Science of Reading for Pre-K and Kindergarten Educators Professional Development Calendar
Earn your PD hours with NLI
Every week March thru June 2025 9:00 am- 12:00 am CST
Location | 7539 South FWY Houston, TX 77021
Cost | $129 per person. Call for groups of eight or more special pricing and custom date selection. Face to face option available
Join us each week March through May for engaging and impactful professional development sessions focused on the Science of Reading in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. These sessions will provide practical, research-based strategies to enhance early literacy instruction, covering essential topics such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary,
and comprehension. Through interactive workshops, research based and expert insights, we will explore best practices for fostering a strong literacy foundation in young learners. Whether you're looking to refine your teaching methods, integrate play-based literacy, or support diverse learners, these sessions will equip you with valuable tools to make a difference in your classroom.
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Thursday, March 6, 2025 | 9:00 am- 12:00 pm CST
Understanding the Transition to the Science of Reading for in Pre-K and K
Explore the foundational principles of the Science of Reading and their significance in early literacy development. This session will provide educators with an understanding of key research findings and the importance of evidence-based instruction.
Outcomes: Participants will be able to articulate the core principles of the Science of Reading, identify instructional practices aligned with these principles, and develop a plan for implementing these strategies in their classrooms.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Hands-on Activities for Phonemic Awareness in Pre-K and K
This interactive session focuses on engaging, research-based activities designed to develop young learners' ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in words. Participants will learn how to create a playful learning environment that fosters phonemic awareness.
Outcomes: Participants will leave with a toolkit of hands-on activities they can implement immediately to enhance phonemic awareness in their classrooms.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Introducing Letters and Sounds in a Developmentally Appropriate Way
Discover effective strategies for introducing letters and sounds using multisensory and structured literacy approaches. This session will emphasize the importance of developmentally appropriate practices for young learners.
Outcomes: Participants will gain techniques for teaching letter recognition and sound associations that engage children and support their literacy development.
Tuesday, March 26, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Interactive Read-Alouds that Support Oral Language and Comprehension
Learn techniques for making read-aloud sessions more engaging while building vocabulary and comprehension skills. This session will provide strategies for selecting texts and facilitating discussions that enhance oral language development.
Outcomes: Educators will develop skills to conduct interactive read-alouds that promote critical thinking and vocabulary acquisition among young learners.
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Developing Prosody and Expression in Oral Reading
Explore methods to enhance reading fluency through rhythm, pitch, and expression. This session will provide strategies to help young learners read with appropriate prosody, fostering a love for reading.
Outcomes: Participants will learn techniques to assess and support prosody in young readers, helping them to read with greater expression and understanding.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
The Role of Background Knowledge in Reading Comprehension
Examine how prior knowledge supports reading comprehension and discover strategies to build background knowledge in Pre-K and Kindergarten students. This session will highlight the importance of connecting new information to what children already know.
Outcomes: Educators will develop strategies to enhance students' comprehension by activating and building on their background knowledge.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Emergent Writing Strategies Aligned with the Science of Reading
This workshop will offer practical ways to support early writing development, emphasizing the connection between drawing, dictation, and letter formation. Participants will explore various activities that promote emergent writing skills.
Outcomes: Participants will leave with concrete writing strategies that align with the Science of Reading, fostering a strong foundation for young writers.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Using Observation and Play-Based Assessments to Monitor Literacy Growth
Learn how to effectively use informal assessments to track literacy progress and inform instruction in Pre-K and Kindergarten. This session will focus on observational techniques and play-based assessments that highlight students' literacy skills.
Outcomes: Educators will be equipped to implement observation-based assessments, enabling them to tailor instruction based on individual student needs.
Tuesday, April 30, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
How to Train Parents on Science of Reading-Based Strategies for Home
Discover effective ways to coach families on literacy practices that support learning at home. This session will provide educators with strategies to engage parents as partners in their children's literacy development.
Outcomes: Participants will develop actionable plans for communicating with parents and providing resources to reinforce literacy strategies at home.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Using Diverse Books to Support Literacy Development
Explore the importance of culturally relevant literature and learn how to use diverse books to foster literacy and engagement among young learners. This session will emphasize the role of representation in children's literature.
Outcomes: Educators will gain insights into selecting and using diverse literature to enhance students' literacy experiences and promote inclusivity.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
The Role of Play in Literacy Development
Investigate the connection between play and literacy growth, focusing on hands-on strategies that can be implemented in Pre-K settings. This session will emphasize the importance of play in developing literacy skills.
Outcomes: Participants will learn how to integrate play-based learning into their literacy instruction, promoting engagement and skill development.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
AI Tools for Personalized Literacy Instruction
This workshop will introduce AI-driven tools that can support individualized literacy instruction in early learning environments. Participants will explore various applications that enhance personalized learning experiences.
Outcomes: Educators will be equipped to implement AI tools that cater to the diverse literacy needs of their students, facilitating targeted instruction.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Differentiating Literacy Instruction for Dual Language Learners
Learn strategies for supporting multilingual learners through structured literacy approaches. This session will provide insights into best practices for differentiating instruction to meet the needs of dual language learners.
Outcomes: Participants will gain practical strategies for creating inclusive literacy instruction that respects and builds on students' linguistic backgrounds.