Note: Virtual course.
Supporting the practices of instructional coaches is critical in NC schools. This program will prepare coaches for this ever-changing profession. Coaches will articulate their coaching beliefs and learn strategies to strengthen relationships. We will focus on having critical conversations and establishing productive Professional Learning Communities with students’ success in mind.
NOTE: Virtual porgram (2 hours, 40 parts)
We know students struggle with problem-solving, so how do we create protocols and lessons in our classrooms that empower students to persevere and reason mathematically? This one-day program will provide teachers with instructional strategies that allow opportunities for authentic problem-solving and engages students in the Standards of Mathematical Practice. In addition, teachers will collaborate with colleagues from across the state, explore new resources, and prepare lessons to immediately take back to their classrooms.
This is a virtual program.
Identify reading materials you can use in your classroom to capture and keep the attention of your struggling readers. Experience a variety of instructional methods such as text selection, contests and competitions, focus reading groups, and the latest websites and blogs to boost literacy achievement. Discover solutions to capture the attention of reluctant readers and examine strategies that motivate students to sustain reading in the classroom and at home.
Note: Virutal program. Two hours, 30 parts
This program will explore the science of reading and the balance needed to ensure students understand and make sense of text. Teachers will discuss the value of immersing their students in diverse texts to build background knowledge. Additionally, teachers will explore ways in which to engage students in discussing and writing about text.
Designed for teachers in grades 3-8.
This program will be virtual.
Come be inspired by the power of graphic novels! When he called comics the “gateway drug to literacy,” Art Spiegelman (author of Maus) echoed what many educators see firsthand: graphic novels have tremendous power to engage and support even the most reluctant readers. What graphic novels should you read aloud? How do you read a graphic novel aloud when so much of it is held in the pictures? How can graphic novels showcase what so many children tend to miss in prose: symbols, motifs, mood, and theme? We will explore misconceptions about graphic novels and provide guidelines to successfully use graphic novels in the classroom. Finally, we will examine examples of how graphic novels can be integrated into English/language arts, history, science, and math lessons.
Designed for teachers in grades K-5.
This program will be virtual.
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 by collaborating, exploring and creating literacy activities and/or lessons that they can take back and employ with their students. This program is designed specifically for art, music, and physical education in the elementary grades.
Note: This program is virtual.
Designed for teachers in grades 6-12.
We know mathematics is more than just computing numbers; it is about reasoning to problem solve. How do we encourage students to think as mathematicians? This program, based on the book Routines for Reasoning, will explore a range of routines that can be used in the classroom to facilitate students’ mathematical reasoning. Utilizing the eight mathematical practices, the routines learned in this program will empower teachers to help students scaffold word problems, develop deeper understandings of quantities, and make connections to big ideas in math. Join this program to vertically collaborate with colleagues from across the state and develop new instructional routines to strengthen students’ critical thinking skills. This program is intended for teachers who teach math in grades 6-12. The program will include cumulative K-12 sessions as well as grade span breakout sessions.
Note: This program is now virtual.
Designed for teachers in grades K-5.
How do we encourage students to think as mathematicians? This program, based on the book Routines for Reasoning, will explore a range of routines that can be used in the classroom to facilitate students’ mathematical reasoning. Utilizing the eight mathematical practices, the routines learned in this program will empower teachers to help students scaffold word problems, develop deeper understandings of quantities, and make connections to big ideas in math. Join this program to vertically collaborate with colleagues from across the state and develop new instructional routines to strengthen students’ critical thinking skills. This program is intended for math teachers in grades K-5. The program will include cumulative K-12 sessions as well as grade span breakout sessions.
Note: This program is virtual
Explore how teachers and students with no prior knowledge can use the Maker Movement to become inventors and designers. Teachers will learn the basics of the Maker Movement and how to integrate hands-on creative lessons into their standards to reach the needs of all students. We will explore green screen projects, basic robotics, coding, design theory, 3D printing, building and making, STEAM projects, and much more!
NOtE: This will be a virtual program
What if rather than hearing your students say, “I’m not good at math,” (or science) you could hear them say “math is my favorite class!”? This session is for high school math and science teachers ready to learn how to use the elements of authentic Project Based Learning as a catalyst to restore the joy, wonder, and excitement of these subjects, while also enabling an increase in rigor and student depth of knowledge. Participants will work in a collaborative environment to develop a working knowledge of the elements of High Quality PBL, including how to leverage school and community resources to make the learning more applicable and relevant to things students care about. Join us with one or more project ideas that will be transformed into a single, standards-based project that is ready for launch in your school.