Rethink and Revise: Putting It All Together in K-2 Literacy

Most K-2 professional learning has handed teachers one bit at a time

Usually phonics. Sometimes assessment. What teachers rarely get is the whole picture: how shifts in assessment, whole group ELA, foundational skills instruction, and small group instruction actually work together as one system.

There are two scenarios that Putting It All Together addresses.

In some schools and districts, new materials have arrived with a rationale attached. The materials were trained well, but separately, and often during early implementation. And now, putting the big pieces together lands on individual teachers. As a result, conversations about how the whole picture fits together are missing. This means that what matters most in these shifts can get lost as we move forward.

In other schools and districts, there is real wondering about what to change and how to change it. Sometimes, assessment and level-based small groups are the sticking points. Other times, it is reenvisioning the literacy block and how it could look in ways that honor the work we've been doing for years.

That is what this day is for.

What matters most about this change?
What do we get to let go of?
What is missing?

What we cover

The day moves through the four big parts of K-2 literacy instruction, in the order teachers make decisions about them.

Assessment

Building a strong K-2 assessment system, or refining the one you have. We look at what your data can and cannot tell you, and what you actually need to know to plan instruction.

Whole group ELA

Reenvisioning or refining your current approach. We look at what belongs in the whole group block, what can go, and how to keep the work you've been doing well for years.

Foundational skills

Fine-tuning the phonics instruction you already have, so it has maximum effect. The changes to routines, practice, and feedback are small, and they add up.

Small group instruction

Rethinking or strengthening your current model. We look at how groups are formed, what happens at the table, and what the rest of the class is doing.

What you leave with

A shared picture of how assessment, whole group, foundational skills, and small groups fit together

Practical tools and strategies for each of those four areas, ready to try the next day

A clearer sense of what your current assessments are and aren't telling you

Time for real conversations with colleagues about your own instruction, and your own answers to what matters most, what you can let go of, and what's missing

Confidence in what you're already doing well, and energy and a clear starting point, so whatever your next steps are feel doable

I changed, too

I taught balanced literacy and workshop. I believed in it, I taught it well, and then I realized I needed to change. Some of what I did then I still do now. Some of it I had to let go of.

That is what my book is about. Rethink and Revise: A Roadmap to Brave Change in K-2 Reading Instruction (Routledge/Stenhouse) carries both the evidence base and the practical strategies, and this day is built on it.

"Lizzie Hetzer names the messy middle between where we've been and where we're striving to go. With clarity, compassion, and deep respect for educators, she offers research-aligned guidance that invites brave change and equips teachers with tools they can use right away."

Kari Yates, co-author of Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom

"No matter where you are on this journey, Lizzie can guide your school to take brave steps that ensure all students have what they need to be joyful lifelong learners. As a coach, this book is so practical for the why and the how."

Stephanie Moy, Instructional Literacy Coach, Hong Kong International School

"Lizzie Hetzer demonstrates true bravery as she shares her story of transforming her teaching from balanced literacy to structured literacy. Teachers will relate to her honest reflections on past practices that didn't get results and they will appreciate the practical, research-informed alternatives."

Stephanie Stollar, PhD, Founder of Reading Science Academy

"200 pages of practical coaching at your fingertips. Hetzer brings her vast content knowledge, her classroom teaching experiences, and coaching expertise to life with real-life scenarios. A must read for every K-2 literacy teacher, coach, and instructional leader."

Lisa Anselmo, Melanie Cowherd, and Ashley Smithyman, Environmental Charter School Curriculum and Professional Development Team

Formats

A full day, in person or virtual

The whole arc with your K-2 team. In person is what the content was built for. Virtually, it may work best split across two sessions rather than one long day on a screen.

A series

The same arc across several sessions, with time in between for teams to try things and come back with what happened. Good when a school wants more depth and longer opportunities for conversation.

For educational service agencies, conferences and associations

BOCES, intermediate units, county offices of education and the like. I run this as a regional workshop where you handle registration and I bring the day, in person or virtual.

Administrators

There is a separate, shorter session built for school and district leaders that can stay on a focused topic like assessment or address the bigger picture.

Copies of the book

Most teams want Rethink and Revise in hand for the day. Tell me if you would like copies included and I will work out the best route for a group order.

Bring this to your school

Tell me about your school or district when you get in touch. Knowing where you are lets us tailor the day to it.

Book a call

Or email me at LHetzerLearning@gmail.com if you would rather just ask a question.

Not sure this is the right fit? We also build custom work.

Want to see me talk a bit about the topic?

The Author's Notes videos from the Rethink & Revise Fall 2026 book club are here.