Collaboration for Transition (PPT)

This session will address the transition from the middle grades to high school and ways to increase student achievement. Successful schools take a team approach and work in partnership between levels to create a seamless transition. The school models will share ways to collaborate and strategies for breaking out of the routines and patterns that prevent schools from moving forward to address this critical step in a student’s education.

Handout (PDF)     Poestenkill Elementary School (PPT)     Worland Middle School (PPT)     Triage Planning (PPT)

Many schools are struggling to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) for students in the economically disadvantaged, special education, limited English proficient, and minority subgroups. This workshop will address the challenges and demands of meeting the needs of the hardest-to-serve students, with a focus on leadership and key systems components. Brain research will be shared along with implementation strategies and best practices to improve student achievement.

Research shows that reading and writing strategies across the curriculum improve performance for all students. Learn how to boost student achievement with literacy strategies. These low maintenance, high-yield strategies do not require expensive equipment, specialized schedules, or extensive planning time. Teachers can implement them immediately without sacrificing content or becoming reading teachers. Teachers will discover how to support their subject area while building student skills in vocabulary, comprehension, and analysis.

Handout (PDF)     Beyond the Basics (PPT)

This is an advanced workshop for teachers and administrators who have a basic understanding of the Rigor/Relevance Framework. This PreConference will focus on specific and practical applications to create a culture of ongoing professional learning resulting in instruction that is rigorous and relevant and enhances student engagement. Participants will learn what works from successful schools as well as reflect and share ideas for enhancing instructional leadership and practice.

This workshop has been described as “a grammatical and verbal re-awakening.” Eye-opening student-centered techniques will be modeled and demonstrated, techniques that motivate students to breathe life into their compositions and writing assignments. These instructional strategies will empower students to organize their thoughts systematically and communicate them effectively. Music and memory enhancing movements combine youthful student interests with state and parental expectations in English language arts.

Handout (PDF)     Intro to RR (PPT)

This workshop will introduce the Rigor/Relevance Framework and Relationship Model and describe the behaviors, activities, and structures that support learning and personalization of rigor and relevance. The Framework gives educators a basis to analyze assessments, plan curriculum, differentiate instruction, and select the most effective teaching strategies. When students see the relevance of what they are learning, they are more motivated to learn. Students also need strong relationships that support learning; the Relationship Model provides a means of quantifying those relationships.