Learning Styles - Activities to Reach All Learners

What is your learning style? Come have some fun investigating how you learn in order to better understand your students’ strengths and weaknesses. We will then explore some activities that are aligned to these learning styles and develop lessons specific to your students’ needs.
Recommended for: Interested teachers

 

 

 

Learning through Learning Centers

Whether you have one computer or four computers in your classroom, learning centers can be an integral part of the learning environment. Come explore a collection of learning center ideas and learn to create some of your own.
Recommended for: K-6 Teachers.

 

Top of Page

 

 

UDL-What is it and When can I Start Using These Strategies   

Would you like to learn what the acronym UDL means and why so many grants want this type of model in your curriculum?

Learn the “ins” and outs” of how to use Universal Design for Learning in your classroom. Begin to see how these techniques

allow all students to learn and grow academically as well as socially and emotionally. Perfect your use of menus to promote learning.

Recommended for: All teachers.

 

 

 

Lesson Plans that “Rock”:  from Thinkfinity    

Are you in a rut?  Do you feel like you have no time to breathe?   Take a day for yourself and your students by learning how to use the incredible FREE Educational Resource, Thinkfinity.  Bring your curriculum guides and your lesson plan templates and start to explore the Tens of Thousand, LESSON PLANS available for you any time you need them.    This fabulous resource will enhance every aspect of you classroom. You will walk away from this workshop refreshed and ready to begin that new unit or week with lesson plans that will “rock”. Recommended for: Grades pre K - 5

 

 

 

Thinkfinity and Testing      

Do you want to have a plethora of sites and resources to give to your students to prepare for their testing in the spring?  Attend this workshop and you will be able to direct your students to an amazing supply of reinforcing materials that will enhance their abilities and skills.  Spend a few hours and come away with a variety of ways to help your students.

Recommended for: Teachers of grades 1-5

 

Engage Struggling Students with Thinkfinity's Interactives      

Are your students confused, distracted, unwilling or unable to focus? Come explore the FREE interactive games and tools from Thinkfinity.org. See your students get excited about learning. The standards-based interactive resources reach across curricula. Select the interactives that your students can use to strengthen reading, organize thoughts, and develop writing skills.

Recommended for: Teachers of grades K-8, special education teachers

 

Differentiated Learning with Thinkfinity Interactives  

Are your students at different levels? Do your students have a wide-spectrum of strengths, interests, and needs? Give your students’ choices with the interactive games and tools on the Thinkfinity website. Pique their curiosity. Give them a chance to explore and choose. Come and familiarize yourself with Thinkfinity’s FREE standards-based interactive resources that reach across curricula.

Recommended for: Teachers grade 7-12

 

Top of Page

Strategies to Meet the Common Core Literacy Standards in Content Areas K – 5

The new Common Core English Language Arts standards require specific literacy proficiencies in all content areas.  This workshop will focus on specific strategies to enable students to read and comprehend complex informational texts and to respond in well written answers to Open Ended prompts.  Through a variety of activities, participants will gain skills to promote:  close reading of informational texts, the ability to determine themes and point of view, and the ability to analyze different text structures. 

Recommended for: K- 5 teachers

 

 

 

Strategies to Meet the Common Core Literacy Standards in Content Areas 6-12

The new Common Core English Language Arts standards require specific literacy proficiencies in all content areas.  This workshop will focus on specific strategies to enable students to read and comprehend complex informational texts and to respond in well written answers to Open Ended prompts.  Through a variety of activities, participants will gain skills to promote:  close reading of informational texts, the ability to determine themes and point of view, and the ability to analyze different text structures. 

Recommended for: Grade 6-12 teachers

 

 

 

Jump Start for the NJ ASK: K – 2              

Beginning with age appropriate texts, participants will explore ways to connect to meaningful writing and math experiences that will lead to greater achievement on the NJ ASK.  This workshop will provide strategies to encourage and instruct young readers and writers as they develop spelling, sentence, paragraph and story structure.  Participants will also gain skills in providing feedback to students that will further student understanding and knowledge of literacy and math proficiencies

Recommended for: Grade K-2 teachers

 

 

 

Writing for Success on the NJ ASK  3 – 8     

 This workshop will provide guidelines for evaluating student writing and providing specific strategies to enhance text production.  By carefully analyzing student writing, participants will determine  needs and how to respond and instruct appropriately to meet those needs.  A focus on the required NJ ASK essays and Open Ended answers will be incorporated. 

Recommended for: Grades 3-8 teachers

 

Top of Page

Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade Teachers:     PowerPoint, the Internet and More.

Would you like to learn how to make PowerPoint lessons to enhance your teaching? Would you like to use websites designed for your classroom curriculum? Are you interested in viewing software that will address just the needs of your first grade students? Then this is the workshop for you. We will begin by making PowerPoint presentations designed to use immediately with your students. Next, we will look at the wonderful Internet resources for PreK to 1st grade including free worksheets and motivating classroom activities. We’ll conclude with a review of “must have” software.”. In one afternoon you’ll make important additions to your Technology Toolbox.
Recommended for: Pre K to First grade teachers who are Beginning or Intermediate PowerPoint users.

 

 

Centers from Heaven...and Thinkfinity                    

Are you stuck trying to develop centers for your classroom. Do you have at least one computer center? Then this is the class for you. Using the FREE (yes, FREE) site, Thinkfinity, you will leave this workshop with more interactive sites, lesson plans and ideas than you ever have at any workshop. This is a must for the first year teacher to the very seasoned teacher.
Recommended for: K- 5 teachers.

 

 

Holidays and Thinkfinity

This workshop will give you lessons for every holiday that you celebrate with your students. Included with

this workshop will be the first weeks of school, first 100 days, and testing tips. You will walk away with lesson plans, web

interactives, worksheets, and a variety of other resources. Have this information available for your use as the

holidays approach and enhance your curriculum.

Recommended for: Teachers of grades k-8, special education

 

Thinkfinity: Free Resources for Your Classroom

Thinkfinity, Verizon’s education portal, provides the highest quality educational resources to teachers and students. Developed by world-renowned organizations who are experts in their fields, these standards-based resources include lessons plans, student materials, reviewed Web resources and interactives. Learn more about Thinkfinity’s free teacher resources and how to effectively integrate online educational resources into your curriculum to increase student achievement.
Recommended for: All Teachers

 

Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying       

This informational workshop discusses one of the hottest topics today:

Keeping our Family and Students "Safe" on the World Wide Web. 

Topics include: What the dangers are out there; How to can keep up with

your teens and students; Understanding on-line lingo; On-line predators;

Social Networking Sites; Cyber-Bullying and Stalking and Resources for

parents and teachers.  NO COMPUTER EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY. 

Recommended for: Teachers, parents wanting information on cyber bulling

 

 

 

Create forms and surveys with Google Docs  

Use a Google form to collect any data you need from students, parents, and colleagues. Google gathers all your information and with one click even creates a summary report, complete with graphs. Bring your survey questions and create your own free online form

Recommended for: Teachers and administrators

 

 

 

BYOIP: Bring Your Own iPad         

Want some help with how make the best use of your iPad in and out of the classroom? Join us for tips & tricks and great apps. You will need to bring an iPad to this workshop.

Recommended for: iPad users

 

 

 

BYOM: Bring your own Macbook                    

Learn how to use the cool features that are part of your Macintosh operating system. Bring your own MacBook and all your questions. Leave with the answers and much more.

Recommended for: New Macintosh users

 

 

 

Getting Started on Moodle: Your Online Classroom   

Having an online classroom is a great way to engage and energize your students while in school and at home. Moodle is the free software that makes this possible. Learn how to create an interesting and interactive environment where resources are shared and students can collaborate. Just think of all the paper you'll save by having digital handouts and having students take quizzes and submit assignments online.  This class will teach you how to set up your Moodle classroom. (You will need to talk to your technology department f your school does not yet use Moodle. This class does no include setting up a Moodle server.)

Recommended for: teachers interested in Moodle 

 

Top of Page

Digital Day

Learn how to use a digital camera throughout your day to build your students’ reading and writing skills. See how you can use these digital pictures to create personalized books for each student or activity in your room. You will learn to crop your photos, add text and print. Each participant will complete a short book (2-3 pages) to bring back to the classroom.
Recommended for: Teachers, therapists, parents.

 

 

Creating 21st Century Schools Building Technology Resources and online Collaborations in the Content Areas.

During this two-day workshop series, participants will actively explore free and accessible content

and grade level-specific resources; learn how to cultivate successful global online teacher and student collaborations

in their content area; apply effective search techniques; and build content resource search engines.

Recommended for: Content area supervisors, department chairs, lead teachers, teachers

 

 

 

 

Implementing 21st Century Skills: Collaborative Internet Projects

 Collaborative Internet projects are opportunities for schools to join in curriculum enhancing activities that are

interdisciplinary, collaborative, and realize the Internet’s potential. These inquiry oriented, problem-based projects

allow for true technology integration as opposed to mere technology usage. Students connect with others around

the world and develop a global community. Participants will view examples of collaborative Internet projects, find

collaborative Internet projects they can join, gain tips for successful participation, and learn the steps for developing

an original problem-based project. (come with ideas!)

Recommended for: Teachers of grades K-8

 

Top of Page

SMART Board : Where to Begin

Do you want to explore your Smart Board and delve into the Smart Notebook software? Come to this hands-on workshop in which you learn, practice, and apply. Design a lesson with the tools that you learn. In addition, you will be exposed to other ways to enhance your lessons with captivating multimedia.

Recommended for: Teachers with a Smart Board in the classroom

 

SMART Board Across the Curriculum: A First Course

Make the most of your SMART board and watch class participation and engagement soar. First you will master SMART board basics. Then you will learn how to plan and prepare your SMART lessons on any computer using SMART notebook software. Come and take back interactive enhanced lessons to use with your SMART board. We will provide a list of websites that are particularly SMART board “friendly.” No more fumbling for transparencies, hyperlinks, diagrams, or files. Your lesson will flow seamlessly and learning will increase as students participate as active learners. Please bring your curriculum materials. Note: Smart board software is free to Smart board users and can be purchased for use on other boards
Recommended for: Anyone interested in using a SMART board

 

Intermediate SMART Board Users: Creating Interactive Lessons

You’ve been using your SMART board for a while and you and your students really like it. Now thanks to the latest

upgrades in the SMART notebook software there is more for you to learn. And thanks to the growing community of SMART

board users you will access terrific Internet sources for ready-made Smart notebook lessons. Use the downloaded

lessons as is or modify. During this workshop you will learn to use action buttons, insert video clips, and create your own

interactive manipulatives for the content area and grade that you teach. After learning advanced skills and examining

Internet resources in the morning the afternoon will be a SMART notebook lesson studio, providing time for you to prepare

a dynamite lesson that will inspire your students your colleagues, and you. If you like bring SMART notebook

files you’ve created and raise the lesson to new levels.

Recommended for: Participants who took SMART board for Beginners or SMART board Across the Curriculum or who can

create SMART notebook lessons and use a SMART board. This class is not for beginners.

 

 

Integrating Multimedia into your SMART Board lessons

In this session we will define multimedia, discuss and demonstrate the different SMART Board tools and techniques

that can be utilized to deliver a rich multimedia lesson. Some of the topics that will be covered include: introduction

and demonstration of the SMART Recorder tool, SMART Video Player and Page Recorder, inserting FLASH Video into

SMART Notebook software, attaching sounds to objects in Notebook and different methods to reveal text on page.

Participants should be familiar with SMART Notebook software prior to attending the session. No technical experience required.

Recommended for: Intermediate and Experienced users

 

 

Exploring SMART Notebook Lesson Activity Toolkit

See why SMART Notebook Lesson Activity Toolkit 2.0 is such a wonderful asset to SMART Board users. Learn how

to navigate and edit, check for updates and of course - tips and tricks. See some great Toolkit examples and take back

a slew of resources. Remember to bring a USB drive to transport your files.

Recommended for: Intermediate SMART notebook users

 

 

Top of Page 

 

Adding Interactivity to your SMART Board lessons

In this session we will focus the learning on how to increase student involvement by providing strategies that will allow

students to have more touches on the SMART Board. Some of the topics that will be covered include: an overview of the

Lesson Activity Toolkit, demonstration of the infinite cloner, introduction to pull tabs, discussion of Dual Page display

and Pin the Page features and attaching sound files. Participants should be familiar with SMART Notebook software

prior to attending the session.

Recommended for: Intermediate and Experienced users

 

 

SMART Response Assessment Strategies

We need to find out what students do and don't understand without waiting for test results or

homework assignments or the end of a lesson. We need to make formative assessment part of instructional practice

so that we can adjust teaching and learning while they are happening. See how this can be done with SMART Notebook

software. SMART’s Response, interactive clickers, and accompanying Teacher Tools, providing a more complete

system of formative and summative assessment. Learn how to use the clickers, create question sets, set up class records,

and establish effective assessment strategies to raise student achievement. Modify your lessons based on quick and easy

responses from your students. Target your lessons for success while engaging students of all ages.

Recommended for: Intermediate and Experienced users

 

 

Smart Notebook for English and World Language           

Create lesson plan template with latest NJ CCCS and incorporate interactive activities to teach vocabulary, idea sequencing, and spelling. Use venn diagrams, t-charts, and graphic organizers to assist the writing process.
Recommended: English and World Language teachers

 

Real World Math: Credit, Coupons, and Money Management

Show your students the real-world value of knowing math; how to manage their personal finances to get the most for their money. This workshop will provide you with activities involving banking and compound interest, comparison shopping, use of coupons, credit cards, check books and much more. All activities are correlated to middle school math content. You will leave this workshop with lessons your students will profit from for the rest of their lives. You may learn some things yourself. Now that’s a good return on your investment.
Recommended for: Teachers of math, consumer education,/middle school economics

 

 

The Inquiry of Science                                           

In Inquiry of Science, teachers will be immersed in inquiry-based investigations, making discoveries by playing with pennies and testing paper towels using the scientific method.  Teachers will also design their own inquiry-based lab.
Recommended for: K- 8 teachers interested in spicing up science

 

Using Cooperative Learning in the Technology-Infused Classroom

Learn to differentiate instruction using a variety of cooperative learning activities. In the technology-infused classroom, students need to learn to work collaboratively as a team, while at the same time be individually accountable. Strategies for balancing these key features of cooperative learning as a method of integrating technology will be highlighted.
Recommended for: Teachers of Grades K-8

 

 

 

Mystery Festival: CSI in the classroom                    

Mystery Festival uses a classroom learning-station format; students study a "crime scene," then conduct crime-lab tests on the evidence, analyze the results, and try to solve the mystery. These forensic science activities absorb students from the start and keep them intensely involved throughout.  In this workshop, teachers will play the role of students/detectives to uncover the mystery.
Recommended for: K- 8 teachers interested in spicing up science

 

Incorporating Publisher in the K-8 Curriculum          

So you think Publisher is only for making cards. Spend some time exploring the program and you will see that you can use this exceptional resource for making newspapers, pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, flyers, postcards and more. Lear how to use hundreds of templates that will boost your students’ knowledge and abilities. You will leave this workshop with a variety of ways to incorporate these tools into your daily curriculum.
Recommended for: Classroom teacher, secretaries, and school newspaper staff.

 

top of page

 

Word Processing I: Microsoft Word and Google Docs

After this full-day workshop, you won’t be able to imagine how you existed without Microsoft Word. You will learn to

create, save and open documents; change the style and colorof text; add borders and shading; and use the spell checker

and thesaurus. See how to use Google Docs to make your files available via the internet and make collaboration possible.

Recommended for: Anyone who wants to learn word processing. Some experience using a mouse and Windows is

suggested, but not necessary. No experience with Word is expected.

 

Word Processing II : Microsoft Word and Google Docs

Move beyond the basics of Microsoft Word. In this workshop you will learn how to import pictures and other objects,

create and customize tables, generate personalized letters to replace form letters, and create and use templates. Learn

more about sharing, collaborating, and storing using Google Docs.

Recommended for: Users comfortable working in Microsoft Word.

 

 

Spreadsheets 1: Microsoft Excel and Google Docs

Ready for the next step beyond calculators? This workshop will cover the skills needed to create basic spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. Learn to create, save and open spreadsheets; enter and edit data in a spreadsheet; build formulas and create charts. Upload spreadsheets to Google Docs for your private use or share and collaborate with others.

Recommended for: Anyone interested in creating spreadsheets. Experience using a mouse is

 

 

Presentations 1: Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Docs

This full-day workshop will enable participants to create multimedia presentations to support all aspects of teaching

and learning. Participants will explore features in PowerPoint, which bring slides to life. You will learn how to animate your

slides and how to add interesting transitions between slides. To help with the creation of your own PowerPoint

presentation you might want to bring a textbook or other curriculum materials. Test drive the PowerPoint like

presentation part of Google Docs. Share your presentations via the internet with students, parents, and colleagues.

Recommended for: Anyone who wants to create dynamic  presentations. Some computer experience is required.

 

 

Presentations II: Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Docs

Come and expand your PowerPoint skills. You will learn how to add hyperlinks, sound, and action buttons. Bring your own

curriculum materials and/or an existing PowerPoint presentation and you’ll take back an amazing classroom ready

slide show. Use Google Docs to make your presentation interactive and collaborative.

Recommended for: Participants who have completed Presentation I

 

 

Time Travel with Photoshop  

Adobe Photoshop is a key tool of the 21^st Century technological revolution.  With a little practice, one can merge and edit images, retouch photographs,  design sophisticated print and electronic materials, and produce computer art.  In this introductory hands-on workshop, you will learn Photoshop foundational skills.  You will capture and transfer images with a digital camera; use Photoshop’s selection  and painting tool palettes; and take a picture of yourself and blend it into an image of the past.  You will be working and having fun throughout the session.
Recommended for: Beginner Photoshop users

 

 

Create More with Photoshop                  

Tapping the powerful potential of Adobe Photoshop, we will explore and  apply some advanced techniques and tools. We will explore color in sophisticated ways  that will make Andy Warhol jealous. Come learn hand colorization and apply special effects such as shadows, glows, and lighting angles to typography and photographs.  This workshop is highly experiential; you will be working and having fun throughout the session
Recommended for: Advanced Photoshop users

 

Getting Started with Moodle: Your Online Classroom

As explained on moodle.org, “Moodle is a course management system (CMS) - a free, Open Source software package designed using sound pedagogical principles, to help educators create effective online learning communities.” This hands-on workshop will allow users to take Moodle for a test drive. Experience an existing Moodle classroom and then learn how to get started on creating your own Moodle site. You will learn how to create an online classroom, upload files, setup calendars, include podcasts and video, and assorted other features built into a Moodle site. Come prepared with files (Word, Excel, etc) to upload to Moodle Recommended for: Participants comfortable using email attachments

 

 

 

Blogs, Podcasts and the Classroom

Blogs and podcasts form a new partnership in communications media. Students and teachers can become personal publishers and broadcasters in ways that connect the subject area with writing and speaking skills. In the morning we will explore the world of blogs and how a blog can relate to your instructional goals. You will establish a blog on the Internet for future use. The afternoon will be devoted to the world of podcasting. You will learn the vocabulary, the tools and the process used to locate, download, create and publicize your own podcasts. Find out what all the buzz is about and learn how these new tools can amplify student projects as well as your own listening interests.
Recommended for: K-12 teachers, all subjects

 

 

Using the iPad to Enhance Learning & Facilitate Communication for Students with Special Needs.
The iPad is a revolutionary technology that is changing the way educators present information in the 21stcentury classroom.  The multi-sensory design of the iPad appeals to all learning styles and is an ideal tool for students with special needs.  In this workshop, educators will learn about a variety of applications (apps) that address academic skills such as reading, writing, mathematics, and science.  Communication apps designed for individuals with limited functional communication abilities will also be explored.  The presenters will highlight Proloquo2Go and iCommunicate, as well as other apps designed to enhance language development.  Strategies for implementation and best practices will be discussed.  Bring your own iPad for a hands-on learning experience that will transform teaching strategies.
  Note: This is a BYOIP (bring your own iPad) workshop.

Recommended for: Special Education Teachers of grades K-8

 

 

Strategies to Meet the Common Core Literacy Standards in Content Areas K-5

The new Common Core English Language Arts standards require specific literacy proficiencies in all content areas. The new Standards require from 30% to 50% of all reading instruction to be completed with informational texts, a move away from instruction that has been based primarily on all narrative texts.

 This workshop will focus on specific strategies to enable students to read and comprehend complex informational texts and to respond in well written answers to Open Ended prompts.  Additionally, an analysis of the type of Multiple Choice questions that are presented to test comprehension will be discussed and practiced.   Through a variety of  activities, participants will gain skills to promote close reading of informational texts and strategies to  promote proficiency.

 This workshop is appropriate for all content areas teachers as well as reading and language arts teachers. 

Recommended for: Grade K-5 teachers

 

 top of page

Strategies to Meet the Common Core Literacy Standards in Content Areas 6-8 

The new Common Core English Language Arts standards require specific literacy proficiencies in all content areas. The new Standards require from 30% to 50% of all reading instruction to be completed with informational texts, a move away from instruction that has been based primarily on all narrative texts.

 This workshop will focus on specific strategies to enable students to read and comprehend complex informational texts and to respond in well written answers to Open Ended prompts.  Additionally, an analysis of the type of Multiple Choice questions that are presented to test comprehension will be discussed and practiced.   Through a variety of  activities, participants will gain skills to promote close reading of informational texts and strategies to  promote proficiency.

 This workshop is appropriate for all content areas teachers as well as reading and language arts teachers. 

Recommended for: Grade 6-8 teachers

 

 

Building Web Literacy

If you are going to use the web for research, you need to become a sophisticated searcher. Our students think they are Internet experts, but that isn't always the case. Learn web literacy basics and how to teach your students the best way to utilize the Internet and it's vast resources.  Create savvy web users who understand why “I found it on the Internet” does not guarantee authenticity.

Recommended for: All teachers