Participants will hear from high school AP Language and Literature teachers about practices used in class to generate higher level thinking, as well as strategies to write with depth and complexity. We will share a variety of tools to encourage gifted students to break down and take ownership of the writing process.
Dive into this dynamic, idea-packed session where our technology team and instructional coaches will equip Math and Science educators with strategies to transform devices into powerful learning tools. Explore techniques for managing 1:1 classrooms, blending digital and analog methods, fostering digital citizenship, and leveraging AI for personalized instruction, real-time feedback, and higher-level thinking — all while making technology management effective and enjoyable.
Ready to take your word study instruction to the next level? This session invites you to take a deeper dive into the what, why, and how of effective word study in upper elementary classrooms utilizing our district-adopted Resource - Benchmark Education Word Study Workshop. Explore fresh strategies, engaging routines, and practical tools that will help your students build stronger word knowledge and become more confident, fluent readers and writers. Whether you're refining your current approach or just getting started, this session will offer the insights and inspiration you need to make word study a dynamic and impactful part of your literacy block.
Unlock the full potential of your literacy block by designing and delivering high-impact small group instruction through strategically implemented literacy stations. This engaging and practical session will equip educators with tools, strategies, and systems to effectively differentiate, manage independent learning, and maximize instructional time in K–2 classrooms. Participants will explore how to create purposeful station rotations that support foundational skills, reading comprehension, writing development, and vocabulary growth while ensuring that all learners are challenged and supported. A dedicated portion of this session will focus specifically on aligning small group instruction and literacy stations for the Gifted. During this time, participants will examine how to elevate learning for advanced readers and twice-exceptional (2e) students through intentional differentiation, extension menus, and tiered tasks. Educators will leave with ready-to-use tools that promote depth, complexity, and critical thinking, all while addressing the academic and social-emotional needs of high-ability learners in the general education setting.
This elementary session will give you scaffolded lesson frames on ECR strategies to start using with your class in September. There will be make & take materials for hands-on practice, mentor text resources, conferencing tips and more!
Session Cap: 45 people Elementary: Unlock the power of inquiry-based writing with The Writing Experiment: Science in Action! This session explores the natural intersection between RLA and science. Educators will discover strategies for integrating writing into science instruction and helping all students through the writing process across genres. With STAAR’s emphasis on informational text and evidence-based writing, this session will provide practical methods for analytical thinking. Participants will learn how to scaffold scientific writing to enhance comprehension and foster deeper scientific understanding through structured inquiry, which in turn, supports our gifted learners.
This session is designed to introduce and explore the SWIRL method—a dynamic, research-based teaching approach that encourages active student engagement through Speaking, Writing, Interacting, Reading, and Listening. Participants will learn how to implement this method in their classrooms, ensuring that every student, including gifted and talented learners, is engaged in a holistic, differentiated learning process that honors their readiness levels, interests, and strengths—regardless of grade level or content area. The session will also highlight how SWIRL can support the unique cognitive, social, and emotional needs of gifted learners through flexible, enriched instructional practices.
**This is a 2 Hour session!** Session Cap: 50 people
Elementary: Looking for a powerful way to differentiate while challenging all learners? Depth & Complexity Frames are the answer! These dynamic tools help students showcase their learning over time while fostering deductive and inductive reasoning. In this interactive session, you’ll collaborate with fellow educators to design your own frames and discover how they can create personalized learning pathways that promote deeper thinking and growth. Walk away with ready-to-use strategies to transform differentiation in your classroom!
This session is designed to equip educators with the tools and strategies needed to deliver high-impact small group instruction that meets the diverse literacy needs of students in grades 3–5. Participants will explore how to plan, differentiate, and manage small groups that target comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills while maximizing instructional time and student engagement. A dedicated portion of the session will focus specifically on aligning small group instruction with Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted and Talented learners. During this time, educators will explore how to elevate learning for advanced and twice-exceptional (2e) students through tiered tasks, extension menus, and critical thinking routines that align with gifted standards. Participants will leave with practical strategies and ready-to-use tools to support, challenge, and empower all learners—especially those who need acceleration and enrichment in the general education classroom.
Did you know that understanding the author's purpose is very important to your student's success in reading comprehension? We will dive deep into how the author's craft is vertically aligned to support students K-5 and beyond! Participants will be introduced to strategies to use with students that go beyond "PIE" across genres, along with how to deepen GT student’s understanding of author’s craft using in-depth questioning stems and challenging them to create their own digital creation.
Session Cap: 25 people Join us for an energizing session designed to reinvigorate your approach to phonics instruction while exploring the powerful role of decodable texts in supporting early readers. Whether you're looking to refine your instruction or explore new tools to support your students, this session will provide you with fresh ideas and actionable takeaways to elevate your phonics teaching utilizing our district-adopted resource Benchmark Phonics.
In this 2nd-5th grade session, participants will explore how to inspire students to become imaginative writers and unlock their creative potential. You'll discover practical strategies and writing prompts that ignite imagination and elevate student engagement. By fostering a love for writing and encouraging bold ideas, you'll learn how to guide students toward crafting compelling stories. Great writing begins with creativity—let's push the boundaries of imagination together!
In this dynamic session, attendees will explore the essential components of a successful RLA block and discover innovative strategies to maximize every moment. From boosting student engagement to effectively differentiating for diverse learners—including gifted students—this session equips participants with actionable strategies, research-based best practices, and ready-to-use resources designed to elevate RLA instruction and support the growth of all learners.
This session is designed for K-2 RLA teachers to explore the mClass progress monitoring system and effective intervention activities that support diverse learners, including gifted students. Participants will learn how to analyze mClass data to identify students’ strengths and areas of weakness and tailor instructional strategies accordingly. The session will provide activities that promote critical thinking and advanced problem-solving skills, ensuring that all students, including those who are gifted, are appropriately challenged and engaged.
In this collaborative session, teachers will work together to design and refine district common assessments that align with TEKS, support instructional goals, and provide meaningful data. Participants will review current assessments, ensure content clarity and rigor, and make adjustments to better support student learning and instructional planning.
In this collaborative session, teachers will work together to design and refine district common assessments that align with TEKS, support instructional goals, and provide meaningful data. Participants will review current assessments, ensure content clarity and rigor, and make adjustments to better support student learning and instructional planning.
Session Cap: 100 people Elementary: Discover how to challenge and engage all learners—especially gifted students—by using Depth and Complexity thinking tools and graphic organizers. In this interactive session, we will focus on creating engaging and easily differentiated lessons that you can use immediately in your classroom. We will collaborate to build a variety of graphic organizers that support deeper thinking across all subjects. Walk away with ready-to-use templates tailored to your students' needs!
In this collaborative session, teachers will work together to design and refine district common assessments that align with TEKS, support instructional goals, and provide meaningful data. Participants will review current assessments, ensure content clarity and rigor, and make adjustments to better support student learning and instructional planning.
In this collaborative session, teachers will work together to design and refine district common assessments that align with TEKS, support instructional goals, and provide meaningful data. Participants will review current assessments, ensure content clarity and rigor, and make adjustments to better support student learning and instructional planning.
Discover how Writable can support every step of the writing process—from student drafts to actionable data. In this session, teachers will explore key features of Writable, learn how to provide meaningful feedback, and use student performance data to inform instruction. Whether you're new to the platform or looking to deepen your practice, this session will help you leverage Writable to enhance writing instruction and boost student growth.
Dive into Patterns of Power in this interactive session focused on exploring grammar through authentic writing. Teachers will create ready-to-use mini-lessons, collaborate on ideas, and share best practices for implementation. Leave with practical resources and a renewed approach to teaching grammar in context.
