In this session, participants will explore movement-based strategies for teaching grammar focuses to help students internalize key concepts. We'll also dive into fun, practical techniques for coaching students to apply their grammar skills when editing their own writing — leaving you with a playbook of ready-to-use ideas for your classroom.
Motivating our young writers to take creative "whisks" can be tricky at the elementary level. In this practical, you-can-do-it session, you will learn strategies for young writers to add some flavor to their writing. Through demonstrations, video clips, and oodles of ideas, you’ll be excited to go back to the classroom and try some of these writing recipes with just the right dash of fun.
Shannon Anderson has taught for 26 years, from first grade through college level. She also served as the gifted coordinator for her school district and on the board of directors for the Indiana State Literacy Association. A highlight of her teaching career was being named one of the... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT Rm. 1314 - Northwest High SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
Come to learn more about using Patterns of Wonder in your classroom. Are you looking for simple ways to integrate it daily? Are you looking for alternate books to use? This session will explore not only the basics of Patterns of Wonder, but also some tips and tricks to make it an easy resource to use in your classroom.
Every great sports broadcast starts with preparation — and so does a great read aloud. In this hands-on session, teachers will learn how to transform read aloud into an interactive, high-leverage instructional tool. Explore how to plan strategic stopping points, craft think alouds aligned to the TEKS, and design turn-and-talk opportunities that spark meaningful student discourse. You'll get prep time and leave with a read aloud game plan ready to run from day one.
Every great athlete knows that two-a-days build the strength, endurance, and mental toughness it takes to compete at the highest level. The same is true for our readers. In this power-packed session, educators will lace up and dive into the world of paired texts — a dynamic instructional approach that challenges students to think harder, read deeper, and push beyond the surface of a single text. Just as two-a-day practices sharpen an athlete's skills from multiple angles, paired texts train the brain to analyze, synthesize, and draw connections across two carefully selected passages. Participants will explore strategies for intentional text pairing, scaffolding complex thinking, and coaching students through evidence-based discussion and writing. Leave this session with a training plan full of practical tools and classroom-ready resources that will condition your students to become stronger, more confident readers — one rep at a time.
