Reading, as the old saying goes, is fundamental. However, not all public school students have access to the variety of materials necessary to build a strong reading foundation. Research grant opportunities for purchasing books, digital devices, and other materials to aid in literacy instruction. Explore multiple means of acquiring literacy-related donations and discover open-access materials online. Finally, participate in the sharing of strategies for the effective use of these resources.

Social Studies lessons in the elementary classroom often receive minimal coverage as much of the school day must focus on language arts and math lessons. Join experts in the field of digital learning, history, and other social studies content as we explore the best resources to engage elementary students in ways that will ultimately improve their literacy skills. Create lessons from the history, economy, and current events of our state that will encourage students to read more and to explore on their own the vast amount of digital resources now available.

Educational research and experienced teachers recognize that most school-aged students learn by doing. Teachers who build kinesthetic movement into their instruction report that their students are less disruptive and more engaged. Research supports that physical activity improves memory retention, comprehension, and self-regulation in students of all grade or achievement levels. Learn how you can transform a typical desk-and-chair classroom into an active classroom. Design and create your own movement-enhanced lessons with low-cost materials for use in the pre-K–12, differentiated, and exceptional classrooms.

What should literacy instruction look like in today’s classrooms? High quality literacy instruction promotes and advances critical thinking. This program will investigate intentional instruction that fosters critical thinking skills. Examine strategies to “dig deeper” into the text and discover the art of dialogue and purposeful questions. Utilize multiple media and technologies to support and enhance a student’s critical eye for thoughtful interpretation of ideas.

Meeting the needs of exceptional children can be a challenge for teachers who have these students in regular classroom settings. It can also be a challenge for EC teachers who have experience, but who must teach in multi-grade and multi-categorical self-contained classrooms. NCDPI mandates that public schools identify and serve students with disabilities, and that these students demonstrate progress on Regular or Extended content standards. Join teachers of EC students and experts in the field of special education as we investigate strategies to provide enhanced literacy instruction integrated across the curriculum, with an emphasis on science. Create lessons that differentiate for all learners. Explore the policies and best practices of EC expectations, create ways to challenge EC children, enhance literacy and science needs, and encourage continual intellectual and developmental growth.

Experts in early grades literacy agree that parental involvement is a key component of early literacy success and future academic achievement. Involving parents and other caregivers in the learning process is an essential part of the challenge of helping children learn to read and continuously improve as readers and writers. Discover best practices for engaging parents in the learning process, including ways they can help their children see the association between the written and the spoken word. Recognizing the importance of support teams for implementing instructional change, teams from the same school are encouraged to apply. Participants will share information with their fellow teachers with the ultimate goal of implementing school wide parent engagement programs.

Designed for elementary grades teachers.

Many elementary literacy assessments group students and provide differentiated activities based on each student’s needs. While this is extremely helpful, how do elementary teachers use data from assessments that don’t provide this information? This program will provide support for you in your analysis of student data to diagnose strengths and weaknesses in your students. Gain understanding of Rates of Improvement (ROI) while you investigate the student needs in your classroom. Discuss literacy goals and objectives that are S.M.A.R.T.

This program introduces and investigates the eight components of a Digital Age Learning Ecosystem (DALE) and shows the relationship it has to creating an inclusion educational classroom for students with disabilities (SWD). Teachers will engage in a variety of strategies and create differentiated activities for use in their classrooms. Explore various technology-based teaching tools and how their applications contribute to building an inclusive learning environment for all students.

Formerly titled “Research and Development Teams” programs.

The NCCAT Solution and Planning Teams program offers educators an opportunity to meet in a residential setting devoid of distraction to create and advance departmental, school, or district-wide projects. These projects might consist of new programming, research, planning, or curricula. Gather a team together to create or refine your own innovative solutions. Early grades literacy or digital learning projects will be given preference, however, all project proposals will be considered. Single rooms, meeting space, Internet access, and meals for the participants will be provided by NCCAT. Travel and the cost of substitute teachers are not covered. Teachers, administrators, central office personnel, and district coordinators are encouraged to apply.

NCCAT schedules Solution and Planning Teams programs throughout the year. If your team is interested in a date that NCCAT has not already scheduled, contact Teacher Services to see if we can accommodate the date you prefer.

In years past, the school librarian was expected to build well-rounded library collections and to be an effective circulator and manager of resources. Today’s library media specialist takes an active role in instructional programs, serving not only as program administrator and information specialist, but also as teacher and instructional partner. Focus on strategies library media specialists can use to develop a collaborative teaching role that supports literacy across the curriculum. Explore how technology can be used to support a dynamic teaching environment that strengthens literacy development.