Big ideas and complex concepts in math and literacy are accessible to our youngest learners. To make sense of big concepts, we begin with familiar, concrete objects, next translate these into images, and then connect these with language. Throughout we engage in playful learning that is empowering, meaningful, and joyful. Come explore manipulatives that bring to life big math and literacy concepts. We'll experience ways to move from concrete to pictorial to abstract with big ideas, including phonological awareness, letter knowledge, number sense, measurement, algebraic and geometric reasoning, and writing.

In this workshop, we are learning ways to move from concrete to pictorial to abstract so that our youngest learners have the opportunity and access to make sense of big math and literacy concepts. Participants will be able to:

• Describe how and why moving from familiar concrete objects to images to language is an effective strategy for scaffolding all learners, including EL and learners with special needs.
• Experience this method to help young learners make sense of and develop skills in early math and literacy.
• Envision implementing the concrete-pictorial-abstract method in our early childhood classrooms.

Recertification Certificates (6 points) will be given at the end of the PD workshop series after completion of an electronic exit survey.

Teachers: Grades preK-2,  Special Education Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Administrators

The workshop fee is $160 for each participant who is a member of a school division that is a member of VaSCL. You can check here for member divisions.

The registration fee for participants from Non-Member school divisions is $199.

If you would like to pay now by credit card or through a PayPal/credit account, you will be given an opportunity to do so below.

If payment is not made by credit card/PayPal account at registration, the person whom you identified as the Billing Contact will be sent an invoice for payment of your registration fee.

VaSCL has a no refund policy for workshop registrations.

If a participant is unable to attend the workshop please let Alison Dwier-Selden (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) know as soon as possible.

We are happy to allow a substitute to attend in your place. Allison will need to know the person’s name and email address for confirmation.

In the registration form below, required fields are indicated with a red asterisk. Once you have submitted the registration, the person or people whom you have registered will receive a confirmation email (with registration information included) within 24 hours.

In the next 24 hours you will receive a confirmation email. Be sure to check for this email as this is what guarantees that you have a spot in this workshop or webinar. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your junk/spam folder. It is also possible that your division technology department blocks some emails from outside organizations.

If you do not receive a confirmation AND it is not in your junk/spam folder, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let her know.  You can also ask your technology department to unblock emails with addresses that end in vascl.org. That will ensure that participants get the communication emails sent to them before the event. 

If you have questions or concerns, or would like to receive more information about this workshop, please contact our Professional Learning Coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..