Individual Seminar Sessions

A wide variety of available seminars are described below. Every seminar integrates the current research on the brain and literacy with a focus on classroom application. A seminar day includes six hours of actual lecture time with only full days scheduled. A two-day guided reading session is recommended so that assessment and text selection can be included.  Seminars may focus on a general audience (K-6) or target specific grades. Most sessions are designed for elementary grades, although two full day sessions on brain compatible literacy strategies and comprehension are available for grades 7-12. 

For a downloadable brochure of these seminars, click here.

 
   






NEW SEMINAR!

Fluency Strategies to Maximize Comprehension, Vocabulary, Word Recognition and Decoding.

Grades 1-6

Grounded in the best research, this new seminar is designed to clearly demonstrate that fluency is not a separate component of effective reading instruction, but a critical aspect of a larger scope. Current research has resulted in a renewed interest in fluency, but this seems to have resulted in what Rasinski describes as a shift from the “forgotten” to “misunderstood” reading goal. Fluency is often reduced to speed or pronunciation at the expense of meaning as the same unproductive oral reading practices continue to be the driving force of the scurry to incorporate fluency into every classroom.

I have cautiously designed this seminar to demonstrate what fluency looks like, sounds like and feels like in an elementary classroom, with dozens of high impact strategies that can be immediately implemented across the curriculum.

Key topics your teachers will learn include:

  • Discover the critical principles of effective fluency instruction
  • Integrate fluency into every topic throughout the school day
  • Select and create texts that nurture and support fluency
  • Promote long-term word learning through fluency activities
  • Embed vocabulary into fluency across the curriculum
  • Emphasize life-long skills through fluency strategies
  • Turn parents into partners with reinforcing home activities
  • Accelerate learning for struggling readers through rich repetition
  • Identify assessment strategies that inform fluency instruction
  • Flexibly adopt fluency into whole, small and one-on-one contexts
  • Maximize instructional decision-making so every moment counts
   

Turning Struggles into Successes

As quick fixes and teaching to the test continue to take a stronghold, few suffer more than struggling readers, whose unique learning needs have long been ignored by conventional programs and generic recipes. In this eye-opening seminar you will go to the root of the issues to explore the most critical aspects of literacy. Even more importantly, you will receive easy to implement strategies for effecting real change.

  • Identify the critical factors for text and word reading
  • Create safety nets that focus on success
  • Design environments to maximize learning for all
   
Enhancing Comprehension for Struggling Readers

It is impossible to underestimate the role comprehension plays in the reading process. The true value of words on a page is derived through the meaning they deliver. This informative seminar provides a ?treasure chest? of strategies for engaging students and maximizing meaning throughout the reading process. Discover the secrets of teaching children strategies they will use, not just today, but for a lifetime. 

  • Link brain research and literacy to build mental models
  • Identify non-negotiable components of comprehension
  • Teach strategies that promote meaning and recall
   

Creating an Exemplary Literacy Program

To create rich literacy contexts, schools must first establish criteria for working toward that goal. This inspiring presentation discusses ten maxims for designing exemplary literacy environments and the essential principles that support teachers in this process. Learn highly engaging strategies that will turn you into a powerful change agent in the classroom.

  • Identify the most important components of literacy
  • Explore strategies to maximize learning for all children
  • Design a more child-centered literacy program

Implementing an Effective Guided Reading Program

Guided reading is a powerful tool for intensifying instruction in small groups. Flexible temporary homogeneous groups allow teachers to offer individualized support through carefully selected texts. With warmth and wisdom, Mary shows how to provide rich opportunities for reinforcing current knowledge while teaching new strategies in meaningful and powerful ways.

  • Basic "How To" that will support getting started
  • Specific step-by-step strategies for each stage of reading
  • Effective management strategies for the rest of the class
   

Building a Rich Reading and Writing Vocabulary

Daily interactions with language and print offer priceless opportunities to expand vocabulary on a daily basis. Learn how to implement proven techniques that promote long-term memory using collaboration, movement, color and mnemonic devices. In this energizing session you will discover strategies that lead to continuous, lifelong word learning.

  • Build a strong sight vocabulary for reading and writing
  • Enhance spelling by accessing multiple memory pathways
  • Build vocabulary with highly engaging strategies
   

Building Powerful Frameworks for Discussions

The ultimate goal of education is to build environments that nurture literate lives. This is most powerfully accomplished by immersing students in a multitude of real-life reading experiences. This session highlights new and dynamic frameworks for celebrating meaningful print throughout the day. Learn to create engaging opportunities for interacting with texts across the curriculum.

  • Create environments that nurture text responses
  • Increase student responsibility and accountability
  • Extend literature circles and discussion groups