What is literacy? How does literacy cross all content areas? How can I integrate literacy strategies into my class when I don’t teach reading? All teachers share the responsibility of ensuring our students are literate and prepared for college and careers. In this program, teachers will investigate ways to integrate literacy instruction into their content area. This program is designed specifically for teachers who teach art, music, and physical education in the elementary grades.

Join the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and NCCAT as we look at ways to enhance students’ environmental literacy through participation in citizen science projects. Get outdoors and explore North Carolina’s coastal ecology as we use the unique and beautiful ecosystems of the Outer Banks as a field laboratory to collect data. Become familiar with some of the many online citizen science databases and learn ways to use the data you and other citizens collect in your classroom. Participate in simple activities that incorporate technology, math, graphing, data analysis, and writing while introducing tools that will help you develop your own lessons and programs using citizen science data.

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Opportunities to work with students in small groups creates new math understandings and builds fluency. Join this program to focus on essential components of small group instruction including facilitating math running records and interventions for math learners. This comprehensive program will include exploring number sense progressions, manipulatives for developing conceptual understanding, and strategies for building fluency. Time will be included for teachers to collaborate and develop small group lessons for their math classrooms. This program is intended for teachers and instructional coaches in grades K-5.

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There is a clear science to teaching reading. Due to advancements in cognitive science, we know more about how our students learn to read than ever before. Participants will delve into current Science of Reading research to support learning around the essential components of reading instruction and how to apply it in your Spanish dual language classroom. Please join us as we spend quality time looking closely into best instructional practices that support the Science of Reading in your Spanish dual language classroom.

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Is your school interested in using the NC STEM Schools of Distinction Rubric for school improvement or to receive the STEM School of Distinction designation?  During this three-day planning institute schools will review the overarching principles of the Rubric, consider what each principle means in the context of their individual school, assess the school’s readiness, draft a strategic plan and develop next steps for school improvement or to apply for the NC STEM Schools of Distinction. The institute will include whole group discussion to learn from best practices across the state and individual school team planning. 

Who should attend:  School teams of three to five (including a required administrator). Schools which currently have a STEM focus or have previously applied for the STEM School of Distinction designation will benefit the most from this institute.

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In this session, we will discover ways to differentiate in a digital environment.  Strategies, scenarios, tips, tricks, and practices will be shared to increase student engagement.  Participants will be given an opportunity to understand how differentiating with technology can help them create student personalized learning profiles.  We will explore how to use technology to teach to different learning styles so that retention is easier.  Technology will be used so that teachers can connect with every student, and build stronger relationships that promote learning.

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When teachers know and begin to understand how the brain learns, they can better serve their students, thus increasing positive behavior and academic performance. Understanding thescience behind how we are hard wired to learn is empowering for educators. There is a strong relationship between the brain, SEL, and learning. The frontal lobe houses the structures where most brain activity occurs when people care about each other, trust each other, and want to be friends. It is also home to our executive control function, where we make decisions, process information, and learn. Through a combination of interactive lecture, practical activities, and meaningful movement; you will leave with the skills, understanding, and knowledge needed to become an awesome brain-based educator.

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With the changes being made to Google Expeditions and apps like Google Poly, how can you continue to place the power of virtual reality into the hands of your students? What if you and your students could create virtual reality projects to experience our state, local and national parks as well as historical sites. Join us to collect digital artifacts of the beautiful places in our state and learn how to use smartphones, iPads and mobile devices, the Streetview app and free websites like Round.me to create virtual reality projects that not only foster engagement, critical thinking and creativity, but engender something unique to virtual reality; empathy and a connection to the beauty and history of our state. You will be inspired by your surroundings to create an interactive VR experience, then share it to GoOpen NC.  Student created VR can be used as a choice in any situation where teachers would normally use traditional digital projects like slide presentations, posters, infographics, and brochures.  The end products can be viewed through Google Cardboard, Goggles, or using a simple link.

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Strong core instruction is critical for student success and standards-focused planning is an essential piece of this work. So, what are best practices for planning math core instruction? This program will focus on strategies for teaching math that honor the practice of acceleration to grade-level learning. We will explore the research from NCTM, among others, for re-engaging students in prior learning for success with grade-level concepts. In addition, teachers will have the opportunity to engage in vertical alignment communities, learn formative assessment strategies, and explore scaffolding practices. Join NCCAT to collaborate with NC colleagues and learn new practices that honor the needs of our math students. This program is intended for math teachers and instructional coaches in grades 2-6.

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