Core literacy programs: Strengthen sessions
Professional development sets teachers and leaders up for success, whether they are new to or experienced with a program. Each Strengthen session promotes a deeper understanding of the program through targeted instructional practices.
Explore literacy Strengthen sessions by program below.
About Strengthen sessions
Support Amplify implementation with sessions that target specific instructional practices for teachers and leaders who are in year one and beyond. When you’re ready to schedule your Strengthen session, contact us. An Amplify expert will support you in selecting the session that best fits your needs in order to push student results forward.
Each package includes one Strengthen session. Additional sessions can be added as enhancements.
Amplify ELAR K–5 and Amplify SLAR K–5
Built on the Science of Reading, Amplify ELAR K–5 sequences deep content knowledge with research-based foundational skills. Amplify ELAR K–5 is a PreK–5 literacy curriculum that inspires curiosity and drives results, empowering all students with rich background knowledge.
Amplify SLAR K–5 serves as the ideal Spanish language arts partner to Amplify ELAR K–5 for grades K–5. These aligned programs combine deep content knowledge with systematic foundational skills instruction grounded in the Science of Reading. They adhere to biliteracy principles and support multiple teaching models.
The table below lists Amplify ELAR K–5 and Amplify SLAR K–5 Strengthen sessions by package for Begin and beyond. Click the session title or scroll down to learn more about each session.
Begin packages
| Strengthen sessions |
| On-site package (15 hr.) |
Hybrid on-site package (15 hr.) | Hybrid 10 package (10 hr.) |
Hybrid virtual package (15 hr.) |
Virtual package (7 hr.) |
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| One session per package | On-site, 3 hr. sessions | On-site, 3 hr. sessions | Virtual, 1 hr. session | Virtual, 3 hr. sessions | Virtual, 1 hr. session |
| Enhancing planning |
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| Enhancing practice |
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| Enhancing observations for leaders |
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| Supporting all learners |
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| Pacing |
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| Student engagement |
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Begin: Enhancing planning for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your understanding of your next unit by engaging in a step-by-step unit and lesson-planning protocol. Leave prepared to implement your next unit with a completed unit plan and internalized lessons for your particular biliteracy model.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: PreK (Amplify ELAR K–5), K–2, or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Begin: Enhancing practice for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Practice implementing key lesson routines to strengthen your instruction. Leave with guidelines for routines you can implement in your biliteracy classroom tomorrow.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: K–2 or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Begin: Enhancing observations for leaders
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Sharpen your program knowledge to support educators with effective program implementation. Observe a lesson in action and practice providing high-leverage feedback. Walk away prepared to provide educators with actionable feedback during your next classroom observation.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Prerequisite: Participants must complete the Program overview for leaders before attending this session.
Audience: Leaders (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is facilitated in English.
Begin: Strengthen Focus: Supporting all learners
Virtual, 1 hour
Dig into embedded supports offered in the Amplify curriculum and prepare to support all learners in your next lesson.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: K–2 or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Begin: Strengthen Focus: Pacing
Virtual, 1 hour
Learn five specific strategies to support pacing in your next lesson.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: K–2 or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Begin: Strengthen Focus: Student engagement
Virtual, 1 hour
Explore engagement strategies that cultivate a student-centered classroom. Leave with a plan to incorporate these strategies in an upcoming lesson.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: K–2 or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Practice packages
| Strengthen sessions |
| On-site package (15 hr.) |
Hybrid 15 package (15 hr.) |
Hybrid 13 package (13 hr.) |
Virtual package (9 hr.) |
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| One session per package | On-site, 3 hr. session | Virtual, 3 hr. session | Virtual, 1 hr. session | Virtual, 3 hr. session |
| Enhancing planning |
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| Enhancing practice | |
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| Enhancing observations for leaders | |
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| Writing |
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| Supporting all learners |
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| Pacing |
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| Student engagement | |
Practice: Enhancing planning for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your understanding of your next unit by engaging in a step-by-step unit and lesson-planning protocol. Leave prepared to implement your next unit with a completed unit plan and internalized lessons for your particular biliteracy model.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: K–2, or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. The Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Practice: Enhancing practice for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Practice implementing key lesson routines to strengthen your instruction. Leave with guidelines for routines you can implement in your biliteracy classroom tomorrow.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: K–2 or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. The Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Practice: Enhancing observations for leaders
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Sharpen your program knowledge to support educators with effective program implementation. Observe a lesson in action and practice providing high-leverage feedback. Walk away prepared to provide educators with actionable feedback during your next classroom observation.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Prerequisite: Participants must complete the Program overview for leaders before attending this session.
Audience: Leaders (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is facilitated in English.
Practice: Writing
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your understanding of how to support students as they build writing skills. Leave this session prepared to teach an upcoming writing lesson based on your student work analysis. Bring samples of your students' writing responses from your Amplify programs to this session.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: PreK K–2 or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. The Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Practice: Strengthen Focus: Supporting all learners
Virtual, 1 hour
Dig into the many embedded supports offered in the curriculum and prepare for specific ways to bolster all learners in your next lesson.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: K–2 or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. The Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Practice: Strengthen Focus: Pacing
Virtual, 1 hour
Learn five specific strategies to support pacing in your next lesson.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: K–2 or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. The Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Practice: Strengthen Focus: Student engagement
Virtual, 1 hour
Explore engagement strategies that cultivate a student-centered classroom. Leave with a plan to incorporate these strategies in an upcoming lesson.
Session options: Amplify ELAR K–5, Amplify SLAR K–5, or Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy
Audience: K–2 or 3–5 teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: The Amplify ELAR K–5 session is facilitated in English. The Amplify SLAR K–5 session is facilitated in Spanish. The Amplify ELAR K–5/SLAR K–5 biliteracy session is facilitated in English and Spanish.
Amplify ELAR 6–8
Amplify ELAR 6–8 is a blended English language arts curriculum designed specifically to support students in grades 6–8 and prepare them for high school and beyond. With Amplify ELAR 6–8, students learn to tackle any complex text and make observations, grapple with interesting ideas, and find relevance for themselves. The table below lists Amplify ELAR 6–8 Strengthen sessions for Begin and beyond by package.
Click the session title or scroll down to learn more about each session.
Begin package
| Strengthen sessions |
| On-site package (15 hr.) |
Hybrid 15, on-site package (15 hr.) |
Hybrid 10 package (10 hr.) |
Hybrid 15, virtual package (15 hr.) |
Virtual package (7 hr.) |
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| One session per package | On-site, 3 hr. session |
On-site, 3 hr. session |
Virtual, 1 hr. session |
Virtual, 3 hr. session |
Virtual, 1 hr. session |
| Enhancing planning | |
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| Enhancing practice |
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| Enhancing observations for leaders | |
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| Teaching with print and digital |
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| Lesson-planning |
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| Pacing |
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Begin: Enhancing planning for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your program knowledge by unpacking learning outcomes, key assessment moments, and student engagement opportunities from an Amplify ELAR 6–8 unit. Use backward planning to create a detailed plan for a unit of your choice and leave ready to begin the unit with your students.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Begin: Enhancing practice for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Experience a close reading lesson to increase your understanding of how close reading is taught in Amplify ELAR 6–8. Uncover which teacher moves will support students in tackling complex texts. Leave with a strong understanding of how to facilitate a close reading lesson that encourages student collaboration, drives analysis, and deepens understanding.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Begin: Enhancing observations for leaders
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Elevate your program knowledge to support colleagues with effective Amplify ELAR 6–8 implementation. Leave prepared to identify key instructional elements in an Amplify ELAR 6–8 lesson, analyze data, and conduct effective classroom observations.
Audience: Leaders (maximum 30 participants)
Begin: Strengthen Focus: Pacing
Virtual, 1 hour
Learn how to identify and use essential activities, timing guidance, and knowledge of your students’ strengths and needs to determine pacing for individual activities and lessons within Amplify ELAR 6–8.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Practice Packages
| Strengthen sessions |
| On-site package (15 hr.) |
Hybrid 15, on-site package (15 hr.) |
Hybrid 13 package (13 hr.) |
Virtual package (9 hr.) |
|
| One session per package | On-site, 3 hr. sessions |
Virtual, 3 hr. sessions |
Virtual, 1 hr. session |
Virtual, 3 hr. sessions |
| Enhancing planning | |
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| Enhancing practice |
|
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| Enhancing observations for leaders | |
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| Writing: Improving through feedback |
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| Supporting all learners |
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| Data-informed instruction |
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| Teaching with print and digital |
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| Lesson-planning |
|
|||
| Pacing |
|
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| Increasing student engagement |
|
|||
| Grading and assessment |
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Practice: Enhancing planning for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your program knowledge by unpacking learning outcomes, key assessment moments, and student engagement opportunities from an Amplify ELAR 6–8 unit. Use backward planning to create a detailed plan for a unit of your choice and leave ready to begin the unit with your students.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Practice: Enhancing practice for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Experience a close reading lesson to increase your understanding of how close reading is taught in Amplify ELAR 6–8. Uncover which teacher moves will support students in tackling complex texts. Leave with a strong understanding of how to facilitate a close reading lesson that encourages collaboration, drives analysis, and deepens understanding.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Practice: Enhancing observations for leaders
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Elevate your program knowledge to support colleagues with effective Amplify ELAR 6–8 implementation. Leave prepared to identify key instructional elements in an Amplify ELAR 6–8 lesson, analyze data, and conduct effective classroom observations.
Audience: Leaders (maximum 30 participants)
Practice: Writing: Improving through feedback
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your understanding of how to support students as they build writing skills in Amplify ELAR 6–8. Leave this session prepared to provide targeted feedback that supports student growth in writing. Bring samples of your students' writing responses from Amplify ELAR 6–8 to this session.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Practice: Supporting all learners
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Learn how to effectively use embedded differentiated supports in Amplify ELAR 6–8 and the Classwork app to support all students—including English language learners, students with learning disabilities, struggling readers and writers, and advanced students. Walk away with a plan for supporting specific students within your classroom.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Practice: Data-informed instruction
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Analyze your own student data and learn to turn Amplify ELAR 6–8 data into differentiated and targeted instruction. Walk away ready to use the data provided in the Reporting and Classwork apps to align embedded support to your specific student needs. This session requires educators to analyze student data, so please bring 4–6 weeks of student data from Amplify ELAR 6–8's Reporting app to this session.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Practice: Strengthen Focus: Pacing
Virtual, 1 hour
Learn how to identify and use essential activities, timing guidance, and knowledge of your students’ strengths and needs to determine pacing for individual activities and lessons within Amplify ELAR 6–8.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Practice: Strengthen Focus: Grading and assessment
Virtual, 1 hour
Learn how to use key formative and summative assessments within Amplify ELAR 6–8 to develop a plan for grading based on the specific requirements of your school or district.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
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