Instruction Courses

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Geometry: The Shape of Our World (Grades 8-10)

  Our world is defined by space and spatial relationships of geometric shapes and elements.  The arguments we use to defend our points of view to others model geometric thinking.  The structures and arguments of geometry are one of the oldest, most practical and, to many students, the most relevant studies in mathematics.  Skillful teachers in early grades build on students’ innate ability to describe their world by introducing precise geometric vocabulary and basic understandings. The study of geometry is as extensive as it is fascinating.  This course limits itself to address only the most fundamental and essential content common toContinue Reading

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Extending Understanding for Success in Pre-Algebra: Grades 6-8

Brain research explains why adolescents often exhibit impulsive or thoughtless behaviors, why they seek novelty and thrive when learning is relevant and social.  The challenges of engaging middle school students in the study of pre-algebra mathematics hones the roster of successful middle school math teachers to a special group, many of who offer their advice to you in the four components of this course.  Component One:  One Number, Many Names.  This component explores the different representations of rational numbers so a student can answer the important question, “What is the most useful name for 3 ½ in this situation?”  TheContinue Reading

Building Effective Parent-Teacher Partnerships

When schools work together with families to support learning, children tend to succeed not just in school, but also throughout life. In fact, the most accurate predictor of a student’s achievement in school is not income or social status, but the extent to which that student’s family is able to create a home environment that encourages learning; express high expectations for their children’s achievement and future careers; and become involved in their children’s education at school and in the community. Researchers typically agree that parent should be partners in the education process. This helps children do better in school andContinue Reading

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Building Blocks for Understanding Mathematics: Grades 3-5

This course examines topics that build on students’ firm foundation of counting and number sense, basic addition and subtraction, place value, and the ability and confidence to apply their knowledge to solve important problems. Along with a discussion of content topics essential for mastery in grades 3-5 and research-based strategies used by successful teachers to ensure that mastery, this course presents information about how the preadolescent brain learns and how this should influence instruction.  Five components address these topics.  Component One:  Teaching Mathematics to the Preadolescent Brain.  It seems reasonable that efforts to teach are consistent with how the brainContinue Reading

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Foundations for Understanding Mathematics: Grades K-2

What are the issues that commonly cause students’ natural abilities and love for mathematics to fade to difficulty and dislike?  This course will examine the skills and concepts that form the foundation for understanding mathematics.  In addition, it will examine the elements of instruction that have been found to nurture young students’ innate mathematical curiosity, confidence and ability.  Three components describe the content and pedagogy essential for instruction at these early grades.  Component One:  Counting.  The first component builds from a child’s innate ability to distinguish quantities and to react when the number of objects in a small collection hasContinue Reading

Coaching

This course addresses one of the most important changes in role and focus in education today: the emergence of the instructional coach. While the importance of coaching is obvious, many individuals selected to serve in the role of instructional coach are known for their experience or reputation as an experienced and successful educator, yet receive very little additional training in the competencies specific to successful coaches. There are four broad objectives for this course: To define the role of an instructional coach and place it in the context of professional learning and school improvement To build an understanding of theContinue Reading

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Side by Side Paraeducator Course 2

Side by Side: Part 2 This course serves to establish paraeducators as essential partners in providing quality services to students in schools. This course focuses on three critical skills that enhance the value of the supports and services provided to students and to their teachers. They are: Adapting instructional materials to increase student access to and success within the curriculum Providing meaningful assistance that is focused on student needs and is not stigmatizing and recognizes six levels of support that offer a continuum of assistance from most to least intensive and intrusive; and Creating a positive learning environment for allContinue Reading

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Algebraic Reasoning

      This course is designed to build content knowledge of special education teachers providing instructional services to students in the areas of Algebra and Algebraic Reasoning. It may also be used as a review for general education mathematics teachers or paraeducators who may be supporting struggling students in the general education classroom. This course will sharpen your algebraic reasoning and skills to work with and communicate your algebraic thoughts to others. There are four components to the course. Component 1: Linear Algebra. This components will sharpen your thinking about topics in linear algebra. You will work with theContinue Reading

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Collaborative Teaching 2

This course is a continuation of the Collaborative Teaching: A Marriage of Talents and Temperaments, which gave you the skills to build your collaborative teaching partnership. This course specifically focuses on collaboratively planned and taught lessons. The planning process in many cases consists of two phases. The first or initial phase involves drafting the actual lesson. The lesson is activity-based, rigorous as it relates to content standards, challenging and relevant to engage the learner, and inclusive so all students have the opportunity to learn and be successful. The second phase of the planning process involves the dialogue that occurs betweenContinue Reading

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