Professional Learning for ELA
Deepen Knowledge, Inspire Growth
Deepen your team’s knowledge of ELA best practices and Fishtank’s curriculum to empower educators and promote student achievement. Successful curriculum implementation requires more than access to materials; it demands a focused approach. Fishtank builds knowledge of effective instructional practices and provides tools for high-quality instruction, positively impacting student engagement.
"Simply introducing evidence-based approaches into schools does not guarantee they will be implemented meaningfully over time" (Donohoo et al., 2020, p.21).
An Expertly Crafted Implementation Plan
Our professional learning is designed to partner with your school, district, or network, equipping leaders and teachers to cultivate a culture of learning and build a foundation for lasting success. Implementation Support is included with a Fishtank ELA All-Access School License because successful implementation requires new mindsets, systems, skills, and ongoing support from leaders. This commitment ensures the Fishtank curriculum is delivered with fidelity, fulfilling our mission to empower educators to provide engaging, high-quality instruction.
"Implementation is a process that involves identifying and deciding on, planning and preparing for, and carrying out the sustaining changes you want to make" (Donohoo et al., 2020, p.27).
Foundational Professional Learning
Set your team up for success with our Professional Learning and Implementation Support. These trainings and sessions are designed to equip your leaders and teachers with the knowledge and tools needed to launch Fishtank ELA in their schools successfully. It ensures a smooth start by focusing on key topics like intellectual preparation, platform navigation, and strategic planning for your first year with the curriculum.
Kick-Off Meeting
Meet with your Fishtank support team to answer implementation questions, get acquainted with your trainer, and plan for your Train-the-Trainer session.
Train-the-Trainer Session
Train the Trainer prepares instructional leaders to lead the implementation of Fishtank ELA in their schools. The content covers all of the information in our 5 On-Demand Professional Learning Modules. Our Fishtank ELA team will guide you through the learning and planning process over 3 hours of a live Zoom session.
Action Planning Session
This optional one-on-one session follows your attendance at the Train-the-Trainer session. It allows you to dive deeper into the provided facilitator materials and refine your plan for onboarding new teachers. You'll work with your Fishtank implementation lead to ask any lingering questions about preparing to launch Fishtank with teachers.
Teacher Orientation
This live 45-minute Zoom orientation helps teachers become familiar with the Fishtank platform and prepares them to utilize the resources effectively for their first unit. It also helps orient them to the Fishtank Student, our student platform for Grades 6-12.
Leader Development Series
With a Fishtank ELA All-Access School License, instructional leaders can enroll in our Leader Development Series, designed to build their capacity to implement Fishtank ELA effectively and align instructional practices to high-quality curriculum standards. These sessions are facilitated live on Zoom. Sessions are offered on an open-enrollment basis, bringing together cohorts of leaders from Fishtank schools across the world.
Phase 1: Set the Foundation
Session 1 (September-October): Supporting Teachers With Lesson Internalization
Session 2 (November-January): Helping Teachers Decide How To Support All Students
Session 3 (March-April): Conducting Strong Classroom Observations & Walkthroughs
Phase 2: Make Data-Informed Decisions
Session 1 (September-October): Supporting Teachers with Writing Task Internalization
Session 2 (November-January): Using a Rubric to Provide Feedback on Student Writing
Session 3 (March-April): Conducting Writing-Focused Classroom Observations
Asynchronous Support
With Fishtank Plus, teachers can use our on-demand resources to deepen their understanding of Fishtank’s instructional design and provide strategies for effectively teaching the curriculum.
On-Demand PL Modules
This on-demand platform deepens educators’ understanding of Fishtank’s instructional design and provides strategies for effectively teaching the curriculum.
Unit Launch Modules
Teachers complete these modules to expedite intellectual preparation around the texts, essential content, and standards of their units.
Teacher Tools
Our library of Teacher Tools offers instructional guidance, strategies to support all students, and the resources needed to engage, challenge, and inspire students in every lesson. These on-demand resources streamline the logistical and instructional demands of teaching.
Hear what Educators are Saying about Train-The-Trainer
The whole session was very helpful—might be my favorite PD I've ever attended! Efficient and informative. No forced humor or awkward silence.
Joyce Chen
9th Grade ELA ICT Teacher
Global Leaders Middle and High School
I felt like that helped us experience the curriculum as our teachers do.
Nazek Hapasha
Principal
Ohio Ihsan Academy
Dynamic and positive presenter. Lots of good energy that made lifting something new and challenging more accessible.
Jennifer Greenleaf
Teacher Leader
MSAD 75 - Woodside
I have such a better, clearer sense of every aspect of the planning after today's session. I'm also relieved by the tips around prioritizing aspects of the lessons that will help us save precious time.
Elizabeth Morrison
Grade 7 ELA Teacher
Holten Richmond Middle School (Danvers)
Hear what Leaders are Saying about the Leader Development Series
The breakout session exercises and opportunities to collaborate and engage in discussions with other school leaders was most useful. I am often working by myself as an instructional leader at a small charter school, so I don't have any other opportunities to hear other perspectives, successes, challenges, and ideas.
Erin Noel
Instructional Coach
Kanuikapono Public Charter School
Going through the exemplar and discussing with other leaders was helpful because it gave me a different perspective as to where we are heading and how the progress is going thus far.
Jessika Olivares-Rodriguez
School Leader
Beloved Community Charter School
The exemplar was extremely helpful in seeing what the goal is for teachers as they are planning their lessons... It helped me to see where I am and what the end goal is.
Katie Bockmuller
Instructional Coach
James A. Garfield Schools
Reviewing the exemplars for intellectual preparation and lesson internalization [was most useful]. It was beneficial to reflect on both the short-term and long-term goals I have for our school's implementation of Fishtank. Thank you so much for this session!
Cathy Weeks
School Leader/Administrator
The Parkside School (NYC)
Fishtank ELA All-Access School Site License
A single school license gives your entire team access to Fishtank's comprehensive ELA curriculum, professional learning, digital tools, and the Fishtank Student platform (for Grades 6-12). This license includes everything you need to implement a high-quality, knowledge-building curriculum in your school.
Full Access to Fishtank’s Knowledge Building Curriculum
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Detailed Daily Lesson Plans
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Engaging Writing Projects
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Summative Unit Assessments
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Editable Lesson Materials
Professional Learning for Teachers
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On-Demand Professional Development Modules
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On-Demand Unit Launches
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Live 45-minute Zoom Teacher Orientation
Professional Learning for Leaders
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Train-the-Trainer Series
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Action Planning Session
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Leader Development Series
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Digital Dashboard to facilitate Professional Learning for Teachers
Fishtank Student (Grades 6-12 ELA)
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Digital platform for students to read supporting text passages and complete assignments and assessments.
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Teachers can edit, assign, grade, and offer feedback on assignments and end-of-unit assessments.
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Gradebook Database for Adminstrator and Teacher Overview