RSAC 2024

This session explores the power of math discussions in fostering confident mathematicians and stronger problem-solving skills at all levels. Math discussions create a safe space for students to share ideas, clarify understanding, and learn from each other. By explaining their thought processes and listening to others' approaches, students refine their reasoning skills. Students learn from different perspectives, build communication skills, and develop a sense of shared responsibility for solving problems. Discussions showcase the beauty of mathematics, encouraging students to be creative and adaptable in their problem-solving approaches. Effective communication empowers individuals to tackle complex problems in all areas of life. By fostering a culture of discussion, we can nurture confident mathematicians with strong reasoning and problem-solving abilities. We make math a conversation, not just a set of procedures.

Reading comprehension skills can be difficult to develop for many students. In this session we will explore a different approach of developing reading comprehension skills by using Cartoons and hands on STEM Activities.

Pleasant Valley, an urban district with 95% poverty, has reduced its office referrals and suspensions by over half through a robust SEL approach, a fidelity culture, district wide procedures, and raising their behavior expectations for students and parents. All of which have contributed to improved climate, classroom management, and student achievement. Participants will understand how to implement this behavior blueprint to make cultural shifts and improve student relationships regardless of school size or obstacles.

This session will focus on achievement data collected in a suburban Chicago dual language school. A true Two-Way program, this presentation will show literacy growth in two languages among students coming from English, Spanish and bilingual homes. Data suggests that students learning bilingually demonstrate high levels of literacy in both languages of instruction. Presenters will focus on assessment data through a bilingual lens, strategies for cross-linguistic connections and strategies for effective lesson planning and instruction.

Attendees will be able to analyze the importance of the social-emotional learning (SEL) component within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, and advocate for its integration and continuous improvement within the district's educational policies and practices.

Join us for an engaging session focused on leveraging co teaching as a dynamic collaborative approach for enhancing student linguistic and academic development.
We will journey through the systemic approaches of co-teaching, through setting the foundations, stages of implementation, collective leadership practices, challenging and proactive solutions, and conclude with hearing voices from the field. Through the session, participants will delve into the core principles and practical strategies underpinning successful co teaching initiatives. We will explore how co teaching serves as a catalyst for fostering student achievement and growth, particularly in linguistic proficiency and academic growth. Drawing from real-world examples and evidence-based insights, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and nuances of collaborative approaches. Attendees will leave with a guideline for developing and implementing an evidence-based instructional co-teaching model.

This session will focus on leveraging professional learning structures within the school day to improve quality instruction, increase rigor and challenge, and raise student achievement. There are two easy to implement systems any school can use, which will help support student learning and improve instruction: learning walks and a cohort PLC model. During this session, I will share how we utilized learning walks, including preparing our staff, partnering staff members, determining a focus, and collecting and sharing data. The other professional learning structure to support teachers and students is a cohort framework. I will share how our teachers successfully utilized an action learning cycle within a cohort focused on a professional learning topic. Staff members met on a regular basis, collaborated, and shared successes and next steps. I will share our successes and do-overs with topic selection, accountability, and how the cohorts moved forward on their professional learning journey, even with some being resistant. These two frameworks, learning walks and cohorts, allowed us to create and maintain consistent, in house professional learning that moved instruction and student learning forward over the course of two years.

In this session we will discuss the development and framework of a K-8 STEM program in a
the diverse, low income, rural school. Our STEM program explores coding/robotics, 3D design, and basic physics.

This presentation will detail how a Title I district utilized the Equity Journey Continuum to significantly increase accelerated placement opportunities for K-8 students. By adopting a holistic approach that focuses on equitable access to advanced academic programs, the district has addressed systemic barriers and promoted higher academic achievement across diverse student populations. This session will provide attendees with actionable strategies and a replicable model for using the Equity Journey Continuum to enhance accelerated placement in their own districts, ultimately contributing to a more equitable educational landscape.

This interactive session will being by exploring participants language profile. Then moving into terminology, theory, practice, examples and best practices of Translanguaging.

In this session, we'll delve into a range of rigorous problem-solving tasks designed to cater to the diverse needs of learners in your classroom. Through interactive discussions, we'll explore the effective use of small group instruction to tailor lessons that are intentional, targeted, and impactful in improving student achievement.


Our primary focus will be on the intricacies of lesson planning using the backward design approach, where we'll emphasize the importance of aligning instructional goals with rigorous problem-solving tasks. Additionally, we'll delve into the significance of integrating performance indicators and data analysis into your teaching practices to ensure student progress is accurately monitored and guided.


Expect to leave this session equipped with a comprehensive toolkit that includes ready-to-use resources and practical strategies, all geared towards immediate implementation in your classroom. Through hands-on activities and collaborative learning opportunities, you'll gain valuable insights into fostering differentiated instruction that caters to the unique learning needs of each student. By the session's end, you'll be empowered with the skills and knowledge to effectively guide your students towards reaching grade-level proficiency through personalized and data-driven instructional approaches.

Within the CCSS the term "Fluency" is used within all K - 5 grade level expectations. So just what exactly is "Fact Fluency", and how do we work as teachers of mathematics to develop student's fluency with their basic facts? This session is focused on providing an awareness of the research based progression of developing student's math fact fluency. Additionally, participants will leave with an understanding of supportive structures designed to assess student fact fluency while moving students toward a deep conceptual understanding of the basic facts that ultimately leads to fact automaticity.

We’ve all heard about the Science of Reading, but what about the Science of Learning? This session unveils a roadmap empowering educators to optimize student learning. Journey through cutting-edge research illuminating the intricacies of how the brain learns. Dive deep into transformative learning strategies with proven impact and uncover their practical application in the classroom. Assess your current strategies to ensure you're maximizing efficacy and student outcomes. Join us to revolutionize your teaching approach and unlock the full potential of your students.

Educators inevitably face the complex challenge of supporting students with behavioral and academic needs. This session, "Empowering Educators: Resourceful Strategies for Supporting Students with High Behavioral and Academic Needs," is designed to equip educators with practical and equity-driven strategies and solutions to meet these challenges head-on. Participants will learn how to implement compassionate interventions aligned with the CASEL SEL Framework that foster a positive and inclusive environment so students can thrive this year and beyond. This session also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between teachers, administrators, and support staff. Participants will leave with actionable insights and strategies that can be immediately applied in their own educational settings. Discover how you can transform your approach to supporting students in challenging situations, and together we can create a more supportive, equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Fluency is one of the 5 crucial pillars of literacy as identified by the national reading panel. It can be a crucial missing piece for a student once they have transitioned from learning to read and are on their way to reading to learn. In this session, participants will participate in fluency activities and leave with many tools for their tool belt to address fluency in their classrooms and schools.

The future is coming and it’s moving full STEAM ahead. As we continue to adapt to the demands of the 21st century, it's imperative that our educational programs reflect the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) in preparing our students for the future. Our K-5 STEAM program aims to provide a dynamic learning environment where students can explore, create, and innovate across various disciplines.

This session will include information about how the STEAM program is set up at Pontiac #429, from how the STEAM program is utilized at each school to what a typical STEAM schedule looks like. Participants will learn what unique materials our STEAM program has and how we use STEAM projects to address the Next Generation Science Standards. Participants will also leave with access to three different STEAM projects, ready to teach in their own classrooms.

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, integrating AI into teaching and learning processes is imperative. This workshop will explore the potential of AI in education, focusing on enhancing student engagement and fostering a dynamic and personalized learning environment. Participants will learn practical strategies and innovative tools to effectively incorporate AI into their planning process and promote a more interactive learning experience for students.

This workshop aims to empower educators with the knowledge and tools to transform their teaching and student engagement through AI. It promises to be a dynamic and insightful experience, preparing participants to lead the charge in exploring and integrating AI in the educational environment.