K12 Teaching Webinars & Workshops
The Center for Critical Thinking and Creativity is pleased to offer free professional development to P12 teachers. This online webinar and in-person workshop series focuses on a wide range of teaching strategies and support for teachers at all levels of education. All webinars are posted on the College of Education's YouTube Channel and are freely available to all. Please register for a workshop. We will send you a reminder email before the workshop.
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Use watercolor experiments and Surrealism to promote SEL in your learning environment! Instructor: Ms. Courtney Ries March 21, 2026, Saturday Time: 10:00- 12:00 PM Location: CSUF Campus, in person Become inspired to incorporate cross-curricular elements into your classroom by experiencing a vast array of experimentation using scientific watercolor methods. Learn how to let your students play with color and pattern to create a unique landscape inspired by Surrealism and all ages book Home Sweet Home by Courtney Ries. Driven by embedding core competencies of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), (responsible decision-making, self-awareness, and self-management) to create a safe and positive learning environment, your students will be able to create their own world using personalized color schemes with watercolor skills. Join us for a fun way to infuse student choice and voice through art. |
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Material Transformation in Abstract Painting
A process-based workshop for educators
Explore abstraction as a pathway to mindfulness, material awareness, and creative wellbeing in the classroom. This hands-on workshop focuses on material play, sensory engagement, and process over product—offering adaptable strategies educators can bring directly to their students.
Participants will work on canvas using experimental materials in a guided, low-pressure environment designed to encourage focus, relaxation, and creative flow.
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026 Time:10:00 AM- 12:00 PM Location: CSUF Campus, in person Instructor: Mary Anna Pomonis mpomonis@Fullerton.edu |
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Use watercolor experiments to promote active learning in your learning environment! Instructor: Ms. Courtney Ries March 21, 2026, Saturday Time: 10:00- 12:00 PM Location: CSUF Campus, in person Become inspired to incorporate cross-curricular elements into your classroom by experiencing a vast array of experimentation using scientific watercolor methods. Learn how to let your students play with color and pattern to create a unique landscape inspired by active learning. |
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Utilizing Technology Tools to Support Literacy Instruction
Instructors: Joanne Chapman and Carla Salcido
April 25, 2026, Saturday
Time: 9:00 AM- 11:30 AM
Location: CSUF Campus, in person, EC24
Targeted grades: K-8
Join CSUF Reading Center directors as they share innovative ways to enhance your literacy instruction using various free technology tools. In this engaging workshop, you'll explore how to integrate AI tools, readability platforms, and other technology resources to support and inspire young readers in grades K-8. Whether you're a new teacher eager to embrace technology or a seasoned educator looking to refresh your approach, you'll gain practical strategies to make reading instruction more effective, personalized, and engaging for all learners. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your teaching and empower your students!
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Interactive Art Journaling Workshops with Kristine Quinn DATES:
Jan. 18, 2026,
Feb. 21, 2026,
Mar 28, 2026,
Apr 25,2026
TIME: 9:00-12:00 PM
WHERE: Education. Classrooms Building, Room EC 62 (basement)
California State University, Fullerton Campus
Title:
Art journaling, strategies and best practice for you and your classroom
Brief synopsis: It's a new year, help your students make attainable goals with art journaling and best practices. This is an interactive, in-person art workshop designed to engage the learner.
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Hands On Phonics: To Promote Fun and Engagement
Instructor: Dr. Joyce Gomez, jgomez-najarro@fullerton.edu
Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 9-11 AM
Location: CSUF Campus, in person
Targeted grades: PK-2
Delve into research-based approaches to phonics instruction that utilize hands-on, multimodal methods to foster motivation and engagement, in addition to learning. The session includes examples, as well as interactive activities that will allow teachers to explore ways to promote excitement around students’ early reading journeys.
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Empowering At-Risk Readers: New Screeners and Helpful Next Steps
Instructors: Joanne Chapman and Carla Salcido
June 27, 2026, Saturday
Time: 9:00 AM- 11:30 AM
Location: CSUF Campus, in person, EC24
Targeted grades: K-2
This workshop is designed to support teachers with practical next steps to support young, at-risk readers. Learn more about the new reading screeners now required for grades K-2 in California and discover practical, research-based strategies to help striving readers thrive. Participants will gain insights needed to identify challenges early, implement research-based interventions, and make a lasting impact on their students' literacy journey. Whether you're preparing to enter the classroom or looking to enhance your current practice, this workshop offers valuable takeaways to empower every young learner.
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Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction Part 1
Instructor: Dr. Joyce Gomez, jgomez-najarro@fullerton.edu
Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 9-11 AM
Location: CSUF Campus, in person
Targeted grades: PK-6
How can teachers create intentional curricular opportunities to leverage students’ intersectional social identities as part of their reading and literacy instruction? In this session, we explore culturally responsive and sustaining approaches to literacy and reading instruction that not only target skills and standards but also empower students to draw from their unique perspectives and experiences to amplify their voices. From explorations of picture books to music and art, this session includes examples and engagement with learning materials and experiences you can utilize in your classroom.
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Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction Part 2
Instructor: Dr. Joyce Gomez, jgomez-najarro@fullerton.edu
Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 9-11 AM
Location: CSUF Campus, in person
Targeted grades: PK-6
Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction Part 2
An extension of “Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction Part 1,” in this session, we continue exploring culturally responsive and sustaining approaches to literacy and reading instruction. The session includes a particular focus on exploring multiple forms of text to develop standards-focused learning experiences that reflect a variety of voices, social identities, and perspectives. Like Part 1, this session includes examples and engagement with learning materials and experiences you can utilize in your classroom. Note: Participation in Part 1 is not required to participate in this Part 2 workshop.
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From
The Big Pumpkin
to Big "Readers": Using a Single Story to Promote Early Literacy Skills
Instructor: Dr. Rosie Ordonez-Jasis, rordonez@fullerton.edu
June 6, 2026, Saturday
Time: 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM
Location: CSUF Campus, in person, EC 24
Join us for an interactive workshop designed for current and PK-3 future educators. In this session, we’ll dive into the world of joyful, play-based literacy. Using the beloved classic The Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman, we will explore how a single story can become a launchpad for essential early literacy skills.
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Utilizing Technology Tools to Support Literacy Instruction
Instructors: Joanne Chapman and Carla Salcido
July 18, 2026, Saturday
Time: 9:00 AM- 11:30 AM
Location: CSUF Campus, in person, EC24
Targeted grades: K-8
Join the CSUF Reading Center directors as they share innovative ways to enhance your literacy instruction using various free technology tools. In this engaging workshop, you'll explore how to integrate AI tools, readability platforms, and other technology resources to support and inspire young readers in grades K-8. Whether you're a new teacher eager to embrace technology or a seasoned educator looking to refresh your approach, you'll gain practical strategies to make reading instruction more effective, personalized, and engaging for all learners. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your teaching and empower your students!
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FOR NEW TEACHERS
Title: Planning for Your First Classroom
Presenter: Barbara Finnell, EDEL Department Faculty
Date(s): TBD
Time: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Location: CSUF Campus, Education Building, EC 62
Join Barb Finnell for an interactive morning to plan for your future classroom. Create a notebook for your ideas and check in with others about your favorite ideas from attending student teaching. What should you be aware of regarding decor, fire danger, and other safety concerns? Where can you get free or low-cost materials for your classroom? What are the best practices for beginning your day, documenting classroom concerns, and communicating with parents? We'll be active and discussion-based, snacks are provided, and you will leave with some materials for your classroom.
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Learning journals in the classroom, increasing depth and complexity This webinar is designed for teachers in K-5 grades. We will provide you with an introduction to creativity as a tool for increased engagement and learning through the process of learning journals. |
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New Literacies: Critical Literacy Skills for an Ever-Shifting World
Participants will explore how literacy skills are being redefined in our technologically rich world. And yes, AI will be part of the session!
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Humanizing Our Teaching by Adopting a Mentoring Stance When Offering Feedback to Student Writers
During the workshop, teachers will learn new strategies to enrich their repertoire of knowledge and strategies related to responding to students’ writing. (Grades 6-12).
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Amplifying Newcomer and Emergent Plurilingual Students' Voices: Engaging Students as Researchers and Policymakers
In this webinar, we examine ways to engage culturally and linguistically diverse newcomer and emergent plurilingual students in
re-envisioning classrooms as sites of authentic co-learning, collective agency, and transformative justice. Throughout, we'll explore strategies for embracing and expanding students' linguistic repertoires, drawing upon students' insider knowledge and lived experiences, and amplifying students' voices within and beyond their classroom, school, and community.
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Augmented Reality and Google Translate: Lesson Plan Ideas for Elementary Teachers This webinar provides an overview about augmented reality and lesson plan ideas for teachers who are interested in integrating Google Translate into their teaching. It is for teachers who are new to using AR in the classroom and eager to begin the integration process. |
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Augmented Reality and Measure App: Lesson Plan Ideas for Elementary Teachers This webinar provides an overview about augmented reality, and lesson plan ideas for teachers who are interested in integrating the Measure App into their teaching. It is for teachers who are new to using AR in the classroom and eager to begin the integration process. |
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Support for Seeking Post Graduate Studies as a K12 Teachers Dr. Diaz shares a pathway for K12 teachers who are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree to advance their education. |
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Providing Helpful Feedback to Student Writers
This session focuses on time saving approaches to providing students with helpful |
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Addressing Big Behaviors: Support for Oppositional Defiance Disorder Students with Oppositional Defiance Disorder, or who have similar characteristics, present unique challenges within the classroom for teaching and learning interactions. In this webinar, you will learn more about ODD and what strategies are most effective to increase learning and prosocial engagement. You’ll feel empowered with your new knowledge. |
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Selecting and Navigating Textbooks and Multimedia Materials |
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Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction for K-6 Teachers |
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Artificial Intelligence Resources and Creating Lesson Plans This webinar explores two AI resources: Teachology and ChatGPT to create lesson plans and assessment rubrics. Using AI is a effective way to draft a lesson plan that could be shared with substitutes to support learning. AI is a new technology and requires editing and revisions to the new content. |
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What's New with Expository Reading and Writing |
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Social Emotional Learning: Coaching It Starts with You! Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3 |
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The P.O.W.E.R. of Process Writing in Content Area Classrooms Presenter: Dr. Chris Street Participants will explore how to use various writing to learn techniques that are quick and easy to assess. |
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Understanding the Function of Problem Behaviors Presenter: Dr. Barnett Participants will explore a function-based approach to identifying problem behaviors and learn to develop strategies for pro-social replacement behaviors. |
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New Literacies: Critical literacy skills for an ever-shifting world Presenter: Dr. Chris Street Participants will explore how literacy skills are being redefined in our technologically rich world. |
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An Introduction to Understanding Diverse Learning Styles |
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Hands on Phonics Fun for Grades K-2 |
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Adopting a Mentoring Stance When Offering Feedback to Student Writers During the workshop, teachers will learn new strategies to enrich their repertoire of knowledge and strategies related to responding to your students’ writing. (High School) |
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Social Emotional Learning Coaching in Special Education Participants will learn strategies to enact the role of an SEL "coach" to students with disabilities, providing routinized modeling, meaningful practice, and feedback that promotes growth. |
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Trauma Sensitive Teaching Strategies This session will review the impact of trauma on student behavior and learning. Participants will identify the physical and psychological characteristics of trauma and develop strategies to support a trauma sensitive classroom. |
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Diverse Literacy Strategies for Diverse Learners: Common Sense Literacy Strategies for All Content Areas Join us to learn about literacy strategies that are designed to foster student engagement and promote critical thinking skills. You will leave the session feeling confident with many new strategies that are useful in a variety of content areas and grade levels ( Grades 4-12). |
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Positive Classroom Management Strategies Participants will review positive classroom management strategies based on an evidence-based PBIS (Positive Behavior Support and Intervention) framework, such as developing positive classroom-wide expectations, reinforcement strategies, and responding to problem behavior. |
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What's New with Expository Reading and Writing? The Expository Reading and Writing Course has been thriving for 20 years now. Come to this one hour workshop to learn all about the new and exciting aspects of the third edition of the ERWC curriculum. |
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Early Writing Strategies to Support Young Authors (K-2) Consider the direct connection between reading and writing among young learners. |
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Meaningful Engagement with Fiction Text: Supporting Comprehension in the High School Context (9-12). This webinar is available on YouTube. |
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Writing Instruction in the High School Context: Support for Adolescent Authors (Grades 9-12). This webinar is available on YouTube. |
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Restorative Practices in the Classroom Participants will review and practice strategies for restorative practice in the classroom, such as Affective Statements and Questions, Informal Restorative Conferences and Community Circles. |
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Literacy Strategies to Engage Learners Participants will examine approaches to literacy and reading assessment and intervention/instruction that are anchored in just, equitable, and inclusive principles. |
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Proud to be “YOU” Social Emotional Learning and Social Media Participants will practice hands-on three effective classroom strategies that can be used the very next day to build their students' skills in digital wellness through community building and empowering individual voices. |
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Standards Based Math Instruction for Grades K-6 |
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Fundamentals of Guided Reading (K-5) Presenter: Dr. Joyce Gomez-Najarro jgomez-najarro@fullerton.edu |
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Promoting Student Growth with HyperRubrics Create clarity of expectations for student projects. This workshop will help educators differentiate instruction through individualized rubrics that serve as a guide for student learning. Students can self-assess to work towards subject mastery. |
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Podcast Like a Pro: Students and Educators When individuals know their work will be made public, they create a higher quality product. Learn how to write a script, produce, record, edit, publish, and create authenticity. All this can be done with no studio or extra equipment. |
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Critical Thinking and Writing Skills for High School Students Join us for this engaging and interactive session to learn more about strategies to support the writing process. We will focus on a wide range of literacy activities that can be completed by high school students. |
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Social Emotional Learning Coaching in Special Education Participants will learn strategies to enact the role of an SEL "coach" to students with disabilities, providing routinized modeling, meaningful practice, and feedback that promotes growth. |
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Literacy Strategies to Engage Learners Participants will examine approaches to literacy and reading assessment and intervention/instruction that are anchored in just, equitable, and inclusive principles. |
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Literacy for Early Childhood Education |
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Independent Literacy Activities to Support Struggling Readers Teachers will learn how to create engaging and content-rich independent literacy activities that are effective with elementary-level students in Tier 2 or Tier 3 levels of Response to Intervention. Activities shared will incorporate sensory experiences, technology, and partner practice. |
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Building a Class Library That Reflects Your Students Building a class library that is representative of your students’ identities helps students feel more connected to your classroom, literature, learning content, and the school as a whole. Students achieve greater academic gains when they recognize themselves in book characters and topics. In this webinar, several book recommendations will be shared, along with engaging learning activities to go along with a selection of the books. |
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Creating an Author's Corner in Your Classroom Participants will learn how to design a diverse “Author’s Corner” in their classroom which highlights different authors and provides in-depth engagement in the authors’ published works as well as their background. Several examples will be shared along with related learning activities. |
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An Introduction to Project-Based Learning: Making PBL Manageable and Starting Small |
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Building Literacy Skills through Art Exploration |
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Supporting Relationship Building Skills |
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SEL Activities for Early Childhood Special Education |
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Making Reading Fun! |
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What is embedded instruction? Join us and find out more! |
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Teaching Practices That Help Introverted Students Thrive Introverted students have so much to offer, but many of the common practices in our schools are centered around the needs of extroverted students. In this workshop, you will learn some simple practices to create a rich learning environment where everyone can thrive. |
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Sensitive Children: The Hidden Gems in Our Schools Did you know that high sensitivity is a normal genetic trait present at birth in 20% of the population? And did you know that sensitive people are often creative, empathetic, highly attuned, and very intelligent? Sensitive children have so much potential, but they are very susceptible to their environments, for better or worse. In the right setting, they shine! But too much overwhelm and they may shut down – for years. In this workshop, you will learn more about high sensitivity and how to help sensitive children thrive in a world that often feels too loud. |
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Shaming in Schools: How to Interrupt A Harmful Common Practice Presenter: Dr. Row Shaming as a disciplinary tool in schools comes in many different forms, all of which do more harm than good. And it can be especially harmful to quiet or sensitive students who tend to internalize shame in a way that interrupts their ability to learn. Shame in schools is so common and often very subtle that it can be hard to even recognize. This workshop aims to shine a light on common shaming practices and provide tools for developing healthier and more effective ways to connect with students. |
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Inspiring Quiet Leaders Presenter: Dr. Row Just because a student is quiet doesn’t mean they can’t be effective leaders. Quite the opposite! Some of our most respected leaders throughout history were/are introverts who learned to use their quiet nature as an advantage in developing impactful leadership skills. In this workshop, you will learn how to provide opportunities in your classroom that allow all students the opportunity to find their voice and lead. |
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Writing Effective IEP Goals Presenter: Jennifer Taberski |
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Successful IEP Meetings Presenter: Jennifer Taberski |
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Encouraging Student Participation in IEP Meetings Presenter: Rosalinda Larios |
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Strategies that Support Students with Special Needs Presenter: Dr. Pierson Grades: K-12 |
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Online Teaching Webinar: Humanizing Online Teaching Presenter: Ms. O'Neill Grades: K-12 |
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Creating Clarity in Virtual Teaching Presenter: Dr. Row Grades: K-12 |
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Active Engagement for the Literacy Rich Classroom Presenter: Dr. Pierson Grades: K-12 |
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Disrupting Math Inequities Presenter: Dr. Brye Grades:K-6 |
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Using Flipgrid as an Assessment Tool Presenter: Ms.Nigro Grades: K-6 |
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Resources for Collaboration and Accountability in Online Environments Presenter: Dr. Ylagan-Nicanor Grades: K-6 |
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Engaging P6 Students in Online Learning Environments Presenter: Dr. Gonzalez Grades: K-3 |
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Nutrition Education: Why it Matters and How to Make it Work in Distance Learning Presenter: Pheobe Peterson, Daily Council of California Grades: K-12 |
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Active Engagement for the Literacy-Rich Classroom Presenter: Dr. Pierson Grades: K-6 |
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Make Learning Fun! Virtual Learning Ideas Presenter: Dr. Pierson Grades: K-6 |
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Special Education High Leverage Practices: Practical Ideas for Instruction Presenter: Dr. Tiffany Row Grades: K-12 |
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Make It Meaningful: Virtual Instruction that doesn't feel like busy work Presenter: Dr. Row Grades K-12 |
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Building Authentic Connections with Students Presenter: Dr. Row Grades K-12 |
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Backwards Design Strategies Presenter: Ms. O'Neill Grades K-12 |
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Creating Deeper Discussions in Online Sessions Presenter: Dr. Street Grades 7-12 |
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Rehumanizing Online Teaching Presenter: Ms. O'Neill Grades K-12 |
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Growing Young Scientists with Online Teaching Strategies Presenter: Dr. Cox-Peterson Grades K-2 |
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Strategies to Teach Writing Skills Online Presenter: Dr. Street Grades 7th - 12th |
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NGSS, Local Habitats, and Online Teaching Strategies Presenter: Dr. Cox-Peterson Grades 3rd - 6th |
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Incorporating Films to Teach Literature Online Presenter: Dr. Ambracetti Grades 7th- 12th |
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Reaching Struggling Learners Virtually through High Leverage Practices Presenter: Dr. Row Grades P-12 |
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NGSS, Decomposition/Chemistry and Online Instruction Presenter: Dr. Cox-Peterson Grades 6th - 8th |
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Creating Clarity in Virtual Teaching Students Learn More and Stress Less Presenter: Dr. Row Grades P-12 |
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Teaching Literacy in a Remote Learning Context Presenter: Dr. Gomez-Najarro Grades K-5 |
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Free Apps for Educators Teaching Online Presenter: Ms. O'Neill Grades: P-12 |
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