12-13+General+Studies+Speakers

Click Here to Register ||< [|Best Practices and Writing Assessments] **PRESENTER: Kristine Bryan Nielsen, Ph.D Leadership and Learning Center ** This session will focus on elements of assessment item design. Instruction and guidelines for selected response and constructed response items will be given, with facilitated work time provided. The topic of quality rubrics and performance assessment will also be addressed. || Click Here to Register ||< [|Implementing the Key Aspects of Content Literacy]
 * September 28, 2012
 * November 7, 2012

**PRESENTER: Dr. Maria Grant, NCTE Consultant, Associate Professor, California, State University, Fullerton**

Participants would learn how to implement the key aspects of content literacy, including reading comprehension, academic and technical word learning, writing, and oral language. The importance of formative assessment and foundational ways to check for understanding would be presented. Throughout this interactive session, there would be opportunities for discussion and processing of information in a way that is relevant and meaningful to educators and classroom teachers. || Click Here to Register ||< [|Five Easy Steps to a Balanced Math Program]
 * October 17, 2012

**PRESENTER: Jan Christinson, Professional Development Associate –** ** The Leadership and Learning Center ** Many teachers have come to realize that the Common Core Learning Standards require higher order thinking, extensive problem solving and deeper development and understanding of concepts in mathematics. This “balance” of both conceptual and procedural understanding is essential for the success in mathematics. Mastery of math facts and problem solving are two critical areas in which both procedural and conceptual understanding are foundational, yet often these areas are found to be weak in students. This one day workshop will focus on strategies & systematic approaches that build number sense and operational fluency with math facts. Participants will also develop a structure for problemsolving activities and scoring criteria that can be used throughout the year to assess student work. Information and strategies will be presented that will allow participants to immediately begin to balance their instructional program in mathematics. Participants will also be provided with the new “Five Easy Steps to a Balanced Math Program” workbook to help with classroom integration. The strategies and ideas are practical and researched based originating from the author’s 32 years of classroom experience and knowledge of the Common Core Learning Standards. ||
 * December 4, 2012

Click Here to Register ||< [|How Do I Know What Students Know? Assessing, Planning, and Differentiating for Students' Literacy Needs]

**PRESENTER: Chris Tovani, Author & Founder of The Tovani Group**

Teachers recognize that in order to meet the needs of their students they need to know them well. Wise use of assessments can provide information that informs instruction. Unfortunately some assessments are not useful to the classroom teacher or they come too late in the "teaching and learning cycle." Figuring out how to assess, when to assess, and how to use the data to readjust and improve instruction is difficult. During this workshop, Cris Tovani will share how she uses Workshop Model to assess and plan instruction to improve students’ ability to read all types of text. When students can comprehend what they read, teachers have a better chance of getting through all the curriculum and content they are expected to cover. Participants will examine examples of student work and take away strategies and ideas that will help them meet more of their students' literacy needs. ||