WYTeacherCon25

This session samples three lessons from the Wyo Wonders Minerals & Energy curriculum, designed for grades 2-5. We will engage in and discuss three activities that relate to Wyoming's natural resources, everyday products we all use to make the impact of minerals more relevant, and conservation.

Learn about one school’s journey of joining forces with the UW Literacy Research Center and Clinic to develop and implement a school wide approach to literacy instruction. This session gives an overview of 3 years worth of collaboration from think tank sessions selecting which strand of literacy has the most immediate need to have researched based practices modeled by LRCC team members in actual classrooms, and then teachers implementing those best practice strategies.

Too often, the focus is placed on the final product rather than the critical learning that happens along the way. In this session, we’ll flip that mindset and explore how emphasizing the process—research, synthesis, argumentation, and reflection—leads to deeper learning, stronger student engagement, and better critical thinking skills.

This session stands out because it goes beyond theory and delivers immediately actionable strategies that educators can implement the very next day. Attendees won’t just sit and listen—they’ll engage, reflect, and leave equipped with tools and ideas that transform everyday lessons into purposeful, high-impact learning experiences.

What makes this session unique? We focus on learning pathways, a proven approach to naturally differentiate instruction, increase engagement, and deepen student understanding. Educators will gain insights into how purposeful content instruction can be woven into dynamic classroom experiences that capture students’ curiosity and sustain engagement.

Unlike other sessions that might focus solely on engagement or instructional strategies, this session bridges the two, showing educators how to design experiences that are not only engaging but deeply rooted in content mastery. If you want to leave with practical, field-tested strategies that elevate your teaching and student outcomes, this session is a must-attend!