What if writing wasn’t just an assignment—but the way students think, process, and make sense of everything they learn? This session shows how to build a culture of writing where students actively record, analyze, and develop ideas across any content area while taking ownership of their thinking. Participants will experience practical strategies—including the “Deep Dive” note-taking approach—that help students move from passive consumption to meaningful synthesis and expression. Walk away with clear, adaptable practices that turn notebooks into powerful tools for thinking, learning, and authentic academic writing.
This interactive breakout session is for secondary educators committed to building a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum (GVC) with the identification of Essential Standards in Tier 1. This session will provide some time, space, and collaborative structures around the process of selecting and implementing the use of essential standards. A curriculum is only "guaranteed" if we have collectively agreed upon what is non-negotiable. Having essential standards identified allows us to move towards a more equitable educational landscape, ensuring that a student’s zip code doesn't determine the quality or depth of their core instruction. Participants will engage with colleagues from across the county who are working on building a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum through Essential Standards. Using structured protocols, this session will provide dedicated time, tools and facilitation to support meaningful dialogue, alignment, and cross district collaboration. Educators will leave with greater clarity on the process of identifying and implementing essential standards and practical next steps for strengthening Tier 1 instruction within their local context. Please bring any materials you have been working on in your district with identifying essential standards.
A Homer Middle School 6th grade ELA teacher and a special educator share their multi-year journey of designing and implementing effective Tier 3 literacy intervention for students.
While early literacy often receives the most attention, reading difficulties—particularly dyslexia—persist and evolve as students transition into middle and high school where the academic focus shifts from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." This session will explore how dyslexia manifests in adolescents through subtle red flags such as slow reading pace, hesitant speech, word-retrieval issues, and difficulty with multi-syllabic terms or foreign languages. We will move beyond common myths to address the academic impact and the emotional toll of "hidden" literacy gaps, while simultaneously highlighting the unique cognitive "Sea of Strengths" these students possess, including high-level conceptualization, big-picture thinking, and sophisticated listening vocabularies. Participants will leave with a curated toolkit to identify struggling learners and implement accommodations that bridge the gap between a student's decoding abilities and their true intellectual potential.
Becki Leskowich, a 5th grade teacher at Homer Middle School, will share her journey to focus instruction on essential standards and to use data to inform whole- and small-group instruction and intervention.
While early literacy often receives the most attention, reading difficulties—particularly dyslexia—persist and evolve as students transition into middle and high school where the academic focus shifts from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." This session will explore how dyslexia manifests in adolescents through subtle red flags such as slow reading pace, hesitant speech, word-retrieval issues, and difficulty with multi-syllabic terms or foreign languages. We will move beyond common myths to address the academic impact and the emotional toll of "hidden" literacy gaps, while simultaneously highlighting the unique cognitive "Sea of Strengths" these students possess, including high-level conceptualization, big-picture thinking, and sophisticated listening vocabularies. Participants will leave with a curated toolkit to identify struggling learners and implement accommodations that bridge the gap between a student's decoding abilities and their true intellectual potential.
What if reading wasn’t about finding answers—but about building meaning? In this immersive session, you’ll experience how using writing and thoughtbooks transforms reading into a process of thinking, connecting, and making sense of ideas across multiple texts. Step into the role of a student and engage in high-impact strategies that move beyond comprehension to true synthesis and insight. Walk away ready to help students think more deeply, make connections, and use writing to clearly articulate their understanding.
Becki Leskowich, a 5th grade teacher at Homer Middle School, will share her journey to focus instruction on essential standards and to use data to inform whole- and small-group instruction and intervention.
What if reading wasn’t about finding answers—but about building meaning? In this immersive session, you’ll experience how using writing and thoughtbooks transforms reading into a process of thinking, connecting, and making sense of ideas across multiple texts. Step into the role of a student and engage in high-impact strategies that move beyond comprehension to true synthesis and insight. Walk away ready to help students think more deeply, make connections, and use writing to clearly articulate their understanding.
