Professional learning

Registration

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• Cancellation Policy

Please contact us at osulc@osu.edu with any questions about registering for professional learning.

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Art of Coaching Institute

Online | $2,950

Eight sessions: Sep 25 / Oct 2, 9, 16, 30 / Nov 6, 20 / Dec 4. Register by September 20th.

Participants will learn to shape understandings of best practice and prompt reflection to develop more responsive teaching and better student outcomes. These sessions use a hands-on, collaborative approach and will require that participants engage in coaching assignments between sessions.

Read our news story about how The Art of Coaching Institute helped participants discover inspiration and motivation.

Required materials

• Aguilar, Elena (2013). The Art of Coaching. Jossey‑Bass.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum, Expanded Edition. Heinemann.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2018). The Literacy Quick Guide: A Reference Tool for Responsive Literacy Teaching. Heinemann.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2006). Teaching for Comprehending & Fluency: Thinking, Talking, & Writing About Reading. Heinemann.

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Literacy Leader Academy

Online. Twelve live sessions across the year with access to session recordings and asynchronous work | $1,400

• 2024: Oct 1 & 8, Nov 5 & 12, Dec 3 & 10.
• 2025: Jan 14 & 21, Feb 11 & 18, Mar 4 & 11.
• Register by September 27th.

A blended (synchronous and asynchronous) virtual professional learning academy designed to empower individuals, such as administrators, superintendents, curriculum leaders, and coaches, who lead teams, to become a Literacy Leader in their building or district. The synchronous sessions are provided on the schedule above. These live sessions will be recorded and available for a limited time afterward. Asynchronous coursework includes short readings with responses, traditional or virtual classroom observations with reflections, and other assignments that can be embedded in your own work easily.

Sessions will explain how you can support best practice in literacy by understanding the theory that supports it, what it should look like in a classroom, what resources are necessary, authentic conversations with teachers about their practice, and how to support teachers in their ongoing professional learning.

Sessions are designed to support you in becoming a transformational leader by identifying and exploring your current strengths as a leader, as you cultivate new habits and resilience to lead through challenging times. Practical tools and protocols are shared for ways to improve your ability to lead fellow educators in traditional and virtual settings.

Required materials

• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2022). Leading for Literacy: What Every School Leader Needs to Know. Heinemann.

Recommended materials

• Scharer, P.L. (2018). Responsive Literacy: A Comprehensive Framework. Scholastic.

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Writing Workshop: Powerful Tools Toward Writing Achievement (Grades 2‑8)

Online: One Day | $425

March 19, 2025 (9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. EDT)

Writing Workshop is the time and space where students learn to live as writers. During this live, virtual, one-day professional learning session, you’ll glean powerful tools for explicit teaching, options for meaningful application to writing pieces, differentiating support for ongoing growth, and building a literate community. Join us to explore evidence-based practices to lead your 2‑8 learners toward writing achievement within the Writing Workshop!

Required materials

• A Writer’s Notebook (blank notebook for writing)
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum, Expanded Edition. Heinemann.

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We work with districts, schools and literacy teams to create customized learning pathways. We can offer you professional learning structured around any of the sessions on this page at special group rates. Contact Jamie Lipp at lipp.15@osu.edu to discuss professional learning to meet the specific needs of your teachers, administrators, and schools.

Cultivating Collaborative Leadership

Online: hybrid learning—synchronous and asynchronous sessions | $625

Check back for dates.

Individual stakeholders and/or teams will develop new understandings and create unique paths for cultivating collaborative leadership. All teams (TBT, BLT, DLT, etc.) are encouraged to participate. Participant experiences will include a hybrid of:

• Four synchronous sessions with Literacy Collaborative trainers
• Four asynchronous, self-paced learning sessions guided by a pre-recorded learning module
• Self-selected opportunities for application of learning
• Online sharing with class cohorts

Cultivating collaborative leadership sessions

• Fostering a Collaborative Culture
• Developing Effective Teams
• Coaching for Growth
• Designing Professional Learning

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Creating and Facilitating Standards-Based Professional Learning

Check back for dates.

This series of four live virtual learning sessions is designed to equip you to create and facilitate your own transformational professional learning.

The sessions are intended for literacy coaches, administrators, teacher leaders, school-based team leaders, curriculum development directors, independent consultants, or anyone asked to “provide PD.”

As stated by nationally recognized Professional Learning Association, Learning Forward, the revised Standards for Professional Learning (2022) expect a leader of professional development to know how to create and facilitate (1) rigorous content for each learner, (2) transformational processes, and (3) conditions for success. This series will enable you to create engaging, ongoing, job-embedded learning for educators to fulfill the mission of high-quality professional learning—greater achievement for all learners.

Sherry Kinzel will share critical content and her 18 years of experience, as well as model practices, to help you thoughtfully plan professional learning experiences that your teachers will be thanking you for and talking about long after they are over.

In these hands-on sessions, we will learn to:

• Make decisions about content (i.e., data-driven decision making, how much is too much, intentionally sequencing info, etc.)
• Use a process of intentional learning design.
• Facilitate adaptively to ensure equity, build trust, and keep learners highly engaged.
• Navigate conflict confidently.
• Apply your learning to plan an original, upcoming professional learning session and get feedback on your plan.

Required texts

• Elena Aguilar & Lori Cohen (2022). The PD Book: Seven Habits that Transform Professional Development. Jossey-Bass.
• Learning Forward: The Professional Learning Association (2022). Standards for Professional Learning. The Professional Learning Association.

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Responsive Literacy Framework for Grades 2‑6+

Three days. Online | $980.

Check back for dates.

Intended as an overview, we will introduce the responsive literacy framework of instructional contexts for intermediate readers and writers. Utilizing a hybrid model for learning, we will explore Interactive Read Aloud, Reading Workshop, and Writing Workshop.

Participants will individually engage with self-paced learning modules each morning, with live, virtual learning each afternoon. This hybrid format enables participants to engage with the content and theoretical underpinnings via the self-paced module, and then to engage in experiencing the practices themselves each afternoon, leading to deeper understandings.

RLF 2‑6+ sessions overview

Morning	Afternoon
Morning 1: (2.5 hours self-paced.) Interactive Read-Aloud. Develop understandings relative to the teaching and learning within the practice of Interactive Read-Aloud. Included will be a focus on the purpose and rationale, along with building the reading process with prompting language to facilitate strategic thinking as readers co-construct understandings relative to texts. This professional learning module allows opportunities for brief reflection and reading throughout the session.	Afternoon 1: 1:00-3:30 (Eastern.) Virtual, Live. Interactive Read-Aloud. Experience the practice of Interactive Read-Aloud as a learner. Debrief the process, extend your learning, synthesize with your own practice, and have your questions answered.
Morning 2: (2.5 hours self-paced.) Reading Workshop. Developing understandings relative to the teaching and learning within Reading Workshop. Included will be a focus on Book Talks, Reading Minilessons (including the first 30 days of school), Independent Reading, Writing about Reading, Conferring with Readers, Book Clubs, and Share Time. Guided Reading will be touched on, and is offered within a separate training). This professional learning module allows opportunities for brief reflection and reading throughout the session.	Afternoon 2: 1:00-3:30 (Eastern.) Virtual, Live. Reading Workshop. Experience the practice of Reading Workshop as a learner. Debrief the process, extend your learning, synthesize with your own practice, and have your questions answered.
Morning 3: (2.5 hours self-paced.) Writing Workshop. Developing understandings relative to the teaching and learning within the Writing Workshop. Included will be a focus on Author Talks, Writing Minilessons (including the first weeks of school with planting seeds in writer’s notebooks), Conferring with Writers, Guided Writing, and Share Time. This professional learning module allows opportunities for brief reflection and reading throughout the session.	Afternoon 3: 1:00-3:30 (Eastern.) Virtual, Live. Writing Workshop. Experience the practice of Writing Workshop as a learner. Debrief the process, extend your learning, synthesize with your own practice, and have your questions answered.

RLF 2-6+ Overview

Required materials

• Scharer, P.L. (2018). Responsive Literacy: A Comprehensive Framework. Scholastic.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum, Expanded Edition. Heinemann.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2018). The Literacy Quick Guide: A Reference Tool for Responsive Literacy Teaching. Heinemann.

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Art of Coaching Institute II

Two Days. Online | $625.

Check back for dates.

As a follow-up to the eight-day Art of Coaching Institute, this two-day session will deepen thinking and provide additional opportunities to develop coaching expertise through collaborative learning experiences.

Prerequisite: Previous attendance at Art of Coaching Institute or trainer approval.

Required materials

• Video recording of a complete coaching cycle (i.e. 5‑10 Pre-teaching Conversation, 20 minutes of teaching and learning, and 20 minutes of a Coaching Conversation).
• Aguilar, Elena (2013). The Art of Coaching. Jossey‑Bass.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum, Expanded Edition. Heinemann.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2018). The Literacy Quick Guide: A Reference Tool for Responsive Literacy Teaching. Heinemann.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2006). Teaching for Comprehending & Fluency: Thinking, Talking, & Writing About Reading. Heinemann.

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Leveled Literacy Intervention K‑2

Six days: three in person and three online | $2,900

• Check back for dates or ask about a customized schedule for your school or district.

Prepares individuals to teach using the Orange, Green, and Blue Leveled Literacy Intervention Systems. Six Days: The first three in-person days introduce the LLI frameworks for teaching. Before returning online for the second and third sessions, teachers work with students using LLI. During the second session, teachers refine their work within the framework and understand more about working with students who find literacy difficult. Teachers use their own student data to dive deeper into teaching, prompting, and reinforcing.

Participants must have access to Leveled Literacy Intervention Systems through Heinemann.

Please bring the following required texts with you:

• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2017) When Readers Struggle: Teaching That Works. Heinemann.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum, Expanded Edition. Heinemann.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2017) Prompting Guide, Part 1 and 2. Heinemann.

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Leveled Literacy Intervention 3-8

Six days: three in person and three online | $2,900

• Check back for dates or ask about a customized schedule for your school or district.

Prepares individuals to teach using the Red, Gold, Purple, and Teal Leveled Literacy Intervention Systems. Six Days: The first three in-person days introduce the LLI frameworks for teaching. Before returning online for the second and third sessions, teachers work with students using LLI. During the second session, teachers refine their work within the framework and understand more about working with students who find literacy difficult. Teachers use their own student data to dive deeper into teaching, prompting, and reinforcing.

Participants must have access to Leveled Literacy Intervention Systems through Heinemann.

Please bring the following required texts with you:

• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum, Expanded Edition. Heinemann.
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2017) Prompting Guide, Part 2. Heinemann.

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Motivation and Elaboration: Two Essential Components of Writing Instruction (Grades 2‑8)

Six online sessions; one hour and twenty minutes | $425

Check back for dates.

All teachers of writing face these two challenges at some point: (1) Students who do not want to write or think they have nothing to write about and (2) students who will not use elaboration to make their writing interesting and engaging or, let’s face it, to pass the writing proficiency test.

This series of live virtual sessions explores how to create motivation and teach a variety of elaboration skills. Together we will experience and create lessons that we can use the next day with our own students. Each 1 hour and 20-minute session will include content, resources, and experiences that will change how you and your students think about themselves as writers. These sessions will also help you prepare your writers to increase their elaboration skills for on-demand writing.

Required materials

• A blank notebook to be used as a writer’s notebook.
• Access to the Google Classroom, where resources will be stored solely for participants.

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Writing to Explore Identity and Promote Cultural Responsiveness

Online | $300.

Check back for dates.

Writing Workshop offers a wonderful opportunity for identities to be explored and affirmed within a culturally responsive community of writers. By holding space for writing to be messy as we build on students’ funds of knowledge, the workshop may be a liberating space for vulnerability and authenticity. Bring your writer’s notebook and join us as you engage in some writing of your own while learning about engagement strategies that foster an inclusive community of informed writers.

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Promoting Equity Through Interactive Read-Aloud and Beyond

One day. Online | $425.

Check back for date.

Interactive Read-Aloud offers a powerful, liberating opportunity to hold space for humanizing, identity-affirming conversations in classrooms. Building on Rudine Sims Bishop’s (1990) view of books as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors, we will explore the practice of Interactive Read-Aloud as a tool for co-constructing meaning within a literate community while cultivating joy within learners and promoting a stance toward equity. Participants will leave with lists of text recommendations and tools for promoting equity within K-12 classrooms.

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Getting Started with Fountas & Pinnell Classroom Word Study: Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary K‑2 — Exploring the System and Developmental Spelling

Part 1 of a 2-part series

Series goals

• Investigate the developmental changes students make as spellers and phonics/spelling research
• Use of data to inform instruction
• Explore Fountas and Pinnell Phonics, Spelling, & Word Study System
• Consider options for instruction to ensure the transference of knowledge

Part 1: Two 2-hour online sessions. $400 per person

Check back for dates.

“A child’s acquisition of word knowledge is a systematic, developmental process that grows and changes over time, at different rates for different children.” — Steele, Scharer, and Rowe

Part 1 Session Information

Session	Exploring The FPC Phonics, Spelling, & Word Study System	Developmental Spelling and FPC Phonics, Spelling & Word Study
Description	In this live virtual format, we will explore the Fountas and Pinnell Phonics, Spelling, & Word Study System components and Lesson Guide.	Developmental spelling stages are a natural progression students move through as they learn how words work in reading and writing. In this live virtual format, we will investigate these stages and discuss possibilities for instruction.
Materials	Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. Phonics, Spelling, and Word Study Lessons. Heinemann. For the grade level you support (K, 1 or 2). Access to The Fountas and Pinnell Phonics, Spelling, and Words Study System and online resources for the grade level you support (K,1, or 2).	Articles provided.
Objectives	What’s in the kit. How to navigate the Lesson Guide. How the lesson is structured Lessons across the year	History of spelling. Developmental spelling stages. Implications for instruction based on developmental spelling.

Table showing session information for FPC Word Study within a Comprehensive Literacy Framework

Teaching Fountas & Pinnell Classroom Word Study: Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary K‑2 within a Comprehensive Literacy Framework — Responding to Students

Part 2 of a 2-part series

Series goals

• Investigate the developmental changes students make as spellers and phonics/spelling research
• Use of data to inform instruction
• Explore Fountas and Pinnell Phonics, Spelling, & Word Study System
• Consider options for instruction to ensure the transference of knowledge

Part 2: Two 2-hour online sessions. $400 per person.

Check back for dates. (You do not have to attend Part 1 to attend Part 2.)

“A child’s acquisition of word knowledge is a systematic, developmental process that grows and changes over time, at different rates for different children.” — Steele, Scharer, and Rowe

Part 2 Session Information

Session	Responding to Students	Comp. Literacy and FPC Phonics, Spelling, and Word Study
Description	What information signposts in my classroom create a path for success in teaching students about phonics, spelling, and vocabulary? Let’s explore answers to this question in this live virtual format.	In this live virtual format, we will discuss explicit and embedded instructional contexts that foster opportunities for students to transfer word solving into authentic reading and writing.
Materials	Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2017). The Fountas and Pinnell Comprehensive Phonics, Spelling, and Word Study Guide. Heinemann. Additional articles provided.	Articles provided.
Objectives	Investigate data sources and determine starting points for instruction based on data results.	Define explicit and embedded instructional contexts, provide examples of both explicit and embedded instruction, and define transference and investigate examples.

Table showing session information for FPC Word Study within a Comprehensive Literacy Framework

 

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Fountas & Pinnell Classroom Word Study: Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary 3‑6

Online: One day | $425

September 9

Want to learn how to get started? Within this one-day institute, we will explore theoretical understandings related to nine areas of learning within phonics, spelling, and vocabulary. Next, we’ll broaden understandings related to the FPC Word Study System for grades 3-6, including assessment options and systematic instruction to meet the needs of learners.

Required materials

• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2018; 2019; 2020). The Fountas & Pinnell Word Study System: Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary. Heinemann. (Note: Please have access to the Guide for your grade level.)
• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas & Pinnell Comprehensive Phonics, Spelling, and Word Study Guide. Heinemann.

Recommended materials

• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum, Expanded Edition. Heinemann.

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Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary

Evidence-based tools for word study K‑8

Online. Two days | $625

October 7-8

By understanding our English orthography as a complex system that reflects the interplay of sound, pattern, and meaning relationships, we can help learners progress in their development. In this two-day session, we will explore the theory behind orthographic knowledge attainment, along with assessment and practical classroom implications for systematic word study instruction.

Recommended materials

• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum, Expanded Edition. Heinemann.
• Ganske, K. (2014). Word Journeys: Assessment-Guided Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction. (2nd Ed). Guilford Press.

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Preparing Preschoolers for Literacy Learning THEIR Way!

In person: check back for date ($625).

“The knowledge that forms the foundation for reading and writing is built throughout early childhood through play, language, and literacy experiences” (Fountas & Pinnell, 2021, p. 1).

Join us as we explore the possibilities that exist within preschool classrooms centered around comprehensive literacy instruction built from a foundation of play and exploration that adequately prepares students for the demands of elementary school.

Required text

• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2021) Literacy Beginnings: A PreK Handbook. Heinemann.

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Student-Centered Coaching

Three days. Online | $825.

Please check back for dates.

Learn from certified ODE Teacher Leaders how to engage in coaching conversations around two areas: (1) Student strengths and needs & (2) Teacher inquiry while cultivating professional relationships with colleagues. Study methods to build fellow educators' capacity to establish and maintain high-quality professional learning so that every student has access to individualized teaching and learning as outlined by the Standards for Professional Learning (Learning Forward. 2022). Content will include Structuring a Coaching Life, Understanding Inquiry-Based Coaching, and Executing the 3-Day Coaching Cycle.

Recommended materials

• Access to your state professional learning standards

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Interactive Read-Aloud K‑12

One Day. In person | $425

Check back for date.

Interactive Read-Aloud (IRA) is a critical component of any instructional system for literacy: It informs and supports every other part of the literacy framework. IRA is one of the most flexible and powerful instructional art forms available to teachers, one that is particularly well-suited to fostering social emotional learning. IRA develops strategic, critical, and creative thinking; fosters vibrant learning communities; nurtures risk-taking and inquiry; and builds students' capacity for engaging in collaborative conversations. This institute will take participants deep into the practice of IRA and support teachers in developing engaging IRA lessons that will both meet standards and promote book joy through beautiful books.

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Shared Reading: A Powerful Instructional Practice for Readers (Grades 2-8)

Three Hours. Online | $300.

Check back for date.

Are you searching for tools to help your readers access complex texts, ideas, and information? During this professional learning session, you will learn how to harness the power of Shared Reading as an instructional practice to strengthen the reading process of your students. This practice offers opportunities to look closely at visual information to solve words, strengthen phonics skills, improve accuracy, expand vocabulary, experience new language structures, reinforce fluency, think deeply about literary elements, and navigate book and print features, all while deepening comprehension. If you work with children in grades 2-8 and want to learn more about supporting readers with processing increasingly complex texts, join us for this 3-hour virtual professional learning session focused on Shared Reading!

Recommended text

• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2016). The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum, Expanded Edition. Heinemann.

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Transformational Leader Training: Leadership to Sustain Systemic Literacy Improvement

Three days. In person | $980.

Check back for dates.

This three-day, hands-on workshop will equip you to lead transformational change in literacy instruction with your fellow Educators. We will learn ways of leading and learning together to foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork to improve student outcomes. You will have multiple opportunities to experience or view the classroom practices that support a coherent design for literacy teaching, as well as learn authentic “coaching language” that moves practice forward and leaves teachers feeling empowered. This is a judgement-free, safe/brave place to see literacy practices modeled, discuss challenges, ask those questions you’ve been dying to ask, and have fun learning!

Required text

• Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G.S. (2022). Leading for Literacy: What Every School Leader Needs to Know. Heinemann.