Literacy, Reading & Language Arts (PD+)
Strengthen literacy instruction across grade levels through evidence-based approaches to reading, writing, language development, intervention, and communication.
Course Catalog
Addressing Literacy Gaps in Adolescent Literacy (PD+)
As reading and writing demands become more complex, gaps in adolescents’ foundational literacy skills can limit their ability to engage successfully with grade-level learning. This course prepares educators to address these gaps through systematic, cumulative, and explicit instruction embedded in reading and writing lessons. Participants will learn practical approaches for supporting students with varying skill levels and addressing foundational needs that affect comprehension, syntax, vocabulary, grammar, and writing. Participants will also learn to use quick diagnostic screeners to identify individual literacy needs and use that information to tailor instruction. The course provides ready-to-use strategies, lesson plans, modification ideas, and accommodations that educators can apply to make instruction more accessible and support meaningful progress in reading and writing. By integrating explicit instruction with targeted assessment, educators will be better prepared to address literacy gaps and strengthen students’ academic skills and confidence.
Critical Literacy Strategies for Learners Who Are Easily Bored (PD+)
Critical Literacy Strategies for Learners Who Are Easily Bored is designed for K–12 teachers and administrators seeking to increase student engagement, strengthen literacy instruction, and improve academic outcomes through critical literacy practices. The course examines the foundational principles of critical literacy and its role in fostering critical thinking, student voice, and meaningful learning experiences for learners who may struggle with motivation, attention, or traditional instructional methods. Through the analysis of scholarly resources, instructional models, and student engagement data, participants will explore how critical literacy supports equitable, student-centered instruction across diverse educational settings. Emphasizing applied learning and classroom implementation, participants will design, adapt, and evaluate instructional strategies such as Literature Circles, Socratic Seminars, and Inquiry-Based Projects to meet the needs of diverse learners and instructional contexts. Educators will revise lesson plans, develop inquiry-driven literacy activities, create reflective self-assessment tools, and use data-informed evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of instructional practices and make continuous improvements. By the end of the course, participants will be prepared to implement engaging, research-based critical literacy strategies that promote metacognition, collaboration, student engagement, and academic success in K–12 classrooms.
Dyslexia: Reading & Writing Learning Disabilities (PD+)
This course provides an in-depth examination of reading and writing disabilities, with a focused emphasis on dyslexia, to prepare educators to implement evidence-based practices in K–12 settings. Participants develop a comprehensive understanding of dyslexia, including its characteristics, underlying factors, and impact on literacy development, while also examining Idaho-specific laws, standards, and recommended practices. The course progresses from foundational concepts of skilled reading and writing to more advanced study of learning disabilities, equipping educators with the knowledge needed to support identification, assessment, and instruction for diverse learners. Grounded in applied practice, the course engages participants in assessments, activities, and structured learning experiences that measure knowledge acquisition and instructional readiness. Assignments are designed to produce practical, implementation-ready tools, strategies, and resources that can be directly used in educational settings. Through substantive participation and guided feedback from an instructor and expert practitioner, participants refine their ability to apply course concepts to real-world contexts. This course meets the professional development and recertification requirements for the State of Idaho as outlined in Idaho Code § 33-1811(4) and supports improved teaching effectiveness and student outcomes.
Foundational Reading Skills Part I (PD+)
This course introduces educators to the foundational skills that support early reading development and help students become more confident, accurate readers. Participants will explore four essential areas of beginning reading instruction: print awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, and sight words. Together, these skills help students understand how print works, hear and manipulate the sounds in spoken language, connect sounds to letters, and recognize high-frequency words with greater automaticity. Throughout the course, educators will examine how each skill develops and why it matters for early literacy success. Emphasis is placed on practical, evidence-based instruction that supports students as they build the word recognition skills needed for fluent reading. Participants will consider how to teach these skills clearly and intentionally, how to recognize common areas of student difficulty, and how to select instructional strategies that strengthen students’ early reading foundations. Grounded in applied practice, the course engages participants in assessments, activities, and structured learning experiences designed to measure knowledge acquisition and deepen instructional expertise. Assignments require learners to develop practical tools, strategies, and instructional resources that can be directly implemented in classroom and educational settings. Through substantive participation and guided feedback from an instructor and expert practitioner, participants refine their ability to design, deliver, and evaluate effective literacy instruction, ultimately strengthening teaching effectiveness and improving student outcomes.