Texas 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.
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
Built on the science of teaching reading, Amplify ELAR Texas sequences deep content knowledge with research-based foundational skills. Amplify ELAR is a K–5 literacy curriculum that inspires curiosity and drives results, empowering all students with rich background knowledge.The table below lists Amplify ELAR Strengthen sessions by package for year one and beyond.
Click the session title or scroll down to learn more about each session.
Begin package
| 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 |
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| Supporting all learners |
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| Pacing |
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| Student engagement |
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| Writing |
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Begin: Enhancing planning for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your understanding of your next ELAR unit by engaging in a step-by-step unit and lesson planning protocol. Leave prepared to implement your next unit with both a completed unit plan and internalized lessons.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Note: When using both Amplify ELAR and SLAR, this session should be substituted for the biliteracy session facilitated in both English and Spanish.
Begin: Enhancing practice for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Practice implementing key lesson routines to strengthen your Amplify ELAR instruction. Leave with guidelines for routines you can implement in your classroom tomorrow.*
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Note: When using both Amplify ELAR and SLAR, this session should be substituted for the biliteracy session facilitated in both English and Spanish.
Begin: Enhancing observations for leaders
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Sharpen your program knowledge to support educators with effective Amplify ELAR implementation. Observe an ELAR lesson in action and practice providing high leverage feedback. Walk away prepared to provide educators with actionable feedback during your next classroom observation.
Audience: Leaders (maximum 30 participants)
Begin: Writing
Onsite or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your understanding of how to support students as they build writing skills in Amplify ELAR. Leave this session prepared to teach an upcoming writing lesson based on your student work analysis. Bring samples of your students' writing responses from Amplify ELAR to this session.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Practice packages
| Practice Year 2+ |
| 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 | |
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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 ELAR unit by engaging in a step-by-step unit and lesson planning protocol. Leave prepared to implement your next unit with both a completed unit plan and internalized lessons.*
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Note: When using both Amplify ELAR and SLAR, this session should be substituted for the biliteracy session facilitated in both English and Spanish.
Practice: Enhancing practice for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Practice implementing key lesson routines to strengthen your Amplify ELAR instruction. Leave with guidelines for routines you can implement in your classroom tomorrow.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Note: When using both Amplify ELAR and SLAR, this session should be substituted for the biliteracy session facilitated in both English and Spanish.
Practice: Enhancing observations for leaders
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Sharpen your program knowledge to support educators with effective Amplify K–5 implementation. Observe an ELAR lesson in action and practice providing high leverage feedback. Walk away prepared to provide educators with actionable feedback during your next classroom observation.
Audience: Leaders (maximum 30 participants)
Practice: Writing
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your understanding of how to support students as they build writing skills in Amplify ELAR. Leave this session prepared to teach an upcoming writing lesson based on your student work analysis. Bring samples of your students' writing responses from Amplify ELAR to this session.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Amplify SLAR
Amplify SLAR al Conocimiento Esencial is a Spanish language arts program for Grades K–5 that will inspire and engage your students to become confident readers, writers, and thinkers. The table below lists Amplify SLAR Strengthen sessions by package for year one and beyond.
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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| Pacing |
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| Student engagement |
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| Supporting all learners |
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Begin: Enhancing planning for teachers
On-site or virtual, three hours
Deepen your understanding of your next SLAR unit by engaging in a step-by-step unit- and lesson-planning protocol. Leave prepared to implement your next unit with both a completed unit plan and internalized lessons.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in Spanish.
Note: When using both Amplify ELAR and SLAR, this session should be substituted for the biliteracy session facilitated in both English and Spanish.
Begin: Enhancing practice for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Practice implementing key lesson routines to strengthen your Amplify SLAR instruction. Leave with guidelines for routines you can implement in your classroom tomorrow.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in Spanish.
Note: When using both Amplify ELAR and SLAR, this session should be substituted for the biliteracy session facilitated in both English and Spanish.
Begin: Supporting all learners
Virtual, 1 hour
Dig into embedded supports offered in the Amplify SLAR curriculum and acquire specific strategies to support all learners in your next lesson.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in Spanish.
Begin: Student engagement
Virtual, 1 hour
Explore strategies for engagement that cultivate a student-centered classroom. Leave with a plan to incorporate these strategies in an upcoming lesson.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in Spanish.
Practice packages
| Practice Year 2+ |
| On-site package (15 hr.) |
Hybrid 15, on-site package (15 hr.) |
Hybrid 13 package (13 hr.) |
Virtual 9 package (9 hr.) |
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| 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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| Writing | |
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| Pacing |
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| Student engagement |
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| Supporting all learners |
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| Getting to know the digital experience |
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Practice: Enhancing planning for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your understanding of your next SLAR unit by engaging in a step-by-step unit- and lesson-planning protocol. Leave prepared to implement your next unit with both a completed unit plan and internalized lessons.*
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in Spanish.
Note: When using both Amplify ELAR and SLAR, this session should be substituted for the biliteracy session facilitated in both English and Spanish.
Practice: Amplify ELAR + SLAR Enhancing planning for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Available: Mid-fall 2024
Deepen your understanding of your next ELAR and SLAR unit by engaging in a step-by-step unit and lesson planning protocol. Leave prepared to implement your next ELAR and SLAR unit with a completed unit plan and internalized lessons for your particular biliteracy model.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in both English and Spanish.
Practice: Enhancing practice for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Practice implementing key lesson routines to strengthen your Amplify SLAR instruction. Leave with guidelines for routines you can implement in your classroom tomorrow.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is facilitated in Spanish.
Note: When using both Amplify ELAR and SLAR, this session should be substituted for the biliteracy session facilitated in both English and Spanish.
Practice: Amplify ELAR + SLAR Knowledge enhancing practice for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Available: Mid-fall 2024
Practice implementing key lesson routines to strengthen your Amplify ELAR + SLAR instruction. Leave with guidelines for routines you can implement in your biliteracy classroom tomorrow.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in both English and Spanish.
Practice: Writing
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Deepen your understanding of how to support students as they build writing skills in Amplify SLAR. Leave this session prepared to teach an upcoming writing lesson based on your student work analysis. Bring samples of your students' writing responses from Amplify SLAR to this session.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in Spanish.
Practice: Student engagement
Virtual, 1 hour
Explore strategies for engagement that cultivate a student-centered classroom. Leave with a plan to incorporate these strategies in an upcoming lesson.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in 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, students in grades 6–8 learn to tackle any complex text, make observations, grapple with interesting ideas, and find relevance for themselves. The table below lists Amplify ELAR Strengthen sessions for year one 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 | |
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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)
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.) |
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| 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 |
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| Pacing |
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| Increasing student engagement |
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| 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 ELA. 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 based on assessment data 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 ELLs, 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 Reporting app to this session.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff of grades K–5 or 6–8 (maximum 30 participants)
Practice: 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)
Biliteracy session options
Strengthen biliteracy sessions are available for educators assessing with both Amplify ELAR and Amplify SLAR K–5.
View the table below to find options that include biliteracy sessions for educators assessing with both Amplify ELAR and Amplify SLAR K–5.
Contact your account executive to learn more about enhancing your Amplify experience by purchasing biliteracy programs and/or accompanying PD sessions.
| Session offerings for biliteracy programs |
| On-site 3 hr. |
Virtual 3 hr. |
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| Strengthen sessions |
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Begin: Amplify ELAR + SLAR Enhancing planning for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Available: Mid-fall 2024
Deepen your understanding of your next ELAR and SLAR unit by engaging in a step-by-step unit- and lesson-planning protocol. Leave prepared to implement your next ELAR and SLAR unit with a completed unit plan and internalized lessons for your particular biliteracy model.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in both English and Spanish
Begin: Amplify ELAR + SLAR Knowledge enhancing practice for teachers
On-site or virtual, 3 hours
Available: Mid-fall 2024
Practice implementing key lesson routines to strengthen your Amplify ELAR + SLAR instruction. Leave with guidelines for routines you can implement in your biliteracy classroom right away.
Audience: Teachers, instructional staff (maximum 30 participants)
Language: This session is available in both English and Spanish
Contact us
Ready to lock in your dates? Want to learn more about developing a professional development plan? Amplify welcomes the opportunity to partner with your school and district to design professional development plans to meet the needs of your staff, whether they are new or returning to the program, and answer your questions.