Sponsored by: KSDE

Session Overview

Writing is more than a means of communication—it’s a powerful tool for thinking, learning, and deepening understanding. In this full-day session, participants will explore how writing cements and transfers learning across content areas. Because reading and writing are interwoven, strengthening one supports the other—making quality writing instruction a cornerstone of effective teaching.

This session will introduce the KSDE Writing Tenets—designed to guide educators in delivering purposeful, high-quality writing instruction that meets the needs of all Kansas learners. Discover how these tenets can help students write with clarity, intention, and audience awareness. You’ll leave with evidence-based strategies and practical tools you can use right away in your classroom.

Free to attend & Free graduate college credit available!!

Tuesday, September 11th - Hutchinson

Sponsored by: KSDE

Session Overview

Join us for an engaging professional development session designed for educators seeking to enhance their instructional practices in word recognition. This session will equip participants with evidence-based strategies for assessing and teaching essential components of reading, including phonological awareness, decoding, and sight words. Educators will learn and practice effective assessment techniques to identify students' needs, along with proven instructional methods to foster skill development in these critical areas. Participants will leave with a toolkit of resources, activities, and practical applications to improve literacy outcomes in their classrooms. 

Free to attend & Free graduate college credit available!!

Tuesday, September 23rd - Hutchinson

Sponsored by: KSDE

Session Overview

What’s in a word? For adolescent learners—everything. In this full-day session, we’ll dive into one of the most impactful strands of Scarborough’s Rope: vocabulary and morphology. As students move into middle and high school, the complexity of the texts they read and the ideas they express in writing increase dramatically. Vocabulary knowledge becomes critical. 

Participants will explore research-based strategies for teaching vocabulary in meaningful, lasting ways, with a special focus on morphology—helping students break down words into roots, prefixes, and suffixes to unlock meaning. You’ll walk away with engaging, classroom-ready tools to help your students become confident in their vocabulary in order to read more deeply.

Free to attend & Free graduate college credit available!!

Thursday, October 2nd - Hutchinson

Sponsored by: KSDE

Session Overview

In this interactive professional learning session, educators will explore proven strategies to differentiate phonics instruction effectively, meeting students at their individual levels and fostering a supportive learning environment. Through examples, hands-on activities, and collaborative discussions, attendees will leave with a toolkit of adaptable strategies, designed to support diverse learning needs. Join us to transform your approach to phonics and make small group instruction more impactful and manageable. 

Free to attend & Free graduate college credit available!!

Tuesday, October 14th - Hutchinson

Sponsored by: KSDE

Session Overview

Helping students access and engage with complex texts is one of the most essential—and challenging—tasks in today’s classroom. This session explores  what text complexity is, why complex text is vital to assist in raising the rigor for our students, and - most importantly - evidence-based strategies for building the skills students need to comprehend rigorous texts with confidence.

Participants will learn how to scaffold instruction without oversimplifying content, support productive struggle, and guide students through close reading and text-dependent questioning. We’ll also explore how to foster academic vocabulary development, build background knowledge, and promote student talk that drives deeper understanding. Walk away with high-leverage strategies that empower adolescent readers to navigate complexity and grow as independent thinkers.

Free to attend & Free graduate college credit available!!

Wednesday, October 22nd - Hutchinson

Sponsored by: KSDE

Session Overview

Join us for an engaging workshop focused on enhancing your expertise in fluency instruction and assessment! Participants will explore evidence-based  practices for assessing fluency, share successful teaching methods, and collaborate with peers to develop actionable plans for the classroom. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or new to the field, this workshop will deepen your understanding and empower you to support your students’ fluency development. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your instructional skills and make a lasting impact on your students’ literacy journeys! 

Free to attend & Free graduate college credit available!!

Monday, November 3rd - Hutchinson

Sponsored by: KSDE

Session Overview

Unlock the secrets to building a robust vocabulary across your entire school! In this hands-on session, educators will explore evidence-based routines designed to expand students’ word knowledge for students in grades K-5. From daily practices to schoolwide strategies, you'll walk away with practical tools to integrate vocabulary-building activities into your classroom culture - empowering students with the words they need to succeed! 

Free to attend & Free graduate college credit available!!

Monday, November 18th - Hutchinson

Sponsored by: KSDE

Session Overview

When you hear "grammar," do you picture dry worksheets and eye rolls from students? You’re not alone. For years, grammar instruction has divided educators into different “grammar camps”—each with strong beliefs and mixed results. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

In this session, participants will unpack the ongoing debate around grammar instruction and discover a practical, research-informed approach to teaching grammar and syntax that works across grade levels. Regardless of your own grammar instruction style or comfort level, you’ll leave with ready-to-use strategies, engaging routines, and a clearer sense of how to teach grammar in a way that resonates with both teachers and students.

Free to attend & Free graduate college credit available!!

Monday, December 8th - Hutchinson

Sponsored by: KSDE

Session Overview

This session will provide educators with a comprehensive understanding of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), which affects language acquisition in approximately 7% of children in grades PreK-12. Participants will learn about the prevalence and impact of DLD on academic and social development, along with the importance of early identification. The session will explore practical, research-based instructional strategies designed to support students with DLD in the classroom, promote language development and reading comprehension, and foster language-enriched learning environments.  

Free to attend & Free graduate college credit available!!

Tuesday, January 20th - Hutchinson