Assessment is an essential element used to inform instruction. The first step in delivering good reading instruction is to determine student baseline performance. Students enter the classroom with diverse backgrounds and skills in literacy. Individual needs can be determined by initial and ongoing reading assessments. Find out all about different types of literacy assessments and how to use the results to drive your curriculum and instruction.

Why do excellent readers often struggle when they are exposed to nonfiction books and text? Students tend to approach content text the same way they approach literature. Students need to learn how to read content material. This course focuses on practical strategies teachers can use for integrating nonfiction, informational books into the K-3 classroom as a valuable supplement to classroom textbooks. With a focus on how to teach expository reading skills, the course also covers comprehension, text structure, and strategic reading instruction.

Are you looking for fun ways to engage your emergent or early readers and writers? This course focuses on emergent literacy skills for grades PreK-3. The instructional strategies focus on early reading and writing strategies for teachers to incorporate into their curriculum, the connection to oral language, the development of reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Assessment strategies and techniques will be thoroughly discussed. Strategies for working with struggling readers are also included.

How many times have you thought that you could accomplish a great deal more in the classroom if the children would behave? Classroom management is key to an effective teaching environment. In this course you will learn practical strategies for establishing rules, routines, and a discipline plan that really works!

Do you have students who read all the words correctly and then have no idea what they just read? This course focuses on improving students’ comprehension skills. The course begins by offering three different options for assessing comprehension. Then, you are introduced to a wealth of strategies that can improve and support a reader’s comprehension. Strategies presented include: anticipation guides, DRTA, questioning techniques, text structure, guided reading and reciprocal teaching.

Content area reading becomes more difficult as students enter the middle grades. Typically students are not prepared to approach this type of text and need specific skills and strategies to aid their comprehension. This course focuses on improving students’ comprehension skills. Strategies presented include: anticipation guides, DRTA, SQ3R, SEARCH, cloze procedure, maze technique, questioning techniques, text structure, guided comprehension and self-assessment.

Take your students anywhere in the world! This course will teach you how to develop a Virtual Field Trip based on any content area. Participants will learn how to locate relevant resources and develop an effective Virtual Field Trip. Internet search strategies will be emphasized along with practical approaches to incorporating standards into the development of the Virtual Field Trip. Note: You must have access to PowerPoint software to design your virtual field trip

A WebQuest is an excellent way to integrate content curriculum with technology and the Internet. This course focuses on how to develop a WebQuest based on any content area. You will begin with content standards and then develop the WebQuest based on a theme or topic that addresses the standards. Effective Internet search strategies will be emphasized in order to find WebQuest resources efficiently.

This course focuses on developing a child’s phonemic awareness to prepare him or her to be a successful reader. The course begins with phonemic awareness assessment options. Based on the assessment results, you can determine which strategies are most appropriate for each student. Instructional strategies presented in the course include: rhyming, alliteration, onset and rime, syllable segmentation, and many more.

Are you struggling with how to meet the needs of the varied ability levels of your students? This online training course helps teachers effectively analyze the learning styles and readiness of students and effectively develop a differentiated curriculum to meet the needs of a diverse population. You will gain a clear understanding of multilingual, special education, and academically diverse classrooms and understand how to adjust their lessons to accommodate the different needs and learning styles of your students.

Have you ever searched for hours on the Internet and still not found exactly what you need? In this course, you will learn how to quickly and effectively search the Internet. You will explore the search engines available and determine which is best for your needs. You will also practice narrowing topics and using Boolean search terms to get the best possible results from a search.

Are you looking for effective ways to encourage your young writers? Do you need strategies for teaching students the foundations for writing success? This online course presents a thorough review of the writing process. You will learn how to address spelling and grammar in student writing. Assessment strategies, including rubrics, will also be shared.

Do your students have trouble writing expository text such as persuasive essays, research papers, and analytical essays? Are you always asking them to be more descriptive in their narrative essays? This online course focuses on key writing skills. Details and strategies for every writing domain will be shared including graphic organizers, prompts, and rubrics for scoring. Each step of the writing process will also be explored.

This online course is specifically designed for teachers in their first few years of teaching. Topics addressed include engaging curriculum ideas, writing quality lesson plans, assessment techniques, themes and literature ideas, management techniques, and discipline strategies.

Do your students struggle when they have to write anything other than a narrative essay or story? This online course focuses on helping students learn how to write expository essays with an emphasis on persuasive writing. The focus will be on teaching students organizational patterns for writing, as well as how to develop an outline, thesis statement, and strong argument. Revision techniques, including the use of technology, will also be presented.

Do your students struggle when they have to write anything other than a narrative essay or story? This online course focuses on helping students learn how to write research reports. The focus will be on teaching students organizational patterns, as well as how to develop an outline, and thesis statement. Teaching students how to do research and then read and paraphrase for writing will also be emphasized. Teachers will gain assessment strategies as well.

This course focuses on effective ways to teach children to decode unknown words. Phonics basics will be emphasized along with specific ways to help students who are struggling in this area. Using context clues and structural analysis as a means of decoding will also be introduced. You will also learn how to use the Making Words strategy and how to use Reader’s Workshop.

Do you have students who find it difficult to understand certain math concepts? In this online course you will learn how to use math manipulatives to teach important math concepts. You will learn what manipulatives are and why to use them, how they connect to math standards, how to successfully teach lessons using manipulatives and how to manage them in the classroom.

This online training course will help you become a highly effective teacher. Topics addressed in this course include engaging curriculum ideas, writing quality lesson plans (with clear objectives that address key standards), assessment techniques (including authentic assessment such as rubrics and portfolios as well as standardized tests), themes and literature ideas, management techniques, discipline strategies (rewards and consequences), ELD techniques, and, of course, technology integration.

This online course will help you understand concepts related to standardized testing. In addition, it will help you work with students on test preparation and test taking skills. You will learn how to develop instructional strategies that facilitate students as they aim for success in testing situations. Emphasis is on testing theory, helping students learn how to prepare for tests, and strategies that students can utilize while taking a test.

If you have English Language Learners in your classroom, this course will help you tremendously. You will learn how to use the into/through/beyond approach, which is a proven effective model for working with ELLs. Attention will be given to ELD and SDAIE strategies such as scaffolding, schema building, a nd reformatting text. Both formal and informal assessment methods will also be shared.

Do you want to learn how to create basic multimedia presentations to use in your classroom? Do you want to know how to find great sources on the Internet for presentation content? This course will introduce you to the basics of using the Internet and creating a multimedia presentation. You will even learn how to help students create their own multimedia presentations. The possibilities are endless in this great, fun class! Note: You must have access to PowerPoint or HyperStudio software to design your multimedia project.

Do you have computers in your classroom that are not being used to their full potential? This course will focus on the management and integration issues teachers are struggling with such as: scheduling students for computer time, how to train students to use software, writing lessons that integrate technology, managing a technological classroom, finding excellent software and websites, and getting the most out of the one-computer classroom. This course will focus on the using technology in the special education classroom, specifically addressing assistive technology.

What are the first thoughts that come into your head when you hear the word discipline? Students that don’t follow rules, students who constantly misbehave, your overall troublemakers, right? You think of discipline as how you manage the problem students. This course helps teachers to learn new and innovative ways for managing and controlling behavior using traditional and non-traditional, positive methods for discipline and order. Teachers will be provided with many resources and ideas to effectively manage their classrooms and student behavior while proactively promoting organization, communication, safety, structure, and a positive classroom environment that supports learning.

What are the first thoughts that come into your head when you hear the word discipline? Students that don’t follow rules, students who constantly misbehave, your overall troublemakers, right? You think of discipline as how you manage the problem students. This course helps teachers to learn new and innovative ways for managing and controlling behavior using traditional and non-traditional, positive methods for discipline and order. Teachers will be provided with many resources and ideas to effectively manage their primary grade classrooms and student behavior while proactively promoting organization, communication, safety, structure, and a positive classroom environment that supports learning.

Do you have students who just won't behave? Do you notice a lack of manners and respect? In this online course, you will learn the six building blocks of character and how to explore them with students through discussions, activities, and projects. You will learn how to teach students to make the right choices in problem situations and help build their awareness of accountability for their actions.

Why do excellent early readers often begin to struggle when they hit the middle grades? Students tend to approach content text the same way they approach literature. Students need to learn how to read content material. In this online course you will learn how to develop active instructional strategies that facilitate student acquisition and development of reading skills in a variety of disciplines. Emphasis is on vocabulary development and comprehension strategies.

You've heard about the six traits of writing and want to know more about it. You want to understand how to successfully teach the traits to your students so they can be better writers. This course will teach you all the basics you need to get started.

Do your students do fine on math computation tests but struggle with word problems? Are they lost when they approach a word problem? Do they need strategies to help them solve word problems? All of these issues are addressed in this course. Specific strategies are presented with sample problems for each.

Do your students need study skills training to help them become better students and test takers? This course will provide techniques, ideas and resources for helping students to develop their study skills such as the use of mnemonics, time management and note-taking skills, and the ability to establish a good study environment. With the use of visual aids, innovative strategies, and helpful worksheets, teachers will be able to develop their students’ study skills and help take the fear out of test-taking.

Interested in showing your students how math connects to everyday life? This online training course will focus on appropriate instructional tools and techniques to help you connect math standards to instructional practice using real world scenarios. Ideas for connecting math to literature and technology will also be shared.

The focus of this online course is on initial and early identification of these students and then specific intervention strategies to try based on the specific skill deficit. Information includes strategies for English Language Learners and Special Education students. All five key elements are addressed in the courses: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.

Do you love to teach with themes? Are you looking for some new ideas and resources? This online course will provide you with new and exciting theme ideas. You will receive excellent activities and projects for the kids to do. You will also get new ideas to breathe life into the themes you have been teaching for years. Suggestions for integrating technology and literature into themes will also be offered.

This fun and exciting course will introduce you to the world of multimedia projects for students. You will learn the basics of HyperStudio and PowerPoint as well as how to use them as a teaching tool. You will also learn how to create student-based multimedia projects. Simple word processing projects as well as Internet-based projects will also be shared.

Do you love using children’s books in your classroom? Do you want to find out about excellent new books and fun ways to use them in your classroom? Get prepared for the next school year! This online course will focus on the best children’s books available to use in all four content areas. Fun and educational ideas for using children’s literature will be shared. If you love children’s books….don’t miss this class!

This course focuses on how to improve student’s vocabulary in the middle and upper grades. The course begins with options for vocabulary assessment. The results of the assessment will be used to guide instruction and select appropriate and effective instructional strategies. Strategies presented include word roots, semantic feature analysis, categorization, analogies, concept maps, traditional resources, and cloze procedure to name just a few.

This course focuses on how to improve student’s vocabulary in the primary grades. The course begins with options for vocabulary assessment. The results of the assessment will be used to guide instruction and select appropriate and effective instructional strategies. Strategies presented include word roots, semantic feature analysis, categorization, analogies, concept maps, traditional resources, and cloze procedure to name just a few.

Have you always wanted to start a writer's workshop program in your classroom but were not sure how to begin? This course gives you all the basics including management tips and suggestions. Writing domains and the writing process are also emphasized.

This online course focuses on strategies for teaching literary elements using young adult novels. Specific definitions, strategies, and activities will be shared for teaching critical literary techniques such as character development, setting, plot, symbolism, point of view, and style. Resources for selecting quality young adult novels will also be shared.