This course explores quality K-8 children's literature for modeling the reading and writing of varied genres, including fiction and nonfiction, technology and media-based information, and non-print materials. Research-based vocabulary and comprehension strategies, selecting quality literature, and engaging students through writing in response to literature will be emphasized.

This course explores quality adolescent literature for modeling the reading and writing of varied genres, including fiction and nonfiction. Research-based vocabulary and comprehension strategies, selecting quality literature, and engaging students through writing in response to literature will be emphasized. This course is designed to help the middle level educator expand his/her cultural horizons and be able to discuss the cultural themes of literature with their students.

The problem of bullies and victims is a universal problem in our schools. Often it is ignored with disastrous results. Many of the school shootings can be traced directly to this problem. Recent research of the problem shows that teachers and administrators ignore this problem. The same research also shows profile of children predisposed to be bullies and victims. Among children predisposed are children who witness aggressive behavior in the home and children who come from schools who do not take bullying seriously.

This course will examine the areas of brain research, differentiation, and multiple intelligence. Overviews of each topic will be discussed with in-depth reading/discussion for participants that are not yet familiar with these topics. This course will explore how teachers can incorporate new research into already developed lesson plans. This allows teachers to feel that new information or ideas can fit into curriculum already in place, without feeling the need to add just one more thing to an already packed agenda.

This course is designed to give teachers the opportunity to explore other cultures in order to gain a deeper understanding of the diversity within our classrooms. This course will examine multicultural literature, parental involvement, lesson planning, and hands-on experiences. This course will also examine cultural definitions and history along with belief and value systems. It will provide participants the opportunity to focus on making adjustments in curriculum and instruction in order to challenge all learners.

Assessment, learning style, motivation, active participation, cooperative learning, brain research, multiple intelligences. This course will help educators put isolated pieces of information together in order to create conditions for learning. We will connect strategies with recent brain research and connect that to the principles of lesson design. The ultimate outcome will be increased student learning.

This course will focus on a variety of instructional strategies including sight word acquisition, phonemic awareness skills, decoding strategies, and reading fluency. Well sample emergent guided reading lessons for K2 and explore a variety of quality childrens literature for use in a shared reading setting. Many hands-on literacy center examples will demonstrate independent student behaviors. A Thirty Minute Model will examine components to support struggling readers. Bring one or two literacy station strategies to share with colleagues.

Educational Strategies for the Gifted will provide the opportunity to examine current trends in educational programming for the gifted and talented. Participants will examine curriculum design and development and compare effectiveness of various programming options: gifted and general education school improvement models, differentiation, collaboration, inclusion, cluster grouping, pullout and pull-in models. Classroom strategies to support qualitatively differentiated instruction will be examined, developed, and applied to current practices.

Psychology of the Gifted will provide an opportunity to examine the issues that educators need to know about the social and emotional development and needs of gifted children. Giftedness is much more than the ability to excel with grades and tests. Participants will examine varying definitions of giftedness and personal beliefs that support and advocate for gifted children or become barriers to them. This class will examine how gifted students perceive themselves, and how pressures, anxiety or outside influences impact the fulfillment of their potential.

The course is designed to provide teachers the opportunity to gain deeper understanding of the art of teaching writing. Current research and theory will provide a foundation of knowledge to effictively teach writing as a communication tool. Content will include the following: reading-writing-speaking connections; the stages of spelling development; the writing process; qualities of effective writing; writing conferences; and an exploration of different types of writing.