1-HOUR WORKSHOPS

Rethinking Reading Homework: The Read to Succeed Approach

(for grades 3 – 8 reading teachers)

Tired of worthless reading logs and endless worksheets that sap the joy out of reading? This workshop introduces Read to Succeed, a dynamic, research-based approach to reading homework that replaces drudgery with purpose. Grounded in creativity, critical thinking, student choice, and fun, this simple routine transforms nightly reading into an engaging, meaningful practice.

Participants will discover how this approach not only motivates students but also strengthens literacy skills and leads to higher academic achievement—all while making homework feel more like a hero than a villain.

Leave with all of the tools you need to begin Read to Succeed, an approach that honors students’ time, fosters intrinsic motivation, and enhances the overall learning experience—for both students and their families.

Picture This: Unlocking Learning Through Visual Art

(for grade K – 8 teachers, all subjects)

What if a painting, photograph, illustration, sculpture, or film clip became another text for your students to read, analyze, and connect to what they’re learning?

Students are surrounded by visual messages every day, yet we don't always teach them how to read those messages. In this research-informed, hands-on session, discover how visual art can become a powerful text for analysis—one that invites students to look closely, ask questions, identify themes and messages, interpret choices, and develop evidence-based ideas.

Learn how to pair visual works with the content already in your curriculum. Students might analyze a painting alongside a novel to explore theme and character, examine a photograph connected to a historical event, interpret an illustration to deepen comprehension, study a film clip for perspective and message, or use visual art to make connections to a scientific or mathematical concept.

You'll explore practical strategies for helping students:

• Read visual art as text by examining details, choices, symbols, perspective, and meaning

• Identify themes and messages and support interpretations with evidence

• Make connections between visual works and novels, historical events, science, mathematics, and other content

• Compare and contrast how different texts communicate similar ideas

• Build comprehension and critical-thinking skills through close observation and discussion

• Connect academic concepts to the visual world students encounter every day

This isn't an arts-and-crafts workshop! You don't need to teach students how to draw, paint, sculpt, or create elaborate projects. The focus is on looking, thinking, interpreting, discussing, and making connections—using visual art as an additional text that can be easily woven into the curriculum you already teach.

Leave with practical, ready-to-use strategies for bringing visual literacy into any subject and creating richer opportunities for students to think deeply about the ideas they're learning.

Read Between the Lyrics: Using Songs as Texts Across the Curriculum

(for grade 3 – 8 teachers, all subjects)

What if a song became another text for your students to read, analyze, and connect to what they’re learning?

Students don't typically expect to encounter a popular song in the middle of a lesson on a novel, historical event, or science concept. That unexpected experience can create novelty, spark curiosity, and increase students' interest and motivation. But this session goes far beyond simply listening to music. The song becomes the text.

In this lively, research-informed session, discover how to use carefully selected songs as texts for analysis alongside the novels, historical events, science topics, and other content already in your curriculum. Students examine lyrics and music for theme, tone, perspective, literary devices, and meaning, then compare what they discover with the texts and concepts they are studying.

For example, while reading Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days, students can analyze Simple Plan's Perfect, examining its lyrics, message, and musical choices before comparing its themes of expectations, identity, and being "perfect" with those explored in the novel.

You'll explore how to help students:

• Read songs as texts and analyze lyrics for meaning, theme, tone, and literary devices

• Compare and contrast songs with novels, historical events, scientific concepts, and other texts

• Identify and explore themes across different forms of communication

• Use evidence from both the song and the accompanying text to support their thinking

• Personalize learning by connecting themes and ideas to students' own experiences and perspectives

• Increase engagement and motivation by introducing an unexpected and novel form of text into the classroom

No singing. No musical talent. No instruments required! The focus is on listening, reading, analyzing, discussing, and making meaningful connections.

Leave with practical strategies for selecting songs, planning song-to-text connections, and turning music into a powerful additional text for comprehension, critical thinking, and deeper learning.

Spaces that Teach: Better Learning through Classroom Design

(for grade K – 8 teachers, all subjects)

Your classroom is more than four walls—it’s an active teaching tool that speaks even when you’re not. Research shows that the physical environment has a powerful impact on student focus, behavior, emotional regulation, and academic performance. Yet too often, classroom design is driven by Pinterest trends, personal décor preferences, or what looks good for Open House—rather than what actually supports student learning.

In this engaging, research-based workshop, you’ll explore how cluttered or overstimulating spaces can overwhelm students and interfere with cognitive function, while intentional, streamlined design can create calm, promote engagement, and foster collaboration. We’ll also take a critical look at how popular themes and well-intentioned décor can sometimes miss the mark, alienating or distracting students instead of inviting them in.

You’ll walk away with practical, budget-friendly strategies to refresh or rethink your space through a student-centered lens—whether you're starting from scratch or making small but impactful changes. Learn how to create a classroom that isn’t just cute, but truly purposeful: a space that supports academic success, honors diverse learners, and helps every student feel welcome, focused, and ready to learn.

Bullseye! Goal-Driven Learning that Hits the Target

(for grade 3 – 8 teachers, all subjects)

When students aim with purpose, they’re more likely to hit the mark. Backed by Professor John Hattie’s groundbreaking research on what works in education, this workshop explores how student goal setting can be a powerful driver of academic success.

Learn how helping students set clear, realistic goals can boost motivation, sharpen focus, improve time management, and elevate performance—both in daily learning and during high-stakes testing. You’ll leave with practical, easy-to-implement strategies to integrate goal setting across all subject areas, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and track their progress with confidence.

Whether you're new to goal setting or looking to refine your approach, this session will give you the tools to turn intention into achievement—and help your students hit their learning targets every time.

The Parent Trap: Creating Meaningful Parent Involvement

(for grade K – 8 teachers, all subjects)

When parents are genuinely engaged in their children's education, students thrive—with higher achievement, stronger attendance, and improved social-emotional well-being. But effective involvement isn’t one-size-fits-all. In today’s busy world, many families struggle to stay connected, while others may overstep in ways that unintentionally hinder student growth, strain teacher relationships, or disrupt classroom dynamics.

This workshop dives into the delicate balance of too much vs. too little parental involvement—and how both extremes can negatively impact learning. You’ll explore what research says about realistic expectations for parent participation, how to differentiate between helpful and harmful involvement, and how to set clear, respectful boundaries that empower everyone.

Through practical, ready-to-use strategies, you'll learn how to foster positive, collaborative relationships with families—built on trust, mutual respect, and shared goals. Discover how to make smart, strategic decisions about when and how to invite parents in—and when it’s okay (and beneficial) to keep certain decisions in the hands of professionals.

Walk away with tools to create parent partnerships that are sustainable, student-centered, and truly impactful—without the traps.

Purposeful Learning, Powerful Results: The Impact of Service Learning

(for grade 3 – 8 teachers, any subject)

Service learning is a dynamic, research-supported approach that blends academic instruction with real-world community engagement. By participating in projects that address authentic local needs, students deepen their understanding of core content, build practical skills aligned to state standards, and develop a strong sense of civic responsibility.

This approach promotes critical thinking, collaboration, and personal growth—while making learning more relevant and meaningful. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore inspiring examples of service learning in action and gain the tools and strategies needed to design impactful projects for your own classroom.

2-HOUR WORKSHOPS

ELA Test-o-Rama: Simple & Meaningful Approaches to Preparing Students for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness in ELA

(for grade 3, 4, or 5 teachers of language arts)

Get ready for an energetic, hands-on deep dive into the English Language Arts portion of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)! In this fast-paced 2-hour workshop, teachers unpack what’s tested, how it’s tested, and the logic behind question types, rubrics, and scoring. Together, we’ll look at testing as its own genre—and explore practical ways to teach students how to navigate that complex world with confidence and skill.

Designed to be delivered early in the school year, Test-o-Rama helps teachers put effective practices in place from the start—practices that lead not only to stronger test performance, but to stronger everyday instruction and student learning as well.

Participants will:

• Explore all five IAR question types used in the ELA portion, and learn clear, effective strategies for each.

• Analyze their school’s grade-specific IAR data for ELA to identify patterns, strengths, and areas for growth.

• Discover simple ways to adapt language arts instruction and curriculum to target skill gaps.

• Practice research-based, data-driven reading and writing activities that build readiness, motivation, stamina, and test-taking confidence—all while keeping learning authentic and engaging.

Every Test-o-Rama ELA session is custom-designed to each school’s unique needs, incorporating their own ELA student data and current language arts curriculum. Teachers leave with a detailed PowerPoint full of ready-to-use slides, activities, and classroom tools they can put into action right away.

Test-o-Rama is more than just a test prep session--it teaches the skills students need to succeed as learners. Because when it comes to IAR prep, the goal isn’t just higher scores—it’s smarter, stronger, more confident readers and writers.

NOTE: This session is also available as a 3-hour workshop that incorporates both IAR Language Arts and IAR Math preparation.

Math Test-o-Rama: Mathematics Mastery for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness

(for grade 3, 4, or 5 teachers of math)

Say goodbye to dry test prep! This 2-hour workshop helps teachers crack the code of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) math test—what’s assessed, how it’s assessed, and how to turn test prep into meaningful, engaging instruction. Participants dig into the structure of the IAR math exam, explore the seven item types, and learn practical strategies for helping students tackle each one with skill and confidence.

Designed to be delivered early in the school year, Test-o-Rama helps teachers put effective practices in place from the start—practices that lead not only to stronger test performance, but to stronger everyday instruction and student learning as well.

Participants will:

• Unpack question formats and scoring so they can teach test-taking as its own problem-solving genre.

• Analyze their school’s grade-level IAR data in math to identify areas of weakness and turn them into growth opportunities.

• Learn simple, research-based strategies and classroom activities that strengthen conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, and test stamina.

• Explore ways to seamlessly embed IAR-aligned skills and strategies within existing math curriculum and routines.

Each Test-o-Rama math session is custom-built for your school, using your own IAR math data, areas of focus, and math curriculum. Participants leave with a detailed PowerPoint full of ready-to-use slides, activities, and tools they can implement the very next day.

Because the best test prep isn’t about drilling—it’s about building confident, flexible mathematical thinkers ready for anything the IAR throws their way.

NOTE: This session is also available as a 3-hour workshop that incorporates both IAR Language Arts and IAR Math preparation.

Vocab Mastery: Artful Teaching Meets Evidence-Based Practice

(for grade 3 – 8 teachers, all subjects)

Strong vocabulary skills are the backbone of reading comprehension, effective communication, and long-term academic success in any subject. But too often, vocabulary instruction still relies on outdated methods—like copying definitions from a dictionary, memorizing word lists, or completing isolated workbook pages. These rarely lead to deep understanding, lasting retention, or real-world application.

In this interactive workshop, you'll explore what does work: a blend of evidence-based strategies like explicit instruction, contextual learning, and meaningful word-use routines—combined with creative, brain-friendly techniques that make words stick. From visual word walls, drama techniques, and storytelling, you’ll discover ways to bring vocabulary to life in any content area.

You’ll leave with a ready-to-use toolkit of practical strategies that engage all learners, build deeper word knowledge, and help students develop not just a stronger vocabulary—but a genuine love for language, one powerful word at a time.

Beyond the Stage: Using Drama to Deepen Learning Across the Curriculum

(for grade K – 8 teachers, all subjects)

What if students could use their bodies, voices, and imaginations to think more deeply about what they’re learning in reading, science, math, or social studies?

Drama isn't just for the stage. Used as a teaching strategy, drama gives students active ways to process, explore, and demonstrate their understanding of academic content. In this hands-on session, discover how simple techniques such as focus exercises, tableau, role-play, improvisation, skits, and story dramatization can be woven directly into the curriculum you already teach.

Learn how to use drama to help students step inside a story, physically represent a mathematical concept, take on the perspective of a historical figure, dramatize a scientific process, strengthen focus, explore vocabulary and character, or transform their own writing into performance.

You'll explore practical ways to use drama to:

• Deepen reading comprehension by dramatizing scenes, exploring character perspectives, and bringing stories to life

• Strengthen writing by turning student writing into scenes, dialogue, and performance

• Make abstract concepts concrete by using movement, role-play, and physical representation

• Explore history and social studies by stepping into the roles and perspectives of people and events

• Process science and math concepts through movement, improvisation, and dramatic representation

• Develop communication and collaboration through ensemble activities, improvisation, and performance

• Give students another way to show what they know beyond traditional written responses and worksheets

You'll experience these techniques as a learner and discover how easily they can be adapted for different ages, subjects, and classroom settings.

No costumes. No scripts to memorize. No theater experience required! The goal isn't to turn your students into actors—it's to use the tools of drama to help them think, process, understand, and remember.

Leave with classroom-ready strategies that can be dropped into your existing lessons to make learning more active, collaborative, meaningful, and memorable.

The Power of Engagement: Designing Learning That Captivates and Inspires

(for grade K – 8 teachers, all subjects)

Engaging learning experiences do more than hold students’ attention—they deepen understanding, boost retention, and build essential skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and analytical thinking. When students are actively involved in the learning process, they’re more motivated, more successful, and more likely to develop a lifelong love of learning.

But true engagement isn’t about flashy activities or one-off moments of excitement. It’s about creating meaningful, student-centered experiences that connect content to curiosity—and learners to their own potential.

In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore research-based strategies for designing lessons that are relevant, responsive, and rooted in authentic inquiry. Discover how to cultivate classroom environments where all learners feel seen, challenged, and inspired. From choice-driven tasks and real-world connections to purposeful questioning and active learning structures, you'll gain practical tools that bring your curriculum to life—across all subjects and grade levels.

Leave energized, equipped, and ready to turn engagement into a daily habit—not a happy accident.

Lit Loud: Bringing Novels to Life Through Interactive Read-Alouds

(for grade 3 – 8 teachers, reading/language arts)

Interactive read-alouds are a powerful, research-supported strategy that elevate comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency while fostering a deeper connection with texts. Far more than simply reading aloud, this approach invites students to actively engage—predicting, questioning, discussing, and reflecting as they listen.

Through rich dialogue and purposeful questioning, students connect literature to their own lives, explore complex themes, and build empathy. In this workshop, you’ll experience a model interactive read-aloud unit and gain practical tools and strategies for designing your own—making literature come alive in your classroom while keeping students deeply engaged.

3-Hour Workshops

Test-o-Rama: The Ultimate Illinois Assessment of Readiness Prep Experience

(for grade 3, 4, or 5 teachers of ELA and math)

Get ready for a dynamic, eye-opening workshop that transforms IAR preparation into something practical, purposeful, and even enjoyable. In Test-o-Rama, teachers take a deep dive into the structure of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) for both English Language Arts and Mathematics—exploring what’s tested, how it’s tested, and how to equip students with strategies to approach each question type with confidence.

Designed to be delivered early in the school year, Test-o-Rama helps teachers put effective practices in place from the start—practices that lead not only to stronger test performance, but to stronger everyday instruction and student learning as well. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the assessment, practical classroom strategies, and ready-to-use ideas that build student confidence, skills, and success all year long.

Participants will:

• Unpack the key features of both the ELA and Math assessments, including question types, rubrics, and scoring.

• Learn to teach testing as its own genre—one that blends reasoning, analysis, and communication across subjects.

• Analyze grade-specific IAR data to pinpoint strengths and gaps, then develop clear, doable plans to address them.

• Explore research-based, data-driven activities that strengthen student readiness, motivation, stamina, and confidence.

• Discover how to embed IAR-aligned strategies seamlessly into existing ELA and math curriculum—no “extra program” required.

• Uncover research-based techniques to motivate students to succeed on assessments

Each Test-o-Rama session is custom-designed to your school’s unique needs, using your own IAR math and ELA data, grade-level focus, and curriculum. Teachers leave with a detailed PowerPoint packed with ready-to-use slides, activities, and classroom tools that make preparing for the IAR both meaningful and manageable.

Because great test prep isn’t about stress—it’s about strategy, skill, and students who believe they can succeed.

NOTE: This session is also available as a 2-hour workshop with a single focus on either IAR Language Arts or IAR Math.

Where Creativity Meets Curriculum: Deeper Learning through Arts Integrated Instruction

(for grade K – 8 teachers, all subject areas)

Arts-integrated instruction harnesses the power of the arts—drama, music, visual art, movement, and more—to deepen understanding across all subject areas. Backed by research, this approach boosts student engagement, enhances critical thinking, strengthens social-emotional development, and improves academic outcomes.

When creativity becomes part of the learning process, students connect more meaningfully with content, build confidence, and retain knowledge more effectively. In this interactive, hands-on workshop, you’ll experience the power of arts integration firsthand and leave with a toolbox of practical, flexible strategies you can implement right away—using materials and resources you already have.

Note: This combines the contents of 3 three shorter workshops, Picture This: Unlocking Learning Through Visual Art, Read Between the Lyrics: Using Songs as Texts Across the Curriculum, and Beyond the Stage: Using Drama to Deepen Learning Across the Curriculum.

Learning Together, Achieving More: The Power of Cooperative Learning

(for grade K – 8 teachers, all subjects)

It’s not your great-grandma’s classroom anymore! A dynamic, well-managed learning environment shouldn’t look like Little House on the Prairie—rows of desks, silent students, and a teacher droning from the front. Today’s classrooms thrive when students actively engage with one another and take ownership of their learning.

This energizing, hands-on workshop explores how to transform your teaching through the power of cooperative learning—one of the most research-backed and impactful instructional strategies out there. You’ll experience a variety of proven structures and strategies that promote deeper thinking, increase achievement, and encourage positive interdependence among students.

Learn how to foster academic talk, boost engagement across content areas, and build a classroom culture where collaboration isn’t chaotic—it’s purposeful, productive, and joyful. Whether you’re new to cooperative learning or looking to refresh your approach, you’ll leave with practical tools and ideas you can use immediately to create a more connected and effective classroom.