Curriculum and Instruction News

Join us at Bridges 2026!

Unlock new strategies, connect with fellow educators, and inspire a love of reading and language in your students. This year’s conference will take place at Bell Tower Plaza and feature a two-day experience, including a Mix & Mingle on the evening of Friday, November 6th, followed by Early Literacy through 12th Grade learning sessions on Saturday, November 7th.

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your teaching practices, build connections, and make a lasting impact on student success!

Ready to join us? Register today at bit.ly/Bridges26

For more conference details, visit our website.

December 3-4, 2026

The United Voices: Multilingual Summit is a free two day event grounded in the California English Learner Roadmap and brings together educators from across Kern County and the region to strengthen support for multilingual learners. The summit features keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and student voice performances built around the four EL Roadmap principles. It is open to teachers, school and district leaders, instructional coaches, counselors, and other educators committed to improving outcomes for multilingual learners.

Build your knowledge, strengthen your practice, and connect with others committed to creating schools and systems where multilingual learners thrive.

Don't miss this opportunity! Register to attend now:

The Dyslexia Institute is designed to provide educators with research-based knowledge and practical strategies for supporting students with dyslexia. Participants will explore the defining characteristics of dyslexia and gain insight into how the dyslexic brain processes language. The institute will also address common misconceptions, clarify what dyslexia is and what it is not, and offer tools for recognizing early indicators of reading challenges. Educators will leave with actionable strategies for delivering targeted instruction and fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments for all students. Register at: https://cvent.me/rxdkLo

September 15, 2026

November 17, 2026

January 12, 2027

March 16, 2027

Looking for open, engaging tasks that move beyond answer-getting and toward student thinking? This Building Thinking Classrooms 1.0 workshop is an introductory workshop for teachers and instructional coaches ready to begin implementing the practices from Peter Liljedahl's book, Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics. Participants will engage in and analyze modeled tasks that emphasize reasoning, discourse, and productive struggle-core priorities of the 2023 Math Framework. In addition to experiencing the tasks, we will unpack the intentional teacher moves and facilitation strategies that support student-centered learning, strengthen classroom culture, and build positive mathematical identities. Register now at the Building Thinking Classroom 1.0 CVENT homepage.

Join us for an engaging workshop to unveil the Math Multilingual Toolkit of Strategies — a comprehensive resource for educators across the state to support students with language development and mathematics. Register now at: Math Multilingual Toolkit of Strategies CVENT homepage.

A virtual community for Instructional Coaches in mathematics to discuss and develop our skills, knowledge and dispositions. For more information see the event flyer. Register now on the Math Coaches Network CVENT homepage.

Join us for this professional learning opportunity supported by the Mathematics Professional Learning Partnership (MPLP), a collaborative network of California school districts, county offices, the California Mathematics Project, and other educational leaders. MPLP brings together educators and leaders to strengthen math instruction and build capacity for high-quality, standards-aligned teaching and learning.

The Math Leadership Network: Math Framework Foundations is designed for TK–12 mathematics instructional leaders ready to deepen their understanding and expand their impact. Through engaging modules, participants collaborate, reflect, and apply learning to support diverse learners, foster equitable math instruction, and lead meaningful implementation within their local context.

Those who complete all nine modules will earn the Math Framework Foundations Badge.

To learn more, please visit the MPLP website.

To register, visit: http://www.cvent.com/d/9dz2w0

Explore how NGSS Cross-Cutting Concepts come to life through nature journaling! One day indoors at KCSOS and one day out in the field at Tejon Ranch Conservancy. Leave with ready-to-use lessons and practical strategies to bring science journaling into your classroom. This opportunity is made possible through the generous support of the Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation. Register at the Nature Journaling with Tejon Ranch Conservancy CVENT homepage.

This workshop is meant to help teachers bring climate change education to every grade level. Find practical strategies and ready-made lessons to bring into your classroom, all aligned to CA NGSS and built to meet the goals of AB 285.

Register Now: https://www.events.kern.org/event/3f8a8da0-7f5f-4ab8-a80f-ade4448182c3/summary

Starting by examining our own asset-based multilingual capacities, participants will engage in active explorations of teacher-tested, practical, research-based strategies from the Kern CSOS Multilingual Science Toolkit to support the simultaneous development of language and science content. This interactive session equips participants with tools to engage educators in supporting multilingual learners in rich, meaningful science experiences across grade levels and contexts.

Register Now: https://web.cvent.com/event/3d8362ec-4b5b-45eb-9b35-0aa182664145/summary

The KCSOS Student Events Booklet is now available for the 2026–27 school year. It brings together every major student event and competition hosted by Kern County Superintendent of Schools in one place. Categories include English Language Arts, History and Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts, Science and Math, and Future Readiness. These events give students a chance to build creativity, character, and knowledge. Competition can be demanding, but the experience pays off no matter how a student places. Families and educators can find the full booklet and event calendar at kern.org/student-events.

The Kern County Oral Language Festival is back for 2027, giving students in grades 4–8 the opportunity to showcase their voices through the written and spoken word. New this year, the festival is expanding to include a Spanish Oral Language Festival for Dual Immersion schools!

Coaches, principals, and regional leaders are invited to attend an upcoming Oral Language Festival Orientation to learn about this year’s competition, important updates, and what to expect for 2027.

Choose one virtual orientation:

Thursday, October 15, 2026 | 3:45–5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 3:45–5:00 p.m.

Both sessions will be held via Zoom.

Flyer

This coaches meeting is intended to provide information and resources for school site and/or district staff to participate in the 2027 STEAM Olympiad! At the STEAM Olympiad, students collaborate in teams of up to six to compete in 15 dynamic events. These events vary each year and span a range of topics, including science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Some challenges involve problem-solving on paper, while others require hands-on lab work, creative design, or the construction of devices brought to the tournament. The STEAM Olympiad fosters 21st-century skills, supports California Math, Science, Technology, and Arts standards, and encourages science, math, and artistic literacy—all while making learning fun!

4th through 8th grade students can compete in this coding event to apply what they know and show off their creativity. Acquiring computer coding skills opens students up to diverse job markets, creates hands-on learning experiences, and enhances problem-solving skills.

Come celebrate with us at our FREE STEAM Street Festival! Bring the whole family for an exciting day filled with hands-on activities, creative challenges, free giveaways, and more, all centered around Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Taking place downtown at the STEAM Yard, this family-friendly event is designed to inspire and engage young minds through fun, interactive STEAM experiences. Enjoy festive fall décor, a fun Halloween theme, and plenty of opportunities for kids to explore, create, and learn while having a great time. Admission is free! For more information, please reach out to Valerie Perez at vaperez@kern.org. We hope to see you and your family there!

KCSOS launches the Booking, Registration and Integrated Digital Gateway Environment, or BRIDGE. This is a one stop shop where planning, hosting, and attending events is easier than ever. Registration and coordination happen seamlessly, all in one place. Whether you are registering for professional learning or planning a school field trip, community meeting, or special event, the KCSOS Bridge connects you with everything you need. For more information, visit bridge.kern.org.

STEAM 4 Kern is Kern County’s first and only science education lending library program designed specifically for local students. This innovative program provides teachers and expanded learning programs with access to high-quality science kits that make learning exciting, hands-on, and impactful. By offering a variety of engaging resources, STEAM 4 Kern is helping to strengthen science education across the county and ensure that students have opportunities to explore real-world scientific concepts. Each kit includes lab materials, teacher lesson plans, student notebooks, and engaging presentations. The STEAM 4 Kern kits can be checked out for a month and will be delivered and picked up at your school site. The activities included in the STEAM 4 Kern kits are hands-on and aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Best of all, these science kits are provided at NO COST to classrooms and expanded learning programs throughout Kern County. STEAM 4 Kern is making high-quality, standards-based science education accessible and equitable for all students, empowering the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers.