comprehension
We all know that fluent reading is an important goal for our students to achieve but how do we develop fluency and how do we help those who struggle?
Join us for this informative session with respected author and researcher Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, who will share an updated and functional definition of reading fluency. The presentation will also include research-supported fluency instruction strategies that you can apply to your own classroom teaching, the updated compiled ORF norms (Hasbrouck & Tindal, 1992; 2006; 2017) will be shared.
You’ll enjoy Hasbrouck’s motivating style as she provides an opportunity for attendees to reflect on how fluency supports reading comprehension and how it should fit into a comprehensive and effective reading program for all students.
Attendees will:
- Learn the most accurate definition of the complex skill of reading fluency
- Gain an understanding of the current research
- Receive practical guidance for assessing and developing students’ fluency
- Learn new, specific skill-development activities
Hannah Irion-Frake
Building a Reading-Writing Connection in the Classroom
Interested in improving your literacy teaching and discovering creative new ways to get students excited about writing? Join teacher and science of reading advocate Hannah Irion-Frake for this applicable webinar! Our presenter will explore the reading-writing
connection and will share ways you can appropriately increase the amount of writing students do in your classroom. The presentation will span the strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope and will include strategies for writing related to both word
recognition and language comprehension.
We hope you’ll join us as Irion-Frake illustrates how writing can strengthen reading instruction. You’ll learn:
- How opportunities for writing can strengthen students’ reading development
- Classroom-friendly strategies to increase opportunities for students to write
- Science of reading best practices for classroom implementation
Dr. Courtney Wheeler
Accurate Math Assessment: Informing Systemwide Support
As schools across the country implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework, an integration of data and instruction is necessary to support all students and ensure success. Specific to math, a schoolwide or districtwide system should include
various components, such as different types of assessment for different purposes, multiple levels or tiers of support, and available resources. Accurate assessment data is necessary to examine the effectiveness of instruction at each tier of support.
This informative presentation will describe how to utilize math assessment data within a data-based, decision-making framework to evaluate instruction from a systems-level perspective.
Attendees will learn:
- Why it’s important to conduct systems-level problem solving
- How assessment fits into the MTSS framework
- Ways to use math screening data to evaluate their system of support in math
We hope you’ll join us!
Dr. Ruth Kaminski
The Power of Prevention: The Critical Need for Assessment
Reading failure can be prevented in almost every learner.
In this webinar, Dr. Ruth Kaminski, co-author of Acadience Reading K-6 (formerly known as DIBELS) will discuss what we know about the prevention of reading failure. She will share practical advice about methods to prevent reading failure, all of which
are grounded in the science of reading, with an emphasis on the role of assessment.
As a result of participation in this webinar, attendees will:
- Become familiar with a prevention-oriented model of reading disability
- Learn practical strategies for preventing reading disabilities
- Understand the critical role of assessment in the prevention of reading disabilities.
Marilyn Sprick
Integrate Literacy, Behavior, and Social Emotional Learning: Strategies for Educators
When working with fragile readers, we are working with fragile young people. Learn what you can do to combine scientifically based literacy strategies, research-based behavioral strategies, and social emotional learning to lift a child’s spirit,
give them an environment in which they feel safe to learn, and enhance learning, achievement, and future opportunities. Plan now for the 2022-2023 school year, your reading-intervention strategy, and what you can do to help students "catch up," feel
confident, and hold their heads high.
During this webinar, you’ll learn how to:
- Support self-awareness and build relationship skills
- Teach behavioral skills for literacy building and employability
- Improve reading skills and enjoy the ensuing confidence
Dr. Julie Klingerman
Reading Intervention in Middle School: Critical Steps for Success
The evidence is compelling – early identification and intervention is key to providing the greatest opportunity to “close the gap” among struggling and successful readers. However, the stark reality is that many older students are reading below levels which enable them to comprehend grade level, and content-area texts.
Although an approach to intervention for older students may require some modifications, the components of explicit instruction, structured literacy, and ample opportunities to practice to fluency remain the cornerstone of good instruction. Join Dr. Julie Klingerman as she explores these facets of intervention unique to older students:
- How do the components of a structured literacy approach apply to older, struggling students?
- How can intervention be accelerated in both word recognition and language comprehension to prepare students for the rigors of content-area reading?
- Which kinds of practice are most motivating to students in grades 4 and up?
Dr. Anita Archer
Learning is NOT a Spectator Sport:
Increasing Student Engagement
Would you like your students to be more motivated, more engaged, more on-task, and learn more in your lessons? If so, the answer lies in increasing the opportunities to respond.
In this webinar, Dr. Archer, a respected authority on literacy teaching and learning, will share the research on opportunities to respond and practical procedures for implementing verbal, written, and action responses in all lessons. You’ll learn useful strategies and inspiring tips to help you better engage your students, and therefore they’ll learn more from your teaching.
Join us for this useful webinar with the always motivating Dr. Archer, and you’ll leave with practices you can immediately apply in your classroom.
Dr. Leslie Laud
The Science of Writing: Accelerate Overall Literacy Development via Writing
Join this fascinating, useful presentation as Dr. Leslie Laud shares the most powerful evidence-based practices for raising literacy outcomes—while emphasizing the role writing can play. As Dr. Laud calls on an abundance of current research, much of it just out in 2020-2021, she will help you understand its impact and how the research sheds new light on what works in explicit, Structured Literacy instruction. This webinar will present the latest evidence-based practices so you can best help your students get caught up following the gaps in instruction they may have experienced during the past year.
Dr. Kelly A. Powell-Smith
Your Literacy Assessment Toolbox: Effectively and Efficiently Informing Schoolwide Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Join education and assessment expert Dr. Kelly Powell-Smith of Acadience Learning as she examines the critical issues educators face when making assessment decisions. Which assessments are necessary to support schoolwide Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in the area of literacy, and when should they be used?
Dr. Antonio A. Fierro
Reading Intervention for Middle School English Learners: Changing the Trajectory
For our middle school English Learners, special considerations must be made based on the stages of language acquisition, literacy levels in their native language, and support needed to learn to read and write in English. As an educator, are you doing everything possible to change the trajectory of literacy challenges into success?
Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling
Structured Literacy Interventions for the Elementary Grades
This webinar will address the value of Structured Literacy (SL) approaches for different types of reading difficulties, including those centering on comprehension as well as decoding. The webinar will begin with a summary of the key features of SL (e.g., use of explicit, systematic teaching; prompt, targeted feedback; purposeful selections of instructional tasks and texts), and how SL approaches differ from non-SL approaches that are more commonly used to teach reading. Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling, a respected authority on literacy, will then focus on providing multiple examples of SL activities and materials for teaching important components of reading such as decoding, fluency, vocabulary, syntax, and comprehension.
Dr. Stephanie Stollar
Effective Reading Intervention: Characteristics, Differences, and Systems of Support
Tiered instruction models such as Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) are designed to provide more effective instruction to students who are identified as being more at risk of future reading difficulties. Implementing a system of increasingly intensive instructional supports begins with careful consideration of the characteristics of effective reading intervention. This session will describe the characteristics of intervention instruction, differentiate it from classroom instruction, and outline the systems-level variables to address when implementing MTSS.
Hannah Irion-Frake
Reading Intervention: Essential Strategies for Spring
This has been a school year with many challenges. Making sure students are on track to meet grade-level literacy goals is more important than ever. With spring and high-stakes testing just around the corner, get a jump start on your intervention planning and learn new science of reading-based strategies to boost your intervention, during this special webinar with educator, Instagram influencer, and Voyager Passport® ambassador, Hannah Irion-Frake.
Marilyn Sprick
Addressing the Dyslexia Continuum: Strategies for Teachers, Schools, and Districts
Join author and literacy expert Marilyn Sprick for an enlightening and timely presentation during Dyslexia Awareness Month. Sprick will discuss the dyslexia journey—specifically talking about students on the dyslexia spectrum, and their challenges and successes.
Melody Ilk
Intervention Systems and Infrastructures: Ways Administrators Can Utilize Data to Impact Instruction for Students with Reading Challenges
In this special presentation honoring the importance of Dyslexia Awareness Month, literacy expert Melody Ilk will discuss the research on effective intervention for students with dyslexia and other reading challenges. She will share with attendees the critical nature of components needed to change outcomes for struggling readers.
Dr. Julie Klingerman
Differentiated Instruction: Aligning Assessment and Management of Your Intervention Block to Reflect a Science of Reading Classroom
At the very core of effective literacy instruction is the teacher’s knowledge and ability to determine each student’s strengths and weaknesses to differentiate accordingly. Join Dr. Julie Klingerman to discover some fresh ways to approach the realities of creating targeted intervention groups while handling classroom management like a pro!
Dr. Mary Abbott
Dr. Roland H.Good, III Ph.D.
CBM in Middle School? The Importance of Content-Area Reading Indicators Within an MTSS Framework
In middle school, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) models need more than the conventional curriculum-based measurement (CBM) reading procedures for screening and progress-monitoring. It is important that educators supporting middle school students have an understanding of these learners' reading skills across content areas so they can appropriately target instruction and intervention in a multi-tiered system of support.
John Alexander
Structured Literacy Webinar Series
Literacy Culture Change: A Case Example
Changing a school’s literacy culture is difficult, especially when the change requires a deep examination of the weaknesses of an existing program. This webinar will explore a real-life example of how Venture Academy, a school for students who struggle with learning disabilities in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, was able to make the shift from viewing the teaching of reading through a whole language lens to one of evidence and science. Participants will learn how the school made a systematic change in reading philosophy and adopted the components of an effective literacy program in just one year. The discussion will include an in-depth examination of student outcomes before and after the year of change.
Dr. Anita Archer
Boost Reading Outcomes: Strategies for a Critical Year
Due to interrupted instruction, there has never been a more critical year for an academic boost than this one. For strategies, tips, and inspiration as you plan for the fall, make sure to join literacy expert Dr. Anita Archer, author of REWARDS, as she shares how to identify at-risk students at the start of the school year and improve academic performance.
Dr. Archer will also discuss the results of an outside research study using a short-term intervention program. With Dr. Archer’s expertise and shared ideas, you can be confident you’re adequately prepared to increase literacy skills and academic performance in your students after this informative webinar.
Dr. Brandi B. Kenner, Ph.D.
Social Emotional Literacy Webinar Series
Four Sides of the Same Pyramid: Inextricable Ties Among Social-Emotional Development, Language, Literacy, and Equity
In this informative webinar, learn the historic and scientific evidence behind supporting the need for schools and districts to place equal attention on four core areas in an effort to truly transform our educational systems: social-emotional development, language, literacy, and equity. Using the metaphor of a triangular pyramid, this webinar shines light on the ways in which these core areas work together to maintain sturdy, healthy, and safe learning environments that promote “learning brain,” while simultaneously supporting children’s overall development and clearing roadblocks on the path toward agency and choice-filled living for all.
Participants will:
- Learn key definitions related to the topic
- Learn strategies for integrating social-emotional development, language, and literacy throughout the learning day, through an equity lens
- Reflect upon the ways in which they are already addressing each of the core four components in practice
- Identify additional questions and personal learning goals related to the core four areas (social-emotional development, language, literacy, and equity)
Louisa Moats, Ed.D.
Margaret Goldberg
Speech to Print vs. Print to Speech: Does It Make a Difference in Beginning Reading Instruction?
Join this spirited presentation as our esteemed literacy experts discuss the rationale and implications of "speech to print" in early reading instruction. Examples of several curricula to contrast a speech-to-print approach with the inverse will be shared. Together, these respected authorities will analyze writing samples and lesson formats from first grade programs in order to demonstrate the importance of orienting students to spoken language as the anchor for processing print.
Here's what you will learn:
- The linguistic demands of reading and writing an alphabet
- The steps necessary for readers to establish automatic word recognition
- How to recognize when a program, approach, or lesson structure does and does not facilitate use of alphabetic decoding and word recognition
Dr. Julie Klingerman
Melody Ilk
The Science of Reading Webinar Series
Help! How Do I Get My District Administrator or School Principal on Board with the Science of Reading?
One of the most important factors in student learning is the teacher’s knowledge base. In recent years, there has been promising evidence that teachers are becoming better equipped to teach reading and writing by better understanding the science of reading. However, major decisions about curriculum and instruction are often made at the administrative level. Without equally knowledgeable and supportive leadership, teachers may find themselves limited in their ability to implement substantial change in their classrooms. Join Melody Ilk and Julie Klingerman as they present very specific and practical ways to begin talking with leadership about moving toward best practices in reading and writing for your students.
Shannon Miller
Tracy Ferguson
Our Journey with Independent Online Literacy Practice and Reading Rangers
During this fun and lively webinar, you will follow the journey of second grade students at Van Meter Community School as they used an online practice program to improve their foundational reading skills and comprehension.
Educators Shannon McClintock Miller and Tracy Ferguson used the program regularly for two months to see firsthand what impact an online reading practice program might have on students. Follow along as these two respected educators share how they used Reading Rangers to improve their students’ reading skills, how engaged their students became while using a game-like format to rescue animals, and what these educators took away from the experience.
Join this fun and interesting presentation and you will learn:
- Why independent reading practice is essential, especially for students who struggle
- How an online reading program can reinforce foundational literacy skills—and be fun at the same time
- How Reading Rangers engages students and strengthens their independent reading skills at school and home, gives teachers the added practice tool they need, and uses a fun, game-like atmosphere to motivate students
Dr. Mary Dahlgren
The Science of Reading Webinar Series
The How and Why of Implementing a Sound Wall
Have you ever wanted to implement a sound wall, but are not sure how to get started? In this informative webinar, literacy and sound wall expert Dr. Mary Dahlgren will share the basics of setting up and implementing a sound wall, including how sound walls support the science of reading. If you already are implementing a sound wall, Dr. Dahlgren will show you the latest ways to improve it to increase reading skills.
During the webinar, Dr. Dahlgren will discuss:
- The best way to arrange a sound wall
- Introducing the sounds in a sound wall
- How to implement a sound wall once it is set up
We hope you will join us.
David Adams
Social Emotional Literacy Webinar Series
A Culturally Responsive Approach to Social and Emotional Learning
David Adams spent almost seven years as the Director of Social and Emotional Learning at Urban Assembly, where he and his team works with a network of 22 urban schools in New York to ensure that all staff and students receive relevant experiences and purposeful instruction to develop the social emotional competencies that impact students’ success in school, work, and life.
David’s wide-reaching (and international) experience gives him a unique perspective with how and why implementing social and emotional learning for all students is important for the future success of each individual student.
In this insightful and applicable presentation, attendees will learn the importance of implementing Culturally Responsive SEL that creates relevance through engagement, impacting students and staff beyond the classroom. Our respected presenter will share examples of how to directly develop and practice these skills during instruction in class, after school, in sports and into the community, and why all students should be given access to SEL skills without having to learn them through adversity or challenge.
Dr. Kelly A. Powell-Smith
Moderated by Kristen Biadasz
Outcomes-Driven Formative Assessment in Middle School: A Fireside Chat
Join us for this enlightening conversation as our Acadience® Learning experts discuss how to implement formative assessment of content-area reading in the middle school environment and why that is important. Lessons learned from successful implementation of Acadience® Reading assessments in K–6 will be shared. We will discuss how and why implementation of formative assessment may differ for middle school. A framework for decision making, called the Outcomes-Driven Model, also will be shared and its use in middle school will be illustrated.
Drs. Jessica Djabrayan Hannigan and John E. Hannigan
Social Emotional Literacy Webinar Series
SEL from a Distance: Building a Framework of Processes into your School/District to Guarantee Student Success
Make social and emotional learning a way of being—all day, every day, and in any setting.
The pandemic and subsequent switch to distance learning combined with recent instances of racial injustice have put a spotlight on cracks in the practice of social and emotional learning (SEL). More than ever before, schools are shifting their focus and prioritizing SEL competencies—around the nation and the world. The call for compassion has never been greater.
To easily and effortlessly build SEL into virtual, blended, or in-person environments, behavior experts Jessica Djabrayan Hannigan and John Hannigan have drawn together a collection of tools and processes for SEL that can be applied in any learning environment.
Horacio Sanchez
Social Emotional Literacy Webinar Series
The Poverty Problem—The Impact of Poverty on Learning and the Brain
Poverty is the single most significant event impacting education today. Every year, school systems dedicate resources, draft policies, and create new services to meet students' academic and behavioral challenges coming from poverty. However, many of these attempts to address students' needs in poverty are occurring without vital information about how poverty is transforming students' brains today. Attempting to address poverty issues with only partial information is like completing a puzzle with key pieces missing. When the puzzle is assembled, you can make out the general picture, but many key details are lost. The brain transformations resulting from poverty speak to the heart of the academic and behavioral issues schools seek to overcome. The neuroscience of poverty provides a clear picture of why academic and behavioral problems occur in relation to poverty and how to design a more precise response to best address the issues.
Dr. Rick Ferdig
Remote Learning Webinar Series
Preparing for January and Beyond: Lessons from Remote Learning in Spring and Early Fall
COVID-19 impacted—and continues to impact—teaching and learning in many ways. While some had hoped we would return to some level of normalcy by fall 2020, educators are now preparing for a second wave that may take many schools back online for spring 2021. Even if there is a cure or vaccine and all schools return to face-to-face teaching and learning, many educators understand the need to capitalize on what remote teaching and learning taught us and how to continue to use technology to better prepare our teachers, better educate our students, and better engage our parents.
Sarah Browning-Larson
Julia Peyton, Ph.D.
Jennie Tober, Ph.D.
Assessment in the Time of COVID-19: What Should You Consider for Winter Assessment?
We are living through a unique time during the global pandemic and educators across the country are working hard to provide equitable learning opportunities for their students. They have taken their profession in an unforeseen direction, and are working with district leaders, families, and each other to ensure students can grow in their academic careers.
Along with instruction comes assessment. Assessment as a term can evoke many feelings in educators, district leaders, and even family members. Assessment in the time of COVID-19 can amplify those feelings and raise questions that need to be explored.
Join our panel of assessment experts as they discuss considerations for assessment (and its impact on instruction) during the upcoming months. Through this Q&A discussion, our panelists will discuss these questions and more.
- What does assessment look like this year compared to previous years?
- What is the reality of some students being in school and some out of school? How does the data inform the instruction?
- What should you consider when assessing students this year? How does inequity factor into those considerations?
- Is there a framework or assessment system that can help educators?
- What types of assessments make sense for this school year?
- What type of support do students, educators, leaders, and families need? Is there any stigma you can mitigate?
Pam Austin
The Importance of Independent Practice: Literacy Success with Reading Rangers
Science of reading research has proven that systematic and explicit instruction of phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension is the best approach for reading success. In addition to teacher-directed instruction, the use of digital tools can increase student engagement and motivation, and allow students to practice and apply essential skills in a self-paced setting. This blended-learning approach of both teacher-led and independent, online practice will yield the greatest results.
Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling
Structured Literacy Webinar Series
Structured Literacy: Strategies for At-Risk and Struggling Readers
Structured Literacy instruction is the most effective way to teach all students to learn to read, and it is essential for at-risk and poor readers. Join literacy expert Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling as she discusses the key features and content of Structured Literacy approaches, examines the myths surrounding Structured Literacy, and shares some examples of Structured Literacy activities and techniques that educators can use immediately in the classroom.
Dr. Melissa Orkin
Remote Learning Webinar Series
RAVE-O: An Engaging Remote-Ready Solution to Fluency and Comprehension Challenges for 2nd–5th Grade Students
Building fluency among struggling readers is one of the greatest challenges an educator can face. That is because fluency is a complex skill that represents more than speed, it represents a student's ability to apply all of their word knowledge. When students read words, they are not applying their knowledge of phonics, but also their understanding of vocabulary, parts of speech, and morphology. The RAVE-O program is the only strategy-based fluency curriculum that teaches students to use the multiple aspects of word knowledge to increase their reading automaticity and comprehension. In randomized control studies, RAVE-O coupled with phonics programs has been more effective at building decoding, fluency, and comprehension than phonics programs alone.
Dr. Tim Rasinski
Remote Learning Webinar Series
Teaching Fluency in Remote Learning Environments
Given the current reality, the need for new approaches for teaching and learning reading— especially in online/remote environments—is critical. Now, is the time to provide educators with approaches for making reading instruction work for all students in all instructional environments. Join literacy expert and member of the International Reading Hall of Fame Dr. Tim Rasinski as he shares the importance of fluency for overall reading proficiency, and how best to address fluency in a remote learning environment.
Dr. Louisa Moats
Structured Literacy Webinar Series
Explicit Language Teaching is the Heart of Structured Literacy
Renowned literacy expert and author Dr. Louisa Moats speaks to a topic that she knows intricately: Structured Literacy. Dr. Moats identifies the content and procedures for teaching Structured Literacy, and presents examples of how to teach phoneme awareness, morphological awareness, phoneme-grapheme correspondences, and syllable patterns within an explicit lesson framework.