Teacher to Teacher: Harnessing the Power of Online Learning to Challenge and Enrich Advanced Learners
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Registration Closes Monday, August 10, 2020
Choose Two of the Following Sessions*
Session 1, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Connection and Communication in a Virtual ELA/Writing Classroom , MiaLynn Bennett (K-5)
Virtual learning presents an opportunity for gifted and talented students to shine. By embedding specific tools and opportunities for our advanced learners, we can provide a learning environment that fosters academic growth and positive social interaction through distance learning. Participants will dig into ELA practices that will boost student engagement, assess their understanding and foster positive communication. While online learning is not new to gifted learners, we will explore the importance of building and offering enrichment activities before diving into the accelerated lessons and activities. We will discuss the essential need for virtual student-to-student discussion boards, examine organizational tools, implementation of choice boards and the availability of tech tools to utilize in the ELA classroom. Teachers will leave this session with a detailed plan that includes planning for learning outcomes, key assessment moments, and aligned instructional strategies to reach our advanced ELA students.
Session 2, 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Virtual Engagement: Putting the Pieces Together, Amy Schneider (K-5)
Fostering engagement is a must during online learning! In this session, participants will be given the pieces necessary for remote student engagement, including teacher clarity, engagement structures, and feedback. Take in the importance of creating rubrics and checklists with students to ensure clarity while providing multiple options for students to showcase their learning. Learn how to cultivate a sense of belonging, connection, and participation among students through the use of engagement structures. Enhance student discussion and interaction by stimulating peer feedback and questioning. This is one virtual engagement puzzle participants will want to complete!
Session 3, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
An Online Learning Space to Engage Gifted Learners, Cindy Sheets (K-8)
Moving from the classroom to an online learning space can be challenging. We want to make it inviting as well as useful. When using an online learning platform, you can find a wealth of resources at your fingertips. While worksheets are at times helpful, you also have videos, audio, illustrated text, and the aid of famous organizations and people. There are even ways to include hands-on assignments. You can use these resources to present and then refine concepts in engaging ways. In addition, you can encourage students to use audio or video to respond to your lessons by sharing short movies or visual presentations, or by sharing something they have created. Gifted students respond well when choices in learning and responding are provided. In this session we will look at possible resources and techniques to create a dynamic online learning environment for gifted students. The focus will be primarily on science and social studies.
Session 4, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 a.m.
Online Math Engagement Strategies, Megan Sorti (Middle School)
How can we engage high performing students in math online? In this workshop, we'll consider strategies that allow students to develop problem-solving skills and improve their work with mathematical communication, while solving rich, challenging problems. Free tools will include Desmos activities and google docs for collaboration as well as common tools that may be available in your LMS. Participants will leave with resources that are ready to use in the online classroom.*Additional sessions may be added for $20.00 each when you register online.
Information Regarding Sessions:
Each session will be presented by experienced teachers who deliver online instruction to challenge advanced learners with the Northwestern Center for Talent Development programs. Additional information about the instructors can be found on the IAGC webpage. A link to sessions will be emailed to registrants during the first week of August.
Registration fee includes 2 sessions of your choice from the four sessions offered. See descriptions for each session below!
Member Rate (pre-register for 2 one-hour sessions of your choice): $25.00
Regular, Non-Member Rate (pre-register for 2 one-hour sessions of your choice): $50.00
Professional Development Credit: Participants are eligible for one PD hour per session if sign in/sign out and evaluation form requirements are met.
*Additional sessions may be added for $15.00 each when you register online.
Note: IAGC virtual events may be cancelled and refunded in the event of insufficient registrations.
