Upcoming Conferences & Workshops
On-Demand Pump Up Primary Conference - PreK thru 2nd
Couldn't make the in-person conference?
No problem!
We'll bring the Pump Up Primary Experience to you!
Get access to over 20 sessions through June!
Earn 1 PD hour for each session!
Virtual Conference Agenda
Speaker: Angela Griffith
Title: Cracking the Code: How Alphabet Knowledge Fuels Decoding
Description: Discover why alphabet knowledge is a must-have skill for beginning readers. In this session, you’ll learn how letter recognition and naming help students connect sounds to letters, build decoding skills, and support orthographic mapping. Walk away with practical ideas to use in whole-group lessons or small-group interventions.
Speaker: Hilary Statum
Title: Game On! Engaging Multilingual Learners Through Play
Description: Buckle up for this fast-paced, practical session filled with 20 interactive games designed to support multilingual learners—and all students! You’ll leave with ready-to-use materials, research-based strategies, and tools to build an inclusive, multilingual-friendly classroom. Learn how to strengthen family communication and confidently navigate common challenges with ESL students. Fun, effective, and classroom-ready!
Speaker: Jackie Kops
Title: Math Magic: Hands-On Strategies & Games for Little Mathematicians
Description: Transform math time into a playful adventure! This session will show you how to teach various math concepts, including counting, number recognition, shapes, and patterns, through hands-on activities such as sensory math bins and games. Learn how to seamlessly integrate these strategies into your daily routines, centers, and small groups to create a math-rich environment. Leave with fresh, ready-to-use ideas to make math engaging, effective, and fun for your Pre-K students!
Speaker: Jacob Dagget
Title: Differentiated Phonics for Below, Above, and Multilingual Learners
Description: We've done a great job getting the word out about having a strong, interactive Tier 1 phonics block. But what about below and above level learners? What about multilingual learners? How do we analyze spelling data to make instructional choices? Join Jake as he unpacks research from Wiley Blevins and Linnea Ehri and models differentiation in action during your daily phonics instruction.
Speaker: Katie Blue
Title: A Day in TK
Description: Step into the world of Transitional Kindergarten with veteran educator, Katie Blue. This session offers a comprehensive look at what a typical day in a TK classroom looks like—from morning routines to centers, whole-group instruction to play-based learning. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to structure the day, meet state standards while honoring early learners’ needs, and create a joyful and engaging classroom culture. Whether you’re new to TK or looking to refine your approach, this session will equip you with tools, resources, and inspiration to make each day in TK meaningful and memorable.
Speaker: Keri Brown
Title: The Small Group Routine That Reinforces Decoding and Encoding
Description: Looking for a routine that supports both reading and spelling skills without adding to your planning load? This session walks you through a simple, research-based structure that helps students connect sounds to print and build automaticity with word recognition and writing. You’ll learn how to guide students through sound-by-sound mapping using Elkonin boxes, write words with purpose, and strengthen phoneme-grapheme connections across a variety of phonics skills. Perfect for small-group instruction or intervention, this routine helps students slow down, think critically, and build real-world confidence.
Speaker: LeAnna Wolkis Goldstein
Title:Smooth Moves: Mastering Transitions with Joy and Ease
Description: Discover developmentally appropriate transition tools that boost focus, minimize disruptions, and strengthen classroom routines. Through music, movement, and visual supports, LeAnna will show you how to create a calm, consistent rhythm to your day. Her strategies will help young learners stay regulated, engaged, and ready for what’s next.
Speaker: LeAnna Wolkis Goldstein
Title:Fine Motor Fusion & Sensory Synergy
Description: Joyful learning flourishes when fine motor skills and sensory exploration are at the heart of daily instruction. Step into a world where little hands achieve BIG milestones through tactile play and rich sensory experiences. Join LeAnna as she shares engaging tools and strategies to strengthen motor coordination, build essential brain pathways, and inspire exploration of varied textures. Together, we'll discover practical ways to weave fine motor development and sensory learning into everyday lessons—laying a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Speaker: Shannon Cunningham:
Title:AI Tools for Teachers
Description: Curious about AI but not sure where to start? This session is designed to introduce educators to easy-to-use AI tools that can help with lesson planning, communication, classroom organization, and more. You’ll explore practical, teacher-friendly examples that show how AI can save you time and bring more ease to your day. Walk away with tools, ideas, and inspiration to confidently begin using AI in ways that support your work—not add to it. Note: now refreshed with updated tools, deeper implementation strategies, and new classroom examples.. This session is recommended for those newer to AI tools and concepts.
Speaker: Shannon Cunningham
Title:Next-Level AI for Teachers
Description: Let’s level up your AI game. In this follow-up session, we’ll push beyond the basics and explore clever ways to use AI in your world as a teacher. Get ready for new tools, fresh ideas, and surprising ways to save time, spark creativity, and lighten your load—without the overwhelm. Note: This session is designed for educators who are already using AI and ready to explore new possibilities. It pairs well with “AI Tools for Teachers,” and attending that session first is recommended for those newer to AI.
Speaker: Deedee Wills
Title: Interactive Read Aloud IN THE AGE OF SCIENCE OF READING
Description: How do you teach emergent readers to become deep thinkers and engage in focused discussions? How do you scaffold them, support their attempts, and help them transfer their learning to new situations? It just doesn't happen...it happens with deliberate instruction. Join Deedee as she walks you through the process of planning an interactive read-aloud for deliberate instruction.
Speaker: Kendrick Johnson
Title: The Audacity to Fail Forward
Description: In this interactive session, we’ll dive into strategies for encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the power of taking risks in learning. Discover how to create a safe, supportive environment where mistakes are celebrated as opportunities for growth. With a focus on building confidence and creativity, you’ll leave with tools to help your young learners take on challenges, ask questions, and approach learning with curiosity. Get ready to redefine your classroom as a place where risks lead to great discoveries!
Speaker: Adam Peterson
Title: Make Circle Time Count
Description: The start of your day can set the tone for everything that follows, so why not start it in the most positive way possible? From morning messages to math practice, games to movement activities, circle time can be a powerful and engaging part of your daily schedule. Adam shares his favorite activities, games, songs, and more that you can use right away in your classroom.
Speaker: Adam Peterson
Title: Small Group Success!
Description: Meeting the needs of all students can be tricky and overwhelming at times. Let Adam help you out! Using his management ideas and small group organization skills, Adam will share tips, tricks, and techniques for making small groups work. Reading, writing, math, and more can be engaging and fun when small groups are done right!
Speaker: Greg Smedley Warren
Title: Mastering the Classroom Symphony: A Guide to Effective Classroom Management
Description: Are you struggling with classroom management? Explore research-based, classroom-proven strategies, ideas, and tips for your classroom. Discover the transformative impact of relationships, consistency, and clear expectations. Implement easy-to-follow techniques to streamline your classroom dynamics, creating a smoothly operating class—no behavior programs, rewards, or incentives required!
Speaker: Mary Amoson
Title: Heart Words + Phonics Rules = Student Success
Description: High-frequency words are often labeled as “sight words” that students must memorize, but research shows that most of these words are, in fact, decodable when connected to phonics rules. In this session, teachers will explore how phonics knowledge empowers students to read and spell high-frequency words with confidence. Teachers will learn how to identify which parts of a word follow predictable phonics patterns and which parts are irregular, helping students focus on what is decodable instead of memorizing entire words. Practical strategies and classroom-ready routines will be shared to show how explicit phonics instruction and heart word routines can transform the way high-frequency words are taught. Teachers will walk away with tools to make instruction more systematic, effective, and accessible for all learners—laying the foundation for stronger reading and spelling outcomes.
Speaker: Mary Amoson
Title: Center Success
Description: Pet up and manage amazing learning centers that are student-friendly, teacher-tested, and guaranteed to delight your students. Get inspired by Mary’s TONS of pictures and walk-away ideas. Understand how to differentiate your centers for all your learners and connect the learning to the Common Core. Plus, take-home activities your students will dive into and have a ball with. This session includes digital make-and-take freebies.
Speaker: Melissa Leach
Title: Plan, Do, Review: Choice-Based Centers for Executive Function Skills
Description: In early childhood education, developing executive function skills—such as planning, problem-solving, and task completion—is essential for young learners' growth and success. One powerful way to cultivate these skills is through choice-based centers, where children have the autonomy to plan, engage, and reflect on their experiences. In this session, we’ll explore how the Plan, Do, Review framework can be applied within choice-based learning environments to promote executive function development in PreK classrooms. Teachers will learn how to design engaging centers that empower children to take ownership of their learning, make decisions, and develop important skills like time management, goal-setting, task initiation, and self-reflection.
Speaker: Melissa Leach
Title: Small Group Reading Instruction: Decoding Text/Meaning Making
Description: How does small group instruction change in line with the science? What do we keep? What do we change? What do we eliminate? How do we differentiate reading instruction for students and meet the needs of ALL learners? Come find out!
Speaker: Carole Stephens
Title: Spillers, Fillers and Thrillers!
Description: NO – we’re not flower arranging – just making sure your students aren’t becoming potted plants! Miss Carole will share music and movement for quieting down, brain breaks and reviving engagement. There’ll be some new takes on old favorites and musical games you haven’t tried yet. Give yourself a shot of serotonin (and a break from sitting!)
Online registration (works best for credit cards)
Hardcopy registration (works best for Purchase Orders)
