West Coast Blocks Summit

Call for Proposals!

Submissions due by 5pm (Pacific) on September 19, 2025.

We welcome submissions related specifically to classroom or school practices that center blocks as an essential material. Workshops should be engaging, hands-on and collaborative. Blocks will be available for use in workshop spaces. Projectors will be available as well, though we encourage limited use of screens to maximize activity and conversation. You must bring your own laptop and any cables necessary to hook up to projectors.

As you think about what workshops you might propose, pay particular attention to workshops that will engage with the following:

• The essentials of block building - What is necessary for a robust and flourishing blocks program that engages all learners? These workshops can focus on routines, schedules, modes of planning, the use of trips, classroom setup, the relationship between students and between students and teachers, or any other topic that supports an effective block building program.

• Curricular connections - How do you draw on block building to support all of the learning necessary for children in school (academic, social/emotional, physical, etc.). These workshops will highlight strategies for getting the most out of block building from a learning perspective.

• Big studies - Is there a long study you’ve done with students over weeks or months that gives insight into how to build engagement towards deep learning about how the larger world works (from a social studies, social justice and/or science perspective) where blocks played a central role? These workshops bring attendees into the heart of big studies in a way that will support their own development of big studies in the future.