English Language Learners: 50 Strategies

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about enhancing instruction through planning and visual scaffolding for language support and connecting communication to the real world.
2. Participants will learn how to create language-focused lessons, including read aloud techniques, to support ELL vocabulary building.
3. Educators will be exposed to academic language scaffolding and creating frameworks for language acquisition in skill level groupings while supporting individualized instructional needs.
4. Participants will be presented with dictoglos, GIST, and syntax surgery concepts for manipulating English grammar to comprehend a variety of language forms.
5. Educators will view the DVD 50 Instructional Strategies provided in the back of the book and complete activities to improve teaching techniques for ELL classrooms.

Teaching Learners Who Struggle with Mathematics

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the dissimilar learner and techniques to help students who struggle with mathematics use strategies for using place value in a variety of techniques.
2. Teachers will reexamine the addition of whole numbers to present the process using a variety of techniques. Then use the techniques in the subtraction of whole numbers.
3. Educators will learn about applying a variety of techniques for multiplication and division to reach the diverse perspectives and learning styles of students.
4. A variety of instructional approaches for understanding rational numbers with decimals and presenting them to students who have a hard time working with numbers.
5. Teachers will develop lesson or unit plans that apply literacy strategies for addressing learning deficiencies and how this can help students improve their mathematical skills.

At-Risk Learners: Best Practices

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will acquire a framework of working knowledge to teach at-risk students.
2. Participants taking this course will learn about ways of encouraging students to think about staying in school and how to make schools family friendly.
3. Educators will learn how to identify high-performing at-risk students and what parents can do to intervene when their child begins to fail in school.
4. Participants will explore the best practices and strategies that can help reduce school disenfranchisement and potential dropouts.
5. Educators will research the topic, develop a lesson or activities that utilizes strategies in the book and use the instructional techniques for improving student achievement.

Teaching Gifted Students in the Regular Classroom

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will explore what it means to be a gifted learner, how to create a successful program and the basic beliefs and background about the education of gifted learners.
2. Participants will review the categories of academically, intellectually and creative thinking giftedness. The areas of visual, performing arts and psycho-motor giftedness are defined. Using contracts and customizing strategies for differentiation are presented.
3. Educators will examine issues such as underachievement, barriers to providing support for the gifted student and to understand this complex topic and for personalizing the program curriculum for gifted learners.
4. Participants will be presented with eleven ways to differentiate instruction for gifted learners such as organization, teacher and student roles, techniques and strategies, special assignments and evaluation.
5. Educators will learn about rubrics, instruction, enrichment and advanced placement strategies or for classroom implementation. Parenting Issues are also presented.

Differentiated Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms

- 1 Graduate Credit -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn how differentiated instruction for mixed-ability groups applies to instructional strategies. State or local academic standards are also addressed.
2. Teachers will examine the role of the teacher in a differentiated classroom setting.
3. Learners are presented with strategies for managing a differentiated classroom and preparing students and parents for a differentiated classroom approach.
4. Educators will learn to plan differentiated lessons by readiness, interest and learning profiles for classroom implementation.
5. Teachers will be able to differentiate content, process, educational products and grading assessments in classrooms with mixed ability learners.

Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom

- 2 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the basic theory of multiple intelligences by Howard Gardner and its relationship to learning theory as applied to students in classroom settings and school environments.
2. Teachers will read and learn about MI in curriculum development, classroom management and student assessments for classroom applications.
3. Students will examine the practical applications of multiple intelligences for the elementary, middle school, and high school levels.
4. Multiple Intelligence strategies will be explored for cognitive skill development, special education and other subject area applications.
5. Teachers will analyze existential intelligence and other examples of MI lessons in elective classes and vocational programs for career development.

Teaching Children with Autism

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the latest theories and interventions about teaching children with autism and their language and communication challenges.
2. Teachers will be presented with concepts of overselective responding, descriptions and the spontaneous communicative skills of higher-functioning children with autism.
3. Educators will examine parent education and stress issues, family support and how to develop friendships with mainstream children.
4. Students will research the latest techniques in teaching children with autism and examine models for relationships between education professionals and parents.
5. Teachers will develop lessons, activities and writings that help them understand and work with autistic children in classrooms and schools.

Asperkids: Understanding Children with Asperger's Syndrome

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the theories of how and what goes on in the minds of children with Aspergers syndrome and develop an understanding of how they think.
2. Teachers will examine the various ways of motivating Asperkids by finding and using areas of interest to engage Aspergers kids by listening and facilitating their passions.
3. Educators will be presented with numerous approaches to help Asperkids perceive the world in concrete sequential ways as they learn random and abstract ways of thinking.
4. Educators will be able to use the specific strategies to help Asperkids in preparation skills that help them with various methods of getting around obstacles and challenges.
5. Teachers will develop lessons and activities that utilize various strategies in the book that help Asperkids learn practical skills so they can succeed in school and society.