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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421974
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Shifting the Spotlight in Learning
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Collaborate* Room
Illuminate 2026: The belief that improving learning requires doing more is common. In reality, deeper thinking comes from shifting where the thinking happens—not from adding more. This session explores ways to shift the spotlight from the teacher to the student, so students take on more reasoning, explaining, and sense-making that drives understanding across content areas.
(Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421969
|
Spotlight on Spelling Instruction with Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Cypress Room*
Illuminate 2026: This professional development session, , focuses on strengthening early literacy instruction through phoneme-grapheme mapping, a research-based approach grounded in the Science of Reading. Participants deepen their understanding of phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, and phonics while exploring how sounds (phonemes) connect to written symbols (graphemes) to support both decoding and encoding. The training provides hands-on strategies, including the use of tiles, mapping grids, and structured routines, to explicitly teach sound-symbol relationships, build automaticity, and improve spelling and reading fluency. Educators also examine TEKS alignment, syllable types, and lesson planning structures, leaving with practical tools and a clear framework for implementing systematic, explicit phonics instruction in their classrooms.
(Grades K-2; 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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1/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421839
|
Learning on Track: Differentiation With a Digital Twist
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Dogwood Room*
Illuminate 2026: Differentiation is essential—but it can feel overwhelming. In this engaging session, educators will explore practical ways to leverage artificial intelligence to support differentiated instruction without increasing workload. Participants will learn how to use AI to generate academic vocabulary supports, analyze student tasks for misconceptions, create choice boards, and design scaffolded learning experiences. Walk away with ready-to-use prompts and strategies that help meet the needs of diverse learners while maintaining rigor - and not compromising Tier 1 instruction.
(Grades K-2; 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421790
|
Making Learning Stick: A Practical Approach to Spiraling
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Elm Room
Illuminate 2026: Teachers dedicate valuable time and effort to teaching new concepts and skills, yet students often struggle to remember what they learned just a few days earlier. The solution is spiraling! This simple and effective approach to ongoing review helps students strengthen retention, build confidence, and improve performance. In this session, we will demonstrate how easy it is to incorporate a spiraling routine into everyday classroom instruction. (Grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-12; Vendor Session)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Vendor Workshop
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421779
|
The Joy of Inquiry: Helping Students Discover the Past
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Innovate* Room
Illuminate 2026: In this engaging session, teachers will explore how to transform their classrooms into spaces where students actively investigate the past rather than passively receive it. Participants will learn practical strategies for crafting inquiry-based questions, supporting discussion, and designing aligned assessments that make historical thinking accessible to all learners. Walk away with ready-to-use ideas that spark the joy of discovery in every classroom. (Grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421704
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What Effective PLCs Do Differently: Leading with Literacy, Inquiry, and Purpose
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Maple Room
Illuminate 2026:This session explores how effective PLCs intentionally design learning experiences that prioritize literacy, inquiry, and purposeful skill development in classrooms. Participants will examine how instructional leaders at any level can ensure every discipline contributes meaningfully to student reading, writing, and critical thinking.
Educators will walk away with practical strategies to structure PLC time around analyzing student thinking, identifying patterns in student literacy data, aligning instruction to rigorous outcomes, and using targeted feedback to drive growth. (Grades 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421682
|
Are You Decomposing?
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Pine Room*
Illuminate 2026: Mental Math is a critical skill yet sometimes it doesn't receive the attention it deserves. This session will show strategies to strengthen students' mental math capacity. These practices give students the opportunity to develop effective computational strategies grounded in number sense, as well as to collaborate and communicate those strategies and solutions effectively. (Grades K-2; 3-5; Vendor Session)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
Vendor Workshop
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0/30
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421655
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Modeling for Meaning: Making Student Thinking Visible
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Sycamore Room
Illuminate 2026: Scientific models make student thinking visible. In this fast-paced, interactive session, participants will explore what counts as a model (and what doesn’t), then create their own model to explain how and why a phenomenon occurs. Grounded in ambitious science teaching, this experience shows how modeling can spark deeper thinking and stronger student explanations. (Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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422780
|
Illuminate Keynote A: Shine On: Celebrating the Suriously Illuminated Educator
8:15 AM - 9:45 AM
Cedar A/Cedar B/Cedar C*
Illuminate 2026: Get ready to laugh, reflect, and leave inspired as Gerry Brooks takes the stage for an unforgettable keynote designed to celebrate educators and the difference they make every day.
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Illuminate Keynotes
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1/30
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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422783
|
Illuminate Keynote B: Shine On: Celebrating the Suriously Illuminated Educator
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Cedar A/Cedar B/Cedar C*
Illuminate 2026: Get ready to laugh, reflect, and leave inspired as Gerry Brooks takes the stage for an unforgettable keynote designed to celebrate educators and the difference they make every day.
|
Illuminate Keynotes
|
2/30
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421843
|
Teacher Wellness: Boost Energy, Reduce Stress, and Thrive with Tech Tools
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Aspen Room
Illuminate 2026: Teaching is meaningful work, but it is demanding work! This session gives educators of any grade level strategies, tips, and tools to help manage their energy levels, address and combat stress, and use artificial-intelligence-free tech tools to improve their overall health and wellness. It will also focus on realistic routines teachers can implement without adding more to their plates. Teachers will leave with small, doable shifts they can begin immediately! (Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421980
|
When Reading Gets Off Balance: What Happens When Accuracy, Word Recognition, and Fluency Don't Work Together?
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Birch Room*
Illuminate 2026: This session will help teachers make sense of why some students can do some parts of reading but still find it harder than it should be to read with ease. We will discuss what may be happening when accuracy, word recognition, and fluency are not working together smoothly, and how they can show up in the classroom as slow, effortful, or inconsistent reading. It will also connect those areas to the underlying processes, phonological processing and memory, orthographic processing, and rapid automatized naming (RAN), and show how these skills can sometimes look fine in isolation, but break down when students have to use them together during real reading. Participants will get simple visuals, real examples, and strategies they can use right away. They’ll leave with a clearer way to spot patterns of difficulty, identify what might be getting in the way, and decide what to try next to support students and track their progress. (Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421984
|
WriteAlign: Smarter Writing Feedback. Stronger Instruction
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Collaborate* Room
Illuminate 2026: In this data-driven instruction session, teachers will learn how to use WriteAlign reports to move from student writing data to targeted instructional action. Participants will examine class trends, individual feedback, exemplars, non-exemplars, and grouping recommendations to identify specific writing gaps such as prompt understanding, central idea/thesis development, evidence selection, explanation, organization, and conventions. Teachers will practice using report evidence to determine whether a need should be addressed through Tier 1 instruction, small-group reteaching, or individual conferencing, and they will leave with a clear next-day instructional move designed to close gaps in student writing performance.
(Grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421970
|
From Requirement to Reality: Implementing Financial Literacy TEKS Without Overwhelming Your Teachers
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Cypress Room*
Illuminate 2026: This session will provide campus and district administrators with a practical overview of what full TEKS alignment looks like for high school financial literacy courses. We will cover the specific financial literacy TEKS requirements, how to structure a semester-long course that meets those standards, and what resources and tools are available to help teachers deliver engaging, effective lessons without having to build a curriculum from scratch. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what a complete financial literacy program looks like in practice and concrete next steps for implementation before the fall semester.
(Grades 9-12; Vendor Session)
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Grades 9-12
Vendor Workshop
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421844
|
TCMPC Essentials: Streamlining Unit/Lesson Planning and Design
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Dogwood Room*
Illuminate 2026: Plan Smarter, Teach Better: Unlock the Power of TCMPC Tools! Join us for an engaging overview of the Texas Curriculum Management Program Cooperative (TCMPC) and discover how its powerful tools can transform your instructional planning. By the end of this session, you’ll have practical strategies and hands-on knowledge to leverage TCMPC for effective lesson design and planning. Perfect for educators seeking to maximize instructional time and align lessons with standards.
(Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421791
|
You've Got to be Knowt-ing Me! AI Tools That Work for Every Learner
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Elm Room
Illuminate 2026: Think differentiated instruction is hard? Knowt it off your list! Discover how this free AI-powered platform transforms your notes into flashcards, quizzes, and study guides in seconds — making it easier than ever to meet every student where they are. Whether your learners need more practice, different formats, or just a little extra support, Knowt's got them covered. You'll leave wondering how you ever taught without it! (Grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-12; Vendor Session)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Vendor Workshop
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0/30
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421781
|
From Gaps to Gains: Smart Science Intervention
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Innovate* Room
Illuminate 2026: Struggling students don't need more busywork - they need smart support that works. This session is all about turning learning gaps into real gains through simple, effective intervention strategies. Explore how hands-on, teacher-led instruction and purposeful stations can boost confidence and outcomes for every learner. Discover how EduSmart resources can help you spend less time planning and more time teaching. . (Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; Vendor Session)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades K-2
Vendor Workshop
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0/30
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421718
|
Six Thinking Hats: Structuring Perspective and Civil Discourse in the Classroom
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Magnolia Room
Illuminate 2026: In this interactive session, participants will apply Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats strategy as a practical framework for guiding perspective-taking and civil discourse. Through a hands-on simulation, educators will experience how each “hat” prompts students to think critically, consider multiple viewpoints, and engage in purposeful discussion. The session models how to support students in forming clear claims, backing them with evidence, and strengthening key social studies skills such as analysis and reasoning. Participants will leave with ready-to-use strategies that promote thoughtful dialogue and deeper engagement with content.(Grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
|
0/30
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421707
|
Words in Action: Boost Vocabulary & Reading Confidence!
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Maple Room
Illuminate 2026: Tired of students guessing word meanings? Come explore fun, practical strategies to help them understand words in context and use them with confidence. Walk away with ready-to-go activities that make vocabulary stick—and make reading more rewarding for every student.(Grades K-2; 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421686
|
Mix Tape Learning: Connecting Content Through Music
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Pine Room*
Illuminate 2026: Discover how songs can be transformed into engaging, standards-aligned lessons that connect multiple subject areas and increase student engagement. Participants will explore strategies for breaking down lyrics and themes to spark learning in ELA, social studies, science, and more. Bonus: we’ll use AI tools to create our own custom classroom song to support student learning. (Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421660
|
Let's Make a Champion
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Sycamore Room
Illuminate 2026: Learn about the fascinating world of agriculture genetics by building a champion! In this workshop attendees will learn how blue eyes, the splash white gene, and deafness are linked in horses. Additionally, participants will learn how horse owners perform selective breeding based on appearance, pedigree, and show record to obtain the desired traits. Finally, attendees will then put their newfound knowledge to the test and have the opportunity to perform monohybrid and dihybrid crosses to determine which cross will give the desired characteristics. (Grades 9-12)
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Grades 9-12
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421775
|
Savor the PHLavors of PFL: Treats for Student Success
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Birch Room*
Illuminate 2026: This presentation features a taste of the themes from all 5 of our Personal Financial Literacy (PFL) modules and highlight a student engagement exercise from each. This session is for anyone want to learn more about how to successfully manage not only your PFL/Economics classroom but your own personal finances too. Grow professionally and personally! (Grades 3-5, 6-8; 9-12; Vendor Session)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Vendor Workshop
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0/30
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421971
|
Differentiation with AI
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Cypress Room*
Illuminate 2026: Every classroom includes diverse learners with unique needs. In this one-hour session, participants will explore how AI can support personalized learning in practical and manageable ways. The session will highlight strategies for adapting content, offering multiple learning options, and creating flexible assessments through real classroom examples. Educators will leave with ideas and tools they can apply to support differentiation in their classrooms.
(Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
|
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421846
|
TCMPC Essentials: Streamlining Unit/Lesson Planning and Design
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Dogwood Room*
Illuminate 2026: Plan Smarter, Teach Better: Unlock the Power of TCMPC Tools! Join us for an engaging overview of the Texas Curriculum Management Program Cooperative (TCMPC) and discover how its powerful tools can transform your instructional planning. By the end of this session, you’ll have practical strategies and hands-on knowledge to leverage TCMPC for effective lesson design and planning. Perfect for educators seeking to maximize instructional time and align lessons with standards.
(Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
|
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
|
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421792
|
Teaching Upstanders: Building Community, Leadership, and Courage Through History
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Elm Room
Illuminate 2026: How can we help elementary students see themselves as people who can make a difference? In this interactive session, educators will explore practical strategies for teaching Upstander skills through the power of historical examples. Using age-appropriate stories of individuals who stood up for others and strengthened their communities, participants will learn how to help students recognize fairness, empathy, and responsibility in action.
Educators will leave with classroom-ready approaches for fostering leadership, encouraging respectful dialogue, and helping students practice positive decision-making. Through discussion, reflection, and hands-on activities, participants will discover ways to connect history to students’ everyday lives—empowering young learners to see themselves as active, caring members of their communities.
Participants will gain tools to cultivate a classroom culture where courage, kindness, and civic responsibility are not only discussed, but practiced. (Grades K-2; 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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0/30
|
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421789
|
From Gaps to Gains: Smart Science Intervention
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Innovate* Room
Illuminate 2026: Struggling students don't need more busywork - they need smart support that works. This session is all about turning learning gaps into real gains through simple, effective intervention strategies. Explore how hands-on, teacher-led instruction and purposeful stations can boost confidence and outcomes for every learner. Discover how EduSmart resources can help you spend less time planning and more time teaching. . (Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; Vendor Session)
|
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades K-2
Vendor Workshop
|
0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421773
|
Evidence-Based Stations
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Magnolia Room
Illuminate 2026: In this high-energy, hands-on workshop, teachers will discover practical ways to transform everyday lessons into rich opportunities for student collaboration and deeper thinking. Participants will experience engaging group and station activities designed to boost participation, curiosity, and problem-solving. (Grades 3-5, 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421708
|
Illuminating Thinking: Helping Students Get Unstuck
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Maple Room
Illuminate 2026: In every classroom, students encounter moments where they get stuck—unsure of the next step, overwhelmed, or quick to disengage. This session focuses on practical, low-prep strategies that help students restart their thinking without the teacher taking over. Participants will explore simple ways to prompt, redirect, and support students so they can move forward in their learning with greater independence and confidence.(Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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1/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421689
|
Enhancing Student Writing Through Writable and AI
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Pine Room*
Illuminate 2026: This session focuses on improving student writing skills through the use of Writable and its integrated AI features. HMH Writable provides students with opportunities to practice writing across multiple genres while receiving immediate, personalized feedback that helps strengthen grammar, organization, clarity, and critical thinking skills. By incorporating AI-driven tools, teachers can save time on grading and provide more targeted instruction based on individual student needs. The platform also supports revision and collaboration, encouraging students to become more independent and confident writers. Through consistent use of HMH Writable, students can develop stronger communication skills, improve academic performance, and engage more actively in the writing process. This proposal aims to demonstrate how technology and AI can create a more efficient, supportive, and interactive learning environment for both teachers and students. (Grades 3-5; 6-8)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421666
|
Matter of Fact: You can have Art in Science!
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Sycamore Room
Illuminate 2026: The school year starts with Physical Properties of Matter. You want to get the students engaged from the beginning to spark their interest. There are so many schools now that do not have art. Using Art to engage students in Science will help peak the interest of students that learn differently and can get lost. Our students do not learn in one way, they are not cookie cutters. They need a wide variety of ways to learn. This can entice more students and bring about more of the joy of learning Science. (Grades K-2; 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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1/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421972
|
Accelerate Student Learning: Strengthening Readers by Empowering Writers
1:55 PM - 2:55 PM
Cypress Room*
Illuminate 2026:
Strong literacy instruction bridges reading and writing to deepen comprehension and accelerate student learning. Research confirms that reading and writing develop through reciprocal processes—and that strong writers are strong readers. In this workshop, participants will learn how to support all learners, from striving readers to college- and career-bound students, through practical, creative, research-based strategies that strengthen student writing while deepening reading comprehension.
(Grades 6-8; 9-12; Vendor Session)
|
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Vendor Workshop
|
1/30
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421795
|
Reset, Refocus, Re-engage: The Power of Purposeful Brain Breaks
1:55 PM - 2:55 PM
Elm Room
Illuminate 2026: Throughout the instructional day, students face a variety of demands that challenge their focus, engagement, task completion, and self-regulation. Brain breaks are short, simple activities that can be incorporated into the day and differentiated to meet individual needs. This is no “sit and get!” Be prepared to get up and move as we explore how brain breaks can boost cognitive performance, unleash creative thinking, and support students’ executive functioning and emotional control. (Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-9; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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1/30
|
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421782
|
The “BOT” Budget Challenge: A STEM Activity
1:55 PM - 2:55 PM
Innovate* Room
Illuminate 2026: Relax and let your creative juices flow as you step into the role of a student engineer in this engaging, hands-on session. Participants will work collaboratively to design and construct a cardstock robot while integrating key academic concepts including financial literacy, measurement, area and perimeter, and inventive thinking. This cross-disciplinary activity allows educators to experience the learning process from a student perspective while gaining a practical lesson that can be easily implemented in their own classrooms.
Working in teams, participants will use the Engineering Design Process to plan, design, and construct a 12-inch robot made from cardstock. Each team will operate within a $50 project budget, requiring them to make thoughtful decisions as they “purchase” materials needed to bring their design to life. During the planning phase, teams will brainstorm ideas, develop a design plan, and complete a purchase order for their materials. Once materials are selected, teams will build their robots within a designated timeframe, applying collaboration and problem-solving skills throughout the process.
As part of the mathematical component of the activity, participants will calculate the area and perimeter of each measurable face of their robot as well as determine the total area and perimeter of their design. After construction is complete, teams will evaluate their outcomes, discuss possible design improvements, and consider how iteration could strengthen their final product.
The session will conclude with a discussion of classroom implementation strategies, including ways to scaffold the activity for different grade levels, differentiate for diverse learners, and integrate the lesson into existing curriculum. Participants will also reflect on the learning experience and leave with a ready-to-use lesson that blends creativity, collaboration, engineering, financial literacy, and mathematics into one engaging classroom project.(Grades 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
|
0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421774
|
Growth That Matters: When Local Data Meets STAAR Results
1:55 PM - 2:55 PM
Magnolia Room
Illuminate 2026: STAAR data tells part of the story—but local assessment data completes it. In this session, participants will learn how to use DMAC to intentionally compare STAAR results with local assessment data to validate growth, identify instructional impact, and guide next steps for students and campuses. (Grades 3-5, 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
|
0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421709
|
From History to Action: Teaching Civic Responsibility and Leadership Through Historical Upstanders
1:55 PM - 2:55 PM
Maple Room
Illuminate 2026: How can educators help students connect historical learning to their role as engaged citizens today? In this cross-curricular session, secondary educators will explore how stories of historical Upstanders—individuals who demonstrated responsibility, leadership, and courage in their communities—can support instruction on critical thinking, civic engagement, and primary source analysis.
Using primary sources such as letters, speeches, photographs, and government documents, participants will examine moments when individuals and communities stood up against injustice and worked to expand rights and opportunities. Educators will practice strategies to help students analyze evidence, evaluate multiple perspectives, and engage in structured academic discussions—skills emphasized across the TEKS in social studies and English language arts.
Designed for teachers across disciplines—including social studies, ELA, and humanities—this session will model instructional approaches that integrate historical inquiry, literacy skills, and civic learning. Participants will leave with adaptable, TEKS-aligned strategies to help students build leadership skills, practice respectful discourse, and understand how individual actions can shape communities and a democratic society.(Grades 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
|
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421693
|
Classroom AI Top 3
1:55 PM - 2:55 PM
Pine Room*
Illuminate 2026:Join us as we explore different AI tools for education. We're going to highlight 3 different platforms (SchoolAI, Snorkl, and MagicSchool) and learn strategies and best practices for implementing them in your classroom. You don't have to be an AI expert to come, just a desire to use some of the latest tools to help advance your students' learning. We'll walk from the basics to platform mastery across all of these programs, and the best part is... they're all FREE! This will be an exciting day of AI learning. (Grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
|
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Wednesday July 15, 2026
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421671
|
From Silent Nods to Scientific Talk: Transforming Formative Assessment with Human Bingo
1:55 PM - 2:55 PM
Sycamore Room
Illuminate 2026: Are you tired of getting “silent nods” when you ask students if they understand a concept?
It’s time to transform your classroom into a living laboratory of conversation.
In this high-energy, hands-on workshop, participants will experience Formative Assessment Human Bingo. Participants will learn how to design and implement a structured Human Bingo activity as a standards-aligned formative assessment tool that promotes student discourse and deeper understanding. Participants will leave with a practical, ready-to-use set of Human Bingo templates, sample prompts aligned to science standards, and practical strategies for increasing student engagement. (Grades 3-5; 6-8)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
|
0/30
|
|
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422440
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Show and Tell Redux
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Collaborate* Room
Illuminate 2026: Taking notes in the digital age has become redundant in the eyes of our students. Printing off the slides or taking pictures with their smartphones are the ready responses given by students. The cross-curricular, interdisciplinary, and vertically integrated methodology explored in this session is backed by decades of research, and addresses the growing visual intelligence of our digital natives in the classroom. This best practice is one which has been used for decades in the presenter's classroom adapted for different grade levels, from elementary to university and adult students. Join in and create something fun and useful for your classroom!. (Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422444
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Applying Advanced Word Study and Language Comprehension in Secondary Classrooms
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Cypress Room*
Illuminate 2026: Secondary teachers are often expected to support increasingly complex texts, yet many students still struggle with decoding multisyllabic words, understanding academic language, and constructing meaning from grade-level content. While foundational literacy is typically emphasized in early grades, the need for explicit instruction in advanced word study and language comprehension remains critical in middle and high school classrooms.
This session bridges that gap by equipping secondary educators with practical, research-aligned strategies. Participants will explore how advanced word study (morphology, syllable types, and word analysis) and language comprehension (syntax, vocabulary, and discourse) can be intentionally integrated into content-area instruction.(Grades 6-8)
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Grades 6-8
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422448
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Tier 2 Interventions for Math and Reading: Supporting Students Who Struggle
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Dogwood Room*
Illuminate 2026: Determining how best to support students who are experiencing difficulty can be challenging. This professional learning session is designed to provide practical, effective strategies to strengthen Tier 2 interventions in both math and reading.
Participants will begin by exploring how to accurately identify students who require targeted intervention versus those who need additional clarification. The session will then focus on a variety of easy-to-implement instructional strategies aimed at addressing misconceptions, deepening understanding, and promoting meaningful student thinking.
By the end of the workshop, educators will be equipped with actionable tools to confidently respond when students are not yet mastering essential skills.(Grades 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
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1/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421797
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Branding Better Writers: Explicit Writing Instruction
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Elm Room
Illuminate 2026: Saddle up for a practical, solution-focused session that tackles one of the most pressing challenges in today’s classrooms: How do we explicitly teach writing within high-quality instructional materials? Participants will explore how to intentionally embed explicit writing instruction into Bluebonnet lessons by leveraging the writing process planning, drafting, revising, and editing in meaningful and manageable ways. Through real classroom examples and hands-on application, educators will learn how to model writing and guide students in organizing their thinking into clear, structured responses.
This session also connects writing instruction to STAAR Extended Constructed Responses (ECRs), providing practical “how-to” strategies that help students answer prompts, use text evidence, and explain their thinking with clarity and confidence.
Join the round-up and leave equipped with concrete tools to move beyond the WHAT and confidently teach the HOW so you can brand better writers in your classroom. (Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-9; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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1/30
|
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421783
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Slide to the Right, Slide to the Left: Coding the Cupid Shuffle in Python
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Innovate* Room
Illuminate 2026: Let's turn your classroom into a dance floor! In this hands-on session, participants will explore how coding can engage students in STEM and bring the joy of movement and creativity into math and science learning. You'll code using python to “line dance” to classics like the Cupid Shuffle and the Electric Slide. Just like teaching students the steps of a dance, you'll see how coding can be scaffolded for learners of all levels. This session is for beginners with no coding experience to those ready to choreograph their own routines. By the end, you'll leave with: A ready-to-use, student-friendly coding activity that sparks excitement, ideas to connect coding to rhythm, patterns and problem-solving, and a playful, out-of-the-box way to get students moving, thinking and laughing while building technology and coding skills. No dance skills required — just your curiosity, energy and willingness to have fun! (Grades 6-8)
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Grades 6-8
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421692
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The Lazy Genius Educator: Practical Systems for Teachers and Leaders That Protect Energy and Impact Student Learning
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Pine Room*
Illuminate 2026:This session is based on The Lazy Genius Way and the Lazy Genius podcast by Kendra Adachi. The core idea of her work is simple: be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that do not. While her framework is written for everyday life, the principles translate so naturally into the school setting.
Educators often feel overwhelmed not because they are ineffective, but because they are overextended. Teachers and leaders carry multiple initiatives, constant decision-making, and high expectations. This session applies the Lazy Genius principles directly to instructional practice and campus systems in a practical, school-based way.
The session is designed for both teachers and leaders. It is interactive, discussion-based, and built around real examples from classrooms and campuses. I will briefly introduce several high-impact principles from the Lazy Genius framework, including Decide Once, Start Small, Essentialize, Go in the Right Order, Ask the Magic Question, Batch It, and Build the Right Routines.(Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421672
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Tricks, Treats, and Thinking: A Spooky Science Sneak Peek
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Sycamore Room
Illuminate 2026: What happens when shadows don’t follow the rules? In this hands-on teaser session, educators will dive into a series of quick investigations that challenge assumptions about light and shadow. Using structured inquiry and Depth and Complexity, participants will uncover patterns, test ideas, and explain phenomena that seem impossible at first glance.
Walk away with a fresh perspective on how to turn simple science concepts into high-level thinking experiences that hook learners and push their reasoning further.(Grades K-2; 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422035
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Making Learning Stick: A Practical Approach to Spiraling
9:25 AM - 10:25 AM
Birch Room*
Illuminate 2026: Teachers dedicate valuable time and effort to teaching new concepts and skills, yet students often struggle to remember what they learned just a few days earlier. The solution is spiraling! This simple and effective approach to ongoing review helps students strengthen retention, build confidence, and improve performance. In this session, we will demonstrate how easy it is to incorporate a spiraling routine into everyday classroom instruction. (Grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-12; Vendor Session)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Vendor Workshop
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422441
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Teaching That Sticks
9:25 AM - 10:25 AM
Collaborate* Room
Illuminate 2026: Why do students forget what they have learned? This interactive session explores the connection between memory and learning and provides practical, research-based strategies to improve retention. Participants will learn six retrieval practices and two spaced retrieval strategies that are engaging, efficient, and easy to implement across grade levels and content areas.
Attendees will practice the strategies, examine student examples, and receive resources to support classroom implementation. While examples will be drawn from a social studies classroom, the strategies can be applied in any instructional setting. (Grades 6-8)
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Grades 6-8
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422445
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From Writing Time to Writing Instruction: Shifts That Actually Grow Writers
9:25 AM - 10:25 AM
Cypress Room*
Illuminate 2026: This session is designed as an interactive, practice-focused professional learning experience that models the same evidence-based writing instruction participants are expected to implement. The facilitation follows a gradual release structure to ensure both understanding and transfer to classroom practice. The session opens with a brief framing that establishes the research base for writing as a core component of literacy and clarifies the learning goals. Participants engage in a short diagnostic reflection comparing “writing time” vs. explicit writing instruction to activate prior knowledge and surface current practices. The facilitator then models key instructional routines drawn from the eight evidence-based shifts described in the session (oral rehearsal, knowledge-rich topics, explicit structure, sentence-level instruction, revision for meaning, and feedback that grows writers). Using authentic K–5 classroom examples and student work samples, participants analyze how each shift strengthens both writing and reading development. Participants engage in structured, collaborative activities throughout the session, including: identifying instructional differences between traditional and evidence-based writing practices - rehearsing oral language planning routines - analyzing sentence-level revision examples - examining feedback statements for effectiveness - mapping a protected writing block within a realistic daily schedule Teachers or leaders draft one actionable change aligned to their grade level or role, like adding oral rehearsal routines, redesigning revision instruction, protecting writing time. The facilitator provides guided prompts and examples to support transfer. The session concludes with reflection and commitment, where participants identify an immediate implementation step and anticipated impact on student writing and literacy development. Optional planning templates and instructional tools are provided for continued use beyond the session. This structure ensures the session meets its objectives by combining research grounding, explicit modeling, collaborative analysis, and practical application focused on improving K–5 writing instruction.(Grades K-2, 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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1/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422449
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Reach for the Starrs: Teaching History Through Hands-On Discovery
9:25 AM - 10:25 AM
Dogwood Room*
Illuminate 2026: This session will provide educators a background on Starr Family Home, a Texas State Historic Site, which has stood in Marshall for over 150 years. Today it serves as a primary source where students can learn about what it was like to grow up in the 19th century, the technology of the period, and some of the people who were instrumental in the development of this community. Teachers will rotate through hands-on stations, participating in the types of activities that students do at the site. Lesson plans for each will be provided, so that they can also be utilized in the classroom.(Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12; Vendor Session)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
Vendor Workshop
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1/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421799
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Exploration Stations
9:25 AM - 10:25 AM
Elm Room
Illuminate 2026: This teacher-led professional development session models how to use Exploration Stations to deepen student understanding within a unit of study. In step one, teachers design and provide structured stations where students actively explore content through primary sources, visuals, texts, and guided tasks. Each station is intentionally scaffolded to promote inquiry and critical thinking. In step two, the teacher facilitates a whole-class debrief to clarify misconceptions, reinforce key concepts, and connect learning across stations. In step three, students apply their new knowledge through a meaningful task—such as discussion, writing, or problem-solving—to extend and solidify their understanding. This process promotes engagement, ownership of learning, and deeper conceptual mastery.
(Grades 6-8)
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Grades 6-8
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421784
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Canva: Templates and Bulk Creating
9:25 AM - 10:25 AM
Innovate* Room
Illuminate 2026: During this presentation, I would like to share Canva’s capability of Bulk Creating as well as sharing template ideas to save teachers time and money used on resources. I believe that using templates that only change in content can allow students to become comfortable with the presentation of materials as the layout is easier to use. I am hopeful this will reach teachers across all grade levels and allow the Sunday Scaries to have limited appearances throughout the year. (Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421776
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Creating an Environment Where Productive Struggle is Productive!
9:25 AM - 10:25 AM
Magnolia Room
Illuminate 2026: Explore how intentional routines, clear expectations, and a positive classroom culture create the conditions for productive struggle in math. Participants will experience strategies that help students persist through challenges, make sense of problems, and learn from mistakes through purposeful questioning and reflection. Teachers will leave with practical routines and language they can use immediately to help students think deeply, stay engaged, and grow as confident problem solvers. Grades K-2; 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421721
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Sticky Vocabulary: Play Your Way to Vocabulary Mastery
9:25 AM - 10:25 AM
Maple Room
Illuminate 2026: Transform vocabulary practice into an engaging, game-based experience. In this interactive session, participants will explore a simple four-card system—word, definition, image, and everyday application—to reinforce and deepen student understanding. Walk away with ready-to-use game structures that can be easily adapted across science topics. (Grades 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421675
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Everyday Science Through Inquiry - Empowering All Students to Think Like Scientists
9:25 AM - 10:25 AM
Sycamore Room
Illuminate 2026: Everyday Science Through Inquiry – Empowering All Students to Think Like Scientists highlights how inquiry-based learning helps students take ownership of their science learning while building a deep understanding of TEKS. This session shows how shifting instruction from teacher-led to student-driven increases engagement and encourages students to think and work like scientists.
Participants will learn practical strategies that support all learners—general education, special education, English language learners, and gifted students—through hands-on investigations and purposeful questioning. Teachers will leave with easy-to-use inquiry strategies and a clear plan for implementing them in their own classrooms so that all students can grow as scientists. (Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421991
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The HB 27 Clock Is Ticking: A Texas-Built PFL Solution for Your District
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Aspen Room
Illuminate 2026: Texas House Bill 27 requires all high school students to complete a standalone, half-credit Personal Financial Literacy (PFL) course to graduate beginning this Fall — and the clock is ticking for districts to have a compliant solution in place. In this session, participants will get a clear, practical breakdown of what HB 27 actually requires, how the TEKS are structured, and what districts need to look for in a curriculum to stay compliant and engage students.
Attendees will also get an inside look at uThrive Academy's Getting Ahead: A Roadmap to Career Clarity & Financial Freedom, a Texas-built, TEKS-aligned, HB 27-compliant hybrid PFL curriculum designed specifically for Texas high schoolers. The semester course features 32 turn-key complete lesson plans and assessments across six modules covering careers, budgeting, saving and investing, credit, and financial protection. Whether you're a curriculum director, instructional coach, or campus/district leader still figuring out your PFL plan, you'll leave this session with the information and resources you need to get your district ready. (Grades 9-12; Vendor Session)
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Grades 9-12
Vendor Workshop
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422025
|
Growing Thinkers: From “I Do” to “You Do”: Empowering K-5 Learners Through The Gradual Release of Responsibility in All Content Areas
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Birch Room*
Illuminate 2026: Growing Thinkers: From “I Do” to “You Do” is an interactive professional learning session designed to help K–5 educators implement the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) framework across all content areas. Participants will explore practical strategies for moving students from teacher-supported learning to independent application through focused instruction, guided practice, collaboration, and independent learning. Through engaging activities, classroom examples, and lesson-planning opportunities, educators will leave with tools to increase student engagement, critical thinking, and ownership of learning. (Grades K-2, 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422442
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Cashing In on the Corn: Growing A-Maize-ing Financial Literacy
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Collaborate* Room
Illuminate 2026: In this session, educators will discover how to transform abstract economic concepts into tangible, 'homegrown' lessons that resonate with elementary students (K-5). Participants will learn how to guide students through the lifecycle of money—from 'planting' (saving) and 'nurturing' (investing) to 'harvesting' (responsible spending)—while gaining quick, easy financial literacy practices that can be seamlessly incorporated into any daily classroom schedule. By seeing how this approach is applied in a real-world classroom, you will learn how to adapt these methods to all elementary financial literacy TEKS, directly aligning with Math standards through the integration of real-world word problems, data analysis, and algebraic thinking. Attendees will leave with a bushel of ready-to-use activities that ensure students don't just learn about money, but actually grow the skills needed for lifelong financial independence. Join us to see how we can make financial literacy more than just a requirement—let’s make it a-maize-ing! (Grades K-2, 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422446
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Shining Through Dialogue: Structured Discussions for Civil Discourse
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Cypress Room*
Illuminate 2026: In social studies classrooms, powerful ideas emerge when students are given structured opportunities to speak, listen, and engage across diverse perspectives. This session explores discussion-based strategies (including Philosophical Chairs, Inside–Outside Circle, Pinwheel, Hot Seat, and Fold the Line) that cultivate civil discourse across diverse perspectives. Participants will learn how to design and facilitate structured academic discussions that move beyond opinion-sharing to evidence-based reasoning, intellectual empathy, and respectful disagreement. When classrooms are built on intentional dialogue, student thinking deepens, confidence grows, and ideas truly come to shine. Teachers will leave with ready-to-implement discussion strategies adaptable across U.S. History, World History, and Government courses.(Grades 9-12)
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Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422450
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Unlocking Texts: Practical Close Reading Strategies for the Classroom
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Dogwood Room*
Illuminate 2026: In this hands-on session, 3rd–5th grade teachers will explore strategies to help students become thoughtful, curious readers. We’ll break down the process of close reading into manageable steps that encourage deeper comprehension, critical thinking, and meaningful discussion. Discover how to guide students through multiple reads of a text—each with a different purpose—and how to use text-dependent questions to unlock layers of meaning. Walk away with ready-to-use tools and routines that make close reading engaging, purposeful, and accessible for all learners..(Grades 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
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1/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421804
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Low Prep, High Impact: Engaging Activities for the 4 Language Domains
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Elm Room
Illuminate 2026: Looking for meaningful, low-prep strategies to support emergent bilinguals—especially when time and energy are limited? In this interactive session, participants will engage in hands-on activities across the four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each activity is classroom-ready and designed to build language through collaboration, vocabulary development, and meaningful engagement. Walk away with practical strategies you can implement immediately—no extra planning required. This is perfect for all grade levels and content areas. (Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421785
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Making Knowt-It-Alls: Easy Test Prep for Every Student
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Innovate* Room
Illuminate 2026: Test prep doesn't have to mean stressed students and last-minute cram sessions. In this session, discover how Knowt's AI-powered platform transforms how students prepare for any test including AP exams, SAT, and ACT — building real study habits that stick without the burnout. See how teachers turn notes into exam-ready flashcards, practice tests, and personalized study sets in minutes for FREE! Walk away with a simple, repeatable framework that boosts student engagement, builds confidence, and fits seamlessly into any classroom. Whether you're a teacher or instructional leader, you'll leave ready to make Knowt-It-Alls out of every single student. (Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Vendor Session)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Vendor Workshop
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421777
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Lessons of Courage: Teaching Holocaust Literature and History Across the Curriculum
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Magnolia Room
Illuminate 2026: This session provides upper-elementary and secondary educators with practical strategies for teaching Holocaust literature and history in engaging, age-appropriate, and academically rigorous ways. Participants will explore TEA-approved and TEKS-aligned approaches to guide students through required texts such as Number the Stars, Night, and The Diary of Anne Frank, while also incorporating broader literary, historical, and civic learning objectives aligned with the Bluebonnet Learning framework.
Educators and administrators will learn how to use primary and secondary sources, discussion strategies, and analytical techniques to foster critical thinking, empathy, and historical understanding. This session highlights adaptable, wrap-around, cross-curricular lesson resources designed to integrate social studies, ELA, and humanities instruction. These materials are also ideal for Holocaust Remembrance Week, supporting reflective activities, interdisciplinary connections, and student-centered exploration of courage and resilience. Participants will leave with TEKS-aligned, ready-to-use strategies and resources that support literacy and historical inquiry. (Grades 3-5; 6-8)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
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1/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421677
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Start Your Engines: Middle School Physics Fun
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Sycamore Room
Illuminate 2026: In the presentation, we will be sharing activities for a 6-8 aligned unit on force and motion. The activities the participants will experience will include: a hands-on activity with technology to collect and analyze data that will aid in calculating speed, and a hands-on activity using technology to graph motion in real time. We will also provide links to activities/projects that participants can use that will not be demonstrated/experienced, which will align the concept of force and motion to TEKS for grades 6-8. (Grades 6-8)
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Grades 6-8
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422051
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Growth That Matters: When Local Data Meets STAAR Results
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM
Birch Room*
Illuminate 2026: STAAR data tells part of the story—but local assessment data completes it. In this session, participants will learn how to use DMAC to intentionally compare STAAR results with local assessment data to validate growth, identify instructional impact, and guide next steps for students and campuses.(Grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422443
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Enchanted Writing: Magical Tips to Transform Student Writing
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM
Collaborate* Room
Illuminate 2026: Let the magic begin! Wave your wand and transform student writing! This enchanted session blends fairy-tale magic with research-backed Tier 1 strategies. Discover cross-modal tools to inspire vivid language and engagement. Transform "boring" into spellbinding, and make your dreams of powerful student writing come true.
This workshop bridges foundational literacy and imaginative flair through cross-modal strategies that engage every sense. Participants will learn to use visual sketching as a blueprint for drafting, followed by kinesthetic "wand" editing to target punctuation and flow. By integrating auditory oral rehearsal, students refine their voice before writing. We focus on transforming basic sentences into spellbinding narratives by "sprinkling" sensory details, vivid verbs, and phenomenal Tier 2 adjectives. These universal Tier 1 tools empower students to choose language intentionally, turning static prose into an immersive, multi-sensory experience. (Grades K-2, 3-5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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1/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422447
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Read Receipts & Real Regrets: Mapping out the ECR and SCR using the TEXT Method
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM
Cypress Room*
Illuminate 2026: In today’s world of digital communication, students often struggle with misreading messages and missing subtle tones—similar to the tricky social interactions seen in stories like Gary Soto’s "Seventh Grade." This session teachers practical, interactive ways to help students prepare for the challenging writing tasks on the STAAR test, specifically the Extended Constructed Response (ECR) and Short Constructed Response (SCR). Instead of using boring, repetitive formulas, teachers will learn to use the simple but effective TEXT Method (Topic, Evidence, Explain, Tie-it-back), which helps students learn to balance quoting from the text with deep analysis.
Using a fun, relevant writing prompt that links modern texting misunderstandings to the awkward communication of students, teachers will try out easy, ready-to-use classroom activities. These include simple strategies like color-coded sticky notes, gallery walks analyzing texts, and clear student-friendly rubrics—all designed to reduce writer’s block and improve student writing from basic summaries to top-level analysis. Teachers will leave with a digital collection of helpful tools, including sentence starters, guidance for different student needs, and example models, so they can start using these ideas in their classrooms immediately.(Grades 6-8, 9-12)
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Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422452
|
Supporting Student-Centered Learning with Thinking Classroom Strategies
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM
Dogwood Room*
Illuminate 2026: Learn practical Thinking Classroom routines that support whole-class learning while keeping students actively engaged in reasoning and discussion. Teachers will explore simple structures that increase participation, promote collaboration, and help keep the thinking with students during instruction. (Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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1/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421808
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National History Day and your Classroom: A Teacher's Guide
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM
Elm Room
Illuminate 2026: Empower your students to shine in Texas History Day! This teacher workshop provides practical guidance on supporting students through the research, project development, and competition process. Participants will learn best practices for mentoring students across all categories, accessing high-quality primary sources, and integrating Texas History Day into existing curriculum. The session also highlights opportunities for educators to receive stipends and funding with our Junior Historians program.(Grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421786
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From Names to Narratives: Making Learning Stick with Biography Cards
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM
Innovate* Room
Illuminate 2026: In this interactive session, participants will experience a variety of engaging strategies that use Texas Law Related Education's biography cards to transform how students connect with content. Through modeled activities, educators will explore how to help students step into the perspectives of significant individuals, build meaningful connections across historical events, and actively engage with social studies skills such as analysis, inference, and contextualization. By approaching history as a collection of human stories rather than isolated facts, these strategies support deeper understanding and long-term retention while making learning both dynamic and memorable for students. (Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421778
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Revising with Purpose
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM
Magnolia Room
Illuminate 2026: This workshop targets the core revising skills found in TEKS, where students often struggle to improve clarity, organization, diction, and sentence effectiveness. The session will include model revision with purposeful, strategic processes that strengthen sentence effectiveness through combining, expanding, and refining techniques. (Grades 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
|
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421723
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Differentiation with AI
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM
Maple Room
Illuminate 2026: Every classroom includes diverse learners with unique needs. In this one-hour session, participants will explore how AI can support personalized learning in practical and manageable ways. The session will highlight strategies for adapting content, offering multiple learning options, and creating flexible assessments through real classroom examples. Educators will leave with ideas and tools they can apply to support differentiation in their classrooms. (Grades K-2; 3-5, 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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421679
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Flower Power
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM
Sycamore Room
Illuminate 2026: Flower Power is a session that combines the arts with science. Participants will first learn the basic parts of the flower. Then they will put their knowledge to the test to make a flower and all of its reproductive parts using origami. Participant will be able to take home their origami flower. (Grades 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422571
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Administrators Chat: Leading Illuminated Educators
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Aspen Room
Illuminate 2026: Designed for campus and district leaders, this facilitated discussion provides an opportunity to reflect on leadership through the lens of an Illuminated Erducator. Participants will network with fellow administrators, discuss current educational priorities and challenges, share leadership practices, and collaborate on ideas that support educator effectiveness and student success. Facilitated by Region 7 Specialists, this session encourages meaningful connections and professional growth..(Administrators)
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Administrators
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422566
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Elementary RLA Content Chat: Becoming an Illuminated Educator
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Birch Room*
Illuminate 2026: Join Region 7 Specialists for an interactive discussion designed for Reading Language Arts educators. Participants will reflect on what it means to be an Illuminated Erducator in literacy instruction, engage in conversations around current RLA trends and challenges, share effective practices, and network with colleagues from across the region. Leave with fresh ideas, valuable connections, and renewed inspiration for supporting student literacy success.(Grades K -2; 3 - 5)
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Grades 3-5
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1/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422565
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Secondary RLA Content Chat: Becoming an Illuminated Educator
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cypress Room*
Illuminate 2026: Join Region 7 Specialists for an interactive discussion designed for Reading Language Arts educators. Participants will reflect on what it means to be an Illuminated Erducator in literacy instruction, engage in conversations around current RLA trends and challenges, share effective practices, and network with colleagues from across the region. Leave with fresh ideas, valuable connections, and renewed inspiration for supporting student literacy success.(Grades 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422567
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Elementary Math Content Chat: Becoming an Illuminated Educator
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Dogwood Room*
Illuminate 2026: Connect with fellow mathematics educators in this collaborative session facilitated by Region 7 Specialists. Reflect on your role as an Illuminated Erducator while exploring current topics in mathematics education. Participants will discuss instructional practices, problem-solving strategies, and emerging trends, while building a professional network that supports continuous growth and student achievement..(Grades K -2; 3 - 5)
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Grades 3-5
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422570
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Social Studies Content Chat: Becoming an Illuminated Educator
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Elm Room
Illuminate 2026: Engage in meaningful dialogue with social studies educators from across the region. Facilitated by Region 7 Specialists, this session invites participants to reflect on their role as Illuminated Erducators, discuss current topics and challenges in social studies instruction, share successful strategies, and build connections that support engaging and impactful learning experiences for students..(Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422569
|
Science Content Chat: Becoming an Illuminated Educator
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Magnolia Room
Illuminate 2026: Join Region 7 Specialists for a dynamic conversation focused on science teaching and learning. Participants will reflect on their impact as Illuminated Erducators, discuss current issues and innovations in science education, exchange ideas and resources, and collaborate with peers to strengthen classroom practices that inspire curiosity and scientific thinking.(Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Grades K-2
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0/30
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Thursday July 16, 2026
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422568
|
Secondary Math Content Chat: Becoming an Illuminated Educator
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Pine Room*
Illuminate 2026: Connect with fellow mathematics educators in this collaborative session facilitated by Region 7 Specialists. Reflect on your role as an Illuminated Erducator while exploring current topics in mathematics education. Participants will discuss instructional practices, problem-solving strategies, and emerging trends, while building a professional network that supports continuous growth and student achievement..(Grades 6-8; 9-12)
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Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
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0/30
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