Bridges Literacy Conference

Preparing for the CAASPP ELA Performance Task can not be something that happens three times a year or only in the third quarter. Students need to learn the skills and have access to planning tools to be able to write independently before March. Participants will learn how to incorporate a multi-paragraph written response for weekly texts read in class. They will gain an understanding of how creating the writing task before students begin reading, will focus the reading instruction and strengthen both student reading and writing. Participants will leave with tools to be able to develop their own writing tasks that can be aligned among grade levels with consistent organizational tools and vocabulary. Come hear how one grade level increased their student's writing practice and in return saw huge gains on their CAASPP ELA scores.

How do we prepare our most vulnerable elementary students to read? How do we begin? This session is urgent and timely. Now, more than ever, we must double-down on instructional evidence-based practices that are proven to accelerate student learning in reading; it is about equity of instruction. In this session, administrators and teachers will learn how to use MTSS to build instructional capacity to improve reading outcomes through the Science of Reading. Now is the time to innovate, develop a plan, and commit to preventing reading failure and creating a better future for our students.

This session aims to inspire, educate, and equip educators with strategies that not only enhance language and literacy skills but also empower students to take ownership of their learning. By focusing on student agency, participants will discover how to create a classroom environment where students actively engage, make choices, and connect their learning to their interests and experiences. The objective is to explore creative, student-centered strategies that build language and literacy skills. In addition, learn how to foster student agency by offering choice, voice, and meaningful engagement in learning activities. Lastly, develop an action plan to implement these strategies, tailored to the needs of diverse learners.

Student data will be used to show the positive impact of a systematic approach to literacy instruction and intervention.  We will share our Fruitvale journey and how we developed and continue to refine a multitiered literacy support system.  Participants will hear about how we designed and implemented our system based on a multitiered approach that they can implement in their classroom, school or district.  

My experience improving students' oral reading fluency through Reader's Theater, informed by the work of Dr. Chase Young and Timothy Rasinski, has yielded remarkable results.  I implemented it three years ago, easily integrating it into daily instruction without a significant time commitment, and students showed impressive growth within months. I am eager to share this easy, effective and fun strategy with fellow educators seeking to enhance their students' reading abilities.

Any subject you teach can provide the perfect context for practicing communication skills. Embed literacy instruction - reading, writing, speaking/listening, and vocabulary - in authentic and engaging ways. In this active session you will practice simple, use now strategies and routines that will improve students' oral and written abilities--without them even knowing it!