This session will focus on utilizing blended learning instructional practices that allow for small group instruction in secondary classrooms. Participants will explore Station Rotation and Playlists through small group discussions, collaborative activities, and by modeling both methods in the workshop. Participants will leave with concrete ideas on how to support secondary students more effectively and to truly differentiate instruction. Participants will also learn how to use the FREE K-8 Course Content for ELA, Social Studies, Science, and Math to support this small group instruction
The goal of this session is to enhance Non-ELA content teachers' willingness and comfortability to effectively implement a toolbox of proven reading processes and strategies, as well as vocabulary instruction within their own content. Outcomes include: understanding the importance of reading strategies across content areas in order for students to apply knowledge and to design an activity/protocol to be implemented in order to teach the strategy. During this session, participants will understand the importance of reading strategies across content areas, identify ELA standards that apply to specific content areas, choose a reading strategy to be used to teach an ELA standard, and design an activity/protocol to be implemented in order to teach the strategy.
"Ignite Student Voices: Empowering and Engaging Leadership for Middle School Students" will explore practical strategies to foster student leadership and create an inclusive, participatory school culture. Attendees will discover tools like student leadership councils, digital platforms for student feedback, and peer mentoring programs to elevate student voice. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, you’ll learn how to implement strategies that encourage student ownership in decision-making and community-building. Principals will leave with actionable steps to promote student agency and develop leadership skills in middle school students, contributing to a more engaged, motivated, and empowered student body. This session will also showcase how to integrate student-led initiatives into existing school structures and offer tools for ongoing feedback and reflection.
Participants who attend this session will receive a variety of classroom strategies to implement in their classroom the very next day. Participants will receive take-away activities from a smorgasbord of resources. Lots of movement and "classroom talk" will take place. Stop by this action-filled session for strategies in the areas of classroom collaboration, differentiation, early-finisher tasks, vocabulary, choice boards, Writing Across the Curriculum, and MORE! See ya there!
With the proliferation and integration of AI tools into our daily lives, the need for AI literacy is paramount for our students. Experience activities incorporating AI literacy that teach AI fundamentals, ethical implications, and practical applications while fostering critical thinking (wonder), creativity (joy), and digital citizenship. Attendees will leave with a better of idea how to integrate AI literacy in their work with students and other educators though collaboration, reflection, and sharing of ideas.
Middle schools are increasingly diverse social environments where students are not only developing their identities but also learning social norms and expectations. As middle level educators, we believe in creating school cultures and communities that are respectful, welcoming, inclusive, and affirming for all (Bishop & Harrison, 2021). Microaggressions pose significant risks to young adolescents who are already vulnerable as they explore their identities. Microaggressions threaten students’ dignity and psychological/emotional condition. These subtle, often unintentional, comments or actions can also be deliberately harmful, emphasizing differences in gender, ability, language, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+ status, etc. Regardless of intent, microaggressions can do long-term, irreversible harm. As school safety is first and foremost at the middle level, it is essential we create and maintain a positive school culture/climate, identifying and immediately addressing microaggressions. By fostering a strong understanding and implementing a proactive plan, we can mitigate the harm and damage caused by microaggressions, protecting students’ social-emotional wellbeing.
Researching the adolescent brain helps us to better the many myths and truths about middle school students. In this session, participants will examine relevant research pertaining to the development of the adolescent brain in order to understand how this information can impact the design and implementation of effective instruction and develop productive and supportive classroom environments. During the session, participants will have the opportunity to explore the adolescent brain through active reading and engaging strategies and reflect on how this research can impact the decisions of teachers, counselors and school leaders.
This interactive session invites mathematics instructional leaders, including instructional coaches, administrators, and faculty working with pre-service teachers, to explore tools that support implementing NC Mathematics Standards through High-Quality Equitable Mathematics Instruction (HQEMI). Participants will engage with Empathy Plays from the toolkit, gaining insights into using empathy-focused tools effectively with pre-service and in-service teachers. The toolkit also includes resources on mathematical mindsets and HQEMI characteristics, offering flexible strategies to meet diverse school and district needs. Attendees will explore an online hub of resources, learning practical methods for integration with an emphasis on supporting historically minoritized students. Bring a laptop for this hands-on experience. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to empower teachers and create equitable, inclusive classrooms where every student can thrive. Join us in transforming mathematics instruction to benefit all learners!
