In response to participant feedback, we are adding four strands to the grade level-specific workshops offered during the afternoon workshops. Each strand will be led by area teacher leaders with particular expertise in the topics for the strand.

Early Career Teachers: Meet to talk about classroom management in the reading program, essential classroom practices for teaching reading comprehension, and issues of primary concern to teachers in their first 3 years of teaching, or first 3 years of teaching at a particular grade level.

Special Education Teachers: Meet to talk about teaching reading to students with language and learning disabilities, including co-teaching and pull-out/self-contained programs.

Literacy Coaches: Meet to talk about strategies for helping others teach reading comprehension strategies and assess reading comprehension; intended primarily for teacher leaders responsible for coaching/ supporting classroom teachers.

Institute Alumni: Meet with Institute participants from 2006 and/or 2007 to talk about connections across the keynote speakers and advanced application of ideas presented at all 3 Institutes; share the successes and challenges of your own teaching and your Back Home Plans; and, discuss the professional materials you have been reading.