Professional Development Courses for Educators are offered online at The Heritage Institute.
Writing Strategies that Work for Every Classroom
Every teacher sees students who love to show what they know by speaking, but struggle to produce the same result in writing. The best way to engage these less confident grade 4-12 writers is to give them something powerful to think about. You will develop a means to focus student thinking, fuel deeper learning, and build complex understanding in English, social studies, math, and science. Plus strategies that support young writers to unlock their writing skills. Text about $25 at Amazon.
Beyond Divisiveness: Teaching Students to Respectfully Discuss Critical Social Issues
In an era of social polarization and political gridlock grade 6-12 students need the skills to respectfully tackle critical, contemporary issues. Finding common ground forms the foundation of citizenship. Educators taking this course will be encouraged to engage their students on a multitude of issues by examining a subject from varying views. The text grapples with conflicting views of unresolved social issues such as gun control, marriage equality, Black Lives Matter, and immigration.
Visual Learning in the Classroom
Learn to use visual learning techniques to help students at all levels achieve academic success. Visual learners benefit from seeing material in representations other than printed words on paper, and these techniques can make a huge difference in student understanding. Visual representations such as graphic organizers, concept maps and outlines can can make a huge difference in understanding for IEP students, EL students and other K-12 non-linear learners.
Authentic Assessment for English Language Learners
More than ever before, teachers need to understand how- and what- to assess when seeking to understand the learning of students in the classroom. As our schools and classrooms become more linguistically diverse, teachers will benefit from knowing what assessment methods will be the most accurate, effective, and useful tools for driving instruction and making placement decisions for ELL students. The text, Assessment and ESL, is a comprehensive guide to assessment of English language learners. This course will offer tools and suggestions for authentic assessment that will help both students and teachers to identify key areas of focus for instruction.
Advocacy & Equity for ELL Students
Educators of English language learners (ELLs) are important advocates for their students. Whether you are a regular classroom teacher with ELL students in your class, or an ELL specialist, you have an important role in understanding the needs of English language learners and in helping to create a school environment that supports their academic and social success. This course will illustrate the unique needs and common challenges for ELL’s and offer concise strategies for becoming an advocate for ELL’s at both the classroom and school building level. This course is appropriate for personnel at all grades, K-12 including teachers, paraeducators, counselors, and other support people.
Effective Instruction for English Language Learners
Today, we have English Language Learners in most K-12 classrooms, and it is imperative that all teachers know and understand effective instruction methods for language diverse classrooms. This course will focus on a holistic approach to teaching in language diverse classrooms.
