Category Archives for Direct Instruction

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.

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.

Teach Like a Champion

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn various techniques that put students on a path to college by setting high expectations and standards that will ensure academic excellence.
2. Teachers are presented with developing and structuring lessons that engage students and create a well behaved classroom culture that builds trust and character.
3. Educators will view and write about the books DVD video contents that demonstrate 25 actual techniques that can be implemented in the classroom.
4. Teachers are presented with 50 techniques such as pacing, creating rhythm, critical thinking and numerous literacy skills that must be mastered for college success.
5. Teachers will develop writings, lessons and activities that demonstrate the books concepts and techniques so they can then apply to schools and classrooms.

Teach Like a Champion Review
By Mr. Allen , 7+ years in the classroom (major metropolitan area inner city district)

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.

School Law: What Every Educator Should Know

- 2 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will have a working knowledge of basic legal issues that affect the teachers and the public schools system.
2. Teachers will examine collective bargaining contracts, tenure and freedom of expression, association representation for educators and school environments.
3. Educators will be able to discern the legal dynamics related to religion, prayer, and expression issues in schools as well as free of the press and speech.
4. Teachers will study the legal issues related to due process, personnel management decisions as well as the legal concept of governmental immunity.
5. Educators will write about legal issues relating to students, teachers, parents and administrators as they may apply to their school and personal experience.

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 With The Brain In Mind

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about and develop a working knowledge of the latest brain research and learning theory. They will also acquire a basic understanding of the brain's physiology, size, content, lobe areas and basic brain operations.
2. Educators taking this course will understand how humans actually learn and remember new information. Teachers will learn how to use the brain's learning systems for memory retention, storage and the retrieval of knowledge.
3. Educators will learn about the brain's high and low attention cycles. They will examine the special education issues of ADD, LD and ADHD and the classroom implications.
4. Educators will explore how the brain’s natural reward process affects the attitudes of the students and learn techniques for developing intrinsic motivation.
5. Educators will develop a final application essay; activities or lesson plans that help teachers improve attention and create a more effective educational environment.

Evaluating Teachers

- 2 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the standard "Clinical Supervision" models historically developed by most school districts and how they are utilized in teacher evaluations.
2. Teachers will test themselves and explore their preferred teaching style and then evaluate how they must also incorporate other teaching styles into their classroom.
3. Educators will be presented with the characteristics of the Knowing, Inventing, Caring, and Inspiring teacher for a broader understanding of other teaching styles. Educators will learn about the characteristics of generational poverty and how the patters of behavior, problems and world views are passed to future generations.
4. Supervising educators will examine their own preferences in light of objectivity when evaluating other teaching styles in order to strengthen instructional practices.
5. Educators will examine their school districts teacher evaluation policy manual in order to develop an action plan to prepare for the teacher evaluation process.