Literacy: Reading & Writing
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 | ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only Instructor: Jessica Armbruster jarmbrusterliips@gmail.com Course Descriptions: Math Facts are essential, and require reinforcement to stay in the long-term memory bank. Deliberate incorporation of fluency into our daily classroom routines ensures student growth and success. This course will examine why students need to build their math fact fluency as well as different strategies for incorporating math facts into your day through stations, games, community builders, and more! Teachers will explore the “how” behind fact memorization, as well as the “where” to incorporate this essential practice. This course welcomes educators of grades K-6! | |
 | In-Service Credit only
Course Description:
A vital component of the secondary Humanities classroom, the Research Paper is often met with fear, anxiety, procrastination, and trepidation. Students quickly and easily become overwhelmed by its requirements and teachers often find it difficult to convey its importance and articulate its elements. Middle and high school teachers enrolled in this course will examine the Research Paper and explore proven strategies aimed at effectively teaching students how to properly craft a paper of this magnitude. Applicable to middle and high school teachers. | |
 | Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia - gaylelumia@yahoo.com
In-Service Course - 3 Credits - 45 Hours
Course Description: Comprehending the ways in which students succeed is tantamount to all educators. Knowing the means to drive student mastery is critical. This course is designed to empower educators to reimagine and redesign their classrooms through impactful pedagogy. They will analyze proven strategies of learning and explore a wealth of resources that enable students to put together ideas in new ways and take risks while learning. Participants will learn the ways in which to effectively achieve the core in all subject matters, providing the utmost instruction to all learners.
*A must for K-12 educators* | |
 | With the adoption of the CCLS one major instructional shift has been to incorporate more nonfiction into the classroom. As educators, one of our major goals is to prepare students to be college and career ready. Approximately ninety-five percent of daily work-related information is in expository form. Based upon this information, it is necessary for educators to teach students ways to navigate and comprehend this form of text.
This course will help teachers improve nonfiction instruction and expository reading comprehension with their students.
Topics covered in this class include:
expository text structure, features and patterns
strategies for vocabulary instruction
metacognition strategies like activation of prior knowledge (new to known), self-monitoring skills, questioning the text, determining importance, and synthesizing
As a result of this course participants will gather helpful unit plans of study for incorporating nonfiction for immediate classroom use. A must for all educators K-12!!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
 | “Fluency is the ability, to read smoothly, easily, and readily with freedom from word recognition problems. Fluency provides a bridge between word recognition and comprehension. It is not a stage of development at which readers can read all words quickly and easily. Fluency changes, depending on what readers are reading, their familiarity with the words, and the amount of their practice with reading text.”
—National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)
Fluent reading is a sign of a proficient reader and is a major goal of literacy instruction. When readers are fluent, they are free from word recognition challenges and are able to fully focus on meaning and comprehension.
This course will explain fluency and the components of fluent reading in depth. Educators will learn key fluency terms including: phrasing, intonation, automaticity, and expression. Participants will learn how fluency develops and various methods/tools to assess/measure fluency. In addition, educators will research successful instructional strategies to implement within his/her own classroom. Teacher will gather many fluency lesson plans for immediate use with students. A must for all educators!!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
 | ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only Instructor: Rose Marino Foster (rosemarino5@gmail.com) Course Description: The term “Science of Reading” refers to large a body of research spanning over five decades. This research draws from multidisciplinary fields including: cognitive psychology linguistics, neuroscience, education in order to understand how individuals learn to read. This course will provide an overview of the Science of Reading and its implications for effective literacy instruction. Through engaging assignments and informative resources, participates will explore key concepts such as: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, fluency, assessment practices and comprehension strategies. Participants will also research effective practices for orthographic mapping of words as well as improving student fluency, vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension. As a result of this class, participants will have the knowledge and tools to implement effective evidence-based reading instruction. | |
| An author study is a thorough examination of the life, career, and literary works/achievements of an author. Through this study, students are given the opportunity to critically evaluate an author’s themes, characters, and writing style. In addition, students will make connections between the author’s life, work, and characters as well as make personal connections to the books and characters.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
 | Course Description:
No matter what you do in life the ability to be a good reader and writer is paramount. This course will focus on how as educators we can create a reading and writing program that will work for all students. This program can lead all students on the road to success as literate individuals who can write for any purpose. Participants will begin with techniques to get your students involved in the writing process. Teachers will learn how to keep your students engaged and involved with a plethora or writing and reading activities. Educators will be introduced to a variety of literary techniques that will ensure your student’s reading and writing abilities. These writing techniques will leave you surrounded with a classroom full of excited and successful readers and writers. Teachers will share experiences on how to develop reading as well as writing assignments for their students that are lasting and meaningful, and how to help them succeed in a Common Core driven world. This course is a must for all teachers of all disciplines K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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 | Literacy is at the forefront of education today. All teachers are expected to be Òteachers of reading,Ó no matter what their subject area may be. Teachers need a repertoire of lessons and ideas to motivate learners and elevate student abilities. This course provides a plethora of lessons, graphic organizers, best practice techniques, strategic thinking skills, collaborative, small group activities, and models that enhance student learning. Via the activities, participants will delve deeper into the literacy process and apply the models to their respective discipline. The subject areas of reading, writing, science, math, social studies, and health will be covered. Specific strategies and projects will be covered as well as a multitude of best practice techniques. In the end, you will walk away with a literary bag of tricks! Suitable all educators K-12!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
| The Common Core requires educators to infuse a plethora of higher order skills , as well as deductive reasoning techniques into the classroom. Effective questioning, critical thinking skills, and increased vocabulary development are all factors in student success. This course will enable educators to comprehend the cognitive domains of Bloom’s taxonomy and subsequently move further and develop mastery level thematic strategies that guide students on their journey to success. Cross curricular teaching, interdisciplinary applications, analytic, philosophical, and productive reasoning techniques will be addressed. Teachers will gain a multitude of strategies to extend student thinking. Poetic forms, non-fiction sources, as well as mastery level power words will be utilized. Participants will be able to gain and comprehend a wealth of definitions that pertain to Bloom’s taxonomy and beyond as well as develop problem solving strategies, all of which contribute to student mastery. Applicable for K-12 teachers
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
| It’s difficult – if not sometimes impossible – to motivate students to open their minds to literature. If the students found a way to relate to characters on a realistic level, they would be more willing to read and engage in class discussions. They could feel more ownership of the literature. Middle and high school English teachers enrolled in this course will explore creative ways to bring some of the most famous literary characters into the 21st century classroom.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
 | 3 credits/45 hours In service only
Janna Florio
jflorioliips@gmail.com
Today, teachers are faced with the challenge of teaching students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, intelligence types, learning styles, and needs. Educators struggle to “reach” all students in their classrooms, particularly when cultural and language barriers exist. In recent years, a large part of our student population includes English Language Learners (ELLs), many coming from Spanish-speaking countries. Though Bilingual Education is becoming more and more prominent, teachers lacking proficiency in a student’s dominant language can feel lost in their own classrooms: struggling to communicate with and effectively teach their students. This course is designed to assist teachers of ELLs to better support their students across curricula and throughout all grade-levels. Although the course is designed mainly for teachers of Spanish-speaking students, the majority of the strategies and ideas discussed can benefit all ELLs regardless of their native language or cultural background.
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 | Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. Yes, these are often the focal points of our lessons. With that having been said, we must consider that there is more to what we do. Our students – regardless of age or grade level – enter our classrooms in September and leave in June. During that span, there is noticeable maturation, emotional growth, and cognitive development. Our role is vital, and Character Education is crucial. Yes, our students are measured by tests and numbers, but helping them grow to be well-adjusted, respectable members of society is essential. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore realistic pedagogical methodologies that focus on helping our students develop pride, integrity, and character.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
| Imagine a classroom that is teaming with engaged learners – students making connections, pulling out textual evidence, fully interested in the “meat” of the lesson. In this classroom, the standards are met insidiously, not overtly; thus making learning more engagin and complete. In this course, you will be provided with the tools that students need to comprehend the entire gamut of informational, persuasive, procedural, and narrative documents that make up our disciplines. Your students will become much better readers and thinkers in your subject field using engaging activities. You will be provided with fantastic short articles, explicit step-by-step lessons that will be aimed at enriching your students learning. Reading, annotating, decoding, collaborating, and utilizing the jigsaw technique will be covered. Perfect for all disciplines and grade levels!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
 | *New Course Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com Summer 2025 Dates – July 7th-11th Course Credits: – 3 credits/45 Hours Course Description: Culturally responsive classroom education is at the forefront of teaching in the 21st Century. Students need to learn how to take educational risks and assume the responsibilities of independent work and collaboration. They need to be able to identify inequities and advocate for diversity within the classroom environment. In this course, participants will be able to learn how to create a classroom environment that represents and values all cultural backgrounds within the confines of their classroom. They will learn how to inculcate various perspectives throughout their respective disciplines and address ways in which empathy, conversations, backgrounds, and perspectives play a part in learning. The class will address the ways that students take ownership in their learning and view mistakes as ways to be constructive. *A Must for K-12 Educators* | |
 | Course Description: Journaling has always been a way to express your thoughts and get your ideas out. It has also been a way to milestone important events, record everyday happenings, or just let out your innermost feelings. As educators, we have the opportunity to use journaling to our benefit on a daily basis. In this course, educators will discuss the importance of journaling and the benefits of journaling in all subject areas. We will discuss how to begin a daily journaling routine for both students and teachers. This routine can work for all students and educators and can be used as an emotional tool. Journaling can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and help affect us in many positive ways. Educators will discuss a variety of strategies from the fact “that there’s no right way to journal”, to “how to keep on journaling.” Teachers will discuss the benefits of handwritten journaling vs. digital journaling. Strategies such free writing, timed writing and the 1-minute journal strategy will be explored. Participants will receive a series of journal prompts, ideas and samples to be used for any subject areas and to model in their classrooms. This course is a must for all educators of all subjects and grade levels K-12.
Instructor: Kim Kittredge
kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
3 credits – In service Course (45 Hours) | |
 | *New Course Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours) Dates: Summer 2025 – August 11th-15th Course Description: Using creative writing in all subjects will provide our students with the capacity to better read, research, reflect and more. Educators will discuss interdisciplinary writing rules, the 7 different types of writing, creative writing assignments and how to better reflect as we write. Educators will work on strategies for structuring creative writing no matter what the subject. Activities will also be shared for how to strengthen the writing of all students in all areas. A plethora of creative writing prompts will be shared for all subjects and areas of teaching. By the end of this course students will learn how to open their minds, be imaginative and work towards the goal of clarity, completeness and creativity. This course is a must for all educators grades K-12. | |
 | Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours
Course Description: Classroom dialogue provides a unique opportunity for students to verbalize their understanding, bring their thoughts to the surface and examine mindsets. By engaging in dialogue, students can identify knowledge gaps, challenge assumptions, and solidify their comprehension, all with the assistance of their peers. Participants in this course will learn how to engage their students in effective dialogue through an open exchange of perspectives, all of which deepen students' understanding of topics and encourage reflection. Reflective journals, democratic dialogue, and Socratic seminars will all be included in the course!
*A must for K-12 educators!* | |
| Developing course trajectories for students is tantamount to their learning. Reinforcing phonemic awareness, phonics in language, reading environments for success, text comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, writing and reading integration – all develop skills for students to fully advance their learning. In this course, teachers will fully engage in comprehensive strategies that advance the learner in their classroom. Techniques as analysis, connections, author’s viewpoint, primary and secondary sources will be investigated, thoroughly creating advanced learning for all.
• A must for K-12 educators!!!!!!!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
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Course Description:
This course will focus on how excellent readers often begin to struggle when they enter upper grades. This course will work with educators to strategically teach your students to read successfully no matter what subject you teach. We will work on key reading skills and develop active instructional strategies for students in all disciplines. Educators will work on strategic reading techniques to get your students to read well in all areas of study and understand the importance of text structure, as students move from narrative text to more expository text. Educators will work on creating text-dependent questions, guided reading strategies and help students with close reading skills. With reading being such an important skill across all curriculums, students should learn how to achieve and succeed with great strategies. This course is a must for all educators levels K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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 | Storytelling in the digital era, writing is not just about composing traditional essays by typing into a word-processing program. Today writers compose by using a variety of platforms to produce different forms. We compose slide shows, videos, audio documentaries, brochures, Tweets, blogs, and much more. If we want to be effective composers in our, global world, we have to learn how to compose using these different platforms, and we have to understand what such forms allow, disallow, and require. We need both technical skill and critical understanding.
This course will introduce you to DIGITAL STORYTELLING. Digital storytelling is a creative way to integrate writing, technology, and content curriculum. Digital storytelling is an excellent way to engage students because it allows them to use their growing technology skills to tell a story. You will learn how to design digital storytelling projects for all content areas (k-12) allowing you to incorporate writing throughout the curriculum. Assessments of digital stories will also be reviewed.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service only | |
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Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours
Course Description: Oftentimes as educators, we find ourselves searching for innovative modalities of learning for our students, ones that fully suit our learners’ needs, ones that promote comprehensive improvements and drive our students toward success. This course speaks to educators who desire these interventions, using practical approaches and ways to engage all types of individuals in our sphere. Evidence based methods that promote phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension in all subjects will be discussed as well as a myriad of tools that command student achievement, all of which have immediate classroom implementation.
*A must for K-12 educators* | |
| With the adoption of the new Common Core Standards, a greater emphasis is being placed on nonfiction and vocabulary instruction. This course will explore the philosophy behind vocabulary instruction as well effective practices. Participants will research dozens of strategies for building vocabulary aligned to meet various learning styles. In addition, this course will explore vocabulary resources including multimedia, interactive websites, educational vocabulary learning games and much more! Participants will have the opportunity to research and evaluate effective vocabulary lessons as well as create dynamic lessons for immediate classroom use. A must for all educators K-12!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
 | Every teacher has become a teacher of literacy. Impacting students’ abilities via journal usage creates learners with exceptional style and fortitude. Journal writing in all subject matters enriches the student and creates a sense of accomplishment and aptitude. In this course, teachers will utilize dialectical journals, reader’s journals, reader’s responses, written conversations. They will integrate aspects of their lives that promote advanced analysis, communication skills, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive writing techniques.
*A must for K-12 Educators!!!!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-service credit only | |
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Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
(3 Credits/45 Hours)
Course Description: Becoming a highly engaging teacher, teeming with innovative ideas and enthralling techniques is what this course is aimed to elaborate. In today’s world of highly engaging technology, kids tend to prioritize the wrong things. This course will instruct educators on the ways in which the adolescent brain functions and the strategies that are required to pave the path for the green light energy. Participants will learn ideas as tapping into students’ emotions, building blocks for effective instruction, making content relevant for students, creating new memory pathways. **A must for K-12 educators!!! | |
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Do our students understand our lessons? All the time and effort and we put into them? There are so days when as educators we look out at our student's faces and are unable to truly gauge how much they understand.
Then, we also have those classes in which participation; the mere raising of a hand, seems like a chore. We seem only have those same few students providing answers every day while the others remain silent. While it is nice to know that these students are learning, we also want to be sure we are reaching each student in our classroom. This course offers ideas on how to model your daily instruction with learning opportunities for all students to actively participate and share. Students will find themselves wanting to get up and get involved and respond. Educators will learn a variety of strategies that will not only activate engagement, but also improve student learning overall. These same strategies will also offer you many opportunities to assess what students really know, and adjust your lessons and daily plans accordingly. This course is for educators levels K-12 of all subjects.
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgelips@gmail.com
3 Credits - In service Course (45 Hours)
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| Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours
Course Description: Literacy is incorporated into every discipline. Students must be able to read, comprehend, and analyze both simple and complex texts in order to achieve success. This course will present a plethora of fiction and non-fiction readings that will guide participants and allow them to inculcate a wealth of strategies into their repertoires - including vocabulary strategies, decoding information, metacognition, pedagogical scaffolds, small academic groups, and a wealth of textual graphic organizers in every discipline. An influx of strategies will be brought to the forefront and ready utilize.
*A must for K-12 educators* | |
| Course Description – Engaging students in all levels of reading instruction is crucial for all subject matters. Literacy instruction is tantamount as students utilize remote instruction on a daily basis. This course will provide students with authentic tools for selecting books, responding to them, critiquing them, utilizing book clubs, and centers for discussion. A Must for K-12 Educators!!! (3 credits/45 hours) – In-Service Credit | |
 | Do you view vocabulary instruction as prosaic, humdrum, monotonous, mundane, thread bare? Acquiring vocabulary skills are tantamount to doing well in all aspects of academics. Instructing students on vocabulary usage can be accomplished through many modalities: computers, reading, diagramming, activity based. This course will provide you with effective ways to implement vocabulary instruction with your students. Current research will be examined, as well as specific strategies that enable students to comprehend vocabulary words will be addressed.
A must for all K-12 educators!!!!
On-Line (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only | |
 | This course focuses on the use of digital methods to analyze and archive literary texts, emphasizing issues of diversity and inclusion. Covers three main areas: text encoding, textual analysis, and archive construction. Considers literary texts, including works by well-known authors such as Shakespeare, together with collections by marginalized writers, including slave narratives and writings by early modern women. Offers students an opportunity to explore what counts as literature and how computers, databases, and analytical tools give substance to concepts of aesthetic, cultural, and intellectual value as inflected by race and gender.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-service credit only |