Day of Information

• Check in begins at 8am. Presenters may arrive earlier to check out the rooms and setup for their presentations.
• Please use #southlandlearns to share your experiences on the social media of your choice throughout the day.
• Parking is available in both the north and south lots of OLHMS. Please enter the building through Door 1.
• A light breakfast and lunch will be available. Enjoy a treat, catch-up with your fellow Southland colleagues and network with educators from the neighborhood.
• Make sure to bring your preferred internet device. The wireless network password will be provided on the day of the event.

Professional Development Hours (Formally CPDU's)

If you are seeking ISBE PD Hours:

• Please make sure to have your IEIN (Illinois Educator Identification Number) number with you.
• You must sign-in when you arrive in the morning. If your name is not listed, please add your name & IEIN at the end of the sign-in sheets.
• You must complete the evaluation at the conclusion of our event.
• You must sign out after completing the evaluation of our event.
• When the previous steps have been completed, you will be handed verification of your attendance (Evidence of Completion for Professional Development.)
• Please keep this form as evidence of your attendance as this is the ONLY copy of the form that we will be able to provide.

Session 1

9:15am - 10:00am

Session 2

10:15am - 11:00am

Session 3

11:15am - 12:00pm

Amplify Student Engagement with Flipgrid

Kathryn Ringhofer - Session 1 - Room 1215

Flipgrid is a free, interactive platform in which the teacher posts a prompt, question, or video, and the students provide video responses. This session will help you get started on Flipgrid, familiarize you with its many features and possible classroom applications, and allow you to experience the wonder of Flipgrid from the roles of both student and teacher. A step-by-step tutorial will be provided for future reference.

Creating a Climate and Culture for Learning

Kristy Rauch - Session 1 - Room 1018

This session reviews research, strategies and resources to help school leaders cultivate caring learning communities that build student autonomy, belonging, and competence. Participants will experience “a week in the life” of an elementary student through a series of class meetings. We will explore ways in which these meetings, along with other schoolwide approaches including discipline practices, can improve school climate, strengthen relationships between students and their families and impact student achievement.

Get Your Own Data!

Robert Hollander - Session 1 - Room 1213

In math, giving students the opportunity to research actual data for calculations allows them to understand "real world" situations at the next level. The objective is for students to not simply use data to calculate with little understanding but explore and investigate data and its origin to create a connection between the data and the calculation.

Google Classroom: Work Smarter, Not Harder!

Sarah Molloy - Session 1 - Room 1006

In this session I would like to show the many powerful ways you can use Google Classroom to assess student learning, work on character education, create a student centered environment, and also take the burden off of the teacher by keeping track of odds and ends! This session would show how to make the most of the tools available and show them in real time application. I use google classroom and the many add-ons daily to make my work load a little lighter without sacrificing the rich and engaging content I want to provide my students.

Google Tools for English Language Learners

Anastasia Angelos & Janet Kennedy - Session 1 - Room 1012

Looking for tech tools that will propel your English Language Learners’ growth and proficiency level and all four language domains? Janet and Ana have worked collaboratively over the past few years to develop a plan for the use of Google assistive technology support tools for ELLs. During this session, teachers will learn about Google tools to use with English language learners and will discover technology that will help these students both acquire and use their new language.

Hit the Ground Running: Building a Culture for Learning

Michelle Gustafson & Allison Olivarez - Session 1 - Room 1013

What to know how to build a culture of learning through classroom management and routines? We will be sharing practical ideas about the physical layout of your room, routines to create rapport with your students, procedures to help your classroom run smoothly, and ways to build respectful relationships among classmates. You will walk away with a template to help you plan for this new school year!

Lighting a Spark - Visual Creativity

Steve Wick - Session 1 - Room 1010

Student creation is essential to the learning process. When students engage in exploring and creating visuals learning sticks. This session will introduce and explore digital resources that can be used to help students engage in creative activities. Join us as we explore how Adobe Spark, Google Drawings and more can support student creations connected memes, infographics and more.

Little Things That Make a Big Difference in Math

Alfreida S. Jamison - Session 1 - Room 1026

From digits to numbers and decimals to decimal points, similar references in Math can cause confusion even among those who are well-versed in the subject. This session will discuss 'little' errors that occur in Math classrooms every day that, when not corrected, can be the difference between a correct response and an incorrect response.

Making Math Count: Using Math Workshop to Differentiate Instruction

Jada Gilleylen & Erin Kasanders - Session 1 - Room 1005

If you struggle with meeting the needs of students in your math classroom, try a math workshop model! Learn how to effectively plan and manage guided math lessons while helping students gain success and independence in math station rotations. Walk away with ideas about launching the math workshop model, center rotations, assessment and record-keeping ideas, and more!

Math Problem Solving with Tape Diagrams from K-5

Amy Abbott & Maureen Finnegan - Session 1 - Room 1001

Making sense of the math is the first step in the K-5 classroom problem solving. Showing students how to access the number relationship, providing to represent their thinking, and ideas to display the strategy they used to solve are the keys to successful problem solving. Leave with ideas to make the students own their own problem solving.

Motivating your Student: Mistakes and the Growth Mindset

Ann Snow - Session 1 - Room 1019

This workshop explores the Growth Mindset as a tool for motivating your student. You will learn strategies to help your students keep trying when concepts don’t come easily- and to try even harder when skills do come easily. You will learn about the different kinds of mistakes we all make, and how to help your students use a mistake as a growth opportunity. This presentation addresses motivation at all ages.

SEL Classroom Integration

Kevin McClure - Session 1 - Room 1002

You've heard the phrases. You've supported some of the programming. Take a fresh look at aligning age appropriate SEL standards/benchmarks to your classroom learning environment. Join a step by step alignment and planning process to utilize classroom resources and materials to support SEL integration efforts.

The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom: Practical Strategies

Laura Ferrell & Kristin Simpkins - Session 1 - Room 1011

Did you know that around 50% of students that walk through our classrooms each day have experienced some level of childhood trauma? This can impact learning, behavior and relationships at school. Learn how to create a classroom environment that helps all children feel safe and ready to be a member of a learning community.

Before Fact Fluency

Ann Snow - Session 2 - Room 1019

Participants in this session will explore the development of fact fluency, with a focus on the necessary foundational skills.

Connecting as Educators - Using Twitter, Blogs, Podcasts and More to Connect and Grow

John Wawczak - Session 2 - Room 1018

We now live in a time where connecting with others is as easy as the push of a button. With that being the case, the possibilities for us as educators are right there! I fully believe in the old adage of 'two brains are better than one'. But how about three brains?

This session will focus on how we can use platforms such as Twitter, Blogging and/or Podcasts to connect with educators around the world and continue to grow and learn in our profession.

Differentiation in Science

Kimberly Fair - Session 2 - Room 1006

This session is about differentiating multiple levels of material in classrooms with varying learning levels. During this session we will discuss effective ways to differentiate science material, how and when to use data to differentiate, and how to introduce differentiation to your classroom. This will be a hands on workshop that engages teachers on how to make the most of their material and get the most back from their students.

Get Them Talking! Increasing Comprehension with Student Interaction

Angela Goetz & Susan Whited - Session 2 - Room 1012

Students learn and retain more when they have the opportunity to interact with the content and with each other! Participants will leave with three interactive strategies perfect for immediate implementation in the classroom. This interactive presentation will involve the introduction, demonstration, and practice of each of the strategies, at least one of which will include technology. It will also include information regarding best practice for administrators when observing the SIOP model in action, with opportunities for administrators to practice.

Get to the "Core" with Engaging Activities

Jamie Albon & Caroline Sweiss - Session 2 - Room 1001

Standards, standards, standards... yet Common Core is so much more!

This session will incorporate activities that promote the Common Core Standards in an engaging way. We will share strategies that develop students' mastery of the standards through hands-on and technological approaches.

Google's Applied Digital Skills

Steve Wick - Session 2 - Room 1010

Have you explored Google’s Applied Digital Skills Curriculum? Google has created a free digital literacy curriculum to help learners engage in a wide range of digital literacy skills. Educators can use the curriculum as is or adapt the activities to connect to curricular goals. This session will introduce educators to the interface, the activities, and explore connections to existing classroom content.

Helping Students Retain Math

Ali Ghada - Session 2 - Room 1017

During this session, you will be introduced to ideas and activities that will help students retain the skills they learned in math.

Making the Most of Independent Reading

Molly Moulis - Session 2 - Room 1005

Teachers know the importance of allowing students time to read independently, but are you wondering how to make that time more instructionally effective? In this session participants will learn how to gather important information during independent reading conferences and use the information collected to elevate student achievement.

Nurturing Future World Changers; Fundamentals to Brain Development

Wanikka Vance-Clark - Session 2 - Room 1002

What if we could help children prepare for the future?

What if we can impact them with our actions to be able to learn better and ultimately succeed in life?

Many have thought about this possibility in the past but only recently have modern science been able to reveal that we can actually achieve this.

90% of all childhood brain development occurs before the age of five years and their experience during this period will have a lifelong impact.

We can take advantage of this new information to help children to nurture their physiological and cognitive development.

Lack of knowledge has hindered our understanding but now we know that foundational education is a priority.

Children need our help to be able to cope with the future environment which will be very different from ours as technology continues to change the way we live and interact. We can use these powerful new discoveries about children's brain development to effectively shape the mind of future generations.

Nurturing future world changers will help both early educators and parents to create an engaging learning experience to foster a child’s positive brain development while sowing the seed for an enriching love of learning.

Problem Solved! 3-Act Math Tasks

Jackie McMahon & Margaret Nugent - Session 2 - Room 1011

Tired of your students number plucking? In this session, learn how teachers across the country are setting the stage for curiosity in math class using 3-Act Tasks. What's a 3-Act Task? Using videos and/or photos presented in three parts, students participate in a rich exercise which promotes quality discussions and creative problem solving.

Teacher Travel to Germany through TOP- Teaching about Modern Germany

Karen Krzystof- Bansley - Session 2 - Room 1013

TOP STUDY TOURS

Where do the best lessons in life come from? From Experience!

Experience is what the Transatlantic Outreach Program is all about. Since 2002, TOP has sought to find the best and most qualified social studies and STEM educators and give them the opportunity to experience contemporary Germany in the most dramatic way possible: in person.

Working With Our 4-D Students

Larry Davis - Session 2 - Room 1215

Working With Our 4-D Students

Creating Opportunities that will Result in Innovative and Progressive Solutions

Dr. Steve Perry - Session 3 - Room 1001

Share expertise and best practices from a broad spectrum of educator voices advocacy.

DIY OT strategies for your K-5 classroom

Kristen Dunford & Colleen Fisher - Session 3 - Room 1013

This session will focus on easy to create and implement Occupational Therapy Strategies for the K-5 classroom. Attendees will learn a basic understanding of the MTSS process and Tier 1 strategies for those students who have difficulty attending to large and small group instruction, regulating their bodies and completing written classroom assignments.

EdTechEquity: The Best Free EdTech Tools

Cindy Bulthuis & Tasha Ohotzke - Session 3 - Room 1026

Education technology is revolutionizing classrooms everywhere, but ensuring technology reaches ALL teachers and students equally is no small task. This session will equip teachers with FREE tools that any K-8 teacher, regardless of their zip code, can use.

Freddy Krueger in the classroom

Marcus Taylor - Session 3 - Room 1213

How to talk,teach, and relate to Freddy Krueger in the classroom. The session is designed to enhance learning, social emotional by being responsive . Further, learn by involvement in celebrating an appropriate responsive approach whom opens optimal learning opportunities using Social Emotional Learning.

Get Personal with Personalized Learning

Tina Burzinski & Jodi McLawhorn - Session 3 - Room 1006

• At the conclusion of the session, participants will: Define what personalized learning is
• Describe what personalized learning looks like in a school
• Evaluate how personalized learning can work in their building
• Identify the needs for personalized learning in their building
• Consider the growth mindset; it’s importance to personalized learning and how to make connections to your school's mission
• Understand the academic and SEL advantages to using a PL program

Google's Hidden Gems

Steve Wick - Session 3 - Room 1010

Google Apps for Education has become an incredible resource for teachers and students. Schools across the country are using Google Sites, Google Drive, and Google Classroom, but many are missing the Hidden Gems connected to Google for Education. This fast paced session will introduce attendees to lesser known Google Tools and provide ideas on how and why they should be used in the classroom.

Healthy Teachers Matter

Robin Wheeler - Session 3 - Room 1017

This session is designed to provide educators with the tools necessary to increase stamina and productivity throughout the work day by implementing practical and applicable wellness tips to improve nutrition, reduce stress and increase function during hectic work days.

The Magic of Morning Meeting

Anne Marie McGovern & Kathleen Spreitzer - Session 3 - Room 1012

Relationship Building and students feeling safe in school are essential before students can begin learning. Morning Meeting is a way for this to happen. Classrooms are families and respect of its members are necessary to begin the learning process. Morning Meeting is an expectation in both of our schools. We will discuss the different components of Morning Meeting and will demonstrate each component. Since time is always an issue we will show you how you can incorporate an effective Morning Meeting is less time than you think.

Increasing Student Engagement

Kendra Simmons - Session 3 - Room 1005

"Increasing Student Engagement" is a PD that will allow participants to actively explore and discuss how to increase student engagement within their classroom. It will also provide an opportunity for participants to share professional experiences with their fellow colleagues. Educators should expect to walk away with a plan to increase student achievement for their students in the upcoming school year.

Less Stress, More Time on Task!

Ryan Shawn - Session 3 - Room 1002

Finally – the techniques and strategies you need to have a productive, healthy and happy classroom

Mindfulness for You and Your Students

Ann Snow & Denise Mastella - Session 3 - Room 1019

Join us to learn how you can promote learning/wellness by integrating movement and mindfulness into the classroom.

Through mindfulness you can . . .

• empower students with coping skills that go beyond the classroom
• implement replacement strategies for unwanted behaviors
• create a stronger and kinder community
• use movement to create deeper connections to curriculum
• spark creativity, confidence and self-expression

This session is for anyone with a curiosity about mindfulness. No previous meditation experience is necessary.

Strategies for Creating Open Discussions

Margaret Nugent & Angela Sorrentino - Session 3 - Room 1011

Different scenarios will be discussed on how to create a comfortable setting in the classroom for students to easily express themselves.

Targeted Campus Instruction that Works

Larry Davis - Session 3 - Room 1215

Instructional Leadership is about "People Not Programs"

The Well-Being Wheel: An Innovative Tool for School Improvement Planning

Jennifer Moore - Session 3 - Room 1018

What if schools focused on promoting the well-being of all? What if students couldn’t wait for the school doors to open each day? What if teachers were excited to come to work? What if families were cared for and nurtured, so in turn, they could support their children? How might the conversation change about how we 'do school' if well-being became the priority of schools? The seven different aspects of the well-being wheel (physical, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, cognitive, and financial) can be used by teachers, students, parents and administrators to reflect on their individual level of well-being and to take steps to put organizational structures in place to ensure well-being.