Break-Out Session #3
Session Title: Expect, Connect, Reflect: Teaching Social Justice in 8th Grade ELA
(This is a two hour session 1 hour before lunch and 1 hour after)
Presenter(s): Hope DeBevoise w/ 8th grade Troy Middle School students
Abstract: Using the Native American Circle of Courage as a foundational framework, the teacher and students will outline how the four universal themes of belonging, mastery, generosity, and independence are interwoven into all assignments in an 8th grade ELA class. Participants will hear how the themes serve as the foundation for holding students to high expectations and for connecting students with one another and the larger community. Participants will learn how the study of multiple literacies and issues of social justice reach into learners minds and hearts while simultaneously developing megacognitive thinking. Come listen to the students themselves as they share projects and thoughts. Expect to see digital assignments, persuasive speeches, research essays, posters, and other student generated work.
Audience: Classroom Teachers in Social Studies and ELA grades 8-12, counselors, curriculum leaders
Session Outcome(s): Participants will gain an introductory knowledge of building community around content that focuses on social justice and introductory insight into building a foundation in their classroom that fosters respect, high expectations, and growth. Participants will listen to the voices of 8th grade students who have experienced the year-long theme what they have gained from class thus far.
Room:
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Title: Engaging English Language Learners In the K-12 Classrooms
Presenter(s): Christina Zontini, ENL Teacher, Albany City Schools
Abstract: With the rapid increase of English Language Learner (ELLs) in our schools, teachers need new and exciting ways to engage these students in the different subject areas. This session will provide teachers with strategies and tools that can be implemented across all subject areas that will allow ELLs to be engaged and participate within the learning. These strategies will allow teachers to differentiate materials while engaging all proficiency levels within their classrooms.
Audience: All teachers who work with students identified as ELL
Session Outcome(s): Teachers will be given and experience many strategies that will help engage their English Language Learners and allow them to demonstrate their understanding of the material.
Room: Lally 304
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Title: Understanding Academic Language
Presenter(s): Frances Ihle, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Special Education, College of Saint Rose
Abstract: Understanding Academic Language is a learning strategy that can help students better comprehend content area textbooks. This strategy is needed because the writers of academic textbooks often use complex language structures that are very different from the everyday speech patterns with which students are familiar. Thus, many learners find academic text extremely difficult to understand. Built around the four-step TEXT Strategy, this session will provide a framework that teachers can use to convey this information. The six lessons outline the procedures for conducting the pretest and posttest, and the procedures and materials for teaching the TEXT Strategy
Audience: Grades 7-12 Teachers, Curriculum Leaders, ENL Teachers
Session Outcome(s): Participants will learn about a research validated strategy that was create specifically for secondary students with language issues, including students with disabilities and English language learners.
Room:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Title: Classroom Management Specifically for Student Teachers, Substitute Teachers,
and New Teachers
Presenter(s): Christina Pfister, Joseph Schaefer, Haley Kaliher, Megan Lineback, Hannah Parker, Lexi Selca
Abstract: Classroom management is a topic covered in course work for undergraduate and graduate pre-service teachers, however, it remains an area where those new to a classroom often struggle. As new and emerging professionals, student teachers, substitute teachers, and new teachers, must handle a wide range of situations in their classrooms which they may not have experienced in their coursework. This session will provide specific tips for student teachers, substitute teachers, and new teachers offered from a panel of recent graduates.
Audience: All individuals desiring to substitute teach
Session Outcome(s): Attendees will leave this session with a range of practical tips for how to manage their classrooms as student teachers, substitute teachers, and as new teaching professionals
Room: Lally 254
(This is a two hour session 1 hour before lunch and 1 hour after)
Presenter(s): Hope DeBevoise w/ 8th grade Troy Middle School students
Abstract: Using the Native American Circle of Courage as a foundational framework, the teacher and students will outline how the four universal themes of belonging, mastery, generosity, and independence are interwoven into all assignments in an 8th grade ELA class. Participants will hear how the themes serve as the foundation for holding students to high expectations and for connecting students with one another and the larger community. Participants will learn how the study of multiple literacies and issues of social justice reach into learners minds and hearts while simultaneously developing megacognitive thinking. Come listen to the students themselves as they share projects and thoughts. Expect to see digital assignments, persuasive speeches, research essays, posters, and other student generated work.
Audience: Classroom Teachers in Social Studies and ELA grades 8-12, counselors, curriculum leaders
Session Outcome(s): Participants will gain an introductory knowledge of building community around content that focuses on social justice and introductory insight into building a foundation in their classroom that fosters respect, high expectations, and growth. Participants will listen to the voices of 8th grade students who have experienced the year-long theme what they have gained from class thus far.
Room:
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Title: Engaging English Language Learners In the K-12 Classrooms
Presenter(s): Christina Zontini, ENL Teacher, Albany City Schools
Abstract: With the rapid increase of English Language Learner (ELLs) in our schools, teachers need new and exciting ways to engage these students in the different subject areas. This session will provide teachers with strategies and tools that can be implemented across all subject areas that will allow ELLs to be engaged and participate within the learning. These strategies will allow teachers to differentiate materials while engaging all proficiency levels within their classrooms.
Audience: All teachers who work with students identified as ELL
Session Outcome(s): Teachers will be given and experience many strategies that will help engage their English Language Learners and allow them to demonstrate their understanding of the material.
Room: Lally 304
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Understanding Academic Language
Presenter(s): Frances Ihle, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Special Education, College of Saint Rose
Abstract: Understanding Academic Language is a learning strategy that can help students better comprehend content area textbooks. This strategy is needed because the writers of academic textbooks often use complex language structures that are very different from the everyday speech patterns with which students are familiar. Thus, many learners find academic text extremely difficult to understand. Built around the four-step TEXT Strategy, this session will provide a framework that teachers can use to convey this information. The six lessons outline the procedures for conducting the pretest and posttest, and the procedures and materials for teaching the TEXT Strategy
Audience: Grades 7-12 Teachers, Curriculum Leaders, ENL Teachers
Session Outcome(s): Participants will learn about a research validated strategy that was create specifically for secondary students with language issues, including students with disabilities and English language learners.
Room:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Title: Classroom Management Specifically for Student Teachers, Substitute Teachers,
and New Teachers
Presenter(s): Christina Pfister, Joseph Schaefer, Haley Kaliher, Megan Lineback, Hannah Parker, Lexi Selca
Abstract: Classroom management is a topic covered in course work for undergraduate and graduate pre-service teachers, however, it remains an area where those new to a classroom often struggle. As new and emerging professionals, student teachers, substitute teachers, and new teachers, must handle a wide range of situations in their classrooms which they may not have experienced in their coursework. This session will provide specific tips for student teachers, substitute teachers, and new teachers offered from a panel of recent graduates.
Audience: All individuals desiring to substitute teach
Session Outcome(s): Attendees will leave this session with a range of practical tips for how to manage their classrooms as student teachers, substitute teachers, and as new teaching professionals
Room: Lally 254