NM PED 2026 Literacy and Humanities Summer Conference

Explicit vocabulary instruction is critical for your secondary students to access complex texts, express ideas effectively, and succeed across all disciplines. In this session, you will examine how AI-powered tools can enhance your vocabulary instruction by facilitating high-impact word selection, offering adaptive learning experiences, and strengthening the language networks of the reading brain.

You will explore research-based strategies for direct vocabulary instruction, including how to select and teach high-utility words, integrate structured routines, and foster word consciousness in your classroom. Through practical examples and interactive discussions, you will learn how to integrate AI tools to deepen student comprehension and build robust academic language networks. You will leave with actionable strategies to create a language-rich environment that accelerates literacy development for all your secondary students, ensuring they have the linguistic tools necessary for academic success.