Targeted Instruction and Interventions with Reading Strategy Groups Grades K-5
This online course for teachers begins by discussing the elements and benefits of reading strategy groups. Since strategy groups are based on assessment, the course delves into a variety of assessment types and approaches. Throughout the course, teachers learn how to use research-based best practices to choose strategies, books, and activities for before, during, and after reading. Teachers will also learn specific reading strategies for working with English language learners and those who struggle with reading. Teachers will learn how to build students’ stamina and engagement as they work to become successful, independent readers. Teachers will learn the importance of relying on the science of reading as they work with their students across all areas of reading.
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The Science of Reading Grades K-5
This online course for teachers provides K-5 educators with the perfect tools to approach reading instruction using best practices, with readers specifically putting five areas of focus together (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension) in order to become successful readers. Teachers will be provided with thorough background information and research-based support for each component of reading, as backed by reading science. As they progress through this course, teachers will be introduced to a variety of best practices as they relate to the teaching and learning of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and reading comprehension. Teachers will add many tools to their already-existing schemas to help students who struggle in any of these five areas of reading. Additionally, effective research-based strategies for working with students who are learning English as an additional language and students with dyslexia are also shared.
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Preparing Students with Special Needs to Meet the Standards Grades K-3
| This online course for teachers is designed for K-3 educators who are attempting to do just this. Teachers will learn specific strategies for helping their special education students build strong foundational reading skills by using assessment to guide and differentiate their instruction. In addition, teachers will be given a variety of tools and strategies to help guide their struggling writers as they work to balance meaningful writing with explicit strategy instruction. Other topics include differentiating the mathematics block, providing tactile, kinesthetic, and auditory learning opportunities, student collaboration, cooperative group activities, and Universal Design for Learning. Rounding out the course is engaging special needs students in the art of conversation and using interventions and other teaching techniques to engage special needs students, including those who also happen to be English language learners.
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Preparing English Language Learners (ESL/ELL/ENL) for Success Grades K-6
This online course for teachers is designed for educators who want to dig deep into their own teaching practices and explore strategies and initiatives for incorporating students’ cultural backgrounds and experiences so that the focus is on the whole child/student, including his/her cultural and linguistic identity. The course begins by building a solid understanding of language domains, types, and the levels of language acquisition. Information on ENL best practices and models for teaching ESL are shared as well as specific strategies for incorporating them into the teaching of reading, writing, speaking and listening, mathematics, science, and social studies. Teachers will gain a solid understanding of the various ESL models and how to grow their ELL students’ vocabularies and comprehension by setting goals, using their home language and culture, and communicating with caregivers. Teachers will also learn appropriate ways to assess their ESL students. Finally, teachers will learn best practices for serving newcomers.
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Classroom Management Survival Course Grades K-8
| This online course for teachers focuses on helping educators explore a variety of classroom management strategies including learning how to develop and establish a discipline plan. Teachers will learn many useful and practical techniques for working with students. A particular focus is effective strategies for working with special populations such as difficult students, English language learners, and students with learning disabilities. Teachers will also spend time learning about the importance of establishing clear and concise classroom rules and routines. Character education will also be introduced as it relates to classroom management. Teachers will also learn the benefits of cooperative learning in creating a positive classroom environment. Conflict resolution strategies that can be taught to students will also be explored, particularly within the context of bullying situations. Finally, teachers will learn how to properly and effectively create individualized behavior plans. |
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Embracing Diversity and Equity through Culturally Responsive Teaching Grades K-12
This online course for teachers is designed for K-12 educators who are looking to dig deeper into their own teaching practices and explore strategies and initiatives for incorporating students’ cultural backgrounds and experiences so that the focus is on the whole child/student. This course begins by discussing the history of marginalization and how it has impacted both teaching and learning within the classroom. The foundations of culturally responsive teaching are addressed, as well as strategies for helping students who have suffered from trauma. Teachers will learn how to create a culturally inviting classroom environment, complete with specific strategies for creating and sustaining culturally relevant relationships, a cornerstone of culturally responsive teaching. Teachers will also learn how to help students build confidence and competence through culturally inspiring teaching practices which are designed to nurture the whole student, including his/her social and emotional needs. Additional topics include addressing individual differences and similarities by giving students voice and choice, as well as how to manage the classroom in a culturally responsive and inclusive manner. Specific culturally-responsive classroom management strategies will also be shared so teachers can be more effective working with students from diverse populations. Resources for choosing excellent examples of multi-cultural literature will also be shared. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident implementing the principles of culturally responsive teaching into their classrooms.
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Addressing the Needs of Diverse Populations Grades K-5
This online course for teachers is designed for K-5 educators who are looking to expand their current toolbox of strategies to address the diverse learning needs of students with ADHD, anxiety, linguistically diverse students, as well as those who have been identified as gifted and talented. Teachers will learn specific strategies to empower their students to succeed while simultaneously understanding their specific academic and social challenges. Additionally, teachers will learn the important role that culture plays in a diverse classroom, as well as specific strategies for engaging all learning styles in every lesson (visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic). Teachers will also learn how Tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions can be used to address the diverse learning needs of their students vis-à-vis the MTSS (multi-tiered system of support) framework. Finally, teachers will learn specific strategies for engaging families and the overall school community so that all learning needs can be identified, encouraged, and supported.
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IRIS Professional Development Modules
| Self-guided and self-paced, IRIS PD Modules cover numerous relevant topics in a way that is in-depth but approachable. These online resources can be used to improve educator’s knowledge of:
-Evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices OPI Renewal Unit Provider
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N2X STEM Pathways
Where can STEM take a student? The sky’s the limit with STEM! Our interactive audio host, Dave Gamon, interviews some rock star women of STEM in diverse fields of practice, covering the many diverse options for STEM careers, how the future of STEM education might look, computer science in the classroom and how to assist students to be successful in STEM.
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N2X STEM Project-based Learning
| How can Project Based Learning change your classroom? Your students? Our interactive audio host, Dave Gamon, talks about the practice of embracing and utilizing context to promote the natural process of inquiry to empower students to take charge of their own learning, including a self diagnosis that saved a student’s life. He discusses the power of “Why” and its importance in creating a foundation for learning. Finally he unpacks how PBL aligns with standards and the steps for teachers to take to implement this practice in their classrooms.
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