Students at every level need explicit, ongoing instruction that builds their comprehension skills. This type of standards-driven teaching is intended to equip students with the ability to analyze and understand all types of texts. In this powerful workshop, you’ll learn to layer skills to develop readers who can track and summarize key details, visualize and question author craft, and connect and synthesize bigger ideas.
• Introduce the various scenarios readers will encounter--familiar v. unique formats, short v. long texts, easy v. hard reading, collaborative v. independent experiences, etc. • Dissect the College and Career-Ready Reading Standards to identify the six core comprehension strategies readers must employ. • Recognize a scaffold of mini-lesson subskills that must be explicitly taught. • Study a yearlong calendar that begins with initial learning from simple texts and gives way to independent deep thinking of more complex texts. • Select texts/passages best suited for comprehension instruction. • Evaluate the strengths and limitations of traditional curriculum assessments.
“As always, important content delivered in a lively, fast-paced session.” Gail Boring, instructional coach at Albuquerque Public Schools, Albuquerque, NM
"I teach struggling middle school readers.Now, I feel like I can create a road map that will make sense because it will be specifically tailored to their needs. I am so grateful!" Priscilla Peterson, teacher at Westfield Middle School, Westfield, IN
“This is earth shaking info that is going to help us transform our elementary teaching!” Nekita Johnson, instructional coach at Mercer County Intermediate School, Harrodsburg, KY
"Kristina has a special way of getting us excited about teaching reading in the middle of the winter and school year doldrums!" Leann Gieschen, teacher at Concordia Elementary School, Fort Wayne, IN
Beyond a day of dynamic instruction, attendees also receive a full-color packet of materials and private access to exclusive web resources.
NOTE: Lodging fees and tuition for graduate credit are not included with registration. Waterford Banquet & Conference Center 933 South Riverside Drive Elmhurst, IL 60126 (630) 279-0270 Lodging Recommendation: Clarion Inn (attached to conference center) 933 South Riverside Drive Elmhurst, IL 60126 (630) 279-0700 To receive discounted room rates, mention Smekens Education and please make reservations at least 30 days in advance.
Certified educators can earn professional growth credits for attending a Smekens Education workshop. All workshop attendees receive a certificate of participation for 5.25 hours of professional development for each one-day workshop. Visit our Continuing Education Credit page to learn more. Illinois-Specific Credit
As an approved professional development subcontractor, Smekens Education is happy to provide all Illinois teachers with state-approved professional development credit for attending the Developing a Reading Road Map for Teaching Comprehension workshop.
Graduate Credit
For an additional fee, attendees may earn three nationally accredited graduate-level credits from the Midwest Teachers Institute and their university partner, Colorado State University-Pueblo. These non-degree credits are designed for professional certification renewals and salary step increases. (Check with your district for approval prior to making a commitment.)
Midwest Teachers Institute (MTI) — 3 credits/$375
