2017
Event Schedule - January 21, 2017
14:45 - 15:00 - Arrive
15:00 - 15:15 - Welcome and introduction video
15:15 - 16:00 - Session 1: Workshops (see below)
16:00 - 16:45 - Session 2: Job Alike (see below)
16:45 - 17:00 - Conference feedback and refreshments
Session 1
15:15 - 16:00 at one of the following sessions...
Design Thinking and Inquiry, Aidan Hammond (BHA)
Design Thinking is an inquiry process that places empathy for others at the center of design. It provides a framework for gaining empathy with a user group, identifying their needs, and inquiring into how the designer can meet those needs. The Design Thinking approach, developed by the Stanford School of Design (d-School), can be used by teachers and students to research, design, trial, and evaluate solutions that are either physical objects, or systems and concepts. For teachers and students, Design Thinking provides a way to engage with a complex problem and create meaningful and relevant solutions. It has applications to any inquiry cycle or investigation, across grade levels and contexts. It has very strong connections to PYP and MYP inquiry cycles and transdisciplinary learning. This workshop will introduce participants to several design thinking projects underway at BHA and discuss how this approach can be incorporated into classroom practice. In addition, participants will experience the first few steps of the process--the empathy building-- and learn how this can be applied to their own teaching practice.
Inquiry based learning and the use of practical lab experiences to enhance the learning of science concepts from Grades 6-12, Kathy Binns (BHA)
The essence of inquiry... “Inquiry ... requires more than simply answering questions or getting a right answer. It espouses investigation, exploration, search, quest, research, pursuit, and study. It is enhanced by involvement with a community of learners, each learning from the other in social interaction.” (Kuklthau, Maniotes & Caspari, 2007). Inquiry based learning experiences have been found by cognitive researchers to enhance learning and the subsequent recall of information. This workshop will review the latest research on inquiry based teaching and learning as well as providing examples on how to use inquiry-based lessons as a method to teach science content and concepts from grades 6-12.
Math, Science, and Music - A Transdisciplinary Approach, Angela Lau and Chris Hoff (BHA)
In this workshop, participants are invited to explore the interdisciplinary networks of Math, Science, and Music. The workshop will culminate into a map of activity/lesson/unit/project ideas generated by workshop participants for further experimentation in the classroom. Participants in multidisciplinary fields across grade levels are encouraged and welcomed. Inquiry question: What are the learning possibilities that lie in between Math, Science and Music?
Creative Writing, Toni Favilli (BHA)
Not everyone is a skilled or gifted writer that can teach creative writing to students. There are many things to consider. How to get students to read more than their own favourite genre? How to inspire children to get ideas for writing? How to teach them to use correct grammar? How to improve spelling at an individual level? How to get students to use paragraphing more easily? How to know how to pitch your writing to an audience? If you are looking for a novel, all encompassing, smoothly integrated approach to all of the above, then maybe you would be interested in this workshop. Not only to improve your student's fiction writing, but maybe to inspire you to do some of your own writing, too.
Service Learning, Stacy Crook (KIS)
This workshop will focus on incorporating service learning in the classroom to create meaningful discussions and authentic assessments. We will investigate how students were able to use their experiential learning in Cambodia to apply 21st century skills in the classroom. We will also examine some exemplars from student products after the service learning trip. We will dive deep into how this unforgettable trip guided students and educators to use a growth-mindset and resulted in exceeding performance.
Building Writing Communities Through Writer’s Workshop, Erin Johnson and Amber Brenneman (KIS)
The workshop for every teacher who wishes to empower their students to personalize their academic writing development. This workshop is the collaborative effort of English and Writing teachers who want voice, choice, innovation and effective instruction that can travel outside of the ELA classroom. Come see suggested models for incorporating Writer’s Workshop across content areas, across grade levels, or to encourage a writing community between students and other writers.
Engaging Learners Through Project Based Learning, Josh Wood (KIS)
In this session, participants will explore how the project based learning framework can make learning more meaningful and engaging for learners. We will be looking at all aspects of the process, from planning to sharing products to an authentic audience. We will also be discussing the importance of shifting our focus from teaching content to teaching 21st century skills. This workshop is suitable for MS/HS teachers of all subject areas.
Cross Content Collaboration, Angela DeLuigi and Erin Garcia (KIS)
When the worlds of Math and Science meet in the classroom through collaborative planning, cross-curricular unit projects, and STEM fair. Two 6th grade teachers present how they teach across the curriculum through their collaboration strategies, ideas, GRASP projects, rubrics, examples of student work, and reflections.
EAL: From Basic to Brilliant in 45 Minutes, Martin Kindness (NLCS)
The principal aim of 'From Basic to Brilliant in 45 Minutes' is to highlight the language acquisition continuum typically faced by students in international schooling and, through activities if time permits, to explore the kinds of help which teachers can give them along their way to an academic level of proficiency. Since it's important that we know why we do what we do, links between theory and practice will be explicitly made, and the point that language is best learned in context emphasised and exemplified. Teachers of all categories and from any area of school are welcome to attend. Perhaps, though, the less you know about EAL the more you'll get out of the session!
Technology Integration for Learning (Primary Focus), Amy Ruppert (KIS)
Let’s combine some tech, teaching, learning, and fun! Teachers will have an opportunity to explore apps as well as use this time to create integrated technology tools for the primary classroom. Bring your iPads and let the fun begin. (Teachers should either be able to download apps or have these apps on your iPad: Padlet, Stop Motion, and Explain Everything!)
Fast feedback to students with Google Forms, Ty Riddick (KIS)
Wouldn’t it be great if you could provide instant feedback to your students, without interrupting the flow of lessons? Imagine your students being able to privately receive details on next steps in learning. Also, you would have access to this data for later reporting. KISJ PE teacher Ty Riddick has used Google Forms to create a very simple and effective workflow that allows him to do all this.
How to Win Korean Mothers and Influence Students, Esther Hockey (NLCS)
This workshop will provide insight into the role of Korean mothers and their influence upon students' day to day lives. An understanding of the relationship between Korean mothers and their children can lead to practical ideas of how to influence students' learning, enabling them to develop a positive attitude and achieve success. Esther Hockey is a counsellor who was born and raised in Korea and has lived and studied overseas. She will provide a personal account of Korean culture and discuss common misunderstandings. The goal of this workshop is to open up a conversation about Korean parenting beliefs and Korean educational expectations. We will discuss practical solutions to overcome the challenges and difficulties of working with students of a Korean cultural background.
Session 2
16:00 - 16:45 at one of the Job Alike sessions...
Job alike facilitators will organise their group to complete a PMI of their subject (what works well, what are the challenges, what strategies do people use in their area to help meet these challenges). Each participant will be asked to bring and share one resource that is used in your subject which will be made available to all of the attendees of that session.
- Science
- Support staff
- Counsellors
- Humanities
- Library
- EAL
- English
- Elementary-Tech Integration
- Assoc. Principal/leadership
- Art
- Korean
- Dorms
- Early Childhood PK-1
- IT
- Mathematics