Offerings
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Student engagement in the classroom is typically measured by behavioral and cognitive characteristics but, to a great degree, is related to student motivation for learning. In this workshop, we discuss strategies for increasing students’ active participation and the relationship between autonomy, constructive struggle, and students’ views of themselves as learners.
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In the absence of a strong number sense, children have great difficulties in developing the foundation necessary for even simple arithmetic, let alone more complex mathematics. In this workshop, we engage in a series of open and parallel tasks, designed to promote number sense and enhance number manipulations.
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Come enjoy a full day workshop where we will explore all of the free tools Desmos has to offer: graphing calculator, scientific calculator, geometry tool, and activity website. We will explore how Desmos can be used to energize the mathematics classroom and create discourse. Teachers will also learn how to create custom activities using teacher.desmos.com.
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How important is fact fluency and why do so many students struggle to master it? In this workshop, we examine the relationship between operations, fact fluency, and algebraic thinking and discuss meaningful addition and multiplication tasks that could promote number sense and fact fluency.
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Mathematics
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Workshop Series: The Struggles with Fractions (Grades 3- 6)
A lack of a deep conceptual understanding of fractions at the elementary level can be a serious impediment to high school math achievements. Through problem solving activities, these workshops aim to examine the stumbling blocks in teaching and learning of fractions and provide the participants with fresh new ideas to take back to their classroom.
Struggles with Fractions _ Session #1
In this workshop we examine how and why students have trouble with fractions. Through meaningful tasks and activities that highlight fractional number sense we explore the big ideas in the teaching and learning of fractions.
It is important for all teachers in grades 3-6 to attend this foundational workshop.
A 3-day workshop……. $120/day OR $270 for all 3 sessions
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In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the basics of electronics sewing, electronic circuits, and how to use a Lily microcontroller. We will also learn how to design and cut felt with a desktop cutter commonly used with vinyl. We will be making light up projects that you can take back to the classroom just in time for Halloween.
Desktop Cutter skills have been covered in Designing for the Vinyl Cutter workshop and are helpful for this PD offering.
COST: $100 (Includes a Lily microprocessor, Lily LEDs, battery and holder, and a spool of conductive thread)
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Mathematics
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Workshop Series: The Struggles with Fractions (Grades 3- 6)
A lack of a deep conceptual understanding of fractions at the elementary level can be a serious impediment to high school math achievements. Through problem solving activities, these workshops aim to examine the stumbling blocks in teaching and learning of fractions and provide the participants with fresh new ideas to take back to their classroom.
Struggles with Fractions _ Session #2
In this workshop we continue with activities that promote fractional number sense as we discuss equivalency, comparison, addition, and subtraction of fractions.
This workshop could be beneficial to all teachers in grades 3-6.
A 3-day workshop……. $120/day OR $270 for all 3 sessions
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This project guides you through the basics of wiring/soldering the components necessary to make a bluetooth speaker with a rechargeable battery. Additionally, we will provide samples of speaker case designs that could be 3d printed or laser cut and provide resources for you to make your own.
COST: $150 (Includes all materials for a finished product to keep)
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Mathematics
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Workshop Series: The Struggles with Fractions (Grades 3- 6)
A lack of a deep conceptual understanding of fractions at the elementary level can be a serious impediment to high school math achievements. Through problem solving activities, these workshops aim to examine the stumbling blocks in teaching and learning of fractions and provide the participants with fresh new ideas to take back to their classroom.
Struggles with Fractions _ Session #3
In this workshop with build on operations with fractions to include multiplication and division. We will also underline the importance of number sense and visualization in working with fractional operations, mixed numbers, and improper fractions.
This workshop would be most relevant to grades 4-6 teachers.
A 3-day workshop……. $120/day OR $270 for all 3 sessions
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In this workshop, we will learn how to work with Scratch and Makey Makey to create a variety of fun, interactive projects that can be a adapted for a variety of purposes. Participants will build a carnival activity using Makey Makey and Scratch.
Cost :$85
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Mathematics
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Learn how young students can be encouraged to think algebraically. In this workshop, the participants will solve a series of fun and engaging mathematical problems, in which pictures are used to represent equations or systems of equations.
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Do you like to tinker and make, but are intimidated by coding? Learn how to use Arduinos to do just about anything without ever writing a line of code by tapping into the vast amount of open source projects available to anyone. You will learn how to read and design Arduino-specific circuit diagrams, identify and assemble circuit components, and integrate 3D printers and/or laser cutters to produce more effective products. No prior experience necessary. Each attendee will leave with a working product to share with their students.
COST: $135 (Includes 1 complete starter kit valued at $35 and sample 3D prints/Laser cut parts to keep)
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Becoming a good problem solver is arguably the ultimate reason for studying mathematics! In this workshop, we discuss the importance of problem-solving, the reasons why some students struggle with it and explore strategies to help students develop this very important skill.
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Mathematics
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In this workshop, we examine visualization as a powerful tool to promote conceptual understanding and explore how it can be used to represent and make sense of information in problem-solving situations. You will also learn about Bar Model Method, a highly visual tool that can be used to solve arithmetic and algebraic word problems.
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This workshop is an overview of machine learning and digital fabrication techniques involved with modifying an off the shelf R/C car to drive autonomously. Participants will have an opportunity to "teach" the cars and see how effectively they "learn"
Cost: $85
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We tend to focus on teaching how to measure rather than what it means to measure. In this workshop, we discuss the big ideas in Measurement concepts and explore instructional strategies that help develop conceptual knowledge of measuring.
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Kodu lets kids create games on the PC via a simple visual programming language. Kodu can be used to teach creativity, problem solving, storytelling, as well as programming. Anyone can use Kodu to make a game, young children as well as adults with no design or programming skills.
NOTE: PC based program that won’t work on Apple machines.
Cost: $85
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Maker Series
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Fusion 360 is a powerful, industry-used CAD software program that is simple to use and helpful for any grade level and many maker projects. This session will walk you through how to get free access for educators/students and teach you the main functions of the software in order to design a virtual 3D object that can be laser cut or 3D printed. No prior CAD experience required.
Cost: $85