I've worked up some proposals for professional development sessions I am willing to present. These are areas I can speak to with experience. They provide a glimpse into our classroom, as well.
I AM MUSIC (60 minutes)
Music soothes the savage beast. Music is the voice of the soul. This is not a music class, but a class with music. From Air Supply to ZZ Top, from Beethoven to Coldplay, music is a fixture in my classroom. In this session, participants will learn about setting up playlists for different kinds of weather, for special days, and for special activities. Additionally, they will get to take part in reading, writing, and math projects with musical foundations
Music soothes the savage beast. Music is the voice of the soul. This is not a music class, but a class with music. From Air Supply to ZZ Top, from Beethoven to Coldplay, music is a fixture in my classroom. In this session, participants will learn about setting up playlists for different kinds of weather, for special days, and for special activities. Additionally, they will get to take part in reading, writing, and math projects with musical foundations
A THOUSAND WORDS (60 minutes)
A picture's worth a thousand words. If that's true, why aren't you using visual images (pictures) and moving pictures (videos) to teach? This session is chockablock with ideas and techniques for adding color to your lessons. This is not a session about bulletin boards and posters; instead, we'll attempt to see how images and moving pictures can be embedded into your instruction.
A picture's worth a thousand words. If that's true, why aren't you using visual images (pictures) and moving pictures (videos) to teach? This session is chockablock with ideas and techniques for adding color to your lessons. This is not a session about bulletin boards and posters; instead, we'll attempt to see how images and moving pictures can be embedded into your instruction.
A WHOLE NEW WORLD (60 minutes)
Capture the interest of your students from the moment they walk through your door. Transform your classroom into thematic settings, unexpected habitats, and surprise scenarios. Suddenly, we're not in the classroom anymore, and you're leading your students through activities with sticking power. They'll remember these experiences for decades
Capture the interest of your students from the moment they walk through your door. Transform your classroom into thematic settings, unexpected habitats, and surprise scenarios. Suddenly, we're not in the classroom anymore, and you're leading your students through activities with sticking power. They'll remember these experiences for decades
GREAT STARTS (60 minutes)
Putting your L'Eggo-My-Eggo moments aside, this is you opportunity to learn more about greeting students, Positive Behavior Conversations, Music Appreciation, Quotes to Discuss, Word a Day, and more., to start each day on the right foot.
Putting your L'Eggo-My-Eggo moments aside, this is you opportunity to learn more about greeting students, Positive Behavior Conversations, Music Appreciation, Quotes to Discuss, Word a Day, and more., to start each day on the right foot.
MAKE MATHEMATICS GREAT AGAIN, AGAIN (3 hours)
Last year's presentation was a huge hit. This year, some new goodies have been added to the mix. The challenge in Mathematics is to marry Standards with Practices, balancing it all with Fluency and Number Sense. During this three hour session, you will explore and discover (maybe even create) Math Challenges that tend to be open ended and thought provoking.
Last year's presentation was a huge hit. This year, some new goodies have been added to the mix. The challenge in Mathematics is to marry Standards with Practices, balancing it all with Fluency and Number Sense. During this three hour session, you will explore and discover (maybe even create) Math Challenges that tend to be open ended and thought provoking.
THE RON CLARK ACADEMY EXPERIENCE PLUS (90 minutes)
In this expanded edition of last year's session, the presenter will share his experiences and encounters with master teacher Ron Clark. If you've followed Clark (teacher and author), Kim Bearden (National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee), Hope King (Elementary Shenanigans), and other teachers from the Ron Clark Academy, you already know they successfully teach inner city youths in a century-old building. They do so with passion, energy, high expectations, and manners. Prepare to hear some of the transformative observations from the active classrooms of the RCA in Atlanta.
In this expanded edition of last year's session, the presenter will share his experiences and encounters with master teacher Ron Clark. If you've followed Clark (teacher and author), Kim Bearden (National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee), Hope King (Elementary Shenanigans), and other teachers from the Ron Clark Academy, you already know they successfully teach inner city youths in a century-old building. They do so with passion, energy, high expectations, and manners. Prepare to hear some of the transformative observations from the active classrooms of the RCA in Atlanta.
POSITIVE CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE AND INSTRUCTION (90 minutes)
Your reaction to needy kids and poor choices is key to managing the struggles you're having in the classroom. Using techniques from Fred Jones (Tools for Teaching), we'll explore the steps to a positive approach to discipline and instruction - down to the most basic tools of breathing, turning, and pausing.
Your reaction to needy kids and poor choices is key to managing the struggles you're having in the classroom. Using techniques from Fred Jones (Tools for Teaching), we'll explore the steps to a positive approach to discipline and instruction - down to the most basic tools of breathing, turning, and pausing.
ADD SPICE (AND HEART) TO YOUR READ ALOUD (Elementary) (90 minutes)
No more monotonous read-alouds! You, too, can be a performer. Get ready to participate in some exercises intended to build upon your presentation skills. In this session, we will explore vocal inflections, quality, volume, and rate. Model your oral reading with panache; your students will applaud!
No more monotonous read-alouds! You, too, can be a performer. Get ready to participate in some exercises intended to build upon your presentation skills. In this session, we will explore vocal inflections, quality, volume, and rate. Model your oral reading with panache; your students will applaud!
IMPROV YOUR WRITING (60 minutes)
It's not a typo! Improvisation is a fun, effective, and systematic way to inspire writers and get the blood flowing in your classroom. Here is an unexpected source of drama and humor that may easily be transformed into conversation and writing. Can you students not think of anything to write? Improvisational exercises provide the motivation and inspiration to get them started.
It's not a typo! Improvisation is a fun, effective, and systematic way to inspire writers and get the blood flowing in your classroom. Here is an unexpected source of drama and humor that may easily be transformed into conversation and writing. Can you students not think of anything to write? Improvisational exercises provide the motivation and inspiration to get them started.
