Workshops for practicing teachers offered this fall    

A wide variety of workshops are available this fall for teachers of all grade levels and subject areas. The workshops are offered through Emporia State University’s Jones Institute for Educational Excellence.  Information regarding fees and materials needed for the workshops can be found at www.emporia.edu/jones.

September 25-26 – Rainbowing I – A Two-Day Workshop for Grades 3-12 Teachers: This two-day workshop presents researched strategies that will aid all learners at every performance level. RAINBOWing uses typical “Crayola” colors as a tool to teach the writing process and to enhance student’s ability to understand written text. This creates writers who WANT to write because they now have tools to improve their writing.

September 29 – Brain Gym – An Introductory Half-Day Workshop: Brain Gym® is a series of simple, enjoyable, physical movements used to integrate and activate the entire brain to enhance all types of learning. These movements “switch on” the natural brain integration mechanisms that “switch off” when under stress. The purpose of the workshop is to give information to teachers, administrators, counselors and parents by exposing them to simple, research-based tools to help overcome the unique challenges and stress they face every day.

October 5 – Building a Solid Foundation: Math Facts, Computation & Problem Solving – A One-Day Workshop for Grades 1-6 Classroom & SPED Teachers: At this workshop participants will use mental models, manipulatives and distributive practice to help students become proficient in basic math standards. The activities presented are research-based with proven results to increase achievement in mathematics.

October 9 – Rainbowing Readiness – A One-Day Workshop for Primary Grade Teachers: This workshop presents researched strategies that will aid primary learners at every performance level. RAINBOWing uses typical “Crayola” colors as a tool to teach the writing process and to enhance students’ ability to understand written text. Learn the RAINBOWing process at its basic and concrete level… blue, green, red, orange, and black.

October 16 – Red, White, and Blue: Data Analysis – A One-Day Workshop for K-12 Teacher & Administrators: At this workshop participants will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a building using the NEW 2006 Kansas assessment data, correlate 2005 year’s data with current standards, and acquire a process for targeting indicators for change and improvement in 2007 and beyond.

October 17 – Bullseye Curriculum: The average school year is 180 student contact days. In grade four, the Kansas math Standards include 204 indicators. The USD 437 Bullseye Curriculum model was developed to help identify and prioritize the Kansas curricular standards to local curriculum. This model helps teachers and administrators understand the indicators, align the curriculum and plan assessment all at the same time.

October 24 – Reading Sprints – A One-Day Workshop for Grades 7-12 Teachers & Administrators: Reading Sprints will enable teachers to help middle and high school students clear the hurdles in reading expository text and develop reading strategies that provide the foundation for future learning and success in the world of work.

October 30 – Understanding Poverty – A one-day workshop for classroom teachers, administrators, counselors, special education teachers & ESOL teachers. Some educators hold the belief that the knowledge a student brings with him/her to school affects his or her ability to acquire new knowledge. This workshop, based on the work of Dr. Ruby Payne, will help teachers understand the background and needs of students in poverty and will provide practical strategies for working with economically and socially disadvantaged students.

November 17 – Socratic Circles – A one-day workshop for grades 7-12 teachers: Teachers looking for ways to encourage critical reading, thinking, discussion and democratic principles will learn about Socratic Circles. This method is a student-centered discussion with the teacher as facilitator, offer students the opportunity to construct content knowledge through conversation and improve their discussion skills through peer coaching.

For more information about these workshops, visit www.emporia.edu/jones contact Toni Bowling at mbowling@emporia.edu, 1-877-378-5433, 620-341-5372.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>