Embracing Literacy 2025 Events

Introduction:

During this session, participants will dive into the understanding that comprehension is not a skill but rather an outcome. We will explore evidence-based strategies to use during and after reading that support students in building background knowledge and focusing their attention on critical content. Through hands-on activities, we will practice text dependent questions, question types and planning for questions. All while discussing how to adapt these techniques for diverse learners, including struggling readers and English learners. Attendees will leave with practical resources, templates, and actionable steps to implement these strategies and foster proficient readers and writers. Whether you're a teacher, coach, or administrator, this session will equip you with tools to drive meaningful student outcomes and bridge the gap between reading comprehension and writing proficiency.

Session Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Explain why reading comprehension is an outcome, not a discrete skill, supported by evidence-based research.
   
2. Apply strategies that build background knowledge and focus attention on key content during and after reading.
   
3. Develop and adapt text-dependent questions to support diverse learners, including struggling readers and multilingual learners.
   
4. Implement practical tools and templates that connect reading comprehension with writing proficiency across instructional roles.
   

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

• What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
• In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
• How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?