Category Archives for Classroom Instruction

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.

Educating Oppositional and Defiant Children

- 1 Graduate Credit -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the various characteristics of oppositional children and how having a better understanding of their disposition will assist teachers.
2. Teachers will review the historical philosophy and commonly used approaches to oppositional children and why they often fail along with alternative solutions.
3. Learners will explore the classroom environments impact on student behavior and how a variety of modifications can reduce conflict and enhance learning.

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.

Literacy Strategies to Improving Mathematics Instruction

- 2 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the use the application of language and writing as it applies to mathematical concepts and situational examples that translate to numerical applications.
2. Teachers will examine reading problems that hinder student comprehension of worded problems and to simplify or reword questions so students understand the math involved.
3. Educators will learn about applying writing to the mathematics classroom and how that helps students comprehend the mathematical computations involved within language and literacy development.
4. The wording for describing graphic representations from a visual format and then expressing the concepts to create meaning are also presented.
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.

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.

Module B: Understanding Hispanic Students and Issues

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Analyze statistical, educational, and social demographics of Hispanic students.
2. Review the Mexican era 1821, United States era 1847 and 1900's to 2015.
3. Review contributions of farm labor, industrial manufacturing & service industries.
4. Examine the origins of Mexican stereotypes and myths regarding immigration.
5. Learn about and contrast various Hispanic cultural views, behaviors, and traits.
6. Understand Hispanic religious beliefs and the immigrant assimilation process.
7. Discern between traditional cultural behaviors and U.S. media social forces.
8. Learn about and discuss the current social- political issues affecting Hispanos.
9. Learn diagnostic skills- strategies to improve student academic achievement.
10. Examine the social backgrounds of Hispanic families and inter-ethnic diversity.
11. Learn about the various Hispanic educational obstacles and school dropout issues.
12. Review learning theory-methodology for improving instructional effectiveness.
13. Learn about current Latino/Chicano social subcultures and political ideologies.
14. Research, design and apply instructional units/lessons for classroom use.

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.

Engaging Teens and Tweens

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the new findings in brain research that explain how the brain learns, make new connections and how our thinking is changed through brain plasticity.
2. Participants will be presented with the various changes that the brain makes during adolescence and explore how technology and the media have changed how the brain functions with the new generations of students.
3. Educators will learn about making material meaningful, how emotions affect the brain and learning as well as how stress affects the brain and body.
4. Participants will explore techniques for managing student psychological states in order to engage them in learning and help them to recall and apply knowledge.
5. Educators will research this topic as it applies to student choices regarding drugs, promiscuity, and alcohol as well as to their broader decision-making abilities.

Emotional Intelligence: Why Can it Matter More Than IQ

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the emotional brain and what emotions are for in human development and interactions along with the anatomy of emotional connections.
2. Participants will explore self awareness of knowing thyself and the consequences of excessive passion or emotional hysteria that can be unproductive.
3. Educators will be presented with general concepts of why and how aptitude, empathy and emotions are interrelated within the human social arts.
4. Participants are presented with how the mind and medicine are interrelated and how to manage the heart regarding trauma and emotional relearning.
5. Educators can examine how the lack of emotional literacy can be costly in human relations and how to use emotional intelligence concepts in school environments.

Boys and Girls Learn Differently

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Students will have a working knowledge of the inherent differences in learning approaches between boys and girls and how their minds are different.
2. Participants will analyze the social and psychological dynamics involving gender differences such as brain functional and chemical differences, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of taking a gender approach.
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. Educators will examine the ideal classroom environments for pre-school, elementary, middle and high school classrooms. Strategies that stimulate and nurture student learning are also provided.
5. Teachers will write chapter reviews, research the topic and develop an application paper or lesson project activities that utilize the course content as it applies to classroom instruction and learning environments.