Building Thinking Classrooms is an instructional framework designed to actively engage students in collaborative problem-solving and critical thinking. In this professional development session, we will explore how to create a learning environment that promotes movement, collaboration, and rigorous thinking on a daily basis. Participants will learn strategies to implement rich tasks that challenge students to think deeply, communicate their reasoning, and engage in meaningful discourse with their peers. This approach fosters a culture of curiosity and perseverance, empowering students to take ownership of their learning. By the end of the session, educators will walk away with practical tools and techniques to create a dynamic, thinking-centered classroom where every student is an active participant in the learning process.
This session will help teachers engage students in meaningful discussions using dynamic methods such as Socratic Seminars, Speed Dating, and Turn and Talk. Each of these strategies can be used in all content areas.Teachers will learn to foster deep, reflective conversations with open-ended questions in Socratic Seminars, facilitate quick exchanges in Speed Dating, and create low-pressure peer discussions with Turn and Talk. Come see how these can be used in ALL content areas!!!!
Embrace responsible AI for schools: We will explore ways to save hours each week using MagicSchool to help lesson plan, differentiate, write assessments, communicate clearly, and more while having a measurable impact on student outcomes. Come ready to play and explore.
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring Mr. Mark Brenner, Mr. Rusty Crousillac, and Ms. Amy Torres as they share their expertise in Positive Behavior Interventions, Classroom Management Practices, and Best Instructional Strategies. This moderated session will provide practical insights and actionable strategies to help teachers create engaging, well-structured classrooms where students thrive. Participants can actively engage by submitting questions to the panelists before and during the session, ensuring the discussion addresses real classroom challenges and needs. Whether you're a new or experienced educator, this session promises to inspire and equip you with tools to enhance student engagement and classroom success.
Discover how to thrive in teaching without sacrificing your joy or personal life in this empowering workshop. You’ll learn to focus your energy on what you can control, implement practical time-saving strategies, and prioritize self-care to maintain balance and well-being. Walk away with actionable steps to reclaim your energy, confidence, and passion for teaching so you can maximize your classroom impact every day! Presented by Meredith Wheeler, M.Ed. (Recently Retired DSUSD Teacher, Department Chair, Instructional Coach, Wife, Mom, Entrepreneur)
This breakout session will provide a variety of AVID strategies that can be used to support your classroom instruction. With a menu of options to choose from, these practical strategies can be applied to the lessons and activities that you are already doing. Engagement, collaboration, WICOR, and exit strategies will be covered and how combining a few strategies together can strengthen the impact of your instruction. Slides, with explanation and protocols will be made available for easy implementation.
Building Thinking Classrooms is an instructional framework designed to actively engage students in collaborative problem-solving and critical thinking. In this professional development session, we will explore how to create a learning environment that promotes movement, collaboration, and rigorous thinking on a daily basis. Participants will learn strategies to implement rich tasks that challenge students to think deeply, communicate their reasoning, and engage in meaningful discourse with their peers. This approach fosters a culture of curiosity and perseverance, empowering students to take ownership of their learning. By the end of the session, educators will walk away with practical tools and techniques to create a dynamic, thinking-centered classroom where every student is an active participant in the learning process.
This session will help teachers engage students in meaningful discussions using dynamic methods such as Socratic Seminars, Speed Dating, and Turn and Talk. Each of these strategies can be used in all content areas.Teachers will learn to foster deep, reflective conversations with open-ended questions in Socratic Seminars, facilitate quick exchanges in Speed Dating, and create low-pressure peer discussions with Turn and Talk. Come see how these can be used in ALL content areas!!!!
Learn how to practically and easily apply the use of Thinking Maps is a whole-school learning methodology that is used across all grades and content areas. Thinking Maps is a brain-based approach to teaching and learning designed to build foundational critical thinking, problem-solving, comprehension, and communication skills necessary for academic success. Thinking Maps are a set of eight visual patterns or icons that each represent a specific cognitive process. As students build fluency with the Maps, they internalize these cognitive skills and learn how to become better learners, thinkers, and communicators.
This session will focus on how to access the different research tools/databases available to you through the district and state. We will look at where the databases are located, what content we have in our databases, as well as how to push out content from the databases to students via Google Classroom.
Discover how to thrive in teaching without sacrificing your joy or personal life in this empowering workshop. You’ll learn to focus your energy on what you can control, implement practical time-saving strategies, and prioritize self-care to maintain balance and well-being. Walk away with actionable steps to reclaim your energy, confidence, and passion for teaching so you can maximize your classroom impact every day! Presented by Meredith Wheeler, M.Ed. (Recently Retired DSUSD Teacher, Department Chair, Instructional Coach, Wife, Mom, Entrepreneur)
This breakout session will provide a variety of AVID strategies that can be used to support your classroom instruction. With a menu of options to choose from, these practical strategies can be applied to the lessons and activities that you are already doing. Engagement, collaboration, WICOR, and exit strategies will be covered and how combining a few strategies together can strengthen the impact of your instruction. Slides, with explanation and protocols will be made available for easy implementation.
What are FoldablesTM? Foldables are multi-dimensional graphic organizers that can be used for skills reinforcement, practice, and/or information organizing. Why use FoldablesTM? Not only do Foldables reinforce skills and strategies essential for reading success, they provide a kinesthetic tool for organizing and analyzing learning. Join our sceince staff in how to use simple foldables across the curriculum to enhance thinking and learning.
Learn how to practically and easily apply the use of Thinking Maps is a whole-school learning methodology that is used across all grades and content areas. Thinking Maps is a brain-based approach to teaching and learning designed to build foundational critical thinking, problem-solving, comprehension, and communication skills necessary for academic success. Thinking Maps are a set of eight visual patterns or icons that each represent a specific cognitive process. As students build fluency with the Maps, they internalize these cognitive skills and learn how to become better learners, thinkers, and communicators.
In this work session, teachers will have "make it take it time to integrate the Kami, Quizziz, Turnitin tech tools into their courses and gradebooks. Whether you're looking to streamline assessments, enhance student engagement, or simplify grading, this session offers the time and support needed to infuse these tools into your plans. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to work directly with the tools, ask questions, and leave with actionable plans to enhance their classroom workflows. Bring your Chromebook, course materials, and an open mind, and get ready to take your tech integration to the next level! Mark Brenner (Nearpod) Cindi Longworth (Turnitin) Evelyn Huerta (Quizziz)
This session will focus on how to create different content in Canva, including handouts and posters as well as using Canva for presentations. I will also show Tips and Tricks for using Canva and some of the different types of content I have created over the years. This will be a beginner/overview session for those who want to learn more about using Canva.
