Reading Instruction and Phonics Theory

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn the sounds of American English and the theory of the alphabetic codes by focusing on letter-sound relationships of the alphabetic code instruction.
2. Teachers analyze the introduction to understand the author and his perspectives on the various reading instruction strategies in school systems and their outcomes.
3. Educators will review the history of reading instruction in the U.S and contrast the whole-language literacy compared to creating phonics frameworks for reading acquisition.
4. Participants will utilize the appendices supplement to stages, code sounds to letters, consonant blends, complex and frequently used words to enhance reading instruction.
5. Educators will research this topic, view videos and practice sounds stages from the book to create lessons/activities to improve reading/phonics instruction in classrooms.

Teaching Students How To Remember

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn how to reach students so they can be taught specific subject content utilizing background knowledge and memory reflection.
2. Teachers will explore how to reinforce content for memory retention and recode self-generated information to improve memory recall.
3. Educators will review content reinforcement strategies the include student feedback and the discussion processes that reinforce learning and memory.
4. Teachers will examine reviewing and practice techniques that reinforce information knowledge and retention for faster and easier content retrieval.
5. Teachers will develop writings, lessons and activities to apply the seven "R's" of memorization into their classroom instructional practices.

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn how the seven habits of effective people apply to schools and how to use them when working with teenagers to utilize constructive habits for living.
2. Teachers will examine how to use positive and proactive habits to build personal bank accounts as well as the needed skills and social Rewards on Investment (ROI).
3. Educators will be presented with the skill (habit) of visioning with the "End in Mind" as well as prioritizing tasks and behaviors for maximum benefit.
4. Students will be able to synergize knowledge, information and resources to seek understanding and negotiate win-win strategies for social success.
5. Teachers will develop writings and activities that apply the 7 habits into their instructional program so students can apply them in schools and their personal lives.

Assertive Discipline

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn how assertive discipline approaches assists and supports teacher rights, authority and responsibilities.
2. Teachers will examine myths and misinformation that often unjustifiably blame teachers for issues beyond their control or authority.
3. Educators will be presented with numerous discipline plans and behavior modification strategies for implementation into the classroom environment.
4. Students will be able to use the specific directives, implementing consequences and on-task behavior strategies for classroom management.
5. Teachers will develop a discipline plan or classroom management activity that utilizes positive recognition along with limits, structure and respect for authority.

Epidemic: Rot of American Culture: Absentee & Permissive Parenting

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the historical progression and decline of marriages and family system dysfunction and the impact they have on society, values and raising children.
2. Participants will be presented with a model for teaching children to love and respect other people and numerous positive strategies to utilize when teaching children.
3. Educators will examine early childhood education and the affects of day care on children and families as well as the social and economic issues families struggle with.
4. Participants will review the impact of media violence, blatant sexuality and other negative social behaviors that the media presents and how to instill morality and values in an indifferent world.
5. Educators will look at the issue of students growing up in an adult world of sex and violence without enjoying the innocence of childhood experiences and how that affects their development and ability to be successful in schools.

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.

Dealing with Difficult Parents

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the historical dynamics of today’s parent and their relationship to schools, how that has changed and how to handle parenting situations that may arise.
2. Teachers will be presented with a variety of strategies to communication and cultivating relationships with parents as well as being proactive to avoid potential problems that may arise in difficult situations.
3. Educators will examine ways of presenting bad news or other student deficiencies to parents in a manner that is none threatening and yet is consistent with school policy.
4. Teachers will explore the curriculum's focus and how teachers, principal, students, and parents all contribute to the harmony of a positive school experience for students.
5. Educators will then research this topic and parent involvement in monitoring student responsibilities such as homework as well as parent involvement in school activities.

Motivation and Learning

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Teachers will review student relationships and how to make learning easier without lowering standards. They will learn how to use various teaching tips and strategies.
2. Students will read about various quick-tips for increasing motivation and learning. They will examine and apply the various ideas for possible applications into their teaching environment.
3. Educators will examine how motivation works in human behavior and how to get students to be intrinsically motivated. The video: The Law of Attraction and are also viewed to blend mental consciousness concepts into motivation applications.
4. Educators will examine the motivation tips as they relate to instructional content and teaching for classroom implementation.
5. Teachers will learn about assessments, testing, and grading tips as they check for validity regarding testing and how they can be used for motivating students

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.

Eliminating Student Excuses

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will develop an understanding of how the mind is programmed to believe and behave in certain negative or positive patterns that are socially conditioned.
2. Participants will analyze the social and psychological beliefs of the 18 most commonly utilized excuses for not exploring or experiencing new ideas, goals or endeavors.
3. Educators will learn about the seven excuses be-gone principals for reprogramming thoughts in order to change limiting, preconditioned beliefs and self-defeating behaviors.
4. Participants will examine the paradigm shifts needed for a new way of thinking and shedding subconscious habits and acquire strategies to develop a new way of being.
5. Educators will write an application essay and develop a lesson or project activity that applies the course content to classroom instruction and school learning environments.