Monday+Session+4

= Session Four Monday Mid-Afternoon =

60. A Layered Curriculum: Layer Upon Layer of Student Success (Apologies: Canceled)
The layered curriculum is an adaptable method that participants will learn how to incorporate across subject areas and with a variety of populations. This method allows for a differentiation in classroom instruction that offers opportunities for authentic assessment, active engagement, and responsibility for one’s learning, thus ensuring each child’s success.

61. Using Data to Empower Teachers and Students
Data is a synonym for information, and there is much information to be gained from sources beyond testing which will improve student achievement and enhance the instructional environment. This session will outline types of data available and useful to teachers when moving your school towards becoming a “high performing middle grade school.”

62. Technology for Immediate Feedback and Effective Learning
Get hands-on with technology designed for formative assessment, classroom responses and writing/note taking in all subject areas. Experience activities in science, math, social studies and language arts that result immediately in data; learn how to use the data to improve teaching & learning.

63. Hands On: Real-World Lessons for Middle School Classrooms
Integrating topics across disciplines develops higher-order thinking and encourages student motivation. This session presents a ready-to-use curriculum integrating experiential learning in all core subject areas with the highly relevant topic of food science through the study of microbiology. Participants will receive FREE access to the curriculum and all necessary supplies.

64. Wednesday’s Child Goes to School: Supporting Students Affected by Loss
Students come to school grieving personally significant losses associated with various life events, and this grief can negatively impact their learning and mental health. Educators can play critical roles in assisting loss-affected students. Participants will become acquainted with possible support approaches and materials to use in their work with students.

65. Legacy of the Middle School Movement: Lessons Learned and Actions Needed
North Carolina middle level educators can be proud of their state’s heritage as a leader in middle level education. Many North Carolina middle schools have been very successful and helped provide models for the state and nation. The North Carolina Middle Schools Association was among the first state middle level organizations to be established and North Carolina was one of the first states to develop specialized middle level teacher preparation programs and licensure. In spite of these and other significant milestones, current political and economic conditions are jeopardizing the continued movement of middle level education toward excellence for North Carolina young adolescents. In this session, the presenters will draw from their extensive research and combined 70+ years of experience as middle level educators to engage participants in a critical dialogue about the role of North Carolina and North Carolina middle level educators in overcoming barriers and continuing to advance the cause of providing all young adolescents with a first-class education.

66. Introduction to Inquiry in the Middle School Classroom
This workshop will introduce you to the inquiry method for teaching science and math. Learn how student-guided hands-on lessons, conceptual development, and literacy supplements combine to make inquiry a proven alternative to textbook programs. Walk away with material from the STC PROGRAM™ that will help promote inquiry in your classroom.

67. What a “Novel” Approach
Creating a literature unit or novel unit can be a daunting task. Come hear how some middle schools teachers go about putting together a novel unit that aids in quality instruction for students. The presentation will show how the development of a middle school literature unit is put together. Free handouts will be provided for participants.

68. Click CFNC.ORG, Connect Latino Students to College, Careers and Success
This session will focus on ways educators and advocates may use free resources from CFNC.org, CFNC Spanish Services and other non-profit organizations to connect Latino students to college and careers. The session will also address barriers Latino students may face and ways to help students overcome them.

69. Enhancing the Math Classroom with Literacy Strategies (Year 2)
Scores in math showed such an improvement with the implementation of Literacy Strategies that we decided to continue using the strategies developed in year one and add some new ones for year two! This session will be dedicated to using literacy strategies adapted to work in the math classroom to promote higher achievement and understanding of mathematical concepts. Teachers will co me away with activities and ideas that can easily be added to their daily practice and possibly a spark for new ideas in their own classrooms.

70. “Sit Down Johnnie!” 7 Steps to Managing the Classroom
“Sit down Johnnie!” Yes, this is the 10th time you’ve told him to sit down in 20 minutes. The phone call home didn’t help. What else can you do? This session will give you ideas and management skills that will help you manage that classroom.

71. How to Teach Reading When You’re Not a Reading Teacher
While most middle and high school level teachers were never trained to teach reading, they often get students who are struggling readers or even non-readers in their classes. This session will provide specific and practical techniques that can be used by teachers from 4th-12th grade in all subject areas to assist students with their reading skills.

72. ABCI Grading System-No More Failing Grades!
In 2009 Zebulon GT Magnet Middle School adopted a grading policy called ABCI Grading that inspired students to achieve at higher levels. ABCI Grading requires that students attain a 77% or above on each graded assignment. We did it in our school (and you can too!). Come find out how!

73. Interactive Inquiry
Explore ways to differentiate middle school science instruction with use of story books. Be exposed to strategies and lesson plans that involve literature in correlation with inquiry from real-life teaching experiences. Technology is used for interactive approaches in the 21st century classroom.

74. Self-Contained Classrooms: Visual, Social and School Collaboration Strategies
This session will offer hands-on and electronic visual schedules that span all subject areas and can be used daily with students in a self-contained classroom. In addition, social stories and collaboration ideas that will allow for more interaction with other teachers and students throughout the school will be discussed.

75. Formative Assessment in All Content Areas
The use of formative assessment is effective in all content areas and provides exp licit feedback that can be used to adjust teaching and learning. Presenters will provide examples of activities that will help teachers give students useful feedback that will increase their understanding of content and improve overall achievement.

76. A Reader Response Approach to Novels
Students who connect to a book are more likely to read and enjoy it. Reader response techniques encourage students to think, talk, and write about their reading so they can develop those connections. Various strategies will be shared, including: response journals, prediction reaction journals, front page news, and literacy circles.

Location: Sandpiper
== 77. Common Core State Standards:﻿ An Introduction for Middle School English Language Arts Educators == This session will provide general background and introductory information on the Common Core State Standards, adopted for North Carolina on June 2, 2010. This session will focus on middle school English Language Arts content while a separate session will focus on Mathematics.

78. Middle School Projects and 21st Century Technology
Integrating 21st century skills into your middle school curriculum can be a challenge. Come see how one team of teachers integrates technology into their subject areas. We will present student projects/class activities from each of the core subjects showing project requirements, software used and hardware needed.