Guide to Greatness: Planning with Purpose for Powerful Practices in Language, Literacy, and Learning!
Leah Branch and Jenna Pritchard
In this session, you’ll discover how to use the Core Knowledge teacher guide to seamlessly integrate oral language, reading comprehension, and writing into your lesson plans. Through interactive discussions and modeled strategies, you’ll learn how to create more impactful lessons that build strong literacy foundations. By the end, you’ll have practical tools to align your instruction with the Core Knowledge curriculum and enhance student understanding across subjects.
Enhancing Science Education with Core Knowledge Curriculum and Complementary Texts
Kali Cooper
This presentation explores the integration of Core Knowledge Science units with curated texts to create a comprehensive and engaging science curriculum. We will discuss strategies for selecting texts that reinforce scientific concepts, the benefits of this integrated approach, and examples of successful implementation in the classroom.
Blending Core Knowledge with State Standards
Christine Quam and Kristen Young
Join us for a session that shows how to successfully align Core Knowledge with state standards without “teaching to the test”! Learn how to map out and align standards to the Core Knowledge curriculum, creating a seamless planning process that ensures rigorous, content-rich lessons. Through collaborative activities and practical examples, you’ll leave with strategies, templates, and lesson plans to help your school align standards and CK content for lasting student success.
Creating a Memorable Core Knowledge Showcase for the Whole Community
Lindsey Heinig
Join an experienced Principal/Teacher to learn how to create a dynamic community night that highlights Core Knowledge content across all grade levels and subjects. This interactive session will provide planning documents, activity ideas, and resources to help you bring the entire school community together for a celebration of learning. By the end, you’ll have a clear, actionable plan to create your own Core Knowledge Showcase event and energize your school community!
Elevate Your Instructional Rigor! – Illuminate the Content with Powerful Teaching Practices from the Science of Learning
Dr. Nathaniel Swain
Have you ever reached the end of your lesson and wondered if you’ve made the most of that time? In this session, we’ll explore how teaching techniques grounded in the science of learning can create more responsive opportunities for students to actively apply and consolidate their knowledge. Drawing upon his research and experiences implementing Core Knowledge Language Arts and History and Geography using such approaches in Australian schools, Dr. Swain will explore how teachers can maximize their instructional time and ensure that every student can succeed.
Mindful Methods to Make Sense of Learning
Rachael Fowler
Did you know newly introduced information is often retained for only 5 to 20 minutes? How can teachers ensure students make sense of new learning in the classroom? In this session, we will explore 3 research-based strategies to support the brain in making sense of new learning so students can deepen their understanding of content, skills, and concepts to ensure that new learning continues the journey from short-term working memory to long-term working memory. We will explore what cognitive science says about making sense of new learning. You’ll leave with practical tools—including effective learning activities, clear success criteria, reflection questions, and self-assessment measures —that will help you foster deeper, more enduring learning in your classroom.
Passport to Understanding: Core Knowledge in a Global Community
Sofia Andrews and Ana Owens
Discover how integrating Portuguese history, culture, and language into the Core Knowledge curriculum created a richer, more meaningful learning experience for our students. From Ancient Roman ruins to the peaceful Carnation Revolution, our approach weaves local history into every subject, fostering deeper connections with both the curriculum and the host country. Join us to explore how to reflect your diverse student body through creative cross-curricular connections, field trips, and cultural celebrations that enhance both global awareness and academic engagement.
Meet the Children’s Book Author Silvia López
Rosie McCormick and Sophie Nunnally
Join Core Knowledge editors Rosie McCormick and Sophie Nunnally for a Q&A with the talented children’s book author, Silvia López. Silvia López was born in Cuba and emigrated to Miami as a child. Her lifelong love of books led to her career as a school librarian and later as a children’s author. Silvia is the author of the first CK collection Tales from Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the CK Voices in History biography Federico Fernández Cavada: The Spy in the Hot-Air Balloon. Silvia has written several other books and has received numerous book awards. Please join Rosie and Sophie for an interesting conversation with Silvia about her writing process.