The Craft Lab: Blending the Science of Standards with the Craft of Teaching
March 25 - April 22
Description:
The Craft Lab is a hands-on English language arts (ELA) professional learning series designed to bring Georgia’s K-12 ELA Standards to life for secondary (grades 6-12) educators. Each session models the structure of the newly released ELA Instructional Framework. Presenters Dr. Emily Lott and Dr. Courtney Peck will lead participants in blending standards from the Language, Texts, and Practices domains when designing instruction to create one cohesive learning experience.
Session Structure:
Engage (10 minutes): Each session begins with reflection, inviting educators to consider where they are in their own practice and how the new standards connect to their current work.
Focus (30 minutes): Direct instruction highlights one or more standards from each domain—Language, Texts, and Practices. Educators explore big ideas such as Research & Analysis, Vocabulary, and Engagement & Intention for Comprehension & Composition, unpacking their vertical alignment and classroom implications.
Explore & Apply: The Craft Lab (30 minutes): Educators dive into collaborative workshop time by grade band. Together, participants “get their hands dirty” by building cohesive lesson plans that integrate vocabulary, comprehension strategies, and analytical thinking.
Reflect & Debrief (10 minutes): Grade bands come back together to share insights. Educators analyze points of alignment and divergence between 6–8 and 9–12 approaches, surfacing strategies to strengthen vertical support for all students.
Session Outcome:
Educators will leave each session equipped with teacher-facing and student-facing resources for immediate classroom use, along with collaboratively designed instructional plans tailored to their grade band. By the end of each Craft Lab, every team will have produced a brief teaching plan that demonstrates how to blend standards from the three domains into one cohesive literacy experience—anchored in the science of standards but shaped by the craft of teaching.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Intended Audience: ESOL Teachers, Gifted and Talented Teachers, High School Teachers, Instructional Coaches/Coordinators, Middle School Teachers, School Leaders, Special Education Teachers
DOE Office: Teaching & Learning
Topics: English Language Arts, Reading/Literacy
Event Type: Event - Multiday
Delivery Mode(s): Virtual
Event will be recorded: Yes
Primary Contact: Sarah Welch - sarah.welch@doe.k12.ga.us
Secondary Contact: Robin Cartright - robin.cartright@doe.k12.ga.us
To report an issue with the event link, please email the event contact.
Sessions: