The Dallas ISD Language, Literacy, and Social Studies departments held their annual Fall Conference at Bryan Adams High School on Nov. 9.
Nearly 300 teachers and staff came together under the theme of “Empowering Students through Disciplinary Literacy” and were treated to keynote speeches from Chief Academic Officer Ivonne Durant and global literacy expert Pam Allyn. Students from Maria Moreno Elementary School’s Ballet Folklorico provided entertainment with a variety of songs and dances.
Throughout the day, teachers and staff facilitated sessions to participants in a wide variety of trainings, such as Differenti—WHAAAAT?, in which teachers were given tips on how to provide differentiated instruction during reading instruction and how it could empower students to become accountable for their learning. Participants were also able to attend sessions like Bringing The “Social” Back To Social Studies, where teachers learned how implement academic language in Social Studies classrooms by applying critical/higher order thinking to promote engaging and rigorous instruction.
Teachers also had an opportunity to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and displays from the generous sponsors and partners, including SocialsStudies.com, Imagine Learning, Teacher Created Materials, Lakeshore Learning, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, TPR Global Education, and Perfection Learning. The department also extended a special thanks to community partners such as the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Dallas Public Library, Old Red Museum, World Affairs Council, Texas Association of Literacy Education, and the Texas State Historical Association.
