Annual Conference Ticketed Focus Session Information
PLEASE NOTE: You will need the codes to complete your registration.
Code: H1
Title: Teaming-The Path to Student Success
Presenter: Judith Baenen
Date and Time: Thursday, April 8th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Everything in a middle grades program should be about students, including teaming. Whether you are new to the idea or need a refresher, this focus session will give you background in effective teaming. Research is clear that teaming is a strong factor in student success when implemented thoughtfully. Learn about building team spirit with your teammates, communication tools, using problem solving techniques, and building a unified and consistent environment for your students.
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Code: H2
Title: What To Do and When To Do It
Presenter: William Downey
Date and Time: Thursday, April 8th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
A team understanding of the master schedule and how to flex their own schedule is an integral part of making every student a successful learner. Topics will include the master schedule, flexing a team schedule and interdisciplinary learning. Participants are encouraged to bring a copy of their schedule to share and discuss.
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Code: H3
Title:
Literacy Strategies Go Hand in Hand with Differentiation in Math
Presenter: Debra Scarpelli
Date and Time: Thursday, April 8th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Come and see how you can use literacy strategies to help differentiate in mathematics. We will be doing hands-on activities using vocabulary, reading and writing strategies to help ALL of our students grasp our math concepts. How can Word Splash, RAFT, Tic-Tac-Toe, Situational Stories, Foldables, (the list goes on) help us differentiate?
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Code: H4
Title: Understanding Young Adolescents
Presenter: Jack Berckemeyer
Date and Time: Thursday, April 8th 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Come explore the inner workings of a young adolescent! Find out why they tend to act the way they do, discover strategies that work, and create a classroom that is student centered. This session will be informative and humorous.
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Code: H5
Title: Formative Assessment: Checking for Understanding
Presenter: Mary Jean Fawcett
Date and Time: Thursday, April 8th 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
This workshop is designed to help educators save time and focus student learning. Participants will review the research on the value of formative assessment and examine examples of current classroom assessment strategies used to check students’ understanding before and after instruction to determine what students have really learned. See how the use of use of formative assessment strategies can guide your instruction and improve student achievement.
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Code: H6
Title: Differentiated Instruction: Continuous Improvement for You!
Presenter: Catherine Thibodeau
Date and Time: Thursday, April 8th 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Come take this “DI” journey to go from planning to practice! Explore some of the DI strategies like tiering, R.A.F.T. lessons, Cubing, and more. Learn the steps in planning a DI lesson/unit. Discover differentiated approaches. Looking for a way to increase your differentiated instructional skills – then this is the session for you!
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Code: H7
Title: Leadership is About So Much More than Being the Principal
Presenter: Timothy Farmer & Paul Peri
Date and Time: Friday, April 9th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
The challenges of leadership are daunting and stretch the skills of even the strongest among us. At this workshop, those brave souls currently serving in a middle school leadership capacity, as well as those who aspire to such a position, will take away insights, resources, and tools to help manage the challenges of leadership. Some of the topics addressed will include: a celebration of best programmatic and curricular practices at the middle level, supervision and evaluation of high quality instruction designed for middle school students, interviewing tips and strategies, technology tools to assist in 21st century leadership, school culture and climate, and the benefits of participating in job-alike groups and other professional affiliations. This workshop is open to everyone interested in middle school leadership and district leadership's support of middle school practices. The delivery mode of this workshop will include a mix of activator activities, small and large group discussion, and direct instruction by the facilitators.
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Code: H8
Title: G.A.S. For Your Engines!
Games, Activities, and Strategies to Keep You Powered
Presenter: Eunice Taylor
Date and Time: Friday, April 9th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Come get energized and take back practical instructional ideas and strategies that will engage your learners, strengthen their achievement and add enjoyment to your day! It’s not as hard as you think. The games, activities and strategies will be applied to all content areas. Bring a favorite one to share!
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Code: H9
Title: The Keys to Literate Middle School Students
Presenter: Janis Flint-Ferguson
Date and Time: Friday, April 9th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
In this half day session we will look at the elements behind the successful Keys to Literacy and Keys to Vocabulary programs. NELMS and the Keys program have partnered together to bring the tried and true literacy program into New England middle schools. Bring a vocabulary list and a classroom text with you so that as we work through the program’s steps, we can work with familiar content and materials.
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Code: H10
Title: Differentiated Instruction
Presenter: Debbie Silver
Date and Time: Friday, April 9th 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
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Code: H11
Title: Personalization of Learning
Presenter: Patricia Clem
Date and Time: Friday, April 9th 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Personal connections are necessary for successful middle level learning. Creating personalization of student learning through an advisory supports students’ affective and academic needs. Topics of this session include the goals, structure and evaluation of an advisory program. We will also discuss successful advisory activities which enhance school climate.
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Code: H12
Title:
Everyone’s Invited: Interactive Strategies That Engage Our Students
Presenter: Jill Spencer
Date and Time: Friday, April 9th 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Interactive strategies engage students and entice them to want to know more! Come discover ways to develop confidence and competence in your students as they study your subject. We’ll explore the power of prior knowledge, try out interactive reading strategies, practice ways to help students rehearse for success and much more.
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