Information+from+Denise+Jackson

** Denise Jackson, Becky-David Elementary ** Workshops attended:
 * NSDC St Louis**
 * **Going with the Conceptual Flow**, presented by: Jo Topps, Kathy DiRanna and Melissa Smith


 * **Leveling the Playing Field: Achieving Fairness in Education through Thoughtful Differentiated Instruction**, presented by: The Thoughtful Classroom


 * **S.M.A.R.T. Classrooms: Student Ownership for Learning**, presented by: Quality Leadership by Design


 * **What Great Teachers Do Differently**, presented by: Todd Whitaker

**Going with the Conceptual Flow**, presented by: Jo Topps, Kathy DiRanna and Melissa Smith
 * __ Notes: __**

This workshop covered how to look for the “big ideas” in curriculum and then align standards, instruction, assessments and evaluating instructional materials to those “bid ideas”.

Conceptual flow answers: What do you want the kids to know? (Aka: the “big idea”) NOT how do I teach it?

Conceptual Flow: Ø Details the important concepts Ø Identifies an instructional sequence Ø Identifies important concepts for assessment of student understanding Ø Serves as a tool for evaluation of instructional materials


 * Leveling the Playing Field: Achieving Fairness in Education through Thoughtful Differentiated Instruction**, presented by: The Thoughtful Classroom

This workshop handed out a 78-page packet. Presenters were only able to cover the first 16 pages in packet. I have attached the entire packet. What //was// discussed? Ø Poverty affects achievement Ø Achievement of minorities is significantly lower than whites Ø Instruction is the #1 factor that influences success Ø What teachers do makes a difference Ø There are instructional practices that prove over time to produce significant gains Ø The learning styles of unsuccessful students are overlooked and ignored

On page 11 of the packet discusses the demands of employment in the 21st century. “ The adolescents entering the adult world in the 21st century will read and write more than any other time in human history. They will need advanced levels of literacy to perform their jobs, run their households, act as citizens, and conduct their personal lives. A recent study in England found that the ability to read well is the single best indicator of future economic success – regardless of family background”


 * S.M.A.R.T. Classrooms: Student Ownership for Learning**, presented by: Quality Leadership by Design

The workshop focused on advancing the practice of engaging students in the goal-setting process to build motivation and ownership for their learning.

The student S.M.A.R.T. goal process is: Step 1: Perceive academic strengths and needs Step 2: Write S.M.A.R.T. goal Step 3: Work plan Step 4: Reflect on progress Step 5: Monitor and adjust begin again

“Teachers S.M.A.R.T. who implement a goal-driven learning environment become life long learners with their students.”


 * What Great Teachers Do Differently**, presented by: Todd Whitaker

This workshop was based on the book: __What Great Teachers Do Differently: 14 Things That Matter Most,__ by Todd Whitaker

Main Ideas: “Raise the praise and minimize the criticize.” 5 things that help praise work: Ø Praise is authentic Ø Praise is specific Ø Praise is immediate Ø Praise is clean (teacher is not trying to change behavior) Ø Praise is private (if the students know how to do it … it should be private or you ostracize that student)

“Treat everyone like they’re good”. It makes the bad uncomfortable because when someone is acting out the good is uncomfortable “Make decisions based on the best students” Think: Ø What is the purpose? Ø Will this actually accomplish the purpose? Ø How will the most positive and productive students feel about this?

For more information on any of the above workshops see the information packets I received at each. I appreciate the opportunity to attend this conference. Thank you.

Sincerely, Denise Jackson