Events and Presentations
The JOYcabulary team presents at literacy conferences, professional development workshops, and educator events throughout the year. Explore our upcoming presentations focused on joyful, research-based vocabulary instruction, picture books, and practical strategies educators can use immediately in their classrooms.
National Council of Teachers of English 2026 Convention
Effective Vocabulary Read-Alouds for Young Learners: A Framework for Bringing Words to Life
Linda and Amanda’s proposal has been accepted to present at the 2026 NCTE Annual Convention that will be held November 19–22 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Three Shifts That Ignite Joyful Vocabulary in Our Youngest Learners
How do we maximize the time-honored practice of read-alouds to create a classroom of curious word learners? This session invited educators to reimagine vocabulary instruction as joyful, humanizing, and deeply connected to student voice, identity, and learning.
Growing Words in Math and Reading
Amanda and Linda are off to Charlotte in August! Imagine a classroom where students engage with rich stories that spark mathematical thinking, build content-specific vocabulary, and invite meaningful discussion. Through carefully selected picture books, students explore big ideas, make connections, and develop the language they need to explain their thinking with clarity and confidence. This session offers practical strategies to use right away.
National Council of Teachers of English 2024 Convention
Welcoming educators and caregivers to put joy into vocabulary instruction with research-based practices. See how recently published award-winning picture books place students not only on a word learning journey, but also on a social emotional healing path towards taking risks and self-acceptance. By prioritizing students' academic and social emotional needs, you'll save time and stress, while leading your students toward success.
How do we make learning actionable, relevant, purposeful, and engaging for students?
How do students use their literacies to enact change in the world?