Great Neck Teacher Center Workshops
2017-18 Course Descriptions
iPad Basics for the Newbie – Mondays, September 18th & 25th , 2017, 4:00-6:00pm
New to the iPad? In this workshop you will learn how to maximize the use of your iPad and learn about some essential apps for productivity and teaching.
After completing this workshop participants will:
· be able to upload and download documents to apps from the internet
· be able to organize their iPad workspace
· be able to find and install some of the best productivity apps
· evaluate word processing apps and identify features of each (Notability & Google Docs)
New to the iPad? In this workshop you will learn how to maximize the use of your iPad and learn about some essential apps for productivity and teaching.
After completing this workshop participants will:
· be able to upload and download documents to apps from the internet
· be able to organize their iPad workspace
· be able to find and install some of the best productivity apps
· evaluate word processing apps and identify features of each (Notability & Google Docs)
Tracking Progress and Showcasing Student Work with Digital Portfolios – Wednesdays, October 4th & 11th , 2017, 4:00-6:00pm
In this course we will discuss the benefits of developing student portfolios, offer strategies for getting students to reflect on growth, and explore various platforms for creating digital portfolios. For those looking for a neat, accessible, and user-friendly platform, Blendspace allows students to create a digital portfolio of google docs, files, videos, links, audio, and even quizzes. For those looking for students to interact with each other's work, both Seesaw and Kidblogs offer safe interfaces for students to publish work and share with their peers.
In this course we will discuss the benefits of developing student portfolios, offer strategies for getting students to reflect on growth, and explore various platforms for creating digital portfolios. For those looking for a neat, accessible, and user-friendly platform, Blendspace allows students to create a digital portfolio of google docs, files, videos, links, audio, and even quizzes. For those looking for students to interact with each other's work, both Seesaw and Kidblogs offer safe interfaces for students to publish work and share with their peers.
Promoting ENL Students’ Conversation and Close Reading in Classrooms – Thursdays, October 12th & 19th , 2017, 4:00pm-6:00pm
The course will present a variety of differentiated classroom activities to enhance ENL speaking in classrooms. Teachers will practice the steps and be shown activities that scaffold instruction and add a level of support for ENL students so they feel more comfortable sharing in classrooms. In addition, a close reading and writing activity will be shared and used. Both of these can help assist in ENL students' reading and writing analysis of texts.
The course will present a variety of differentiated classroom activities to enhance ENL speaking in classrooms. Teachers will practice the steps and be shown activities that scaffold instruction and add a level of support for ENL students so they feel more comfortable sharing in classrooms. In addition, a close reading and writing activity will be shared and used. Both of these can help assist in ENL students' reading and writing analysis of texts.
Google Tools: A Beginner’s Blended Learning Tutorial – Mondays, October 16th & December 4th , 2017 4:00-5:00pm
Participants will participate in short, face to face meetings to get started with the Google suite of apps. Once students are enrolled in Google classroom, they will be tasked with activities to develop their skills in using the Google suite of apps. The final class meeting will be a face to face meeting where participants will share their final project with the group. Synchronous and Asynchronous participation within a structured timeframe with specific task due dates and participation in online discussion required.
Participants will participate in short, face to face meetings to get started with the Google suite of apps. Once students are enrolled in Google classroom, they will be tasked with activities to develop their skills in using the Google suite of apps. The final class meeting will be a face to face meeting where participants will share their final project with the group. Synchronous and Asynchronous participation within a structured timeframe with specific task due dates and participation in online discussion required.
Breakout EDU Training Session – Tuesday, October 24th , 2017, 4:00-8:00pm
Breakout EDU is the immersive learning games platform. The Breakout EDU kit allows for the facilitation of games where players use teamwork and critical thinking to solve a series of challenging puzzles in order to open the locked box. Games are available for all ages and content areas.
Breakout EDU games transfer the ownership of learning from the instructor to the student, making it easy to observe how learners approach problem solving and apply their knowledge.
In addition to the content knowledge needed to succeed in a specific game, all Breakout EDU games require critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication.
A Breakout EDU game provides learners with many opportunities to fail forward. Every unsuccessful attempt to open a lock forces the player to try again.
Breakout EDU is the immersive learning games platform. The Breakout EDU kit allows for the facilitation of games where players use teamwork and critical thinking to solve a series of challenging puzzles in order to open the locked box. Games are available for all ages and content areas.
Breakout EDU games transfer the ownership of learning from the instructor to the student, making it easy to observe how learners approach problem solving and apply their knowledge.
In addition to the content knowledge needed to succeed in a specific game, all Breakout EDU games require critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication.
A Breakout EDU game provides learners with many opportunities to fail forward. Every unsuccessful attempt to open a lock forces the player to try again.
Quick Assessments in the 21st Century Classroom - Wednesdays, October 25th & November 1st, 2017, 4:00-6:00pm
Formative assessment class- Students will learn several different ways to collect data about student understanding and performance. You will learn how to create and use Google Forms and several online apps and sites. Formative assessment allows you to adjust your teaching to meet the needs of your students immediately.
Formative assessment class- Students will learn several different ways to collect data about student understanding and performance. You will learn how to create and use Google Forms and several online apps and sites. Formative assessment allows you to adjust your teaching to meet the needs of your students immediately.
Test-Taking Strategies that Work: Getting the Most from Students in Times of Tests and Accountability - Saturday, November 4, 2017, 9:00am-5:00pm (8 hours; .5 cr)
There’s no doubt about it: high-stakes tests are here to stay and will continue to exert a profound influence in schools. And with APPR, teachers are under considerable pressure to get the most from students on test day. Dissension with this situation is rampant, but even educators reluctant to “teach for the test” are eager to help students make the grade. In this workshop we’ll explore techniques for raising test scores without compromising top-quality curriculum and instruction. In particular, we'll focus on proven test-taking strategies, effective ways of teaching these strategies, and instructional methods (e.g., memory devices, assessment methods) that have potential to enhance test performance.
There’s no doubt about it: high-stakes tests are here to stay and will continue to exert a profound influence in schools. And with APPR, teachers are under considerable pressure to get the most from students on test day. Dissension with this situation is rampant, but even educators reluctant to “teach for the test” are eager to help students make the grade. In this workshop we’ll explore techniques for raising test scores without compromising top-quality curriculum and instruction. In particular, we'll focus on proven test-taking strategies, effective ways of teaching these strategies, and instructional methods (e.g., memory devices, assessment methods) that have potential to enhance test performance.
Organizing your Digital Life (Google Edition) - Wednesdays, November 8th and 15thth, 2017, 4:00pm-6:00pm
This course is designed for those who want to get familiar with Google Drive, Google Docs, and other Google Apps for Education, or those looking for effective strategies to organize their Google world. Participants will have an opportunity to explore and learn all that the Google Suite (Google Apps) has to offer, including demonstrations and hands-on practice with how they can organize these wonderful tools.
This course is designed for those who want to get familiar with Google Drive, Google Docs, and other Google Apps for Education, or those looking for effective strategies to organize their Google world. Participants will have an opportunity to explore and learn all that the Google Suite (Google Apps) has to offer, including demonstrations and hands-on practice with how they can organize these wonderful tools.
Engaging ENL Students into the Classroom Community - Tuesdays, November 14, 21, 28, and December 5, 2017, 4:00pm-6:00pm
This course will:
1) Describe some of the social and linguistic issues facing ENL students
2) Provide suggestions for helping ENL students access content
3) Help to forge positive home-school connections
4) Give insight and provide tips on how to best support ENL students in their mainstream classrooms
This course will:
1) Describe some of the social and linguistic issues facing ENL students
2) Provide suggestions for helping ENL students access content
3) Help to forge positive home-school connections
4) Give insight and provide tips on how to best support ENL students in their mainstream classrooms
Exploring the Phenomena Model and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)–Wednesdays, November 15 (4pm-7pm), November 29 & December 6, 2017, (4:00pm-6:30pm)
This course is designed to expose the participants to the phenomena model associated with the Next Generation Science Standards. Together we will explore how to engage students using demonstrations, video clips, and discrepancy events and link the applicable standards for the NGSS.
This course is designed to expose the participants to the phenomena model associated with the Next Generation Science Standards. Together we will explore how to engage students using demonstrations, video clips, and discrepancy events and link the applicable standards for the NGSS.
Mindfulness to Create Balance in Your Life – Tuesdays, January 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2018 - 4:00pm-6:00pm
We will be introducing the Concept and Practice of Mindfulness in the classroom. It will encompass guidelines for professional and personal growth.
We will be introducing the Concept and Practice of Mindfulness in the classroom. It will encompass guidelines for professional and personal growth.
Creating A Positive Class Environment (Part I) & 21st Century Skills for Teachers (Part II) - NYSUT ELT: Thursday, January 11, 2018, 4:00pm-8:00pm
Part I: Creating A Positive Environment: A positive classroom environment is a major component of effective teaching. When students are comfortable in a learning situation, the likelihood for success is greatly increased. This seminar will
address verbal communication, positive phrasing, motivation theory, and learner needs. Activities will help participants to integrate these topics in their instructional practices.
Part II: 21st Century Skills For Teachers: This seminar is designed to address one of the NYS Teaching Standards priorities by helping teachers understand that knowledge is expanding at a more rapid rate than ever anticipated. Information and communication is changing how we teach and how students learn. Routine skills are no longer the basis for the workplace or the classroom. The seminar will emphasize that today's students and teachers must be able to communicate, share, and use information
in a number of diverse ways. The seminar explores critical student skills such as using information and solving complex problems relevant to a changing work environment. Technology and problem solving skills will be defined as successful learning and the participants will develop strategies to share those skills with their students.
Part I: Creating A Positive Environment: A positive classroom environment is a major component of effective teaching. When students are comfortable in a learning situation, the likelihood for success is greatly increased. This seminar will
address verbal communication, positive phrasing, motivation theory, and learner needs. Activities will help participants to integrate these topics in their instructional practices.
Part II: 21st Century Skills For Teachers: This seminar is designed to address one of the NYS Teaching Standards priorities by helping teachers understand that knowledge is expanding at a more rapid rate than ever anticipated. Information and communication is changing how we teach and how students learn. Routine skills are no longer the basis for the workplace or the classroom. The seminar will emphasize that today's students and teachers must be able to communicate, share, and use information
in a number of diverse ways. The seminar explores critical student skills such as using information and solving complex problems relevant to a changing work environment. Technology and problem solving skills will be defined as successful learning and the participants will develop strategies to share those skills with their students.
Make and Take At the Multimedia Center – Thursdays, January 11, 18, 25 & February 1, 2017 from 4:00pm–6:00pm
During this course the participants will learn to utilize a variety of resources and technology available at our district Multimedia Center to create classroom displays and projects to enhance the learning of students. Sample projects will be utilized by the instructor to demonstrate the use of equipment. Participants will have access to a color poster maker, color printer, laminating machine, copy machine, die cuts and more. Participants will make and take projects and materials for their classroom and students.
During this course the participants will learn to utilize a variety of resources and technology available at our district Multimedia Center to create classroom displays and projects to enhance the learning of students. Sample projects will be utilized by the instructor to demonstrate the use of equipment. Participants will have access to a color poster maker, color printer, laminating machine, copy machine, die cuts and more. Participants will make and take projects and materials for their classroom and students.
Functional Academics for Special Education Students with Intensive Needs – Wednesdays, January 24 & January 31, 2018 4:00pm-6:00pm
This course will focus on ways to provide students with functional academics. We will look at how to take the “common” school subjects and present them in a way that makes learning functional and meaningful for students with special needs. This course will have a focus on students who are not on a Regents track and present with more intensive needs. We will talk about providing instruction that will allow students to maximize their independence in life, especially with a focus on life post high school.
This course will focus on ways to provide students with functional academics. We will look at how to take the “common” school subjects and present them in a way that makes learning functional and meaningful for students with special needs. This course will have a focus on students who are not on a Regents track and present with more intensive needs. We will talk about providing instruction that will allow students to maximize their independence in life, especially with a focus on life post high school.
Google Tools: A Beginner’s Blended Learning Tutorial – Monday, February 12th & Thursday, May 17th , 2018 4:00-5:00pm plus at home, online participation (*Pending Board approval)
Participants will participate in short, face to face meetings to get started with the Google suite of apps. Once students are enrolled in Google classroom, they will be tasked with activities to develop their skills in using the Google suite of apps. The final class meeting will be a face to face meeting where participants will share their final project with the group. Synchronous and Asynchronous participation within a structured timeframe with specific task due dates and participation in online discussion required.
Participants will participate in short, face to face meetings to get started with the Google suite of apps. Once students are enrolled in Google classroom, they will be tasked with activities to develop their skills in using the Google suite of apps. The final class meeting will be a face to face meeting where participants will share their final project with the group. Synchronous and Asynchronous participation within a structured timeframe with specific task due dates and participation in online discussion required.
Supporting Students with Autism - NYSUT ELT: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 4:00pm-6:00pm Ending the achievement gap between students with and without disabilities requires addressing the essential factors that can influence their success. This three-hour training provides up-to-date information on the clinical and associated features of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Attention will be given to how these features manifest themselves and present unique instructional and learning challenges within educational settings. The seminar provides evidence-based, pro-active strategies for helping children and adolescents with ASDs succeed in schools today.
Professional Learning Community: Innovative Assessment – Tuesdays, 2/27, 3/13, 4/10, and 5/8/18 – 4:00pm -6:00pm (*Pending Board approval)
This is a blended course, meant to help teachers rethink the way that they assess student learning. In between meetings, teachers will work to create new methods of assessment designed to leverage the technology available to our students as well as allow students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways. Face-to-face sessions will serve as a way for teachers to share their work, discuss their progress and continue to rethink the way that we assess our students.
This is a blended course, meant to help teachers rethink the way that they assess student learning. In between meetings, teachers will work to create new methods of assessment designed to leverage the technology available to our students as well as allow students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways. Face-to-face sessions will serve as a way for teachers to share their work, discuss their progress and continue to rethink the way that we assess our students.
Who Are Our Great Neck ELL/ENL Students & How Can We Best Meet Their Needs - Tuesdays, February 27 & March 6, 13, 20, 2018 from 4:00pm-6:00pm
This course will examine the diversity within the umbrella term ESL/ENL students and how the growth of this population requires a paradigm shift for all. Topics include what educators need to know about language development, cross-cultural issues, influence of literacy in students’ first language, and the socio-emotional factors that impact students’ acquisition of language along with content area. Bringing the invisible tool of instruction, English, to our attention will help us understand the challenges our newest arrivals face. Only then can we develop strategies to make content area more accessible to our ELL/ENLs. Strategies to modify content area, examples of ESL student work and the creation of language objectives for our content objectives will be offered.
This course will examine the diversity within the umbrella term ESL/ENL students and how the growth of this population requires a paradigm shift for all. Topics include what educators need to know about language development, cross-cultural issues, influence of literacy in students’ first language, and the socio-emotional factors that impact students’ acquisition of language along with content area. Bringing the invisible tool of instruction, English, to our attention will help us understand the challenges our newest arrivals face. Only then can we develop strategies to make content area more accessible to our ELL/ENLs. Strategies to modify content area, examples of ESL student work and the creation of language objectives for our content objectives will be offered.
Engaging ENL Students into the Classroom Community- Wednesdays, February 28 & March 7, 14, 21, 2018 4:00pm-6:00pm
This course will:
1) Describe some of the social and linguistic issues facing ENL students
2) Provide suggestions for helping ENL students access content
3) Help to forge positive home-school connections
4) Give insight and provide tips on how to best support ENL students in their mainstream classrooms
*This workshop is geared toward instructors of grades K-5.
This course will:
1) Describe some of the social and linguistic issues facing ENL students
2) Provide suggestions for helping ENL students access content
3) Help to forge positive home-school connections
4) Give insight and provide tips on how to best support ENL students in their mainstream classrooms
*This workshop is geared toward instructors of grades K-5.
Breakout EDU Training Session - March 1, 2018, from 4:00pm-8:00pm
Breakout EDU is the immersive learning games platform. The Breakout EDU kit allows for the facilitation of games where players use teamwork and critical thinking to solve a series of challenging puzzles in order to open the locked box. Games are available for all ages and content areas.
Breakout EDU games transfer the ownership of learning from the instructor to the student, making it easy to observe how learners approach problem solving and apply their knowledge.
In addition to the content knowledge needed to succeed in a specific game, all Breakout EDU games require critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication.
A Breakout EDU game provides learners with many opportunities to fail forward. Every unsuccessful attempt to open a lock forces the player to try again.
Breakout EDU is the immersive learning games platform. The Breakout EDU kit allows for the facilitation of games where players use teamwork and critical thinking to solve a series of challenging puzzles in order to open the locked box. Games are available for all ages and content areas.
Breakout EDU games transfer the ownership of learning from the instructor to the student, making it easy to observe how learners approach problem solving and apply their knowledge.
In addition to the content knowledge needed to succeed in a specific game, all Breakout EDU games require critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication.
A Breakout EDU game provides learners with many opportunities to fail forward. Every unsuccessful attempt to open a lock forces the player to try again.
Infusing Multimedia & Technology into Your Classroom – Saturday, March 3, 2018, 9:00am–1:00 pm
This course will emphasize the implementation of multimedia and technology into various classrooms. Participants will explore and familiarize themselves with a variety of resources, platforms and strategies that foster greater student engagement across disciplines and grade levels. From the humanities to sciences and the arts, the elements of this course will enable teachers to introduce and supplement their content with tangible, visible and interactive components and in turn, enhance instruction, skill development and assessment practices.
This course will emphasize the implementation of multimedia and technology into various classrooms. Participants will explore and familiarize themselves with a variety of resources, platforms and strategies that foster greater student engagement across disciplines and grade levels. From the humanities to sciences and the arts, the elements of this course will enable teachers to introduce and supplement their content with tangible, visible and interactive components and in turn, enhance instruction, skill development and assessment practices.
iPad Basics for the Newbie – Mondays, March 12 & 19, 2018 from 4:00-6:00pm
New to the iPad? In this workshop you will learn how to maximize the use of your iPad and learn about some essential apps for productivity and teaching.
After completing this workshop participants will:
· be able to upload and download documents to apps from the internet
· be able to organize their iPad workspace
· be able to find and install some of the best productivity apps
· evaluate word processing apps and identify features of each (Notability & Google Docs)
New to the iPad? In this workshop you will learn how to maximize the use of your iPad and learn about some essential apps for productivity and teaching.
After completing this workshop participants will:
· be able to upload and download documents to apps from the internet
· be able to organize their iPad workspace
· be able to find and install some of the best productivity apps
· evaluate word processing apps and identify features of each (Notability & Google Docs)
Motivation: Enhancing Student Engagement and Achievement, Especially Among Disengaged Students - Saturday, March 24, 2018 9:00am-5:00pm
Few topics in education are as fundamental as motivation, since students who won’t do the work and ones who can't do the work produce similar results in school. Motivation is all the more pressing a topic in these times of APPR, when student performance figures in teachers’ ratings. But motivating students can be a challenge, considering how many distractions they face. Fortunately, there are numerous tried-and-true techniques that work to increase student motivation – and with it, academic performance. In this workshop, we'll explore how to maximize motivation to maximize learning, paying special attention to strategies for working with habitually disengaged students.
Few topics in education are as fundamental as motivation, since students who won’t do the work and ones who can't do the work produce similar results in school. Motivation is all the more pressing a topic in these times of APPR, when student performance figures in teachers’ ratings. But motivating students can be a challenge, considering how many distractions they face. Fortunately, there are numerous tried-and-true techniques that work to increase student motivation – and with it, academic performance. In this workshop, we'll explore how to maximize motivation to maximize learning, paying special attention to strategies for working with habitually disengaged students.
Mindfulness to Create Balance in Your Life – Saturday, April 14, 2018 - from 9:00am -5:00pm (*Pending Board approval)
We will be introducing the Concept and Practice of Mindfulness in the classroom. It will encompass guidelines for professional and personal growth.
We will be introducing the Concept and Practice of Mindfulness in the classroom. It will encompass guidelines for professional and personal growth.
Becoming A Great Neck Mentor: Mentor Training – Wednesdays, May 2nd and May 9th, 2018 4pm-8pm (*Pending Board approval)
New teachers who only hold an Initial Teaching Certificate are required by the New York State Education Department to be officially mentored by a teacher in their home district. To be considered for an appointment as a mentor in Great Neck, applicants must be tenured and have completed the District’s mentor training workshop. This class will prepare experienced, tenured teachers for the intentional and confidential process that will provide their protégés with the information, support, resources, guidance, feedback, and assistance to refine and develop their skills and enhance problem solving and decision making in a way that leaves its mark on knowledge and practice related to student learning. This newly updated training course reflects P-12 Common Core State Standards, New York State Certification Requirements, and New York State Professional Teaching Standards. The class will focus on identifying the range of needs of new teachers; ways mentors can address those needs; and resources available to mentors and protégés through the district and the GNTC. This workshop includes peer-coaching techniques, examines the theory of adult learning and teacher development, and offers helpful and insightful suggestions on how best to interact and work with a new teacher. You will be provided with materials that will assist in the mentoring process.
New teachers who only hold an Initial Teaching Certificate are required by the New York State Education Department to be officially mentored by a teacher in their home district. To be considered for an appointment as a mentor in Great Neck, applicants must be tenured and have completed the District’s mentor training workshop. This class will prepare experienced, tenured teachers for the intentional and confidential process that will provide their protégés with the information, support, resources, guidance, feedback, and assistance to refine and develop their skills and enhance problem solving and decision making in a way that leaves its mark on knowledge and practice related to student learning. This newly updated training course reflects P-12 Common Core State Standards, New York State Certification Requirements, and New York State Professional Teaching Standards. The class will focus on identifying the range of needs of new teachers; ways mentors can address those needs; and resources available to mentors and protégés through the district and the GNTC. This workshop includes peer-coaching techniques, examines the theory of adult learning and teacher development, and offers helpful and insightful suggestions on how best to interact and work with a new teacher. You will be provided with materials that will assist in the mentoring process.
Constructivist Teaching & Learning and Strategies for Student Engagement -Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 4:00pm-8:00pm
Part I: Constructivist Teaching & Learning: This seminar will address one of the priorities of the NYS Teaching Standards. Teachers must consider how each student learns. Understanding how to address this in the classroom means that teachers must implement a variety of instructional strategies. Participants will explore how students learn when they “build” the learning for themselves. When students are asked to classify, analyze, predict and create, they begin to think critically and ask questions in order to understand the complex material presented to them in school and in the world.
Part II: Student Engagement: This course addresses one of the most critical priorities of the NYSUT Rubric (Danielson and Marzano) and the NYS Teaching Standards upon which student success is based. Teachers new to the profession may have seen these signs of engagement during their student teaching and are challenged as to how to plan for this in their everyday teaching. The course will engage them in strategies that will help them sustain wonder, enthusiasm and perseverance for students through their teaching. At some time, new teachers may have felt stymied by traditions of reward and punishment. Our challenge is to help them surpass these very real difficulties and provide a practical model for understanding what our students want and need.
Part I: Constructivist Teaching & Learning: This seminar will address one of the priorities of the NYS Teaching Standards. Teachers must consider how each student learns. Understanding how to address this in the classroom means that teachers must implement a variety of instructional strategies. Participants will explore how students learn when they “build” the learning for themselves. When students are asked to classify, analyze, predict and create, they begin to think critically and ask questions in order to understand the complex material presented to them in school and in the world.
Part II: Student Engagement: This course addresses one of the most critical priorities of the NYSUT Rubric (Danielson and Marzano) and the NYS Teaching Standards upon which student success is based. Teachers new to the profession may have seen these signs of engagement during their student teaching and are challenged as to how to plan for this in their everyday teaching. The course will engage them in strategies that will help them sustain wonder, enthusiasm and perseverance for students through their teaching. At some time, new teachers may have felt stymied by traditions of reward and punishment. Our challenge is to help them surpass these very real difficulties and provide a practical model for understanding what our students want and need.