NM PED 2026 Literacy and Humanities Summer Conference

Learning to read requires courage. Structured literacy asks students to respond often, take risks, and learn from mistakes—and that kind of learning only thrives in classrooms built on trust and belonging. In this session, teachers will explore The Power of I: Invite, Inspire, Include as a mindset shift that enhances structured literacy instruction through relational teaching.

Through reflection, discussion, and practical application, participants will learn how small shifts in language, routines, and connection can dramatically impact student engagement and confidence. By bridging the gap between social-emotional well-being and cognitive load, educators will learn to create an environment where students feel safe enough to tackle the rigors of decoding and complex text.

Educators will leave feeling empowered to deliver explicit instruction in ways that honor both the science of reading and the humanity of learners. This session proves that high-stakes academic instruction and high-quality human connection aren't just compatible—they are inseparable.

This interactive workshop provides an understanding of the importance of intentional oral language development for literacy and learning success. This understanding will give you and your students a linguistic edge as they learn to read and write.

Language is the primary tool we use to make sense of the world around us. In the Reading is Language Model (Hulme and Snowling, 2025), there is a reciprocity between reading and language as literacy develops. Expanding upon the concepts of the Simple View of Reading (Gough and Tunmer, 1986), we will demonstrate that oral language skills are the essential precursor to the components of the SVR. As Dr. Charles Hulme suggests, the stagnation of NAEP scores highlights an urgent need for more robust language instruction.

During this session, we will discuss efficient assessments and programs that support the development of language skills critical for literacy. Additionally, you will experience concrete, brief instructional strategies designed to infuse language development throughout the school day. Language not only helps students improve their reading and writing skills; it provides a sense of belonging that supports learning in all areas. When we give language the emphasis it deserves, we provide students with the foundation necessary for lifelong academic achievement.

English Learners bring valuable phonological knowledge to early literacy instruction. Research identifies phoneme-grapheme relationships between Spanish and English as fully transferable, partially transferable, or non-transferable, and these connections serve as a critical bridge for reading development. In this session, you will examine how the similarities and differences in Spanish and English phonology impact student reading and spelling in English.

You will be introduced to the Translinguistic Tool for Teachers of English Learners (T³EL), a resource designed to support your understanding of phoneme-grapheme reciprocity across languages. You will explore practical guidance for teaching phonics concepts to English Learners and gain the instructional tools necessary to implement these strategies in your classroom. You will leave with a clear roadmap for using a student’s home language as a powerful foundation for English literacy success.

Students struggle with comprehension not only because of decoding challenges, but because texts assume knowledge they may not yet have. In this interactive workshop, participants will examine the role of background knowledge within Scarborough’s Reading Rope and experience a classroom-ready routine for Grade 3–5 literature and informational texts.

Using a grade-level excerpt, educators will learn how to implement a structured 10–12 minute “Build Background Knowledge” sequence prior to reading. The session demonstrates how to intentionally teach essential context and concept vocabulary while integrating culturally responsive connections and structured academic discourse routines that ensure equitable participation.

Participants will leave with a one-page planning template and a knowledge-builder menu that can be applied immediately to upcoming reading lessons. This session bridges structured literacy and equity by showing how explicit knowledge instruction strengthens comprehension and access for all students.

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.