Category Archives for Differentiation

Why Gender Matters

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will understand the basic psychological behavior variations that exist along with the physiological differences that affect the bodies operational systems.
2. Students will recognize the hidden roles and social class expectations regarding both sexes and approaches to addressing problems, risks and social group practices.
3. Educators will analyze the gender behavioral variations in schools and social media influences and how sexuality may be affected in both school and public environments.
4. Participants will study about how drugs and alcohol may be perceived differently between the genders and the potential consequences of abuses to young people.
5. Educators will research the issues related to gender differences as well as the various alternative sexual preferences and identities that are currently affecting social norms.
6. Teachers will develop a lesson/unit plan and or activity/project that involve gender differences and improve their understanding for better student instruction and learning.

Love Languages for Educators

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn relevant knowledge of the different types of love styles and their relationship attachment theory issues for student and human applications.
2. Teachers will analyze possible causes of divorce, family issues and the impact on the affective needs of children, adolescents and student applications.
3. Participants will understand how to incorporate and evaluate the love languages of children, teens and students in classrooms and school environments.
4. Educators will be able to discern the 5 languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical touch and apply them appropriately. 
5. Educators will participate in family, friends as well as peer discussions and research topics related to the love language topics as applied to human relations.
6. Teachers will research articles with an emphasis on attachment theory as applied to Love deprivation in early childhood upbringing of students and impact on schooling.

At-Risk Learners: Best Practices

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will acquire a framework of working knowledge to teach at-risk students.
2. Participants taking this course will learn about ways of encouraging students to think about staying in school and how to make schools family friendly.
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. Participants will explore the best practices and strategies that can help reduce school disenfranchisement and potential dropouts.
5. Educators will research the topic, develop a lesson or activities that utilizes strategies in the book and use the instructional techniques for improving student achievement.

Empowered Behavior- Trauma-Informed Practices

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

From this course, participants will:

1. Deepen understanding of socioemotional and cognitive (thoughts) factors which
   contribute to student behavior
2. Learn practical tools related to mindfulness which can be embedded into daily work
3. Learn practical tools related to trauma-informed practices
4. Develop practical tools related to proactive behavior management
5. Develop proactive tools related to responding (not reacting) to behavioral issues
6. Learn a practical tool related to restorative practices
7. Develop strategies for your own (and your students’) wellness and socio-emotional success
8. Learn tools which are a part of a system of support designed to empower student responsibility for their behavioral (and emotional) success

Teaching Gifted Students in the Regular Classroom

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will explore what it means to be a gifted learner, how to create a successful program and the basic beliefs and background about the education of gifted learners.
2. Participants will review the categories of academically, intellectually and creative thinking giftedness. The areas of visual, performing arts and psycho-motor giftedness are defined. Using contracts and customizing strategies for differentiation are presented.
3. Educators will examine issues such as underachievement, barriers to providing support for the gifted student and to understand this complex topic and for personalizing the program curriculum for gifted learners.
4. Participants will be presented with eleven ways to differentiate instruction for gifted learners such as organization, teacher and student roles, techniques and strategies, special assignments and evaluation.
5. Educators will learn about rubrics, instruction, enrichment and advanced placement strategies or for classroom implementation. Parenting Issues are also presented.

Essentials of World Languages, Grades K-12

- 1 Graduate Credit -

Course Objectives

1. Teachers will examine the shift to performance-based model of language instruction programs and the challenges associated with new instructional activities, projects and academic assessments.
2. Students will learn about setting more realistic expectations for attaining student's second-language proficiency using a variety of instructional approaches.
3. Educators will be presented with new ways to arrange the instructional environment in languages classes as well as creating a new framework for the value of language learning in an increasing global social culture.
4. Teachers learn about designing curriculum and corresponding assessments. They will review current research in the field of world languages and design new lessons and classroom strategies.
5. Educators will review the new techniques and concepts that are being developed by teachers nationwide for possible implementation into their 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.

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.