Anger Management for Youth: Stemming Aggression and Violence

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the issues related to anger management and the traditional approaches that have been utilized to address anger in youth, society and schools.
2. Participant will present sample lessons, key concepts, learning objectives and various approaches to develop working model lessons that they can design and implement.
3. Educators will learn about defining anger acceleration, its sequences and methods to control anger responses. Handouts and strategies are provided for use in class settings.
4. Participant will explore the use of coping strategies, self-talk and appropriate expressions of anger in group settings and how to apply them in counseling, school, home, work and personal relationships.
5. Educators will research a topic related to anger management and develop a written application essay and/or unit/ lesson plans or anger management processing activity for classroom or school settings.

Helping Adolescents with ADHD & Learning Disabilities

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will have a working knowledge about the specific definitions and spectrum ofproblems that students with ADHD and Learning Disabilities may have.
2. Participants will be able to understand the legal requirements and main laws dealing withstudent disabilities and the underlying premises of IDEA and section 504 plans.
3. Participants will explore the resources, role models, discipline and support systems.
4. Educators will research the culture of poverty issue regarding alternative theories and conclusions presented in the book, as well as present a variety of solutions.
5. Educators will view a video, write an essay or develop lesson or unit plans utilizing the information in the book for classroom and school applications.

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.

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.

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.

Response to Intervention: Understanding RTI

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will acquire an understanding of the basic components and philosophy of the RTI system and design for school for reform.
2. Participants will study the RTI Multi-tiered Interventions Model Pyramid that explains the intensive, targeted and universal levels of RTI best practices.
3. Educators will be presented with solutions to address the root causes of student deficiencies and applications of RTI problem solving strategies.
4. Participants will be able to use data and benchmarks for addressing special education issues and concerns along with RTI professional development needs.
5. Educators will research the RTI system regarding its effectiveness in schools where it has been implemented and apply RTI concepts for use in their school district.

Teaching Children with Autism

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the latest theories and interventions about teaching children with autism and their language and communication challenges.
2. Teachers will be presented with concepts of overselective responding, descriptions and the spontaneous communicative skills of higher-functioning children with autism.
3. Educators will examine parent education and stress issues, family support and how to develop friendships with mainstream children.
4. Students will research the latest techniques in teaching children with autism and examine models for relationships between education professionals and parents.
5. Teachers will develop lessons, activities and writings that help them understand and work with autistic children in classrooms and schools.

Asperkids: Understanding Children with Asperger's Syndrome

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the theories of how and what goes on in the minds of children with Aspergers syndrome and develop an understanding of how they think.
2. Teachers will examine the various ways of motivating Asperkids by finding and using areas of interest to engage Aspergers kids by listening and facilitating their passions.
3. Educators will be presented with numerous approaches to help Asperkids perceive the world in concrete sequential ways as they learn random and abstract ways of thinking.
4. Educators will be able to use the specific strategies to help Asperkids in preparation skills that help them with various methods of getting around obstacles and challenges.
5. Teachers will develop lessons and activities that utilize various strategies in the book that help Asperkids learn practical skills so they can succeed in school and society.