Let’s kick off the month with an overview of active learning. We’ll dive into both the theory and a few examples appropriate for both elementary and secondary levels. Also highlighted are this month’s exciting professional development offerings which are all designed to make May memorable by integrating active and fun learning.

Students who engage in learning experiences outside of the classroom report having higher levels of motivation, recall the course material more vividly, and have improved academic performance.  Join us as we explore creative ways to facilitate experiential learning outside of  traditional classroom walls.

Can certain physical movements actually stimulate and prepare the brain for learning?  In this session we will examine what is called whole-brain learning. We will discuss brain-body connection, prepping the brain, and the importance of providing brain breaks. 

The specific act of solving authentic or encountered problems can help to develop critical thinking skills, research skills, creativity, and collaboration.  This session will explore how to facilitate problem based learning sessions with students and provide the effective, descriptive feedback to encourage deeper learning and motivation. 

How important is the emotional climate in a classroom related to students’ ability to learn new information? If a student's needs are not met, the brain is not in a position to work at optimal levels. We will discuss class cohesion activity as well as activities for teaching and reviewing content. 

Inquiry-based learning emphasizes the student's role in the learning process. Instead of memorizing facts and material, students learn by investigating their inquiries which allows them to build knowledge through exploration, experience, and discussion. We will explore activities that support inquiry-based learning in the classroom.

Ready to go deeper with scaffolded instruction but not sure where to begin? This brief session covers the basics: What exactly is scaffolding? Why is it a critically important instructional practice? What are the basic steps to integrating scaffolding into any lesson or activity? 

Scaffolds and supports used by teachers and students that  provide English Language Learners the “boost” they need in order to access content and communicate effectively. This session will examine scaffolds to consider when choosing and creating content.

Are you looking for strategies to use with students to enhance learning in the classroom? This session will explore  commonly used SDI’s , options for how information is presented, how students respond or demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and how students are engaged in learning.

Are you looking for ways to enrich and accelerate your content, specifically for your gifted population?  Join this session to better understand why it is necessary to engage and challenge your most advanced learners, as well as to explore scaffolds, strategies and resources available to support your efforts.

One-size-fits-all approaches to behavior are seldom effective.  This session will explore the everyday strategies teachers can use to improve student behaviors, enhance relationships and improve social/emotional learning.

Parent communication is not something that is typically covered in our teacher coursework. You learn as you go. This session will give you ideas and ways to improve parent relationships and open communication with your students’ families. 

Participants will learn about CASEL and social emotional learning components. Development of the importance of SEL during pandemic will be explored. Critical actions and key steps will be described along with ideas and  tools for implementation. This session will create a framework for the month of professional learning. 

This second session will work to build from the opening session, specifically targeting the second half of the school year and movement into 2021-22 planning. Key areas of focus will be discussed including strategies and examples which can be used for implementation.

Well-being is far more than just being healthy.  Students who are well are confident, satisfied and have a positive outlook on their lives. They have strong relationships, feel valued and have social and emotional skills that provide strength during challenging times. I will cover how Esports can support SEL in your school.

SEL instruction is carried out most effectively in nurturing, safe environments characterized by positive, caring relationships among students and teachers. Participants will dive deeply into empowering student voice. 

SEL instruction is carried out most effectively in nurturing, safe environments characterized by positive, caring relationships among students and teachers. Participants will dive deeply into cultivating a collaborative culture that reflects the CASEL framework. 

Adults with strong social and emotional skills are an integral part of a positive school culture that supports student SEL and success. So where do you stand in your own SEL journey, and what can you do to take it to the next level? 

A robust vocabulary improves all areas of our students’ communication — listening, speaking, reading and writing, so it is vital that we know how to teach it well! In this session you will learn strategies to take your vocabulary instruction to the next level.

Background knowledge is an essential component in learning because it helps us make sense of new ideas and experiences. This session will focus on the importance of background knowledge and how to build it in your classroom. 

Not all scaffolding is created equal! Learn about what skills students need to be successful in virtually learning and how you can best support students from a distance.

In this session we will explore a few of the best proven reading comprehension strategies to help your students make meaning of what they read.

Explicitly teaching students to engage with text through annotation supports readers at all levels. Using annotation, readers question, clarify and respond to the author in order to understand and retain at a deeper level. Targeted for teachers of grades 3-12.

Push your students to think more critically while they are engaging with any text--visual, musical or written.  In this session, learn simple ways to support and guide your students to analyze with more confidence on a daily basis.

Using our understanding of MTSS, learn about some strategies that can support struggling students who fall within Tier 2 or 3.

Learn whole group engagement strategies that target multiple modalities and utilize varying tools in the blended learning environment.

Differentiated assessment strategies and tools that allow you to better individualize and drive your instruction. 

Learn small group engagement strategies that target multiple modalities and utilize varying tools in the blended learning environment.

Adopt instructional strategies that appeal to multiple modalities and scaffold critical thinking in the blended learning environment.

Discover obstacles that make it difficult for students to connect and ways that you can build relationships remotely and in person.

Learn techniques for differentiating content, process, product, and learning environment in any learning context (virtual, hybrid,in-person).