Instructional Strategies
= Professional Learning Academy course
Assessment: Strategies for Design
Presenter: Virginia Senande
Tentatively Scheduled for February 1, 2024 (Grades 6-12) AND February 8, 2024 (Grades Pre-K-5)
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-5, Grades 6-12
Professional Learning Academy Course
Classroom assessment has been shown to be one of the most powerful factors for enhancing student learning. However, assessment must have a direct correlation to learning goals in order to be a valid indicator of learning. This workshop will provide opportunities for teachers to reflect on their use of assessments and examine a continuum of assessments to affect student learning. Participants will work with colleagues to enhance expertise in designing assessments that provide critical evidence that students really understand the important ideas and processes contained in the curriculum. Educators will have the opportunity to boost their assessment literacy and impact. Time will be devoted to assessment design within each participant’s content area, as well as the use of technology in assessment.
Best Practices in Parent Communication: 1/2-day session
Presenters: Hal Abraham & Jennifer Santa
Tentatively Scheduled for September 27, 2023
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12
Parents can be partners in improving student outcomes! Explore best practices in parent communication with two administrators and collaborate with colleagues to up your game in this crucial skill for all educators.
*Note: This is a 1/2-day session, 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Best Practices in Student-Centered Learning
Presenter: Erica Sposa
Tentatively Scheduled for October 13, 2023
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12
Student-centered learning increases student interest and ownership of learning, and ultimately improves student achievement. This workshop will review best practices for student-centered learning. Strategies will include, but are not limited to: Socratic Seminars, project-based learning, and station-rotation.
Classroom Leadership
Presenter: Amy Brown or Virginia Senande
Tentatively Scheduled for November 20, 2023 (Grades 6-12) AND November 21, 2023 (Grades Pre-K-5)
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-5, 6-12
Professional Learning Academy Course
Both new and experienced teachers cite classroom management as a major concern. Promoting a learner-centered, work-oriented, harmonious learning environment requires a focus on prevention, intervention, and problem-solving. Participants in this introductory workshop will explore strategies that support a positive emotional and physical environment, and consider the importance of rules, procedures, and reinforcement. An important thread throughout the workshop is teaching students to demonstrate self-management skills in order to successfully engage in learning to grade-level expectations. Participants will reflect on their management styles and develop plans to enhance student behavior.
Effective Homework: What, Why, and How?
Presenter: Kelly Stevens
Tentatively Scheduled for December 5, 2023 (Grades 6-12) AND November 14, 2023 (Grades Pre-K-5)
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-5, Grades 6-12
In today’s educational world, homework is a concept that inspires many different opinions. What can educators do to make the homework assigned to students valuable? This workshop will look at research around designing effective homework, as well as tools that can be utilized to create assignments that will be beneficial and engaging for students.
Game-Based Learning
Presenter: Marc Cicchino
Tentatively Scheduled for December 20, 2023
Recommended for Educators of Grades 6-12
Games are incredibly effective motivators and teachers. Players pay hundreds of dollars to participate in challenging scenarios that often immerse them in 50+ hours of engagement while honing specific in-game skills. So, how can educators harness the same principles used by game designers when developing units of study and designing instruction? This workshop will explore the “learning principles” offered by video games, as well as how those principles can enhance student engagement and learning in practical ways. Time will be allotted for developing game elements that can be used in the classroom setting.
Grades 3-4 Roundtable
Presenters: Amy Brown & Kelly Stevens
Tentatively Scheduled for January 30, 2024
Recommended for Educators of Grades 3-4
This is the workshop elementary teachers have been asking for! The day will include sharing best practices, lesson ideas, and technology specifically geared toward participants’ learners. The day’s agenda will be created by participants’ interests and curiosities collected prior to the session.
Intervention Teachers Together: A Roundtable for Instructional Support Teachers
Presenter: Amy Brown
Tentatively Scheduled for February 15, 2024
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12
This is the workshop basic skills and intervention teachers have been asking for! The day will consist of tips and tricks, sharing best practices, favorite assessments, intervention strategies and materials specifically geared for working with struggling learners. The day’s agenda will be created by participants’ interests and curiosities collected prior to the session.
Meeting Students Where They Are and Strategies for Growth
Presenter: Amy Brown
Tentatively Scheduled for December 14, 2023 (Grades Pre-K-5) AND December 12, 2023 (Grades 6-12)
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-5, Grades 6-12
Professional Learning Academy Course
Differentiated instruction recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach to education does not offer the necessary learning opportunities for all students to succeed in the classroom. This does not mean that teachers must create different lessons for all students; a differentiated approach offers a supportive learning environment for all students. This workshop will present a wide range of instructional strategies, techniques, and approaches that teachers use to support student learning. Participants will learn about the key elements of differentiated instruction, tools for digital assessment, and explore resources for standards-driven learning. Resources, demonstrations, and technology solutions will be included in this workshop.
Meeting Students Where They Are and Strategies for Growth - LEVEL 2
Presenter: Amy Brown
Tentatively Scheduled for March 14, 2024
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12
Prerequisite: Meeting Students Where They Are and Strategies for Growth or equivalent
Building on the key elements of differentiated instruction already mastered, educators in this workshop will enhance their skills in instructional adaptation - adjusting and modifying lessons and assignments to meet all students where they are so that all students feel both significantly challenged, but also the ability to be successful. These adaptations enable all students - whether gifted and talented, special needs, ELLs, etc. - to participate in, benefit from, and demonstrate knowledge and application of the NJSLS at their current instructional level.
*Note: Recommended for educators who have already attended “Meeting Students Where They Are and Strategies for Growth” or equivalent
Multilingual Learners in the General Ed Classroom
Presenter: Courtney Carmichael
Tentatively Scheduled for September 29, 2023
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12
Participants will learn the overview of the multilingual learner experience in public schools. Formerly English as a Second Language, the workshop will provide best practices for working with students who know a language other than English in the mainstream class. Administrators are also welcome to attend to learn about relevant statutes, laws and requirements in the district for MLs.
Personalized Learning and Student Choice in the Classroom
Presenter: Marc Cicchino
Tentatively Scheduled for January 3, 2024
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12
Personalized learning and learning menus help create powerful student-centered learning experiences! This workshop will explore several different methods of how students experience personalized learning in the classroom. Options for demonstrating understanding may include but are not limited to, websites, portfolios, blogs, podcasts, videos, infographics, and slide shows. Collaborate and engage in discussions on how to best implement these strategies in the classroom.
Physical Activity and the Impact on Academic Performance
Presenter: Judy LoBianco
Tentatively Scheduled for January 24, 2024
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12
Exercise grows brain cells. The research connecting physical activity before, during and after the school day, and the impact it has on behavior, attendance and academic testing, is widely documented. Join the 2018 Education Week Leader to Learn From, Judy LoBianco, and delve into the why of physical activity. Planning opportunities for students to move in the classroom can lead to more successful academic outcomes.
Pre-K and K Teachers Unite!
Presenters: Amy Brown & Kelly Stevens
Tentatively Scheduled for February 5, 2024
Recommended for Educators of Pre-K/Kindergarten
This is the workshop pre-K and kindergarten teachers have been asking for! The day will consist of tips and tricks, sharing best practices, favorite picture books, lesson ideas, and technology specifically geared for learners. The day’s agenda will be created by participants’ interests and curiosities collected prior to the session.
Problem and Project-Based Learning
Presenter: Marc Cicchino
Tentatively Scheduled for December 7, 2023
Recommended for Educators of Grades 6-12
How can one bring authentic real-world activities to a classroom? This workshop will explore several strategies: Problem-Based Learning as a strategy for deepening students’ understanding of complex content in a learner-centered and highly engaging manner; Project-Based Learning and the role that projects can play in driving learning, rather than as end-of-unit assessments; and the important common ground shared by both problem- and project-based learning. Participants will examine new research in PBL, review concrete examples of high-quality PBL in action, and develop PBL materials to implement in the classroom.
Retakes to Assess Mastery: 1/2-day session
Presenter: Marc Cicchino
Tentatively Scheduled for November 27, 2023
Recommended for Educators of Grades 6-12
Allowing students to retake assessments can be a valuable strategy to help them progress towards mastery of standards. Educators will explore various ways to implement a retake process including protocols to make it work for both student and teacher.
*Note: This is a 1/2-day session, 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Stay in the Know - Latest Trends/Research in Education: 1/2 day session
Presenter: Kathleen O'Flynn
Tentatively Scheduled for October 4, 2023 AND March 25, 2024
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12
For all who wish to remain apprised of all the latest trends in education, this is a workshop not to be missed! Participants will leave the session with a well-stocked educational toolbox. Fall and Spring sessions will differ to address the latest trends.
*Note: This is a 1/2-day session, 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Strategies and Tools for Student Engagement
Presenter: Kelly Stevens
Tentatively Scheduled for October 6, 2023
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12
An engaging learning environment is the bedrock of today’s classroom. This professional learning experience will highlight classroom strategies and tools that breathe life and passion into a data-driven world. Participants will experience exciting traditional instructional strategies, select digital tools, strategies for digital video, components of augmented reality, and engaging tools for digital assessment. This professional learning experience will include real-life examples, demonstrations and will prove to be energetic and transformative.
Strategies for Collaborative Teaching
Presenter: Kelly Stevens
Tentatively Scheduled for October 27, 2023
Recommended for Collaborative Teachers of Grades PreK-12
In today’s classroom, collaborative teaching has become a staple - research shows it leads to improved student outcomes. This workshop will review the research behind this model, as well as the different types of collaborative teaching. Discussions on ideas and strategies for relationship building to make the most out of teaching partnerships will also take place. Attendance in pairs is strongly encouraged for best results!
Student Collaboration
Presenter: Amy Brown
Tentatively Scheduled for October 24, 2023 (Grades Pre-K-5) AND October 26, 2023 (Grades 6-12)
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-5, Grades 6-12
Professional Learning Academy Course
Researchers and practitioners alike recognize many diverse benefits of cooperative learning, including higher reasoning skills, retention, time on task, motivation, and social support - all contributing to an increase in student achievement. Effective use of cooperative learning strategies will prevent the pitfalls which are inherently possible in “group work” and ensure that all students are accountable for their learning. Participants will be immersed in cooperative learning opportunities as they review research, theory, procedures, skills, and practical applications of a variety of structures.
The Neuroscience of Classroom Engagement
Presenter: Marc Cicchino
Tentatively Scheduled for February 26, 2024
Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12
This workshop will delve into the neuroscience behind student engagement. Participants will explore four key areas of importance, each corresponding to different architecture of the brain - with strategies for optimizing instruction for each: attention (reticular activating system), the importance of a safe learning environment (amygdala), memory (hippocampus), and executive function (prefrontal cortex).
*Note: Registration for ASHA CEUs TBA