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Professional Development Webcasts

Stay up-to-date with the Reading Rockets professional development webcast series. Listen, watch, and learn from top experts in the field of reading. Our webcasts are available anytime that's convenient for you.

Featured webcast preview

Dr. Steve Graham dicusses ways you can help a student with writing difficulties in our webcast, "Teaching Writing."

Watch full webcast

Each webcast features a 45- or 60-minute video program that you view from the Reading Rockets website. The webcasts also include recommended readings and suggested discussion questions. Some webcasts include the presenters' PowerPoint slides.

You can use the webcasts as the centerpiece of staff development workshops or watch them for your own professional development whenever you have time. All you need is a good Internet connection.

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If you're going to be in the Washington, D.C. area and would like to be a part of our studio audience in Arlington, VA, please contact us.

Preschool for ELLs

This webcast features Dr. Rebecca Palacios and offers information on the following components of a PreK ELL program: language instruction, curriculum, professional development, and family outreach.

Educational Media: Screen Time and Literacy

Featuring Deb Linebarger, Lisa Guernsey, and Marnie Lewis in a discussion about educational media. These three experts discuss what the growing exposure to media means for children's literacy development.

Talking Tutoring

Featuring Marcia Invernizzi, Carole Prest, and Anne Hoover in a discussion about tutoring. These three experts discuss tutoring programs, tutor training, what the latest research tells us, and the different forms tutoring can take.

Academic Language and English Language Learners

Featuring Dr. Robin Scarcella, providing an overview to academic language instruction for English language learners, as well as teaching strategies, activity ideas, and recommended resources.

Summer Reading

How will your children spend the coming summer? Learning about a hidden world of magic? Following the adventures of a teenage spy? Visiting another planet? Summer is a chance for kids to have fun and unwind — but that doesn't mean they should stop learning.

Teaching Writing

Though often overlooked, writing is an essential skill that can help children become stronger readers; it can provide the means to enhance vocabulary, comprehension, and spelling abilities. With the help of three top experts, this webcast explores the importance of writing skills, what the latest research tells us, and what teachers and parents can do to make the process smooth and successful.

English Language Learners with Learning Disabilities

Featuring bilingual speech-language pathologist Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan. This webcast discusses effective assessment and instruction strategies for English language learners with learning disabilities, as well as ways to help encourage the active involvement of parents of ELLs with LD in their children's schools.

Assessment: On Track for Reading Success

We've all heard the line 'I taught them, but they didn't learn.' How can teachers make sure that each student is not only being taught, but is actually learning? Dr. Roland Good of the University of Oregon and Dr. Mary Ruth Coleman, President of the Council for Exceptional Children, and Dr. Michael C. McKenna of the University of Virginia will address how assessment can be used to lead students to reading success.

Establishing an Effective Reading Program

Schools around the country are faced with the challenge of changing their reading programs to comply with No Child Left Behind. Learn how schools and districts can choose the best reading programs to meet the new law.

Reading to Learn: ELLs in Grades 4-6

Featuring Dr. Nonie Lesaux, addressing the challenges facing English language learners — and their teachers — in grades 4-6.

Making Parents Partners

When parents play a part in their child's academic career, students have better school attendance, make greater achievement gains, and have fewer behavior problems. Featuring Karen L. Mapp, Susan Hall, and Tom Bowman

Make Reading Count

This webcast features Isabel Beck, Nanci Bell, and Sharon Walpole discussing the components for developing good reading comprehension skills, identifying potential stumbling blocks, and offering strategies teachers can use in the classroom.

Teaching English Language Learners to Read

Featuring insights from expert panelists Diane August, Margarita Calderón, and Fred Genesee, learn about the best research-based practices for teaching English language learners.

Comprehension: Helping English Language Learners Grasp the Full Picture

This webcast will discuss effective reading comprehension strategies for teaching English language learner students. Featuring Dr. Cynthia Lundgren and Kristina Robertson.

Assessment of English Language Learners

Featuring Dr. Lorraine Valdez Pierce, discussing effective classroom strategies for assessing English language learners.

From Babbling to Books

Featuring Todd R. Risley, Sharon Landesman Ramey, and Julie Washington discussing research-based strategies for developing language and pre-reading skills in young children.