Professional Development Workshops
1. Universal Design for Learning
We know from experience and neuroscience that individuals learn in varied ways. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides educators with practical strategies and techniques to ensure that all learners can meet high expectations.
In this introductory two-day workshop, participants learn the research basis for UDL, practical applications of UDL to lesson design, and helpful technology tools that support flexible, inclusive instruction.
The training highlights UDL, emphasizing guidelines and their application to practice, including:
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Connections between learning and neuroscience
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The three UDL principles and related benchmarks and checkpoints
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The curriculum framework of goals, methods, materials, and assessment as a structure for designing lessons
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Examples of practice that illustrate alignment of UDL to curriculum
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Hands-on exploration of technologies that support UDL
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Understanding that UDL is a change initiative
2. Teaching Using a Neurodevelopmental Lens
We know from experience and neuroscience that individuals learn in varied ways. This workshop series will be co-facilitated with Gene Thompson-Grove, national facilitator for the School Reform Initiative and All Kinds of Minds (AKOM).
This course supports K-12 educators as they develop a better understanding of how to adapt instruction and design targeted interventions based on students’ neurodevelopmental learning profiles. Participants learn to use the All Kinds of Minds framework and strength-based approach to support students’ uniquely wired minds, and to create more effective accommodations and learning tasks.
3. Narrowing the Reading Gap
In this two-day workshop participant will learn:
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Facts about the state of reading in our country – Is there a Literacy Crisis?
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What Reading consists of – the process of learning to read
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What Good Readers Do
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What is Strategic Reading and how it is taught
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This workshop will help educators maximize their effectiveness in breaking down barriers that get in the way of reading success.
Topics will include:
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See reading as a process
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Explore ways to honor and plan learner variability through the Understand by Design lens
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Evidence-based strategies for teaching fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension
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Scaffolding ideas
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Intervention Model – The Orton-Gillingham Approach, a popular and proven way to teach reading—especially to students with dyslexia.
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The MaxScholar Program , an Orton-Gillingham Based approach to promote phonics, fluency, and comprehension
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Strategic Teaching Strategies – Pre-reading, During Reading, Post-Reading Strategies
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Strategies that target motivation and comprehension
4. Executive Functioning
“The single greatest predictor of academic success is executive functioning. It even trumps IQ.”
-Dr. John Medina, developmental molecular biologist and author of the bestseller book Brain Rules.
This 6-Leson Series with Extension activities will focus on:
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Identifying strengths and areas of concern in regards to Executive Functioning Skills
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Planning & Prioritizing
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Goal-Setting
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Flexible Thinking
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Organization to empower creativity
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Time Management
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Working Memory - to process and complete tasks
5. Helping Students Realize their Strengths/Interests/Aspirations using the Thrively Strengths-based Platform
Learning Support programs embody an individualized, student-centered approach. As students steer through the complexities of the educational system, self-advocacy and efficacy become critical to their success. Life beyond the classroom requires an ever-evolving set of skills and competencies. In order to find success, students must build a fuller understanding of themselves and learn how to apply their strengths, interests, and aspirations in charting a path into the future. They must engage in meaningful work, connect to the world beyond the school walls, and know their own rich potential.
In support of this complex set of challenges, Thrively has developed one single, comprehensive program that can guide schools in their work to empower all students to be intrinsically motivated, productive, lifelong learners. From their industry-first Strength Assessment to their strengths-based IEP Project, and from real-world skill development to goal-driven Digital Portfolios, Thrively offers tools to enable the full array of Learning Support initiatives.
Thrively is a strengths-based personalized learning platform that develops the whole child, helps students discover and pursue their passion in life. Thrively was founded on a core philosophy that every child has a genius and they deserve to thrive. Thrively's strengths-based learning platform helps students discover their strengths and interests, find passion and purpose, build social-emotional and life skills, and gain experience through authentic learning engagements.
PME Educational Consulting provides consulting services to Thrively, Inc. to provide guidance in:
• Developing programs and content for students with learning differences such as: Language-based (reading and writing), Non-Verbal, Mathematics, and Attention Deficit & Hyperactive challenges;
• Providing Professional Development to be delivered using the platform;
• Facilitating Webinars that support the learning resources messaging.
6. Designing Learner Environments That Promote Student Engagement & Motivation
Do you often think of what to do to get kids who are disinterested and not engaged in the classroom? What if we can motivate our students to become their own self-learners? Life-long learners?
This workshop will help educators maximize success for every student. Join us for an engaging, inspiring, energizing, and motivating experience that will improve teacher job satisfaction through research-based and results-driven strategies. Leave with practical techniques you can use immediately that will:
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Encourage positive feelings
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Recognize, honor, and respect Learner Voice
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Promote self-efficacy
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Maintain attention and interest in the classroom
7. How Will We Know What We Have Learned - the Why and What of Using Alternative Assessment
“There are no standard kids, why should we assume that our evaluation of them should be standardized.” - Emily Grady
Assessment tasks that elicit demonstrations of knowledge and skills in ways that resemble "real life" as closely as possible, engage students in the activity, and reflect sound instructional practice.
In this two-day workshop, participants will;
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Examine clear beliefs or principles on what is important for students to know and be able to do and how they communicate what is valued in student learning
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Evaluate good assessment design
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Expand opportunities to provide for practice by creating “authentic” scenarios
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Explore how to provide good feedback
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oral, written, rubric, tests, etc.