NC BOLD West 2026 Day 1 McDowell High School

Discover how teacher-librarian collaborations can reimagine student voice through podcasts and audiograms. In this session, participants will learn how student-made podcasts and audiograms are an engaging tool for storytelling and can be an alternative to traditional assessments, allowing for an authentic, creative exploration of student voice. Students can share research, express ideas, and strengthen literacy skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) while engaging in critical thinking and inquiry. Podcasting and adiograms are adaptable for diverse learners, including students with disabilities and ELLs, and can thoughtfully incorporate generative AI to support brainstorming, scripting, and refining ideas. Session participants will will have an opportunity to start creating their own mini-podcast or audiogram, experiencing a fun, engaging, and supportive learning experience that can spark new interests and open the door to creative possibilities for students.

Picture books aren’t just for young readers. They are powerful, versatile tools for secondary classrooms. This session explores how educators can use picture books to introduce complex themes, support content standards, and engage diverse learners. Participants will discover strategies for integrating picture books across subject areas and through teacher–librarian collaborations to enhance learning, spark critical thinking, and make content more accessible and meaningful for all students.

Discover how teacher-librarian collaborations can reimagine student voice through podcasts and audiograms. In this session, participants will learn how student-made podcasts and audiograms are an engaging tool for storytelling and can be an alternative to traditional assessments, allowing for an authentic, creative exploration of student voice. Students can share research, express ideas, and strengthen literacy skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) while engaging in critical thinking and inquiry. Podcasting and adiograms are adaptable for diverse learners, including students with disabilities and ELLs, and can thoughtfully incorporate generative AI to support brainstorming, scripting, and refining ideas. Session participants will will have an opportunity to start creating their own mini-podcast or audiogram, experiencing a fun, engaging, and supportive learning experience that can spark new interests and open the door to creative possibilities for students.

Picture books aren’t just for young readers. They are powerful, versatile tools for secondary classrooms. This session explores how educators can use picture books to introduce complex themes, support content standards, and engage diverse learners. Participants will discover strategies for integrating picture books across subject areas and through teacher–librarian collaborations to enhance learning, spark critical thinking, and make content more accessible and meaningful for all students.

Discover how teacher-librarian collaborations can reimagine student voice through podcasts and audiograms. In this session, participants will learn how student-made podcasts and audiograms are an engaging tool for storytelling and can be an alternative to traditional assessments, allowing for an authentic, creative exploration of student voice. Students can share research, express ideas, and strengthen literacy skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) while engaging in critical thinking and inquiry. Podcasting and adiograms are adaptable for diverse learners, including students with disabilities and ELLs, and can thoughtfully incorporate generative AI to support brainstorming, scripting, and refining ideas. Session participants will will have an opportunity to start creating their own mini-podcast or audiogram, experiencing a fun, engaging, and supportive learning experience that can spark new interests and open the door to creative possibilities for students.