Strong intermediate narratives go beyond recounting events. This session gives teachers concrete lesson ideas for helping students generate meaningful problems, craft satisfying solutions, and produce well-structured narratives aligned to Indiana’s Academic Standards — with practical links to Savvas woven throughout.
As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, Didi Harris partners with educators to strengthen reading and writing instruction through practical, evidence-based strategies. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and reading specialist, she helps teachers... Read More →
Informative writing at the intermediate level goes beyond listing facts. This session gives teachers concrete lesson ideas for helping students organize information purposefully, embed evidence and content-specific vocabulary, and elaborate beyond the obvious — with clear connections to Savvas curriculum ready to use across any informative writing unit.
As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, Didi Harris partners with educators to strengthen reading and writing instruction through practical, evidence-based strategies. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and reading specialist, she helps teachers... Read More →
Before students can argue, they need to learn to persuade. This session helps intermediate teachers guide students in taking evidence-based positions, organizing reasons with supporting details, and elaborating beyond the obvious. Teachers will leave with practical lesson ideas that connect directly to Savvas curriculum materials.
As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, Didi Harris partners with educators to strengthen reading and writing instruction through practical, evidence-based strategies. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and reading specialist, she helps teachers... Read More →
Strengthen literacy without abandoning content. This session helps 6–12 content-area teachers embed discipline-specific reading and writing instruction into math, science, and social studies — using the texts and materials they already have, aligned to Indiana’s Academic Standards.
As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, Didi Harris partners with educators to strengthen reading and writing instruction through practical, evidence-based strategies. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and reading specialist, she helps teachers... Read More →
This session centers on using student thinking as a critical tool for instructional decision-making. Teachers will analyze student work to identify strengths, misconceptions, and next instructional steps. Through structured protocols and collaborative discussion, participants will learn how to respond to student thinking in ways that advance understanding rather than simply correct errors. This session emphasizes formative assessment practices that position teachers to be responsive and intentional in their instruction.
Courtney is currently the Director at Keep Indiana Learning, the professional learning department of the CIESC in Indianapolis, IN. Prior to joining KINL in 2021, Courtney spent 17 years working in traditional public, private, and public charter schools in Indiana, New York City... Read More →
This session focuses on using the district’s adopted Reveal Math curriculum with greater intentionality and purpose. Participants will closely examine the structure of a Reveal Math lesson, unpacking key components such as the Launch, Explore, and Synthesize phases, as well as opportunities for discourse, practice, and formative assessment. Teachers will consider the role each component plays in supporting student understanding and why skipping or minimizing these elements can limit student learning. Through collaborative analysis and planning, participants will learn how to maintain the rigor of lessons while making strategic adjustments based on student needs. The session will emphasize how to use Reveal Math as a tool to advance student thinking, ensuring alignment to standards and creating more coherent and effective mathematics instruction.
Courtney is currently the Director at Keep Indiana Learning, the professional learning department of the CIESC in Indianapolis, IN. Prior to joining KINL in 2021, Courtney spent 17 years working in traditional public, private, and public charter schools in Indiana, New York City... Read More →
This afternoon coaching experience moves from professional learning into real planning, as Smekens consultant Didi Harris works directly alongside Pike Township teachers to apply the morning’s strategies to upcoming units, lessons, and district writing priorities. It’s collaborative, practical, and immediate — turning the day’s learning into instruction that’s ready to deliver.
As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, Didi Harris partners with educators to strengthen reading and writing instruction through practical, evidence-based strategies. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and reading specialist, she helps teachers... Read More →
