Webinar Series

Literature as a Lens: Using Texts to Broaden Students' Perspectives

WITH MONICA WASHINGTON
Senior Manager of Inclusive and Responsive Educational Practices
BetterLesson

Are you working to build an inclusive literacy classroom for all students? In this FREE one-hour webinar, we will discuss potential challenges that might exist as teachers try to diversify their classroom literature. We will review strategies for incorporating diverse texts and examine a planning tool that can help teachers to create inclusive reading experiences for students.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021
12:00 p.m. PDT / 3:00 p.m. EDT

The ABCs of Working with LTELs

Long Term English Learners (LTELs) make up an increasing percentage of all secondary English Learners in the United States. This webinar will provide some concrete strategies that can lift LTELs into higher levels of language proficiency and help them access complex, grade level texts. We’ll have time for some of your questions as well.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021
12:00 p.m. PDT / 3:00 p.m. EDT

High-Impact Writing Tools for K–12 Classrooms

Do you want to make sure that your students think deeply about what they read and discuss in class and transfer their learning into long-term memory? Join us for this FREE one-hour webinar where we will learn about high-impact writing tools and the research that supports them. We will look at several examples and discuss how to implement and differentiate these tools for your classroom. The ideas we will explore include explicitly teaching the needed writing skills, criteria for success based on the standards, and feedback from the teacher, peers, and self. This webinar is appropriate for K–12 classrooms and all content areas—even math writing!

Ensuring Techquity for Multilingual Learners

The Inclusive Literacy Classroom: What Is It Exactly, and How to Build It

Our classrooms are filled with dynamic students with diverse learning needs.  Join us for this FREE one-hour webinar where you will learn the fundamentals of the inclusive classrooms for developing literacy skills including effective teaching strategies and differentiating instruction.

Scaffolding Classic Texts for Secondary ELs: Illustrated Shakespeare 

Supporting Content-Area Writing for Secondary English Learners: Scaffolds for Success

Writing is an integral part of all instruction, no matter what subject you teach. If you are a secondary content-area teacher serving English learners, join Jody Nolf for this FREE webinar to learn how to integrate writing into your lessons. We will discuss writing scaffolds and quick assessment techniques to make grading less tedious and also share a user-friendly template to make planning easier.

Language Deprivation in Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Children who are deaf or hard of hearing face unique language acquisition challenges. If you are an educator who serves these students, join us for this FREE webinar on the basics of language deprivation among DHH children. We will define it, identify its characteristics, and describe strategies for teachers to help mitigate its effects on overall learning.

Minimize Teacher Talk, Maximize Student Output: Strategies for Teaching Secondary ELs Virtually

As secondary teachers navigate the virtual classroom, we are continually looking for ways to ensure our students are engaged with content. This FREE webinar will explore strategies to reduce teacher talk time and get our emergent bilinguals involved by creating output. We will also look at some examples of what output may look like in content-based classes with appropriate scaffolds.

Student Engagement and Oral Language via Distance Learning 

In this FREE webinar, you will learn creative ways to get your English learners speaking and listening during both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Even educators who claim they are not tech-savvy will be able to navigate the platforms and tools we show with step-by-step tutorials. We will also explore activities to keep your most reluctant learners engaged in the work. Developing language skills is more fun with faux TikToks, homemade GIFs, and cardboard boxes. Let’s try out ways to keep our learners on their toes!

Seizing the Power of Academic Esports to Engage Reluctant Readers

Do you have students who seem more interested in playing video games than reading? Esports, or organized competitive video gaming, can open up a world of learning and dynamic possibilities for disengaged students. In this FREE webinar, you’ll discover how to tap the power of academic esports using a research-based approach to elevating student achievement. Learn how to channel your students’ passion for gaming into teaching core ELA skills. Immediately usable ideas and tools to serve the needs of underperforming students will be provided.

Building a Self-Regulated Classroom in an E-Learning Context

Critical for college and career readiness is our students’ personal abilities to appropriately manage their affect, behaviors, and cognition (ABCs). Self-regulation for learning is the ability to effectively balance the ABCs to pursue worthy academic goals. Join this session to learn a holistic approach to assisting all students (from special education to gifted education) in gaining greater social/emotional well-being, developing scholarly behaviors, and acquiring valuable thinking tools to be successful in school and beyond.

Get Real with Project-Based Learning

As educators look for more meaningful ways to teach and assess students this year, project-based learning (PBL) is rising in prominence. Whether you are new to the idea or have tried it with varying levels of success, PBL deserves thoughtful consideration as a teaching method. In this FREE webinar, Dr. Michelle Yzquierdo returns to present an overview of Project-Based Learning. You’ll learn what it is, why it is so effective, and how to implement it.

Supporting Secondary SIFE: Integrating Reading and Writing Foundations in the ELA Content Classroom

Students with limited or interrupted formal education frequently enter our classrooms in need of targeted reading and writing support, but educators are often at a loss for how to deliver this type of instruction. In this free webinar, Orly Klapholz will share research supporting the explicit teaching of reading and writing foundational skills, how to determine which skills to focus on, and how to integrate teaching these skills with age- and grade-appropriate content.

New Year, New Boundaries: Self-Advocacy for Becoming Your Best

Teaching and leading in the age of COVID-19 has challenged us in ways we never could have anticipated. As we enter 2021, join Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa for this FREE empowering and timely webinar. She will discuss the power of partnering with school leaders to set boundaries and realistic goals for teacher and student success for a strong finish to the school year.

Supporting Secondary Content-Area Teachers With ESL Strategies

Bringing Language and Content to Life in Your Virtual Classroom: A Simulated Science Lesson in German

Delivering engaging and impactful content instruction in a virtual environment is a challenge, but doing so for language learners is even tougher! In this session, you will engage in a science lesson delivered in German (no knowledge of German required!). Discover for yourself how targeted teaching techniques and explicit learner behaviors come together to make language and content learning come alive. Leave with a concrete lesson example and a long list of strategies for use in implementing effective, integrated instruction in your virtual (and face-to-face) language-learning classroom.

Amplifying Literacy Through Social Studies: Best Practices for Reaching All Learners

As a content area, social studies has the unique ability to connect students to their past, explain their present, and fuel their dreams of a better future. With a few adjustments, social studies instruction can also be used to increase students’ overall literacy. In this FREE webinar, we will examine several practices and resources that ELL, social studies, and reading teachers can use to maximize students’ understanding of the past while simultaneously helping them to grow as readers.

The Literacy Triangle: High-Impact Tools for Every Child

Do you want to have a powerful impact on student engagement and achievement? The Literacy Triangle uses high-impact reading, writing, and discussion tools to maximize learning for struggling students. Join us for this FREE webinar, where you will receive strategies that can be immediately implemented to help students read for deeper comprehension, activate discourse tools, and write with a purpose. Presenter LeAnn Nickelsen will provide practical examples, classroom resources, and a template to make the planning process faster!

Assessing Student Learning During Remote Instruction

Assessment of student learning is a crucial component of effective instruction whether our classes are online or in person. As teachers rapidly change their instructional practices in response to the COVID-19 crisis, many questions remain regarding assessment. In this free webinar, we will explore alternative and varied approaches to monitor students’ learning as we settle into what may be our new normal for the foreseeable future.

Teaching from a Distance: Increasing Collaboration, Interaction, and Student Voice

Help! I Love My Saddleback Books But Don’t Know How to Use Them! Implementation and Differentiation Ideas for Welcome Newcomers

Are you wondering how teachers and students can best use Saddleback Educational Publishing’s Welcome Newcomers library? If so, then this is the webinar for you! From teachers who have always wanted Saddleback newcomer materials to those who already have them but need fresh implementation ideas, we’ve got you covered! Join Liz Mangus and Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa for this FREE webinar to get answers to your implementation questions. Dorina will share her expertise as a teacher who successfully used Welcome Newcomers with her students. Options for hybrid and remote learning will be discussed.

Bilingualism and Disabilities: Shedding Light on the Intersections 

As teachers of English learners, it can be difficult to determine if a student is simply struggling with language acquisition or if the student also has learning disabilities. Join us for this FREE webinar, where Solange Lopes-Murphy will share a framework for better understanding the interface of language learning and learning disabilities along with guides for reflection and tips for practice when working with multilingual students with disabilities.

That’s The Way We’ve Always Done It (TTWWADI): Disrupting the Systems to Provide Equity and Access for English Learners with Disabilities

Across the educational field, a topic that has been identified as top priority is equity and accessibility for dually identified students. There is a great sense of urgency in "getting it right" for our ELs who have disabilities and a great need for understanding the complexities of how to "get it right."  This session will provide participants with valuable, concrete information on how to meet the needs of ELs with disabilities in the classroom. 

Low-Tech, No-Tech, No Problem: Creative Approaches to Remote Learning for English Learners (or any students) with Limited Technology

Remote instruction does not always have to equate to digital instruction. As many students, including the most vulnerable of learners, have unequal access to technology tools, low-tech and no-tech approaches are necessary to provide instruction in equitable and meaningful ways. Join Dr. Yzquierdo as she presents creative tips and authentic activities for engaging and connecting with learners and mitigating the impact of the digital divide.

Emergent-Level Fiction for Newcomers in Grades 4–12

Discover Saddleback’s two newest book series for students who have just come to the U.S. and are at the early stages of learning English in this FREE webinar. Welcome Fundamentals (for grades 9–12) and GO! Welcome Fundamentals (for grades 4–8) are realistic fiction books with a focus on important topics for newcomers, from school and money to community services and transportation options. Both series are written at emergent reading levels with Lexiles of 90 and below. Join Saddleback’s Director of Literacy, Jill Haney, for a preview of these unique books that help tween and teen newcomers thrive.

Integrating Reading Supports with Educational Technology: Tools for Explicit Multisensory Instruction

This FREE webinar will focus on technology tools that can support differentiated and individualized engagement during reading instruction, many of which can be used during virtual learning. Join Sharon Plante, teacher and Chief Technology Integrator at The Southport School, as she discusses how comprehension, decoding/encoding, and fluency instruction can be enhanced through the application of interactive screens, iPads, apps, and websites. The featured tools and information are appropriate for teaching students with dyslexia and related learning disabilities.

Part 1: Four Ways to Create Effective E-Learning

WITH DR. KATHERINE MCKNIGHT
Founder
Engaging Learners, LLC.

Join Saddleback and Dr. Katherine McKnight for this FREE webinar where you’ll find out how e-learning is different from classroom learning and also explore the many important ways in which it is the same. You’ll discover how to avoid getting distracted by all the “bells and whistles” that are available and, instead, select high-leverage tools that will help your students stay on track. We’ll conclude by looking at grading and assessment options.

Part 2: Grading and Assessment for E-Learning and the Modern Classroom

WITH DR. KATHERINE MCKNIGHT
Founder 
Engaging Learners, LLC

The A, B, C, D, F grading system is as obsolete as a typewriter. The inherent issue isn’t that grading exists; it’s how we’re grading. Deep down we know there are better ways to evaluate student learning than assigning a percentage, a number, or a letter grade. Informed educators are aware of the substantial evidence indicating that the new paradigm of Skills/Standards-Based Grading (SBG) contributes greatly to meaningful learning. In this FREE webinar, you will learn how to develop Skills/Standards-Based Grading, even if you are required to use traditional letters and numbers as grades. You will also receive great resources to get started on your journey toward grading and assessment strategies that grow student achievement.

The Power of Your School Librarian in a COVID-19 World: Harnessing Technology, Literacy, and Community

As you prepare for a school year like no other and seek resources to effectively utilize technology, develop literacy, and build community relationships, look no further than your school librarian. Join Washington, D.C., public school librarians K.C. Boyd, Sherri Jones, and Christopher Stewart for this FREE webinar where they will highlight the extraordinary knowledge and tools librarians bring to our new schooling reality. From rolling out digital learning plans to distributing books and supplies, this webinar will open your eyes to the power of these often overlooked professionals during these unpredictable times.

Creating A Culturally Responsive Learning Environment

Last spring ended like no other. Instruction varied from district to district, campus to campus, and household to household. The beginning of this new school year will be critical for establishing stability for our English learners, whether instruction is traditional, remote, or blended. Join Valentina Gonzalez for this FREE webinar as she discusses how honoring students’ experiences and cultures can set the tone for a successful school year. We will share effective and easy-to-implement practices that will help students thrive. 

Gamification in the Classroom for English Language Learners

WITH DR. SANDRA HEMPHILL
The Language Lady

Games have always been an integral part of learning for students from infancy into young adulthood. It is important to explore the elements of games that resonate with children and teenagers. In this FREE webinar, we will explore different types of games that can be embedded into a lesson to teach language skills to foster collaboration, literacy skills, problem solving, and confidence. This webinar will allow teachers to think about how taking a different approach in their lessons can turn passive learners into active learners. Examples of games, technology tools, websites, and additional resources will be shared.

Teaching ELs from a Distance: Tips for Fall Planning

In this FREE webinar, join ESL educators Esther Park, Caterina Lazor, and Maria Montroni-Currais as they discuss the tools and strategies that worked for their students during distance learning and how they plan to approach the upcoming school year. Our discussion will include technology tips, reading and conversation practice tips, and much more!

MITIGATING TRAUMA IN CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE SETTINGS: TOOLS FOR THE  TRADITIONAL OR VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

We are teaching and learning through unprecedented times. As educators, this requires us to add new resources to our instructional toolbox. In this FREE webinar with Louise El Yaafouri, participants will develop a better understanding of trauma, with a particular lens on culturally and linguistically diverse populations. We’ll then explore strategies to mitigate trauma in ways that can be embedded into traditional or virtual classroom settings.

ENGAGING EL FAMILIES IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

As we wrap up the school year and begin to think about next year, let’s take a moment to reflect on what worked (and didn’t work!) as we engaged our EL families in this virtual world. In this FREE webinar, Laura Gardner will discuss what steps can we take now—and what partners can we put in place—to ensure our students and their families have an equitable experience as we move forward, however next year may look.

USING PAIRED FICTION TO TEACH SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS TO TWEENS

Join Saddleback’s Director of Literacy, Jill Haney, for a FREE webinar featuring our newest SEL book series for upper elementary and middle school students. These fiction pairs focus on important SEL topics from relatable tween perspectives. Learn about this unique series and how comparative stories can spark conversation and reflection in your classroom.

FALL PLANNING ALREADY? CHANNEL CREATIVITY TO BENEFIT YOUR STUDENTS

How can educators use the summer to recharge while preparing to serve students during an uncertain fall? Join Saddleback author Evan Jacobs for this FREE webinar as he connects the power of the creative process to planning and problem-solving for the upcoming school year.

Using Writing and SEL Stories to Emotionally Empower our #StayAtHome Students

As we finish the school year and look ahead to the fall, we know that students will face continued emotional and academic challenges. How can we design rigorous writing instruction that closes academic gaps and simultaneously addresses social-emotional learning? This FREE webinar will model a lesson using the "WRITING RECIPE" and Saddleback's SEL Teen Literacy Library, with special emphasis on newcomers and English learners. 

ACCELERATING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS' LITERACY SKILLS

Boost vocabulary. Improve reading skills. Accelerate language acquisition. Join Dr. Danny Brassell for this FREE webinar to discover helpful tips and valuable strategies you can use to enhance the literacy skills of your English language learners. Plus, you’ll explore how to promote greater cultural understanding in your classroom by building on the varied backgrounds of your students.

PART 1 OF 2 PART SERIES:
THE READING GAP & HOW WE CAN CLOSE IT

You know the reality. Over 65% of our students are not reading on level. This is a staggering statistic, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. What practices can educators leverage to close the gap? What does the research really indicate about grade-level text and differentiated reading? This FREE webinar will burrow into these questions, and you’ll emerge with some concrete answers and vision to create engaged and proficient readers in all disciplines.

We teach diverse readers. In this FREE webinar, we will focus on how to differentiate reading (in all subjects) for grades 6–12. How do you select texts based on choice and complexity to motivate and engage readers? Dr. McKnight will show you how to do this and provide examples of differentiated text sets that include resources from Saddleback!

USING TECHNOLOGY TOOLS TO TEACH READING COMPREHENSION STRATEGIES: PREPARING FOR AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

With the uncertainty around when schools can officially reopen, teachers and administrators are preparing for both traditional and remote learning possibilities for summer and fall. Join us for this FREE webinar pairing tried-and-true reading comprehension strategies with free digital tools that can be used in both traditional and remote environments, and get a head start on planning for summer learning or next school year. 

SOCIAL STORY NARRATIVES FOR REMOTE LEARNING: A SOLUTION FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND NEWCOMERS

Explaining the coronavirus and the need for remote learning can be especially challenging for students who have special needs as well as students who are just learning English. Social story narratives featuring full-color photos and easy-to-understand text are an effective visual solution for communicating important facts. Join Saddleback’s Director of Literacy, Jill Haney, for a FREE webinar featuring two social story narratives to read with students during this time as well as general strategies for meeting educational goals while learning remotely. All participants in the webinar will receive two FREE ebooks as well as links to additional resources.

Recent current events are causing teachers to feel more stressed than ever. With the “new norm” of remote or distant learning, we feel increasing pressure to ensure our children are safe, equitably educated, and loved. In this highly engaging FREE webinar, participants will learn about Transformational Emotional Intelligence (TEI) and how, with personal and professional reflective practice, we can learn to appropriately respond to our current reality and effectively educate ALL children with equity and empathy.

SUPPORTING ELs WITH REMOTE READING LESSONS

With the recent transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 virus, many teachers are seeking examples of how to teach language and literacy skills to English learners online. For this FREE webinar, we've partnered with nationally recognized ESL teacher Emily Francis to bring you a model reading lesson. Join us as we learn how to engage and differentiate for English learners from a distance.

FIVE EASY-TO-USE RESOURCES FOR TEACHING ELS DURING SCHOOL CLOSURES

WITH LIZ MANGUS
Literacy Specialist
Saddleback Educational Publishing

With the recent transition to at-home learning due to the COVID-19 virus, educators are seeking straight-to-the-point resources and ideas for working with English learners. We've searched several online communities to find the most useful tools for keeping students engaged while schools are closed. Join us for the brief FREE webinar highlighting educator-created, easy-to-implement resources for English learners.

SUPPORTING ELS WITH INTERRUPTIONS IN EDUCATION

WITH CAROL SALVA
Educational Consultant
Seidlitz Education

Carol Salva will discuss considerations we need to keep in mind as we serve one of our most vulnerable populations. How can we be productive for students who have missed formal education ... or those who are missing it right now? Carol will discuss ways to help these learners find success as we move forward in this new reality. 

HANDS-ON READING STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE DELIVERED REMOTELY

WITH JILL HANEY
Director of Literacy
Saddleback Educational Publishing

AND LIZ MANGUS
Literacy Specialist
Saddleback Educational Publishing

With the day-to-day uncertainty that schools and communities are facing with the COVID-19 virus, many schools are turning to remote learning as a potential solution for the weeks ahead. As part of our commitment to support educators and promote reading for all students, Saddleback is offering a FREE webinar to share hands-on strategies that increase student engagement and build critical reading skills. Co-hosted by Saddleback's Director of Literacy, Jill Haney, and Texas Literacy Specialist, Liz Mangus, this webinar provides easy-to-implement strategies and a free resource for all attendees.