Teaming for Success
Aileen Harbeck, R.H. Dana Middle School
Hear from a School to Watch how you can promote success for all middle school students. The Dana Middle School Teacher Team Initiative personalizes students' school experiences and helps them take ownership of their learning. Learn the steps your school can use to form and sustain effective teacher teams that promote success for teachers and students alike.

 

Zero Tolerance: Against Our Mission As Educators
Elizabeth Guneratne, Diocese of Oakland
Learn about the historical roots of zero tolerance, why it has become so ingrained in our school cultures, and why we must work together to reclaim discipline as an educational, transformative act that will create safer, more inclusive communities. Middle school should be a safe place for children to make mistakes, grow and learn. Take away practical strategies for examining zero tolerance in your school culture and making changes. 

 

Peer Mediators: Students Promoting Peaceful Conflict Resolution
Pam Bodnar, Marsh Junior High School
Hear student mediators share their enthusiasm for making a difference through a program that features student-created projects, a bully hotline and email system, Red Ribbon Week activities, and pen-pal letters to Africa. Learn how the mediators are changing policies and advocating for social justice. Our fun, interactive session provides user-friendly ideas ready to take back to your school. Come join the fun!

 

Instructional Strategies to Support Individualized Instruction
Tim Schugt, Tincher Preparatory School
Explore instructional strategies and resources that K-8 teachers can use to differentiate and individualize instruction for students. Remedial and enrichment techniques currently  used at Tincher Preparatory School will be shared. Tincher was recently redesignated as a School to Watch and named a Verizon Thinkfinity Demonstration School. The session will conclude with a questions and answers.

 

Freshman Passport to Success:  Anything's Possible!
Denise Hitch, Oakdale High School
Rick DuFour states that 75% of high-school dropouts make the decision by October of their freshman year. Learn how to implement the Passport to Success program as an early freshman-year intervention to address this shocking statistic. In the program, freshmen move through four stations to hear motivational stories that help them "do high school right."

 

Literature Units: Identifying with the Student
Devin Bradley, Ready Springs School
Create binders that present literature to students in a way that helps students understand and personalize a novel - and enjoy reading during the process. Students walk away with a greater awareness of the world around them and an appreciation for the book they have finished. Come learn the basic tools needed to find books that meet the needs of specific students and create a program that identifies standards and appeals to all students. Receive a handout with start-up tips and program goals.

 

Transforming the Unmotivated Student
Rosalind Henderson, Inglewood Unified School District
Students often struggle to stay focused on a teacher or complete assignments, resulting in an inferior learning experience. Come learn causes of student apathy and how to identify and connect to specific types of students (based on the Myers-Briggs personality test) to leverage student strengths and increase motivation. If unmotivated students are creating havoc in your class, these strategies will transform your learning environment. 

 

FlexBooks: Customize Your Own Free Digital Textbook
Brooke Turner, CK-12 Foundation
The use of digital textbooks is growing, as more teachers reject the "one size fits all" philosophy of textbooks. Learn about CK-12's online system for creating free, standards-aligned digital science and math FlexBooks that educators can customize to students' individual needs. See how to use FlexBook options such as  using "as is," assembling chapters into a custom book; editing and authoring content, and sharing your FlexBook with your students.

 

Specialized Google Search for Education
Mark Wagner, EdTechTeam, Inc.
Learn to access information, locate timely research, and share resources. Google Books makes the world's greatest libraries searchable from any computer - and makes it possible to share relevant books with colleagues or students. Google Scholar provides meaningful access to scholarly research over time. Google News aggregates thousands of news sources so important information rises to the top, and Google Blogsearch helps make sense of the social web as it happens. Put these tools (and others) to use in support of your school's mission. Come learn the newest tips and tricks that educators and students can use right away.

 

Does T.V. Really Rot Your Brain?
Amy DuShane, Riverside Meadows Intermediate School
Learn how to use video clips from popular movies to hold students' attention and illustrate California 7th- and 8th-grade state science standards. You will leave with specific examples of video clips to use in your own classroom. There will be a noticeable difference in students' attitudes toward learning when they realize that they can relate almost any movie to what they are learning in science!

 

Integrating the Homeschool Community into Your School
Kristin Murdock, Highland Preparatory School
As a 22-year administrator at a independent-study private school, I have had the opportunity to see how schools can come together and share programs, facilities, and student talents to support students and the community.  It is time to stop the multi-level school competition and start enjoying all the gfts and opportunities that various schools offer!

 

Algebra Day
Barbara Greer, MIT Academy
See how one middle school teacher took a gymnasium, 120 8th-graders and six hours - and created non-stop math fun! Algebra Day incorporated logic games, math puzzles, cooking, origami, nutrition,  toy cars and more into a day of positive math interaction before the annual CSTs that helps students make connections to the real world with hands-on experiences. Receive a sample copy of the student notebook and participate in the activities!

 

Building RTI within a Non-Collaborative Culture
Carmen Beck, Shandin Hills Middle School
In this highly engaging session, you will learn tried and tested action-oriented strategies that helped a middle school staff transform from a passive and disempowered group into a decision-making professional learning community committed to implementing an RTI system.  Gain insight on how to create external scaffolds and structures using your administrative, leadership, and counseling teams to strengthen your tier 1 school-wide system while simultaneously creating a collaborative culture.

 

Can You Mobi Now? Tools of a Digital Classroom
Jim Hudson, Digital Edge Learning
Formative assessment is foremost on the minds of teachers. Discover how the mobility of Mobi View in combination with CPS clickers can transform classroom instruction.  Ask a question of your class and see all student responses, resulting in increased student engagement and feedback that allows teachers to adjust the lesson accordingly. See how Exam View's question banks can easily integrate into these interactive lessons without any extra work.  Free Mobi View giveaway!

 

High Desert School
Stephanie Najar, High Desert School
See the story of our site's progress that resulted in selection as California Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage.  Gain ideas on what schools can do in a small community to soar toward excellence.

 

Teaching the Young Adolescent Brain
Marsha Robinson, California Department of Education
In the past two decades research has revolutionized our understanding of how the brain works, but how does this information play out in the classroom? How do you translate neuroscience findings into effective teaching and classroom practices? Join author Marsha Robinson to examine teaching strategies that work with middle-grades students undergoing dramatic developmental brain changes. Walk away with tools, resources, strategies and activities to enhance your art of teaching.

 

Leading with Movies
Bob Price, Empire Union School District
Are you in need of a short video clip, cartoon, or funny photo to liven up a presentation?  Are you interested in some short video professional development presentations for your staff meetings?  Bob's presentation will provide you with examples of video clips that you can use to infuse humor, motivate and inspire staff, and help prevent "Death by PowerPoint."  Those in attendance will receive a DVD of video resources ready to use in presentations.

 

AVID College Readiness and School-Wide Change
Cindy Beardslee, AVID Center
AVID's (Advancement Via Individual Determination) mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for success in higher education. The AVID College Readiness System helps elementary through postsecondary students through a college-preparatory elective course, rigorous curriculum and college tutors. Learn AVID methodologies, including Cornell note-taking, Socratic seminars, tutorials, and organization.

 

Digital Timelines with Photo Story
Kevin Tierney, Rolling Hills Middle School
Understanding event sequence and timeframes is critical when studying history.  Learn how your students can create digital timelines using free Photo Story software in a single or multi-computer classroom.  The digital format creates excitement and provides a wonderful way to review timeline events as an entire class.  You will receive templates, management tips and instructions for downloading the necessary free software so you can get started immediately.

 

Successful Tutorial Time for Driving School Change
Philip D'Agostino, Costa Mesa High School
Many schools have implemented strategies that provide more time and support for students who struggle with academics or behavior, but few models succeed. Explore the promises and pitfalls of extra time during the school day, best practices for using such time, and successes you can hope to see by restructuring your school day to support students.

 

Engaged in School and Career Ready
John Merris-Coots, California Department of Education
This workshop will provide an overview of California Career Resource Network (CalCRN) resources, including an overview of the enhanced California Career Zone and under-development My Career Center. These career guidance resources can assist schools in engaging students by helping them see the relevance of their current school experiences to their future life and career goals.

 

Google Lit Trips: Putting Literature in Its Place
Jerome Burg, Google Lit Trips
Google Lit Trips is an award-winning project providing free educational resources focused on place-based literature study. Whether you teach 1st grade or university students, you'll learn how blending modern mapping technologies with the wisdom of the world's great literature adds unprecedented, engaging relevance to the study of literature. And best of all, the Google Lit Trips project is free, from lesson plans and step-guides to classroom integration tips and tutorials.

 

Effective Behavior Management: The Classroom Plan
Noah Salzman, I understand.  Tools for Schools
Effective behavior management establishes a safe and orderly classroom environment that reduces classroom disruptions, increases instructional time, develops positive relationships and teaches students responsibility.  Learn how to develop a behavior management plan, implement a school-wide program, and work with parents toward preventing behavior problems. Special focus will be given to the specific needs of elementary, middle and high school teachers.

 

Connect and Create with Google Voice
John Miller, Chalone Peaks Middle School
Looking for better ways to communicate with parents and promote student learning outside the classroom? Learn from a Google Certified Teacher how to use the free Google Voice service to incorporate voicemail and text messaging into your lessons and create customized voicemail greetings for parents. Interact with Voice-inspired assignments applicable to any classroom or content area and see how to make and receive calls using a Gmail account.

 

Using a Wiki as a Hub for Leading and Learning
Paul Navarro, Redwood Middle School
I integrated a wiki site in my Spanish classroom four years ago. Since then, I have developed wikis for both professional development and personal necessity. In this presentation, I will share how using this online tool can facilitate learning for students, teachers and other education professionals.

 

Student Feedback to Teachers: A Viable Tool
June Thompson, California Association of Student Councils
Explore a valuable process teachers can use to obtain client feedback. Authorized by the signing of SB1422 in 2010, this voluntary and confidential process calls for students and staff to identify effective teaching practices, select specific survey questions, and gain input from faculty regarding the final design. Samples of data presentations will be previewed and options for processing data will be discussed. Key research findings regarding the reliability of student feedback will be reviewed.

 

Bridge to High School: Reading, Writing and Math Intervention for Incoming Freshman
Jan Stallones, Corona Norco Unified School District
Ninth-grade students earn more Ds and Fs than any other grade level in California. Supporting struggling students as they enter high school can make the critical difference between success or failure. Learn how one district works with incoming freshmen to strengthen and integrate basic reading, writing, math and organizational skills. We'll share our strategies, results and student work - and discuss how this approach could work for your school or district.

 

Motivating Students Who Don't Care
Ginna Guiang Myers, Twin Rivers Unified School District
Are your students frequently looking at the clock? Do they often ask you why they have to do the tasks you assign in class? Are you tired of hearing the word 'Whatever!'? Learn about effective strategies that will motivate even the most disengaged students! Based on the book of the same title by a cognitive scientist, this workshop will take you on a tour of the brain areas associated with learning and motivation.

 

Developing Pattern Seekers and Algebraic Thinkers
Patricia Rogers, San Jose State University
The California Common Core State Standards are asking teachers to support students in their search for patterns in mathematics. Using the Mathematical Practices, this session will investigate lessons that encourage pattern-seeking, perseverance, precision and mathematical structures. You will walk away from this session energized in your ability to teach mathematics -- with a packet of materials to take back and try in your own classroom. Don't miss it!

 

Articulating High Expectations: Helping Students Transition
Lindsay Poland, American Institutes for Research
Moving from middle to high school can be a difficult transition for students, particularly for those who are already struggling. In this session we will describe concrete strategies California schools and districts are using to help students transition successfully and graduate from high school. Receive a copy of the 2011 report "Making the Move: Transition Strategies at California Schools with High Graduation Rates."

 

Schools to Watch
Todd Deck, Granite Ridge Intermediate School
Gain an overview of intervention strategies and systems in place at one California Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage site,  as well as an overview of our grades 7-12 model. Topics will include RTI concepts, Program Reach, intervention labs, and a look at overall strategies to reach all students.

 

Instructional Rounds: From Theory to Practice
Jill Hatanaka, San Joaquin County Office of Education
Instructional rounds are transforming the work of superintendents, principals and teachers as they engage in conversations and develop shared understandings of high-quality instruction that directly impacts student learning.  With a superintendent, explore the theory and elements of instructional rounds (per City, Elmore, Fiarman and Teitel) and experience a journey of implementation and practice, including challenges and accomplishments.  Time for questions and answers will be included.

 

Tolerance
Philip Hummel, Orange Glen High School
Explore tolerance from the prespective of a former intolerant "perpetrator." I grew up in South Africa during apartheid and published a book about growing up white during this time. Now, as a U.S. high school teacher, I see intolerance and insensitivity in some students and even staff. By sharing my own personal experiences of having lived through the apartheid government, I hope to expand others' understanding of tolerance and intolerance.

 

Exploring Slope
Tony Alteparmakian, Foothill High School
"Slope" is one of the most important concepts that students never really learn. In this session we will explore how to teach slope without ever mentioning the word. Participants will use TI-Nspire CAS calculators, Norland calculator robots, Vernier data probes and Google Maps to investigate the concepts.

 

Training Middle School Detectives
Laura Reeve, Rolling Hills Middle School
Middle-level academic language often comes down to detective terms such as evidence, conclusion, proof and inference. Learn how to create activities that help students extend their thinking from the obvious to the analytical, as well as how to create a through line that can integrate language arts, social science and science. Try hands-on activities that use primary sources to link detective vocabulary to social science, science and language arts.  Sample lessons will be provided.

 

Enhance ELL Productivity within a Mainstream Classroom
Naomi Phillips, Edna Hill Middle School
Learn how to enhance your English Language Learner engagement within a mainstream classroom and watch your non-ELLs soar as well!  Be prepared to leave with easy and engaging tips that you can use the minute students walk into your classroom that increase student accountability.  Come ready to have fun, leave rejuvenated, and reaffirm your importance in the classroom.  Handouts provided.

 

Bringing Novels to Life through Literature Circles
Jaspal Gaddy, University Preparatory School
Reading in any Language Arts classroom is essential.  Using novels, learn how to engage your students in thought-provoking, student-led discussions that hold students accountable for weekly roles and assignments, plus fit the needs of various learning styles.  Teachers will receive copies of grading rubrics and group roles for literature circles.

 

Turnaround Schools in California: One Middle School's Story
Mette Huberman, AIR
In this session, you will learn about a rigorous 10-step process to define turnaround schools in California developed by the American Institutes for Research, as part of the California Comprehensive Center. We will share our methodology and the strategies most often cited as contributing to nine schools' turnaround success, including three middle schools. One of the middle school principals will share her school's turnaround story, which included a focus on staff collaboration and teamwork, academic vocabulary for all students, extended learning time for students not meeting standards, and improvement of instruction through PLCs with a focus on clear instructional strategies.

 

Social Skills, Trust and Teamwork
Mark Hayes, Van Nuys Middle School
Come participate in standards-based, age-appropriate activities that can be used in many classes in addition to physical education. These activities teach social skills and teamwork and fully involve the six pillars of character: Kindness, Caring, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, Honesty, and Respect.  Incorporating these activities into any class will help set the tone for a positive and safe learning environment for all students to be successful.

 

General and Special Education Collaborative Model for Success
Rachelle Fochetti, Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School
Gain an overview of how to create or adopt a collaborative special education model in which students with disabilities are educated in the general education classroom. See how students with disabilities can receive grade-level instruction co-taught by general education and special education teachers. Participants will receive an overview of the model, including steps and strategies for successful implementation.

 

The Language Institute
Lindsey Bird, Grace Davis High School
The Language Institute is one district's answer to the question so many struggle with - How do we meet the needs of new immigrants entering the school system at the high school level? Hear the detailed research that guided program development, lessons learned during implementation, student demographics, master scheduling issues, and proven English learner instructional strategies. A few student stories might also bring a tear to your eye. If newcomers are your passion, this is the place to be!

 

Common Core State Standards Update
Lillian Perez, California Department of Education
In this session, you will have the opportunity to look closely at the content of the Common Core State Standards for English-language arts and mathematics and engage in collegial conversations regarding the standards and how their full implementation is likely to affect both teaching and learning. You will also receive an update about California's implementation plan, including the latest information about instructional materials and assessments.

 

Differentiating Instruction in the Writing Workshop
Mark Overmeyer, University of Colorado at Denver
In this interactive session, you will learn techniques for differentiating your writing workshop in order to meet the needs of all learners. In particular, we will discuss working with English Language Learners, resistant writers and gifted students. Whether you have used a writing workshop for years or you are just beginning your journey, you will walk away with ideas you can implement immediately. Student samples will be featured to illustrate ideas shared.

 

For Learning, the Pencil Is Mightier Than the Keyboard
Allison Williams, Zaner-Bloser
New research shows the simple act of handwriting activates regions of the brain that control recall and learning, regions not activated by keyboarding. Penmanship is part of the California Common Core State Standards for English-Language Arts. Experience fun, research-based activities to enhance handwriting instruction. Learn today, Implement tomorrow. Handouts, a free website for creating handwriting documents, and door prizes will be provided.

 

Making A Difference In The Middle
Linda Solis, Olive Peirce Middle School
Our team is obsessed with student learning and success! For over 10 years we have built and nurtured a culture where professional collaboration, teamwork and a relentless focus on student achievement is the norm. Our professional learning community focus is on "all." All students are expected to meet high academic standards, all teachers are accountable for student progress, all classified staff make a difference in student achievement, all administrators mentor students, and all families are important.

 

Saturday, February 25

 

Implementing Online Learning
Preston Carr, Chino Valley Unified School District
School leaders need to understand how to choose and implement an online learning platforms, plus have have courses approved by the UC/CSU system and NCAA. Examine these topics and explore how online learning relates to academic intergrity, the master schedule, Response to Intervention, virtual special education, credit recovery and Goodle Docs.

 

Gang Intervention and Prevention
Lawrence Fernandez, Madera High School
Learn how to reduce gang membership and gang violence within you schools by improving your knowledge of gang identification and gang awareness. Our school has been able to reduce student membership in gangs by 60% and cut gang violence in half.

 

California Common Core Standards for Math
Chris Dell, Shasta County Office of Education
What do you know about the Common Core State Standards?  Should you to start implementing them before the new balanced assessments become a reality?  Start by creating professional learning communities focused on the Common Core State Standards for mathematical practice and focus district professional development on implementation.  Come learn about the standards and assessments, get ideas for implementation, and learn about resources that are available.

 

The A-Z's of Knowledge
Heather Gold, Brownell Middle School
Join us for a dynamic session! Learn how to take any subject and use the alphabet to extend learning. Tap into what students already know, the alphabet, and apply what they are learning in any content area! We will provide rubrics, assignment sheets, and student work. This is a great tool to encourage learners of any level to explore new knowledge and use self-driven research to demonstrate their understanding through a creative process while meeting the standards.

 

Teacher Belief Systems and Retention
David Franklin, Alum Rock Unified School District
Research on student retention indicates the negative effects of retention far outweigh any short-term benefits. Students of diverse ethnicities are recommended far more for retention than their white student counterparts. This presentation will uncover the links between teacher demographics (ethnicity, gender, years of experience and education level) and retention, provide you with valuable alternatives to retention, and examine potential policy changes regarding this controversial topic.

 

Tips for Teaching Vocabulary Across the Curriculum
Trisha Sanchez, Rolling HIlls Middle School
Need ideas on how to incorporate vocabulary instruction into your content area? This session will provide participants with ideas and activities to build student capacity for understanding and using academic vocabulary.  Students must understand the vocabulary associated with a given discipline to understand content-area concepts and navigate content-area textbooks.  Come learn some fun, quick activities that will allow your students to constantly improve academic vocabulary and master their learning.

 

Growing a Successful Middle Grade Partnership
Derrick Lawson, Paige Middle School
Are you a middle-grades principal leading  teacher collaboration but lacking your own professional learning community? Discover the California Middle Grades Partnership Network, a PLC for middle-grades principals. Learn from one active region how to build your own local or regional group to pool resources for presenters and share best practices, school site visits and camaraderie.  Receive recruitment materials, budget information and resource tools to launch a partnership built on Taking Center Stage.

 

Hi, I'm the Black Sheep
Tony Alteparmakian, Foothill High School
In this session we will discuss seven classroom practices that make other educators doubt my sanity but help with student learning. Topics will include grading and the danger of averages, homework (and why it's not included in my gradebook anymore), and why I don't teach factoring trinomials anymore (gasp!!).

 

Google Docs for Educators
Mark Wagner, EdTechTeam, Inc.
Personal learning is a foundation for any educational institution - and any successful organizational change. This session focuses on tools that can be used by any educator to build your own Personal Learning Network (PLN) that supports your own professional development and diffuses innovation within your institution. Learn to connect with a community of like-minded professionals, make contributions, have conversations, and make requests in your times of need. Powerful free tools and social media such as Google+, Twitter, and Facebook make this possible for you and your colleagues.

 

Another Black Boy Lost
Ron Thomas, Oak Ridge High School
One of the most vexing problems confronting educators today is the chronic achievement gap between African-American male students and their peers. This session will provide real-world experiences, theories and information to guide educators, parents, counselors and others working with black male adolescents. Whether your school is urban, suburban or rural, this workshop addresses the root causes of low achievement among young African-American males and offers strategies to overcome them.

 

Effective Student Support Systems: Reaching All Students with RTI!
Bhavna Narula, Terman Middle School
Come gain effective strategies for student support system design in an interactive, hands-on session. You will walk away with a deeper understanding of the Response to Intervention process and practical tools and tips to support your students the next day! This session is packed with research and resources that can assist your team in reaching and teaching all students, boosting morale for staff and students.

 

Design Thinking: Out of the Studio, Into the Classroom
Marcia Barton, Portola Valley School District
This session introduces you to design thinking, an approach to 21st-century skill development and curriculum delivery that leverages curiosity and creativity within the context of curriculum standards to heighten engagement in learning. Experience firsthand a design environment where students eagerly engage in critical thinking and collaboration to find innovative solutions to curriculum-inspired problems. Apply the process of design thinking by preparing a design challenge exercise for your class. Online resources are provided.

 

Brain Games
John Bennett, Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School
In this hands-on session, we will explore several different kinds of logic puzzles and abstract strategy games that will develop analytical thinking skills. These flexible and fun activities take little to no prep-time or cost and can be started in a moment's notice. Participants will receive a handout list of resources. Grades 4-12.

 

Word Problems? Not Me
Mary Chung, Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School
See how increasing student comprehension can help students solve word problems. Word problems can be solved mutiple ways.

 

Reading for Meaning, Fluently
Sara Valentine, Read Naturally
Learn how to develop fluency, support and vocabulary and promote comprehension by combining the powerful, research-based strategies of teacher modeling, repeated reading, and progress monitoring.  Accelerate the reading achievement of Title I, special education, English learner and mainstream students using these research-proven strategies.  This session describes Read Naturally, but the strategies can be used with any classroom materials. The presentation includes an explanation of the role fluency plays in overall reading proficiency and the research on strategies to develop fluency in beginning  and struggling readers at any grade level.

 

Powerful Teaching and Learning at a School to Watch
Melanie Dopson, Katherine Albiani Middle School
Administrators and teachers will take you on a tour of highlights that led to the selection of their site as a School to Watch.  Science teachers will show how interactive notebooks are integral parts of powerful teaching and learning. English teachers will demonstrate feedback and revision in student writing from intervention to honors. Student led conferences are a remarkable alternative to the traditional open house. Common assignments provide a framework for professional learning community teams.

 

Seven Criteria for Achieving Excellence and Supportive Interventions
Paul Rodriguez, Montebello Unified School District
The Malcolm Baldrige process offers schools and districts an opportunity to reach higher levels of success through addressing seven criteria that provide a framework for achieving excellence.  Each organization is unique with its own culture, history, location, and services offered. Come learn more about how your school or district can address continuous improvement using this framework.

 

Managing Middle School
Joan Moore, Silverado Middle School
We all know that middle school can be challenging at times without the right tools.  Our school empowers all of our students with the tools they need to be successful not just in academics, but in personal and social areas as well. Join us to see how have implemented and refined tools school-wide in the areas of the academic tool box, peer relationships and handling conflicts. You can develop a similar program at your site to deal with middle school issues.

 

Managing the Math Class for Maximum Success
Brad Fulton, Mistletoe Elementary School
Tired of the paper chase where you seem to be doing more work than your students?  Want to foster more learning and responsibility in them while making your job more manageable? Come see how a 30-year veteran overcame these obstacles with only minimal hair loss. The detailed handout will explain how you can take back control of your classroom environment.

 

Turning Bullies into Compassionate and Influential Leaders
Laura Page, Kids Helping Kids Leadership Academy, Inc.
With 77% of K-12 students bullied, 160,000 kids in the U.S. skip school each day out of fear. Kids Helping Kids Leadership Academy tackles this challenge through interactive role-play and integrated curricula so that every student can identify the BVB (bully, victim and bystander) and learn how to break the cycle. Students who bully tend to have difficulties with relationships. Our program helps students understand what healthy relationships look like and build the confidence to eliminate violence in their school.

 

Career and College Clubs: Engaging Students for Success
Peter Martinez, Career & College Clubs
The Career & College Clubs program is active in 200 middle schools statewide. The CCC is a two-year program that helps students take responsibility for their future success in college and careers. Curriculum, training and support are free for all California schools and nonprofit organizations serving 7th and 8th grade students.  Sites with over 70% FRPM eligibility may receive small grants for implementation. Learn about the CCC's student leadership philosophy, subject matter, application procedures and funding.    

 

Individual Writing Conferences with Standards-Based Rubrics
Julie Giannini Previde, McKinleyville Middle School
Individual writing conferences for 120 students? No problem! Using standards-based writing rubrics, self-reflective reusable forms, and colleagues from all subject areas, our students get individual writing instruction. Learn about the process, troublshooting, and results such as a reduced Language Arts grading load, improved student preparation for the writing assessment, and stronger student achievement. Receive reproducible handouts (bring your flashdrive) to make writing conferences a reality at your site!

 

Effective Behavior Management: The Leadership Team
Noah Salzman, I understand.  Tools for Schools
To ensure academic achievement, the administrative team needs an effective behavior management plan. Walk through the development of an effective school-wide behavior management plan that reduces office referrals, tardies and suspensions by 85%. Learn how to help teachers manage behavior in the classroom, address ineffective teacher response styles, implement classroom procedures, reduce tardies and office referrals, motivate unmotivated students, increase instructional time and more.

 

Functional Academy System for a Higher API
Leigh Meadows, Granite Oaks Middle School
Our 900-student 7th- and 8th-grade middle school is a two-time California Distinguished School and a 2008 National Blue Ribbon School. Our "school within a school" has a schedule that includes a seven-period day, four core classes, an enrichment period, physical education and electives. We have exceeded 900 in our API for the last three years. See how this "academy system" structure, with four four-member academies per grade level, can be used in any middle school.

 

Moving from Isolation to Collaboration: A PLC Journey
Robert Voelkel, Menifee Valley Middle School
Learn how to move fellow educators from a culture of isolation to one of collaboration. Examine three essential steps for effectively shifting your culture - initiation, implementation, and sustaining - through the lens of a middle school that has increased its API 99 points in 3 years after a decline of 13 points over the two years prior to PLC implementation.  All schools can successfully become a PLC culture to ensure learning for all students through a system of collaboration. Handouts provided.

 

Special Education Unwrapped
Ellen Gervase, California Teachers Association
In this session you will explore current information regarding special education law (IDEA) including issues and teacher rights for special and general educators, standardized assessment options, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind, and the Response to Intervention (RTI) process and its impact on general and special educators.

 

Changing Climate and Culture with Relationships and Resources
Julius Lockett, Urban School Essentials 101
The Urban (School) Essentials 101 Program places academic success within reach of every school by focusing on three influential components: People, Programs and Posture.  Using the UE101 model designed by high school assistant principal and former police officer Julius Lockett, several schools have realize improved attendance; increased teacher satisfaction; greater teacher retention; decreased suspensions, detentions and tardies; and other climate and culture indicators.

 

Instructional Strategies to Meet the Needs of All Learners
Holly Feldt, Bernice Ayer Middle School
How do you engage all students and ensure they remember what you taught? Join us for a high-energy session presenting SIOP (sheltered instruction observation protocol) strategies and up-to-date research, You will be provided with many "use tomorrow" instructional ideas and techniques that are specially effective for teaching adolescent students, including English learners.

 

Easy Tools for Easy Teaching
Joe Marquez, Alta Sierra Intermediate School
I will present a list of free or low-cost easy-to-use tools that will make teaching easier for you and learning more fun for your students. The technology tools presented in this workshop will cover areas of assessment, communication, collaboration, and multimedia cartoon creation.

 

Building a School Culture for Improvement
Patti Kinney, National Association of Secondary School Principals
Effective school improvement initiatives consider the role that school culture plays in successful implementation and sustainability.  Yet building a collaborative culture in which teachers and students feel challenged, engaged and successful is complex.  The new Breaking Ranks Framework addresses the why, what, how and who of school improvement.  See how you can use the tools and resources to create a school culture that serves each student equally well.

 

Passports to Success: Getting Students to Buy In
Kristen Shouse, Brownell Middle School
Does your school climate need a cost-effective overhaul? Want to empower students to make a difference? See how we turned around our school climate and dropped our discipline numbers significantly! Explore our self-created "Passport to Success" program and receive everything you need to begin your own initiative that addresses expected behaviors, rewards positive behaviors, reduces disciplinary incidents, adds a safety layer, and makes students want to take part. Handouts provided.

 

You Can Raise Fifth-Grade Science Achievement
Anya Childs, Kwis Elementary School
Do you have under-achieving fifth graders who need an extra boost?  In this session, we will share with the you the steps we took to raise not only our science CST scores, but turned this group of underachievers into proficient language arts students.  We will share our model and sample lessons with participants.

 

A Balanced Approach: Combining Traditional and Differentiated Instruction
Erik Francis, Arizona Department of Education
Learn how to create unit-based higher-order thinking (H.O.T.) plans that are aligned to state academic standards and answer essential questions.  By utilizing a combination of traditional and differentiated instructional strategies, you will learn how to apply whole-class assessments and project-based learning based on the multiple intelligences to measure conceptual understanding of key academic concepts and ideas, encourage student choice and engagement, and utilize students' innate skills and talents.

 

Embedded Intervention, the PLC Way
George Tsai, Silverado Middle School
Discover a process for creating a school-wide intervention block within the school day. In response to the professional learning communities critical question, "what do we do when students are not learning?", we developed a systematic approach to providing intervention and enrichment that accommodates all student needs in a seven-period day. This effective block of time is the cumulative result of three years of implementation. Handouts provided.

 

Effective Writer's Workshop in the Digital Age
Jennifer Adams, University Preparatory School
Do you want to develop confident midle-grades writers, balance form writing with the craft of writing, and inspire students to score well on the state test? Learn how you can incorporate my writer's workshop into your English curriculum to accomplish all of these goals.  See how to produce formative and summative writing assessments, implement and develop individual writing conferences, and incorporate a classroom Ning to bring the digital age into class discussions on reading and writing. 

 

The Skills of Independence
Olivia LaField, Sequoia Middle School
Discover a unique approach to teaching students to become independent learners. Using four powerful standards, students can become self-starters who make wise use of their time, are not easily distracted by their peers, and can be trusted to stay on task--even when no one is there to see. Students learn to control themselves instead of having to be controlled by an adult. Successful Implementation of this program will virtually guarantee higher test score results.

 

Student Tech Leadership and California Standards
Steve Scott, Twin Rivers Unified School District
Educators are always looking for engaging activities correlated to the state standards. Hear from students, teachers and administrators how they use the nonprofit MOUSE Squad Student Tech online curriculum and hands-on, cost-efficient activities to provide tech support and leadership. See how the program teaches language arts, math and technology skills. Participate in a "Computer in a Box" hands-on activity and gain ideas for after-school or in-class tech programs correlated to state standards.

 

Using Data and Collaboration to Implement RTI
Charles Park, John Muir High School
See how an urban high school initiated a Response to Intervention (RTI) program in a school that was once reconstituted and split into three career-themed academies.  Explore the challenges and successes in aligning staff into collaborating in a positive way on interventions. See anecdotal and quantitative data linking RTI to improved attendance and academic progress.  Receive an "RTI Quick-Start Kit" with attendance resources and templates for creating an RTI Pyramid, agendas, and a data dashboard.

 

iPads to Online: Technical Assistance for Students in Special Education
Janet Meizel, University of California at Davis
Special and general educators: Come learn about hardware and software that help students with many types of challenges participate in the classroom and learn necessary lifetime skills. We'll examine options from online tools to laptops and handhelds (including iPod and iPad) and review solutions that: provide oral communication for the student or teach and assist in interpersonal communication; assist with writing (with and without keyboard and pen); support academics; and more.

 

Strategies that Support Content Area Learning and Literacy
Connie Davidson, CalStateTEACH
Using social science as the model academic content area, we will focus on strategies that support a dynamic student-centered classroom that increases literacy and learning. Learn how to use visuals to scaffold critical thinking, create student-centered discussions, and support comprehension through writing. Experience activities and receive tools to implement content area literacy instruction in your classroom. Gain a deeper understanding of how words are the indicator for academic success or failure.

 

Infusing the Fun Factor into Secondary Math
Jennifer Deaton, DePortola Middle School
Come participate in my favorite standards-based games, songs, activities and organizational ideas to make secondary math fun! Discover classroom management techniques that will help you run a shipshape classroom while engaging your students.  Learn how to increase quality pair-shares and deepen your students' level of understanding.

 

Working with School Boosters Post-ACLU Settlement
Stephen Glass, Buena Park High School
The California State Constitution entitles children to a free and equal education, yet the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has challenged a wide range of required student fees and charges. As school districts review their current policies, what can we do to continue to support student activities such as athletics and student government?  This presentation will cover the impact of the ACLU settlement on school funding for student activities and athletics.

 

Exiting Program Improvement through Purposeful Planning
Greg Camacho-Light, Brownell Middle School
Only 2.5% of all 5-year or more Program Improvement schools in California exited PI last year, including Brownell Middle School. Learn how Brownell exited PI within three years of implementing purposeful planning that addressed structures and systems, relevance, relationships and rigor. Receive useful handouts and the booklet, "Purposeful Planning: How a School Went from District Disappointment to Leader of the Pack!"

 

Turning Can't to Capable: Intervention that Sparks Learning
Meg Enns, Camerado Springs Middle School
Teachers and administrators: Come gain ideas, activities and resources that have helped our struggling students close the achievement gap.  Learn best practices and programs for struggling readers, master scheduling, intervention classes for language arts and social studies, behavior plans, homework intervention and more.  All those attending will leave withready-to-use, hands-on resources for struggling learners in language arts and history classes.

 

Pre-Teach and Re-Teach Sixth-Grade Math
Kathleen Wakely, Edna Hill Middle School
Is there too much to teach, and not enough days in the year? Do you struggle to include review and remediation into your instruction? Do you want to pre-teach skills and concepts? In this session, you will see how a comprehensive warm-up activity can both pre-teach and re-teach sixth-grade mathematics, as well as free up instructional time.  Experience data-driven, spiral review and preview that really works!

 

Teaching Students How to Study for Tests
Elizabeth Lyons-Wagner, Harvest Park Middle School
What do your students do when they "study" for tests?  Demystify the studying process for your students by exploring a lesson sequence that teaches students how to study for end-of-unit tests. Learn a systematic process that teaches students how to engage in the following learning strategies: set study goals, review and rehearse information, and reflect on outcomes. Through this sequence, you will also teach students how to attribute testing outcomes to the use of effective or ineffective study strategies.

 

Targeted Assistance Program
Charles Lawson, Paige Middle School
See how one middle school instituted a specialized Targeted Assistance Program (TAP) to help close the achievement gap and serve Tier 2 and 3 students. Built on the premise of a mentoring approach, this program consists of a school-wide multi-faceted network of components that builds a foundation of accountability and teaches monitoring and self-correction to the target population of underperforming long-term English Learners, at-risk students, and special education students not yet attaining grade-level proficiency. Handouts of forms and tools provided.

 

Color Poems
Jackie Stevens, Brownell Middle School
Are you struggling with incorporating poetry into your writing program? Have you had problems in the past engaging students in poetry? Come join us as we share our standards-based color poem unit that addresses sensory details, figurative language, tone, rhythm and rhyme. A variety of resources will be provided, including graphic organizers, word lists and revision checklists. At the end of this unit students of all levels will be able to create an original published piece of poetry.

 

Detect and Dismantle Disruptive Classroom Behavior
Lorie Reichel-Howe, Consultant
In this session you will learn common-sense, research-based classroom management strategies for detecting and diffusing behavioral interrupters, refocusing disruptive students, and increasing academic learning and teacher career satisfaction. Gain strategies that decrease discipline problems, increase academic achievement, and foster a more positive learning environment.

 

Why iPads are Changing Everything
Warren Dale, Los Angeles Unified School District
Connected directly to the world's information, enhanced with real-time video, cameras, text and GPS tools, these devices are entering our classrooms! If you are looking for ways to jump-start student achievement, capture parent interest and save money, bring your device and get ready to learn! This session will focus on how handheld personal learning devices can leverage student participation and interaction. We will focus on apps, curricular video, video conferencing and classroom writing projects.

 

Opportunity Room Tutorial Intervention
Karla Rigsbee, Durham Intermediate School
Our sixth-grade team designed a model to give students academic support. We decided not to accept school work that earned less than a "C" grade. Students are assigned to the "Opportunity Room" as needed. They come in, meet with a teacher, and receive further instruction or practice until a passing score is achieved.

 

Talk about Academic Video Journals!
Patricia Carpio-Aguilar, Brownell  Middle School
Let's talk about academic language, student voice and authentic engagement through video journaling! View and listen to first-hand video recordings from English Language Learners, GATE students and Spanish Learners. See how, through digital media, students can focus on the productive skill of oral expression linked to a reflective individual learning process opportunity. Academic video journaling addresses the speaking and listening strand of the common core standards for presentation of knowledge and ideas.

 

Scaffolding Academic Skills for the Long-Term ELL
Michelle Muncy Silva, Salinas Union High School District
Increase your understanding of how to create access to grade-level content that is challenging, rigorous, high interest and purposeful for the long-term English Language Learner. Handouts and activities that identify specific skills scaffolded to support instruction for the long-term ELL student will be provided. During the session, participants will apply a set of research-based best practices and discuss their useful application in creating a supported language community.

 

Organization Is the Foundation for Student Success
Mitch Weathers, Sequoia High School
See how an organized, structured and dependable classroom culture with clear expectations allows all students to succeed. Receive a copy of a hands-on, tangible organization system that will challenge and rework your pedagogy.  I personally promise that you will leave seeing the teaching-learning experience in a new light. As a result, you and your students will achieve in ways you may have thought impossible.

 

What Is Your School Brand?
Vanessa Landesfeind, Sonora High School
Does your school have a brand? Of course it does. Just as Coca-Cola or Apple markets its products, your school has a brand that the community has accepted. Effective branding allows schools to communicate their vision and goals to all stakeholders, distinguish themselves from neighboring schools, and reach out to recruit new students. Learn how to analyze and define your school brand through case studies and examples.

 

Sunday, February 26
 

Beyond Checking for Understanding
Lillian Fonseca, Healdsburg Junior High School
So you've done the checking for understanding, you've used the white boards, the hand signs, and your students are pros at Think, Pair, Share. Now what? Learn ways to elicit accountable responses, keep your students actively involved, and respond appropriately when you realize they didn't "get it." Strategies, techniques and tools will be shared and handouts provided.

 

Preventing and Responding to Sexual Harassment and Bullying
Richard Swanson, Tehachapi Unified School District (retired)
Thirteen-year-old Seth Walch's suicide resulted in an Office of Civil Rights investigation and a costly district lawsuit that became nationwide news. Recent Office of Civil Rights findings have changed the way districts respond to sexual harassment. This workshop will cover sexual harassment prevention and how to legally and effectively respond when it occurs. You will receive tips to create policies, develop training, communicate effectively, and avoid investigations and lawsuits. Dr. Swanson is the hands-on administrator who worked with the Office of Civil Rights to develop the model policies and procedures that meet the new standards.

 

Algebra I: Ready or Not?
Lisa Tremblay, Altimira Middle School
Where do "Basic" students belong for their eighth-grade math year? Should they be beefing up pre-algebra and basic skills, or should they be pushed on to Algebra I? In this session you will hear the results of the presenter's master's study that traces a group of Math CST Basic students placed in eighth-grade Algebra I all the way through their high school careers. See how many and which math courses they went on to take, their grades and pass/fail rates, plus Advanced Placement and science courses taken.

 

Using Google Apps with Elementary/Middle School Students
Diane Main, Milpitas Christian School
Yes, you can use Google Apps with younger students! Learn how Google Docs, Sites and other tools can foster better student engagement and achievement throughout your curriculum. In this session, we focus on increasing student engagement and achievement through the use of the online, collaborative tools found in Google Apps for Education. We will describe and show many of the projects we currently do with students and what we have learned along the way about how to do them better.

 

Active Lessons for All Subjects
Brenda Burnight, Byron Union School District
This session is for the active learner.  Explore standards-aligned games, group work and individual challenges, plus ideas for getting students moving and actively engaged. Discover affective tools to keep all learners, from the gifted child to the sleep-deprived student, on task. Experiment with different techniques to quiet an active class. All participants will receive active-classroom lesson ideas, strategies to quiet to an active classroom, and ideas for no-cost rewards that let students know they are successful.

 

Personal Learning Networks for Educators, Now with Google+
Mark Wagner, EdTechTeam, Inc.
Personal learning is one of the foundations of any educational institution - and any successful organizational change. This session focuses on tools that can be used by all educators to build their own Personal Learning Network (PLN) that supports their own professional development and helps diffuse innovation within their institution. Learn to connect with a community of like-minded professionals, make contributions, have conversations, and make requests in your times of need. Powerful free tools and social media such as Google+, Twitter, and Facebook make this possible for you and your colleagues.

 

Cloud Computing for Educators
Kevin Scritchfield, Sierra High School
Never buy a piece of software again! Come see a myriad of tools that will allow you to create projects of all sorts that can be stored 'in the cloud' for you to access from any internet device. Solutions for student projects as well as tools to make you a more organized and 'portable' teacher will be shared!

 

Let Google Help: Simplify Your Teaching with Forms
Sean Williams, La Entrada High School
If you have a Google account, you are ready to harness the power of forms. In this session you will learn a multitude of ways to use forms to simplify and streamline your day. From running records to book reports, forms are easy to use and will save you time no matter what subject you teach.  Let a Google Certified Teacher walk you through this free tool and you will be  using forms in your classroom Monday!

 

Dystopian Literature and Teens' Hunger for Autonomy
Melissa Gulden, University Preparatory School
Teens love to imagine adults in dire straits, society in chaos, and themselves in the roles of heroes. Teen dystopian fiction is flooding the market and causing a stir, so join us as we open our classrooms to you, building a picture of how you can use this developing genre in your classroom. Our lively multimedia presentation will include an entire unit on Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games series, as well as representative student work and an annotated bibliography of student-tested great reads in the genre.

 

Smartphones in My Classroom, Works for Me
Warren Dale, Los Angeles Unified School District
We are now in the post-PC era and in the dawn of a new era of literacy and differentiation! A smart phone fundamentally changes the way the owner relates to the world, and half of our cell phones are smart phones. Bring your phone and join us as we explore how to use these tools to ignite curiosity, creativity and 21st-century learning. In this session we will be simulating a 21st-century classroom where students are connected with the world.

 

Flipteaching: Shifting the Instruction-Homework Paradigm through Screencasting
Ramsey Musallam, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
Flipteaching, or reverse instruction, has gained popularity as an instructional methodology. Flipteaching refers to moving instruction from the classroom to the homework setting using teacher produced, annotated and narrated screencasts. As a result, an online catalog of content is built for students, leaving teachers free to create dynamic, student-centered classrooms. This session will introduce participants to the research, cross-disciplinary variations, and production specifics of Flipteaching. Whether you are a Mac, PC, or iPad user, this session will arm you with a cost-effective way to flip your teaching overnight.