Computer science drives job growth and innovation throughout our economy and society. According to Code.org: computing occupations make up two-thirds of all projected new jobs in STEM fields, making Computer Science one of the most in-demand college degrees. Most students, however, do not have the opportunity to learn coding. You can help change this by inspiring students to learn more about computer science. Learn how to code, how to integrate coding into your curriculum, and the basics in robotics.

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Designed for teachers in grades 4–8.

Our public schools are encountering a multicultural diversity challenge. Minority students (and all students) need to see positive verbal and visual images of children like themselves in the books they read. When children see themselves in books they are motivated to read more books and read more often. It can increase self-esteem and make them feel part of the larger society. Reading literature about people from other cultures can increase sensitivity to those who are different from themselves, improve their knowledge of the world, and help them realize that although people have many differences, they also share many similarities. Learn to identify and evaluate books and online literacy resources that you can use to build a positive multicultural classroom. Become familiar with grants and other sources you can use to acquire multicultural resources. We also will explore strategies for involving parents in multicultural literacy programs.

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Designed for teachers of grades K–5.

Good readers ask questions before, during, and after reading to make sense of text. Questions provide the opportunity to interact with the text and figure out the deeper meaning of what is being read. How do teachers model good questioning strategies? How do teachers pose questions that foster critical thinking? What types of questions help readers understand confusing parts of a book? Learn how to use questioning strategies to enhance reading comprehension for all students.

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The study of STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—stimulates children to think critically and problem solve. STEM skills are crucial to building workforce readiness. Purposeful integration of tools found in the workplace can make STEM learning more authentic and relevant. Explore various types of technology and tools that can be incorporated into these existing lessons to make them even better. Maximize classroom time by integrating technologies that can make data collection and analysis easier. Experience lessons that give students a desire to ask questions and engineer solutions. Various technologies will be explored including Vernier sensors, coding software, design software, 3D printers, web 2.0 resources, mechatronics and more. Join us as we make messes, break things, fix things and create minds-on STEM learning environments.

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Designed for elementary math, ELA, or self-contained teachers of grades 3–5.

Students who struggle with the abstract and symbolic nature of mathematics may benefit from leveraging their reading and writing skills to analyze, evaluate, and solve complex problems. In this program, teachers will engage in a series of activities that combine reading and writing skills with mathematical inquiry. They will then have time to create or revise lessons that integrate these areas. Teachers of younger or older students may benefit, but activities will be geared to the upper elementary grades.

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Designed for teachers in grades K–3.

Discover new ways to turn reading strategies into writing opportunities that deepen comprehension and extend student learning. This intensive, interactive program will focus on the power of the teacher as the mentor-model in exploring multiple tools for unlocking thinking in the classroom—through the process of uncovering your own writing life. Strategies will include the use of journal responses, writing as inquiry across the content areas, and the power of authentic interactions with poetry and prompts.

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It’s time to start thinking outside the box! Teachers often think projects take too much time to plan or don’t know how to align them with curriculum. Project Based Learning Units (PBLs) are an effective and enjoyable way to learn that allow students to work as a team, reflect, ask questions, build confidence, work with a purpose, problem solve, and learn time management. Investigate essential questions, unit questions, and content questions that will enable you to develop your own PBL unit. Return to your classroom with a PBL unit you create that will excite and engage your students as they claim ownership of their learning.

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During the middle grade years, students transition from concrete to abstract understandings. Developing understanding, not simply rote memorization of concepts, is imperative in these grades. Learn how to create contexts for math concepts that lead students to deep understandings of the why and how of middle grades standards. We will use the new NC Standards, which will be implemented in 2018–2019. Explore the multiple avenues you can use to create lessons that require students to persevere in problem-solving while culminating understanding throughout the lesson progression. Learn creative ways to manage your math class so re-teaching can take place for individualized instruction, and formative assessment can happen routinely. Develop a differentiated math classroom that engages students of all skill levels in lessons and activities that create meaning and application.

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Designed for teachers in grades 4–12.

Students are engaged when they are involved in their work, persist despite challenges and obstacles, and take visible delight in their accomplishments. Solving student engagement issues is complex. What works in one class may be a failure in the next, with every year presenting new challenges for engaging students in various lessons. This program will use a collaborative classroom process to address questions with how to create a classroom culture and how to create classroom instruction that facilitates self-motivation, personal responsibility, and perseverance. Participants also will review and evaluate motivational strategies for engaging students.

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Foundations of Mathematics equips classroom teachers with the foundational knowledge needed to provide all students with appropriate mathematics instruction. The method uses evidence-based instructional strategies, assessments to guide instruction, appropriate selection of direct instruction programs, and progress monitoring of students. This program helps teachers understand how to make strong mathematical connections to explain the procedures used in mathematics. It will ensure you are able to help your students demystify and conceptualize mathematics. Your students will find a new love of mathematics when you allow them to reason about the math rather than just “do” the math.

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