INSTRUCTION

We help teachers, principals, instructional coaches, and other school leaders develop the skills and strategies needed to challenge students, develop positive relationships, and consistently deliver high-quality instruction for all learners. Whether you need help with a specific area of instruction, your entire approach, or you’re not sure where to start, our comprehensive PD and consulting services—based on research-based, field-proven strategies and experience with what works in the classroom—will help you improve instruction systematically across content areas and for any group of students.

Want more information about our consulting services, PD and training options, and customized solutions in this area? Contact us today at 800.858.6830 or info@mcrel.org.

Designing & Auditing Instruction Programs

A research-based approach to instruction ensures all students benefit from high-quality teaching. We consult and collaborate with your leadership teams to conduct a big-picture review of your current needs, analyzing current practices and identifying opportunities for improvement. We’ll provide your teachers with clear guidance and a common vocabulary that describes expectations for instruction, and develop a unique, customized approach designed by and for your district.

Instructional Strategies

Based on our research, books, and experiences working with educators and students from across the world, our workshops and training show you how to translate research-based instructional strategies into better achievement for all students—at any grade level and in any content area. You’ll learn to implement and sequence these powerful strategies, bring them to life with exercises, rubrics, and tips, and use a framework and planning guide that support 21st century skills.

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12 TOUCHSTONES

English Language Learners

Our research-based instructional strategies can enhance the achievement of English language learners (ELLs). We help teachers understand the five stages of second language acquisition and their instructional implications, and learn strategies for engaging ELL students in K–12 mainstream classrooms. We also offer facilitator training and a leadership academy to help you strengthen your skills around leading an ELL-focused learning community, facilitate training on ELL strategies, and increase your school or district’s capacity to address the unique needs of ELL students.

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Technology for Instruction

Learn to combine research-based instructional strategies with supportive technology to create technology-infused lesson plans that enhance learning across all the content areas. We can show you how to integrate the most effective tools, such as word processing, Internet resources, social media, organizing and brainstorming software, data collection, apps, and multimedia, into classroom instruction. For one-to-one initiatives, we can assess your teachers’ and students’ technology use, audit your school or district’s technology infrastructure, and help you design a sustainable technology plan.

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Effective Science Instruction

We help educators learn an instructional framework that improves the quality of science lessons and helps students develop a deeper understanding of content. This PD program helps science teachers and leaders learn and immediately implement research-based strategies linked to increased student achievement, create an individual plan to sustain and continue improvements, and network with other participants to exchange strategies for teaching diverse student populations.

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EmpowerED Suite & Power Walkthrough

This comprehensive suite of applications, developed in partnership with MediaX, makes it easy for teachers, coaches, and school leaders to work together to improve professional practices in the classroom. The suite includes our Power Walkthrough software for collecting and sharing classroom observation data; a Survey component for gathering feedback from teachers, parents, and students; a Reflection tool that helps teachers develop SMART goals and track their own growth; and a Coaching component that provides tools for enhancing coaching conversations and helping teachers be the best they can be.

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Teaching Reading & Writing in the Content Areas

Today’s rigorous standards call for increased literacy skills across content areas. These trainings, based on decades of education research and our series of guidebooks, provide a treasure trove of ideas and techniques for teaching and evaluating reading and writing in any content area—and show you how to select and use the right ones for your students. We’ll demonstrate an approach that improves students’ self-regulation skills, shows how to incorporate technology tools, and addresses the influence of the Common Core State Standards.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

In the best science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs, students engage in real-world problem-solving and design tangible solutions, creating a purpose and motivation to learn. Our consultants collaborate with schools and districts to design and implement culturally relevant, project-based STEM programs. We can also provide technical support, from frameworks to class lessons across multiple subject areas. We’ll help you identify and develop the best STEM model to meet your needs and provide training that gets your teachers excited about effective STEM teaching practices and lesson design.

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GreenSTEM

GreenSTEM is an engaging project-based model that uses science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) content and practices to investigate local environmental problems, and design and implement solutions. We work with schools and districts to create place-based GreenSTEM programs that are engaging, standards-based, and empowering because of their direct and visible effect on students and the community. Our consultants can partner with you to customize and integrate a GreenSTEM model, develop curriculum materials, and provide training that builds teachers’ confidence in designing and teaching GreenSTEM lessons.

Academic Language Learning

Emphasizing the acquisition of academic language for ALL™ students, or Academic Language Learners, we help teachers align content with the vocabulary, syntax, and discourse students need to “sound like a book” while presenting ideas, and use targeted academic language that supports the subject matter and helps students explain their reasoning, arguing from evidence, and asking questions. We can also help you integrate the language demands of CCSS in the content areas for English-language learners.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Response to Intervention (RtI)

Our customized MTSS consulting addresses your school, district, or state’s specific implementation goals while focusing on building academic, social-emotional, and behavioral systems to ensure all students graduate college- and career-ready. Working collaboratively with you, we can conduct a needs assessment and audit of current practices to help identify and prioritize areas to improve. Together, we’ll select evidence-based solutions that address your needs, which can include coaching and consultation services, on-site workshops, and development of training materials, intervention handbooks, and guidance documents.