Strategies for the Content-Area Teacher

Content Area Literacy

When attempting to improve student writing skills, the responsibility cannot fall solely within the area of language arts. This workshop offers content-area strategies that target essential first-draft writing skills and boost students’ overall understanding and mastery of subject matter.

Identifying Academic Vocabulary Terms

Vocabulary research reveals that students need to work with one new term numerous times before they understand its meaning. With this demand for intense word work, teachers must prioritize the terms and concepts to be taught in each subject area and at every grade level. This training walks teachers through the process of identifying academic terms and shows teachers how to incorporate the words into the classroom environment and vocabulary notebooks.

Teaching Vocabulary Effectively

There is abundant research to show that when students understand key vocabulary, their reading comprehension and writing skills soar. Through a wide sampling of instructional strategies and key research, this training focuses on how to teach vocabulary effectively through Robert Marzano’s six steps of instruction.

Connecting Reading and Writing

No one would deny there is a reciprocal nature between reading and writing, but how are they specifically connected? According to research, there are five ingredients to build a strong reader and six traits of strong writing. Learn the specific connectedness of reading and writing and discover strategies to target those connections within the classroom.

Reading Strategies for the Content Areas

Content area teachers are experts in their subject matter. However, many feel less confident to assist the struggling readers in their classroom. This training equips teachers with practical strategies to empower and motivate students before, during, and after content area reading.

Using QAR to Boost Comprehension

QAR, Question-Answer Relationship, is a research-based approach for improving students’ reading comprehension in the classroom and on state reading assessments. In this workshop teachers learn how to show students the cues of a literal question versus an inferential question so that they better understand the type of answer required.

Customize Your On-Site Workshop

Director of Professional Development Brady Smekens is ready to help match your school with the consultant who is best qualified to meet your unique professional development needs.

Call Brady toll free: 1-888-376-0448.

Meet Our Consultants

Kristina Smekens

Teachers feel empowered and encouraged after working with Kristina. She is an expert at developing practical ways for K-12 teachers to apply research-based literacy strategies.
Learn More About Kristina | Email Kristina

Courtney Gordon

Known both for her enthusiasm and expertise, Courtney is a dynamic presenter whose practical strategies resonate with teachers across the K-12 spectrum.
Learn More About Courtney | Email Courtney

Kristi McCullough

A passion for teaching and learning is what drives Kristi, who consistently leaves teachers both excited and well-equipped to apply new literacy ideas in their PK-6 classrooms.
Learn More About Kristi | Email Kristi