Professional+Learning+Offerings

===We believe that effective Professional Learning is ongoing, sustained and job embedded. While many of these offerings are awareness and introductory sessions, the purpose is for teachers to determine future direction and goals based on these offerings. Consultants are able to help coordinate and facilitate future learning that results in meaningful change and improvements in teaching and learning.=== = = = = =Dean=
 * **Digital Learning**
 * An overview of what is possible when classrooms seek to give students an opportunity to share and create content using the Digital Learning Vision of Prairie South. The purpose of this awareness session is to provide a starting point for future support. Teachers will be able to select a number of options for further professional learning
 * There may be sub workshops/PL that comes out of this and other requests
 * **School Websites**
 * Jeff and I will continue to support schools in moving to a Content Management Based website
 * **Moodle**
 * Jeff and I will provide technical support for teachers wishing to develop an online classroom.
 * **A Whole New World**
 * This session provides an overview of some of the ways technology is changing the way students learn and reveals some in which schools and classrooms are responding in ways that enhance student learning. This session is likely best used for entire staffs or PLC's.
 * **Globally Connected Classrooms**
 * This session is designed to offer ideas and solutions for connecting students to global projects and classrooms and create personal learning networks
 * **Responsible Digital Citizens**
 * Student online activity can range from powerful and life changing to harmful and dangerous. Learn strategies and resources that can begin to start discussion about how to live in a digital world
 * Focus will also be given to information literacy
 * **Digital Storytelling**
 * Learn how to use a variety of free tools to tell compelling stories...not just for ELA...this is for all classrooms from K-12**.**
 * **Geocaching, GPS and Google Earth**
 * Location based learning is more important in our world today. Consider how the use of these tools might enhance all facets of your curriculum

=**Jeff**=


 * Building your own personal webpage within the School Website. ( Creating course information, Upload documents, Upload class pictures, Create links to other resources)
 * School Websites - work with Dean
 * Moodle - work with Dean
 * Work with Gradebook - Setup classes and communicate with students and parents.

=Tim=


 * The new (WNCP) Math Curriculum for grades K,1,4 & 7
 * **An overview of the new (WNCP) Western and Northern Canadian Protocol math curriculum addressing the changes to the curriculum.**
 * First Steps in Mathematics
 * **FSiM is a practical resource for math teachers interested in a practical resource to use to improve learning. Teachers learn how to assess and monitor the mathematics development of their students and link this assessment to developmentally appropriate teaching strategies.**
 * **Continue to support schools using FSiM.**
 * Teaching Student-centered Mathematics
 * **Using John Van de Walle's student-centered, problem-basd approach to teaching mathematics help students develop real understanding and confidence in understanding and learning mathematics.**
 * Using problem solving strategies
 * **NCTM recommends that the mathematics curriculum include numerous and varied experiences with problem solving as a method of inquiry and application. Support will be provided for K to 8 teachers interested in learning how to use these strategies.**

=Tammy=


 * School Level Writing Benchmarks
 * **Teachers will have the opportunity to engage in the writing benchmark process with their school staff or with other interested teachers. By engaging in the benchmarking process teachers will become adept at recognizing quality writing, and will be able to provide instruction that leads to quality writing.**
 * Writer's Workshop / Writing Process
 * **Get writing with your students! Explore the writing process and engage in a writing workshop with colleagues and/or students.**
 * 6+1 Traits of Writing
 * **Explore the 6+1 traits of writing and their relationship to the writing process.**
 * Reading & Writing Across Content Areas
 * **What can be done to support students who struggle with reading and writing when they need to deal with content area text? Explore a variety of research-based strategies that have been proven to be effective in improving student achievement.**
 * Speaker's Club
 * **Students take on various roles in a class meeting atmosphere. All 6 language arts strands are incorporated as students practice many of the speaking skills required of them in real-life situations.**
 * BDA Strategies
 * **Before, during and after strategies cross all language arts strands. Students need explicit instruction in how to utilize and monitor their use of such strategies. Teachers will share effective strategies and learn how to incorporate them across all subject areas.**
 * Guided Reading
 * **As one part of a balanced literacy program, guided reading provides students the opportunity to practice their reading strategies. Because managing a guided reading program looks different for every school, teachers will identify areas of need and determine next steps.**
 * Grade 1 ELA Assessment Guides
 * **Teachers will be provided assistance in implementing the Grade 1 ELA Assessment Guides.**

=**JILL**=


 * Assessment For/Of Learning
 * **Examine beliefs & current assessment practice.**
 * Explore the Guiding Principles of Balanced Assessment
 * **Learn how to improve student achievement in classrooms by using AFL & AOL strategies**
 * Applied Practical Assessment Strategies
 * **Assess differently, not more.**
 * Data & Beyond
 * **Explore the types & uses of data.**
 * **Learn how to use data to improve student achievement & behavior.**
 * **Ways to gather & analyze data. Examples AFL, Writing Benchmarks, classrooms tests, quizzes, surveys, observation.**
 * **Review examples of qualitative & quantitative data.**
 * Using a Variety of Assessments
 * **Examine assessment options including selected response, constructed response, personal communication, performance, extended written.**
 * **Matching assessment methods with the learning target.**
 * **Ways to make assessment more authenitic-- related to real life.**
 * **Apply Stiggins principles for quality assessment.**
 * **The benefits & development of common assessments.**
 * Student Involved Assessment
 * **The importance of providing student involvement & choice in assessment design, self assessment, goal setting, conferencing & sharing their learning,**
 * Grading
 * **Examine: what does a grade represent? What happens when we mix achievement with social factors/student behavior? How effectively do we communicate progress to students & parents?**
 * **Learn about grading research document.**
 * Report Cards
 * **How to use academic indicators and develop Common understandings regarding achievement.**
 * **Using goal setting effectively.**
 * **Walk through new elements.**
 * **Importance of descriptive feedback.**
 * Provincial Assessments & Connection to Classroom Assessment**
 * Learn how to read the provincial data & analyze the data.
 * Use the data to improve student achievement & make informed instructional decisions.