Instructor Hub
Professional Development
Welcome to the Lit C.R.E.W. Professional Development Series, a dynamic six-month training opportunity designed specifically for literacy educators like you! Offered by ExpandED Schools, this series is centered around empowering you to foster a deeper understanding of the Science of Reading while integrating the Lit C.R.E.W. module into your teaching practice. Whether you are looking to enhance your teaching strategies, explore new methodologies, or simply stay inspired, this training series has something for everyone.
Explore the professional development opportunities below and discover how you can deepen your impact in the classroom!
March 12, 2025
Write It, Own It: Building Vocabulary through Writing
Empower your students to expand their vocabulary and express themselves with confidence! Write It, Own It is a hands-on, in-person training designed for literacy educators who want to harness the power of writing to deepen word mastery.
In this engaging session, you’ll explore practical strategies to integrate vocabulary-building exercises into writing activities. From crafting vivid sentences to creative storytelling and reflective journaling, you’ll learn how to guide students in using new words effectively and meaningfully.
Walk away with fresh ideas and tools to transform writing into a dynamic space for vocabulary growth. Let’s help students write it and truly own it!
Text Plus: Enriching Learning with Supplemental Reads
Enhance your literacy lessons by providing the right texts to build prior knowledge and deepen understanding! Text Plus is a hands-on, in-person training designed for literacy educators looking to empower their students through thoughtfully curated supplemental materials.
In this session, you’ll explore how to select and integrate texts—articles, excerpts, stories, and multimedia—that complement your core curriculum and connect students to key concepts. Through interactive activities and group discussions, you’ll learn how to use supplemental texts to scaffold learning, bridge knowledge gaps, and spark curiosity.
Leave with practical tools and resources to enrich your students’ literacy journey and inspire meaningful connections to the world around them!
Plot Points to Discover: Researching Through Storylines
Dive into the heart of storytelling with Plot Points to Discover! This hands-on, in-person training for literacy educators explores how analyzing plot structures can spark curiosity and drive impactful research.
Through engaging activities and collaborative discussions, you’ll learn techniques to help students break down story arcs, uncover pivotal moments, and connect plot developments to broader themes and real-world contexts. Discover how to transform plot analysis into a powerful tool for guiding students’ research and critical thinking.
Get ready to empower your students to read between the lines and research beyond the story!
Exploration Unleashed: A Creative Collaboration Series for Literacy Educators (Part 3)
Transform your classroom with Exploration Unleashed, a 5-part hands-on training series designed to ignite creativity and collaboration among literacy educators. This in-person series focuses on integrating chosen creative methods—storytelling, art, drama, technology, or more—into your literacy lessons to engage and inspire students.
Work alongside fellow educators as you develop, refine, and expand your creative approaches, sharing insights and building on each other’s ideas. Each session will guide you through the progression of applying these methods in your classroom, offering practical strategies, real-time feedback, and tools for long-term success.
Discover the power of collaboration and creativity to transform literacy education—one innovative lesson at a time!
April 9, 2025
The Power of Live Projects: Turning Classroom Ideas into Action
Get ready to bring your classroom work to life with The Power of Live Projects! This in-person training focuses on the concept of Live Projects—engaging, real-world learning experiences where students actively contribute to projects that have a tangible impact. Designed for literacy educators, this session will guide you through the process of implementing Live Projects in your classroom, with an emphasis on collaboration, student engagement, and project progression.
You’ll learn how to create, manage, and assess Live Projects, while connecting with fellow educators to share ideas, strategies, and successes. Plus, we’ll dive into the Live Project Awards, an exciting
opportunity to celebrate your students’ hard work and innovation. This training will provide you with practical tools and inspiration to turn your students’ learning into meaningful, actionable experiences.
Join us to discover how Live Projects can transform your classroom and elevate your students’ literacy journey!
Project Prep & Problem-Solving: Navigating the Live Project Journey
Prepare your students for success with Project Prep & Problem-Solving! This in-person training is designed for literacy educators looking to fine-tune their Live Projects and troubleshoot any challenges before the Live Project Awards.
In this collaborative session, you’ll work alongside fellow educators to refine your project strategies, address potential obstacles, and ensure your students are set up for a rewarding experience. We’ll explore effective ways to support students through the progression of their Live Projects, provide solutions to common issues, and share best practices for presenting their work at the Live Project Awards.
Get ready to enhance your Live Projects and build the confidence to guide your students to achievement, all while connecting and learning from your peers. Join us to prepare, problem-solve, and celebrate the creativity of your classroom!
Exploration Unleashed: A Creative Collaboration Series for Literacy Educators (Part 4)
Transform your classroom with Exploration Unleashed, a 5-part hands-on training series designed to ignite creativity and collaboration among literacy educators. This in-person series focuses on integrating chosen creative methods—storytelling, art, drama, technology, or more—into your literacy lessons to engage and inspire students.
Work alongside fellow educators as you develop, refine, and expand your creative approaches, sharing insights and building on each other’s ideas. Each session will guide you through the progression of applying these methods in your classroom, offering practical strategies, real-time feedback, and tools for long-term success.
Discover the power of collaboration and creativity to transform literacy education—one innovative lesson at a time!
May 7th, 2025
Game On: Crafting Interactive Literacy Games for Engaged Learning
Step up your literacy instruction with Game On, a hands-on, in-person training that empowers literacy educators to create and facilitate interactive literacy games that bring learning to life. This dynamic session will guide you through the process of designing creative, game-based activities tailored to your classroom environment, helping students engage with reading, writing, and vocabulary in fun, effective ways.
Through collaboration with fellow educators, you’ll learn how to develop games that reinforce key literacy concepts, build student skills, and encourage active participation. Leave with a toolkit of ready-to-use game ideas and strategies to transform your lessons into exciting learning experiences.
Get ready to make literacy learning a game everyone wants to play!
Exploration Unleashed: A Creative Collaboration Series for Literacy Educators (Part 5)
Transform your classroom with Exploration Unleashed, a 5-part hands-on training series designed to ignite creativity and collaboration among literacy educators. This in-person series focuses on integrating
chosen creative methods—storytelling, art, drama, technology, or more—into your literacy lessons to engage and inspire students.
Work alongside fellow educators as you develop, refine, and expand your creative approaches, sharing insights and building on each other’s ideas. Each session will guide you through the progression of applying these methods in your classroom, offering practical strategies, real-time feedback, and tools for long-term success.
Discover the power of collaboration and creativity to transform literacy education—one innovative lesson at a time!
