Session 1

How To Use Micro Mentor Texts To Build Better Writers

If you've ever wondered how to effectively teach writing, Penny Kittle breaks down several key components of writing instruction. In this session, Penny shares:

• The step-by-step method she uses in her classrooms that centers on observing and imitating mentor texts
• What it looks like to confer with students regarding reading and writing and why this is so essential
• How the approach she's been using for decades can be a natural deterrent to AI usage

You’ll finish this session with simple but profound strategies that you can implement right away from one of the most valued voices in our field. 

Session 2

Get a Handle on Grading (Finally): Feedback Strategies That Help You and Your Students

If you've been teaching for a while, you likely recognize grading as one of the most challenging aspects of this job. Matthew Johnson felt that too, and even left teaching at one point because of it (he's back in the classroom now).  In this session, Matthew Johnson, author of Flash Feedback, walks us through:

• The difference between feedback and assessment
• How to use the feedback cycle to give students more agency during the writing process
• What global feedback and flash feedback look like in his classroom

After this session, you'll have specific strategies that will lighten your grading load by interspersing feedback throughout an entire unit rather than piling it on at the end. 

Session 3

Simple (but Powerful) Ways To Support Your English Language Learners

If you have ELLs in your classes, this session is a must-see. Katie Hull (author and teacher of 30 years) walks us through:

• Specific scaffolds to use for reading support with our ELLs
• Using frameworks for writing instruction that help ELLs and all learners
• Why student agency matters so much, and ways to include it

You’ll finish this session with specific, easy-to-implement supports that will help your ELLs tremendously, but have the benefit of helping all your students. 

Session 4

Breaking Up With Logos, Pathos and Ethos: How To Approach Rhetorical Analysis For All Students (Not Just AP)

Many of us have centered our rhetorical analysis units on identifying and using logos, pathos, and ethos, but Amanda Cardenas challenges us to approach this differently. In her session, she explains:

• What the rhetorical situation is, and how reframing our unit in view of this allows deeper understanding
• How to scaffold rhetorical analysis vertically from 9th-12th grade
• Her amazing lesson that grabs students' interest on day 1 of a rhetorical analysis unit

You’ll walk away from this session with a whole new view of rhetorical analysis and a clear idea for how to start approaching it more fully in your classroom. 

Session 5

Bridging History and Literature With High-Interest Videos

If you've ever felt overwhelmed with providing the context for a book or novel, join us for this fantastic session with David Olson from Retro Report (a non-profit organization). David explains what you can find in this free teacher resource, including:

• His recommended videos for some of the most commonly taught literature in high school
• How Retro Report's videos can support you if you teach journalism
• Where to find videos on media literacy and free lesson plans to go with it! 

You will love the free resources from Retro Report and be blown away by their professionally produced videos. 

Session 6

Why Storytelling Matters More Now Than Ever, And How To Bring More of It Into Your Classroom

In a world where authentic voice seems to be on the decline, this session, all about oral and written storytelling, is a breath of fresh air! Ana Stern, former teacher and now head of education at The Moth, explains:

• The power of both written and oral storytelling
• Simple ways to bring more storytelling into our classrooms throughout the entire year (not just in a focused unit)
• What the Moth framework for storytelling includes 

You’ll finish with specific strategies for incorporating more storytelling into your classroom.  

Ana's session will be added soon.

Session 7

The Nuts and Bolts of Using Portfolios in the High School English Classroom

Join veteran English teacher Sam Bradford as he breaks down how to use portfolios in your classroom to:

• Increase the volume of writing your students do (without you grading anything extra)
• Give your students more agency in what they write
• Naturally focus more fully on revision and mastery  

You’ll finish this session with a clear strategy for implementing portfolios in your classroom plus a ready-to-use assignment and rubric.  

Session 8

A Grammar Method That Encourages Risk Taking

If teaching grammar feels daunting because you might not even know all the grammar rules yourself, this session is for you. In this session, Missy walks you through

• A strategy for teaching grammar that celebrates great literature through mentor texts
• What traditional grammar instruction lacks and what to do instead 
• How to encourage risk-taking in writing and grammar instruction

You’ll finish this session more excited to teach grammar than you ever have been before!