Foundations of Effective Teaching I: (SUMMER 2018)
Organizing the Classroom Environment for Teaching and Learning. This core ER&D course addresses the fundamental aspects of teaching and learning that are relevant for teachers and classroom paraprofessionals in all grade levels and subject areas. It examines proven practices for establishing and maintaining classroom management, maximizing use of learning time, questioning and feedback skills, homework, interactive guided instruction strategies, and scaffolding techniques. Covering core topics critical to successful classroom practice, Foundations of Effective Teaching I is recommended as the primary offering for all ER&D local sites. It is frequently used as the basis for induction, mentor, and peer assistance programs and is an essential part of Local Site Coordinator training.
Reading Comprehension Instruction (SUMMER 2018)
This course focuses on the research and exemplary practices that help students acquire strong reading comprehension skills. It provides participants with a synthesis of the research base on reading comprehension instruction and vocabulary development. Participants examine, discuss,
and evaluate the appropriate application of a range of instructional strategies from explicit to implicit teaching of comprehension skills. Strategies are presented for increasing student comprehension of both narrative and expository texts—including content area textbooks. In addition, approaches are presented to help students monitor their own comprehension and apply appropriate “fix-up” strategies when comprehension is not achieved. Practice in using these
instructional strategies and examples of student work are embedded in each unit. This course is appropriate for all K-12 teachers who need to help increase their students’ comprehension of text—whether that text is a literature selection or a subject area textbook.
Thinking Math 1 – Common Core (SUMMER 2018)
Thinking Math 1 – Common Core takes an in-depth look at the mathematics behind adding and subtracting whole numbers. TM1 – CC is designed to use the Common Core as a framework for all discussions. We will spend time working to understand not only why the mathematics works the way it does, but also learn how the Common Core has restructured instruction and assessment.
Thinking Math 2- Common Core Grades 3-5
- Looking at math through the lens of the new common core curriculum.
- Investigating the mathematical structure of multiplication and division
- Fractions and the transition from arithmetic into algebra.
Thinking Mathematics: Volume 3 – Connections to Rational Numbers
This course, the third in the Thinking Math series, tackles one of the most challenging areas of middle school math: fractions, decimals, percent and ratio. Learn the thinking behind mistakes that students make over and over and develop strategies for helping them make sense of this domain. Primary teachers, who often introduce basic fraction concepts and use decimals in the context of money, can benefit along with those who teach older youngsters. Requirements:
Managing Anti-Social Behavior
The anti-social actions of a small but powerful number of students in school not only put their own academic success at risk but threaten the learning environment for everyone. This course presents research on emotional and behavioral problems of students who consistently act out. Participants will learn strategies to reduce and/or prevent the occurrence of disruptive or dangerous outbreaks.
Instructional Strategies That Work
This course provides practical applications of instructional strategies that are outlined in the research base on effective instruction and have been proven to support student learning. At the center of this course are cognitive strategies that foster critical thinking and the transferability of skills learned. Course participants will learn how to evaluate curriculum materials for any content area, organize content for learning, and develop or evaluate scoring guides for student tasks. These strategies can be applied in K-12 settings and are particularly helpful for students with special needs.
School, Family and Community:
Partnerships that Support Student Learning (SUMMER 2018)
The primary function of this course is to help school staff understand how they can assist parents to better support their children as learners. Topics explored include: (1) using effective communication strategies to develop learning partnerships with families; (2) designing more productive homework assignments to involve families; (3) explaining classroom work and grading systems to parents; (4) developing school wide parent involvement plans and (5) examining the role of school absenteeism on student learning.
English Language Learners (SUMMER 2018)
- Identify current research findings on what works for ELL literacy development.
- Apply ELL literacy research to best practices in literacy curriculum and instruction for ELLs.
- Demonstrate strategies that develop literacy skills and reading comprehension for ELLs.
- Describe three assessment strategies that provide diagnostic feedback on ELLs reading skills and comprehension of text.