Small Group Instruction in Reading

Dates:  July 21-22, 2025

Times: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST

Location: In person at Teachers College, Columbia University

Price:

• Early Bird Discount: $425

• Regular Rate: $500, after May 1, 2025

• Group/Team Discount: $350 per person for groups of 10 or more. (If you qualify for a discount the price will appear at check out.)

• To apply for a scholarship click here, and see below for more information.

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Who should attend: K-12 classroom teachers (literacy) curriculum and instructional specialists, coaches, principals, and school administrators.

Upon completion: Participants who complete this conference will receive a Certificate of Participation. Licensed educators in NY state are also eligible for a Continuing Teacher Leader Education (CTLE) certificate for a total of up to 12 CTLE hours.

This small group work institute is for communities who have engaged in the essentials of whole class instruction in teaching reading or writing, and now want to focus on responsive small group work and conferring. Staff developers and participants will study the predictable content to support a range of learners. At this institute, teachers will have the opportunity to explore pedagogy, relevant educational research, and assessment tools to ensure that instructional practices are affirming and lead toward student agency. By the end of this institute, participants will have the skills and tools to prepare materials that support foundational skills enabling them to effectively prepare for a wide range of students’ instructional needs.

Learning objectives:

• Deepen Understanding of Small Group Instruction – Examine the role of small group work and conferring to support diverse learners.

• Implement Responsive Teaching Strategies – Learn to use assessment tools and observational data to tailor small group instruction to meet individual student needs.

• Apply Research-Based Practices – Explore relevant educational research on effective small group instruction, student agency, and differentiated support.

• Develop and Prepare Instructional Materials – Create and organize materials that support foundational literacy skills and scaffold learning for a range of readers.

• Foster Student Engagement and Independence – Utilize affirming, student-centered instructional practices that build confidence, comprehension, and reading fluency.

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Institute Scholarships: 

We are pleased to offer scholarships for teachers and school leaders to attend Teachers College Advancing Literacy institute events. We invite interested teachers and literacy leaders to apply to learn with the Advancing Literacy team and fellow educators this summer. 

These scholarships are in memory of two devoted teachers and community members: our friend and colleague Kathleen Tolan, who mentored many of us as teachers and staff developers; and Kitty Donahue, a dedicated teacher and author, who attended events at Teachers College for many years and brought an enthusiasm for teaching and learning that was palpable. 

Please use this form to apply, to be considered for a scholarship applications should be submitted one month in advance of the institute. 

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Logistics Overview: 

• Acceptance for the institute is contingent upon receipt of payment within 14 days (for all tickets purchased). 

• For early bird pricing, payment should be received and accepted by April 30, 2025. 

• Click here to access a Quote for your purchase, if needed.

• Once payment is received, please log in to your Dashboard (on our website) and assign the seat(s). If you need to make any modifications to seat assignments, please notify us at advancingliteracy@tc.columbia.edu. 

• We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, and a participant who has been accepted to the institute may be unable to attend. If you must withdraw, please let us know as early as possible. Once payment is made, it confirms your commitment to attend. If you must withdraw after paying, a $75 withdrawal fee will apply. Additionally, if you withdraw within one month of the start of the institute, we will be unable to issue a refund.