Potential Topics for Conference Sessions

We know that teachers and leaders learn best from their peers. That is why the Core Knowledge Foundation has structured this conference as one that will highlight best practices, ideas, and strategies shared by teachers and school leaders who are working in Core Knowledge Schools. Below is a list of ideas for potential sessions. This is just a jumping off point for session topics. We welcome and encourage you to propose your own ideas as well.

  • Walkthroughs
    • Setting Expectations and Communicating them effectively
  • Teacher Evaluations
    • CKLA
    • CKHG
    • CKSci
  • Building Buy-In
    • With Staff
    • With Parents
  • Building Effective PLCs
    • Purposeful Planning with CK Materials
    • Building and Sustaining Rigor
  • Using Data
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Scheduling-How to fit all of it in
  • Core Knowledge Showcases and Family Engagement
  • New Teacher Training
  • Teaching Staff How to Plan Effectively
  • Writing
    • How to Teach It Effectively
    • How to Incorporate It Effectively
  • Assessments
    • Formative
    • Summative
  • Increasing Engagement
  • Culminating Activities
  • Art
  • Music
  • Effective Questioning
    • Higher DOK
    • Making it Relevant to State Testing
  • Vocabulary
  • Creating Relevant Classroom and Hallway Visuals
  • Using a Focus Wall
  • Anchor Charts
  • Extending a Lesson
  • Fitting it All in – Time Management
  • Read-alouds
    • The Importance of
    • Effective Use of
  • Preschool/PreK
  • Differentiation-How to do it Effectively
  • ELL and Core Knowledge
  • Integrating Technology Effectively
  • Core Knowledge “live”! Welcome teachers to an actual CK class from beginning to end taught by teachers, utilizing best practices, demonstrating the ideas of building on prior knowledge, engaging every learner, and implementing and guiding rich discussion using higher level questions.
  • Acclimating New Students to Core Knowledge
  • Classical Literature
    • Why It’s Important
    • How to Make It Engaging
  • Bringing Rigor to a Lesson
  • Standards alignment and Core Knowledge
  • Using Realia in teaching Core Knowledge
  • Core Knowledge Showcases-Family Engagement
  • What is a Classical Approach to Teaching
  • Activating Prior Knowledge
  • Gamifying with Core Knowledge
  • Digging into the Teacher Guides and/or the Online Resources
  • New Teachers-Materials Overview Walkthrough
  • Assessments
    • Analyzing Data and What to Do with It
  • Increasing Engagement for Teachers and Students
  • Pacing
  • Lesson Planning – Digging Deep with Teachers
  • Walkthroughs
    • Setting Expectations and Communicating them effectively
  • Teacher Evaluations
    • CKLA
    • CKHG
    • CKSci
  • Building Buy-In with Teachers
  • Activating Prior Knowledge
  • Building Knowledge with Teachers
  • Reading the Front Matter of Teacher Guides
  • Digging into the Teacher Guides and Online Resources
  • Materials Overview