Sugar River PD Center

Beginning Backwards Design
Workshop Series

June 26 , 27, August 6, October 25 – 9am to 3pm

Registration fee:  $390 or bring a team of 3 or more from your school and receive a group rate.  Contact Tammy Morse at tmorse@sau6.k12.nh.us or more details.

Learn how to design units that teach the fundamental concepts kids need to learn and easily align with the Common Core State Standards. Using Wiggins and McTighe’s (2005) popular Understanding by Design model, you can improve and streamline your instruction by creating deep understandings and helping learners make connections.

In this four-day workshop, grade-level teams, subject area teams, and individual teachers will learn how to apply the UbD model to their planning, assessment, and instruction. Teachers will design and revise existing units, pilot the units in their classrooms, then reflect on and apply their insights to revise or design further units. At the end of the workshop series, teachers will know how to use the UbD model to plan and teach better units that will result in better learning. Teachers will also gain skills in differentiated instruction. 

Day 1 – Introduction to the conceptual foundations of learning. Determining concepts that underlie subject area to define the essential questions learners need to answer to reach enduring understandings. Check unit alignment with standards. Begin to revise current unit plans.

Day 2 – Review and reflection on conceptual learning. Determining the knowledge and skills learners need to be able to answer your unit’s essential questions to create understandings. Create authentic assessments to evaluate understanding.

Day 3 – Review the unit design process. Plan learning activities. Prepare to teach the unit and establish reflective protocol.

Day 4 –  De-brief with workshop participants on experiences piloting re-designed unit. Begin design work on a second unit. Leave workshop with ability to complete the second unit. 

This workshop series will be led by Dr. Ann Spencer of New England College. An experienced classroom teacher, Dr. Spencer has helped several New Hampshire schools and teachers shift to using the UbD model.

Graduate credit from New England College is available for workshop participants who wish to do additional reading and reflection with Dr. Spencer.

Click here to register

Paraprofessionals and Classroom Teachers Working Together 

July 23, 2013
8:00-3:00
Facilitator:  Barbara Lynch

$99 single registration or
Group rate of $75 per person

This workshop is designed for both the paraprofessional and the classroom teacher to come together and prepare for the coming school year. This workshop gives voice to both the paraprofessional and the classroom teacher in working together. The workshop is designed for participants to listen to a series of audio tapes, review various handouts, and brainstorm difficult situations that you currently face in your classroom. This is a wonderful opportunity to work together and discuss your needs and desires for the beginning of the school year.

Fly Fishing for Educators

Workshop dates:
June 25 and 27, 2013
8:00-2:00

Registration fee: $115
Facilitator:  Barbara Lynch

Workshop Location:  Cornish Elementary School
247 Town House Road Cornish, NH 03745 

This Fly Fishing course is designed to provide educators with an opportunity to distress and learn a life long activity. Fly Fishing is about streams, rivers, ponds, and most of all hope! It is about the hiding spots of fish. It is about the pure essence of the catch and release. It is also about having fun in the arms of Mother Nature, making connections with yourself and the spiritual component of Wellness.

Course outline:

• History of fly fishing
• Equipment
• Fly tying
• Rivers and streams
• The cast
• Catch and release

You will need to bring to class:

• Sandwich size Tupperware container
• 1 pair of small sharp scissors
• Notebook or folder with pockets

Common Core Literacy:
Supporting Adolescent Reading and Writing in the Content Areas, Grades 6–12

August 5, 2013
8:00-2:30
$125.00
Facilitator:
Jennifer Thompson, M.Ed.
Grades 6–8 English Language Arts & Social Studies
Unity Elementary School

To be successful in school and in life, students must acquire a range of literacy strategies to complete challenging learning tasks in the various content areas. 

Learn how to easily embed effective, research-driven techniques into instruction that improve students’ reading comprehension, analysis and engagement. You will be able to: 

• Infuse standards–based, differentiated methods into daily instruction to allow all students equal access to core curriculum
• Teach explicit text analysis strategies
• Provide frequent opportunities for students to write in response to reading while improving formal writing skills
• Enhance technological literacy through exposure to a variety of relevant online texts and written response modes
• Establish expectations for small-group collaboration and discussion
• Instill in students an enthusiasm for subject content and a sustained habit of reading

Educators Making Positive
Connections With Students

July 25
8:00-3:00

Follow up dates:

Oct. 24
Jan. 24
4:00-6:00

$125 

How important is it to connect with students? Do we connect with students? Do we understand student pressures? The goal of the class is to enhance skills that will improve educator’s ability to make stronger connections with students. A stronger connection will produce a safer learning environment; thereby, resulting in positive student outcomes.

 Are you looking for a fun, innovative projects for your students?
Are you looking for something NEW?
Are you looking to incorporate technology in your lessons?
Here are some workshops you DON'T want to miss!
Children of ALL grade-levels will enjoy creating their own unique digital story and digital poster.

Digital Storytelling
July 10, 2013
8:00-2:30
111 South St.
$75.00

Digital Posters
July 18, 2013
8:00-2:30
111 South St.
$99

Click here for more information and to register 

SMART Board Level I
July 15, 2013
8:00-3:00
SRPDC
$99

SMART Board Level II
July 22, 2013
8:00-3:00
SRPDC
$99