NM PED 2026 Literacy and Humanities Summer Conference

For some students, the disconnect between classroom literacy instruction and real-world application leads to disengagement. However, when the Science of Reading is integrated into Community-Connected Learning, literacy moves from a static subject to a dynamic tool for impact. In this session, you will explore a pedagogical framework that embeds evidence-based literacy practices, such as background knowledge and complex language structures, into student capstone projects.

You will examine how students can apply decoding and comprehension skills to navigate technical texts, conduct interviews, and publish findings for a public audience while tackling authentic community challenges. You will explore a framework for community-connected capstones that integrates these strategies for high school learners and engage in practices that help you imagine projects for your own school. Whether focusing on food insecurity, local history, or environmental justice, you will leave with a roadmap for designing capstone experiences that turn "learning to read" into "reading to lead."

How can one platform support the Science of Reading, reach every learner, and keep High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) connected? In this session, participants will explore how Canvas LMS serves as a digital literacy toolkit that brings together Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, Microsoft Immersive Reader, and publisher integrations to create accessible, data-informed literacy experiences across grade levels.

We will examine how Canvas tools naturally align with UDL’s three pillars, multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression, giving educators flexible options for supporting diverse learners without creating extra work. Participants will see how Immersive Reader, built directly into Canvas, provides on-demand text-to-speech, translation, syllabification, and visual supports that remove barriers for striving readers, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities. We will also explore how publisher integrations with platforms like HMH, Amplify, and LETRS centralize literacy content and assessment data within Canvas, helping educators and leaders make informed instructional decisions.

Whether you are a classroom teacher looking to strengthen literacy support or a school leader seeking a cohesive approach to HQIM implementation, this session will provide a clear picture of how Canvas connects the tools educators already have into a unified, accessible literacy framework.

Unlock the power of debate to help your students master the art of organized writing. In this session, you will discover how to use core debate concepts as a framework for teaching structure, logic, and evidence-based claims. You will participate in a high-energy, debate-inspired activity, designed for immediate use in any classroom, and explore how to bridge the gap between spoken arguments and successful student compositions. By shifting the focus from static outlines to dynamic discourse, you will leave with practical strategies to help your students organize their thoughts more clearly and write with greater purpose and persuasion.