MATH
An Introduction to Math Expressions
Grade Levels: K-5
Subject: Math
Instructor: Kathy Redman, Part-time Consultant for
Houghton Mifflin, Retired Teacher
Would you like to get a head start on planning next year’s math activities? Are you trying to decide if Math Expressions is right for your district? In this session, we will explore Houghton Mifflin’s great new math program, Math Expressions. We will use objects, drawings, conceptual language, and real-work situations to help build mathematical ideas that make sense to kids. Each day, we will break into grade level groups and explore specific activities using the actual materials. You’ll pick up some great hands-on activities that will enhance any math program.
In the K-5 large group, we will also look at each of the math strands. This will enable you to see how your grade fits into the total picture by seeing what is taught in other grades. This hands-on math workshop will give you the opportunity to network with other teachers at your grade level, and you will leave with lots of ideas and materials.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1-10
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Math A, B, C, D, E, F
Two Guys and a Calculator: Enhancing Mathematics through Technology
Grade Levels: 6-12
Subject: Mathematics
Instructors: Scott Fish, Appleton North High School. Appleton Area School District; Paul Weisse, Assistant Principal, Wilson Middle School, Appleton Area School District
Interested in improving your TI-83/84 Graphing Calculator skills? Looking for appropriate ways to use these technologies in your classroom? Are you linking your calculators to your computers to take advantage of all the applications and programs on the web? Want to know more about the TI-Voyage, including using Cabri Geometry and Geometric Sketchpad? Are you a beginner, or just want to learn more? If you answered yes to these questions, this workshop is for you. Both beginners and non-beginners will improve knowledge in technology and walk away with ready-to-use lesson plans from pre-algebra to trigonometry. Our two-instructor approach will allow for better differentiation – allowing both the beginner and the non-beginner to be engaged. This workshop will include some of the latest technologies including the TI-Navigator and Interwrite board usage in the mathematics classroom.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 3, 4, 7
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Mathematics A, B, C, D, E, F
Science
Children’s Literature & Science
Grade Levels: K-5
Subject: Science & Reading
Instructors: Susannah Sandrin, Ph.D., UW-O, Sarah Rose Van Camp, UW-O, Oshkosh, WI
This course will demonstrate how to use children’s literature to investigate scientific claims and questions that arise from these books with students in the elementary classroom. Each lesson plan will include hands-on, inquiry-based science activities to provide teachers with many ideas to implement in their classroom. Each day of the weeklong workshop will focus on a different discipline of science, and each activity will focus on a Wisconsin science content standard, to include physical science, earth science, and life science. Additionally, the instructors will bring in a library of a few hundred books for teachers to use to develop their own lesson plans.
The instructors have been teaching a similar class at UW-O for the past three summers, with each summer focusing on a different discipline of science. This summer workshop will highlight “the best of the best” from their experiences of the past three years.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 7
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Science A, B, C, D, E, F, H
The Science of Our Natural World
Grade Levels: K-8
Subject: Science
Instructor: Scott Lee, Trempealeau Elementary
School, Trempealeau, WI
Have you ever made a bug sucker? …eaten stinging nettle? …held a snake? …dissected the regurgitation of an owl? …cooked pizza or s/mores in a solar cooker? …been hunted by a pack of wolves? …had a dragonfly balance on your nose? …created a thunderstorm? …been chased by a shrew, fox, or a hawk? …tried to find “your” baby bat?
Have the opportunity to experience these and many more activities while learning how to bring the out-of-doors into your classroom.
In this workshop you will:
• Learn how to incorporate many hands-
on activities into your curriculum in the
area of nature studies;
• Make (and take) numerous projects to
do with your students;
• Play games that incorporate a variety of
nature education concepts;
• Identify the environmental/nature educa-
tion standards studied;
• Explore how to use the natural resources
available in our area;
• Go back to school with ideas on how to
make your classroom an active, enjoy-
able learning center.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Science F
Art in Science, Science in Art
Grade Levels: K-12
Subject: Art, Science, Math, Language Arts, Social Studies
Instructor: Jaime Malwitz, Science Education Consultant
This course will give you and your students the opportunity to let both sides of your brain become active as you explore the science behind a wide variety of art offerings—no artistic talent required! This cross-curricular event will explain the science behind many types of arts and crafts and create links into the areas of math, social studies, reading, and language arts.
Teachers of science, all regular education teachers, art teachers, and teachers of special needs students will find activities to motivate and excite their students. Science and math will help us to understand the following art projects that each participant will make and take home:
• The effects of alcohol on acrylics while
doing multi-media, abstract paints on
yupo film;
• The properties of plastics as you sculpt
and make “pop” art desserts;
• Effects on the eye caused by “op” art
pictures created in class;
• Chromatography applied to the dying
of T-shirts;
• Bending of light rays through hand-built
polariscopes;
• Physical and chemical changes in the
making of paper;
• Creative writing and stamping on newly
made paper;
• Iris folding for use in cards, science
folders, and math, and
Many, many more hands-on activities.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8
Wisconsin Academic Standards
Addressed: Science A, B, C, D, G, H; Math A, B, C, D
Complete Science Investigations
Grade Levels: 1-6
Subject: Science, Integrated
Instructor: Bruce Oxley, Arbor Vitae-Woodruff School District, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin, Past Presidential Elementary Science Awardee
Tired of science activities that refuse to work the way the textbook says, or experiments that lack adequate background for the students and you? Then what you need is a week of CSI (Complete Science Investigations), Christa McAuliffe Academy style.
Topics in each of the four science areas (physical, earth, life, and environmental science) will be covered with numerous hands-on inquiry activities such as Mystery Powders Mystery, Mystery Minerals, Silent Stories in the Snow, The Ultimate Parachute Challenge, and Why Do They Salt the Roads? to name a few.
During the week, you will be actively engaged in a variety of standards based, teacher tested experiments, lab activities, “hooks”, and discrepant events that promote student inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving, and the development and enhancement of science skills. Each investigation will include easy to understand content, literature and other academic area tie-ins, and meaningful and effective assessment options. Numerous children’s books will be explored. This is one week that will bring out the excitement of teaching science, and spark genuine interest and involvement from your students!
NOTE: While geared for all teachers of elementary science, this workshop will be especially beneficial for new teachers and teachers new to science.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1-10
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Science A-H
Physical Science At Its Best
Grade Levels: 3-9
Subject: Science
Instructor: Larry Scheckel, Tomah High School, Tomah,
WI
An all-new physical science workshop! Many make and take items with all materials supplied or easy to obtain. We’ll work with everything you can do in the classroom with density and the ideas of sinking and floating. Teachers will make 8 different kinds of Cartesian Divers and learn how to perform 10 density demonstrations and labs. Participants will investigate exciting labs and presentations with soap bubbles and build a device that shows pressure vs. volume. Teachers will learn twelve ways to show the concept of air pressure. The workshop includes bulbs and batteries, capacitors, and LED’s. Build the world’s simplest motor and a device to show center of gravity. Teachers will even make a light bulb in a jar and an airplane powered by a real housefly. Learn how chemiluminescence (light sticks) work and build and launch a paper matchstick rocket.
Make science relevant to your students. The atmosphere in this class is informal and priority is placed on ‘stuff’ you can apply immediately in your classroom with an emphasis on using easy to obtain and low cost materials to teach the full range of elementary, middle school, and high school science.
Special emphasis is placed on an explanation of science principles. The constructivist model of learning, technology in the workplace, gender equity issues, critical thinking, classroom cooperation, and alternative assessment techniques are included. Discover effective means of harnessing students’ natural enthusiasm. Teachers will receive many handouts, plans, and packets.
Return to the classroom in the fall armed with dozens of new ideas. Students will consider you the most exciting teacher in your building.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Science A, B, C, D, H
Biogenetics: Codes for Life
Grade Levels: 10-12
Subject Area: Sciences (Biology)
Instructor: Todd Sandrin, PhD., Associate Professor Of Biology and Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI
Recent technological developments are allowing scientists to explore mysteries of life once thought unsolvable. What causes cancer? Can a vaccine for HIV be developed soon? How do toxic substances affect the innermost workings of our bodies? This course will allow high school science instructors to enhance their curricula to state-of-the-art, cutting edge levels. Advanced Biology instructors will be brought up-to-date with these new technologies using tools that do not require the significant costs of instrumentation that have prohibited other programs from including these technologies in their curricula. Participants will complete the course confident in their knowledge of these technologies as well as with a set of virtual laboratory exercises in which students can learn the practical aspects of these technologies. This course will empower participants to kindle interest, integrate content covering state-of-the-art life science research, and impart student aptitude to allow students to serve as the next generation of life scientists employing these technologies. Specific hands-on activities include: 1) making DNA with a “DNA-Xerox” machine, 2) weighing DNA and proteins, 3) decoding DNA, 4) seeing the big picture: looking at ALL of the genes in an organism at once, and 5) studying what does all of the work: proteins!
Wisconsin State Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 3, 6, 7
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Science F
Technology
Animation Workshop
Grade Levels: K-12
Subject Area: Technology
Instructor: Bruce D. Nelson, Oregon School District,
Oregon, WI
This workshop will provide the teacher with an exciting opportunity to explore different forms of animation. The teacher will receive hands-on experience with computer drawn, paper cut-out, and clay animation. This workshop involves working with a variety of mediums, and strong drawing skills are not a necessity as anyone can enjoy the experience of bringing their creations to life. Basic animation is a great way to expand your students creative horizons and open new avenues for expressing themselves. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
• Understand how to use technology to
excite students and prepare them for
the future.
• Experience a variety of technological
tools to integrate into the curriculum
(digital photography, digital video,
computers, scanners).
• Understand the importance of using
technology as a presentation tool.
• Learn to use innovative thinking and
create a new approach to education.
• View animations that can be integrated
into your classroom.
Wisconsin State Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Media & Technology A; Information & Inquiry B; The Learning Community D
Free Software for Education
Grade Level: 3-12
Subject: Technology, Integrated
Instructor: Jim Geoffrey, Kaukauna High School, Kaukauna, WI
With limited budgets, schools and teachers are forced to find alternatives to expensive software. Fortunately, there’s a ton of outstanding free software available. In this class, we’ll explore the best of the best of Windows and Macintosh free software: Google Earth, Google SketchUp, Google Maps, Google Docs, Picasa, TuxPaint, Bubbl.us, TuxTyping, MathTrax, VirtuaLab, OpenOffice.org, Audacity, Inkscape, Celestia, NASA WorldWind, Skype, and more. Participants will be given a CD with this free software on it and will develop ways to use this software in the classroom.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 3, 6, 7
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Science B, C, G; Technology A
Technology for Educators
Grade Levels: K-12
Subject: Technology
Instructor: Gary A. Krueger, AKA Professor Gizmo
This course is split equally between GPS Technology and creating easy websites.
Educators can use the information gained in this class directly in and out the classroom.
The GPS and Geocaching section can be used in the classroom to enhance teaching in various areas of education and can be used outside the class for student and teacher recreation and relaxation. GPS technology can be an asset to actively engage students in learning a multitude of related classroom topics.
The webpage component of this course will use Microsoft Publisher to very easily create a website. The educators will be creating a vibrant web site that can be used for a host of classroom functions. This is especially valuable for home/
school communication. Pages of the website can be dedicated to homework, tutorials, and links to class related pre-selected websites, supplies needed, field trip information, and an online newsletter.
Average technology skills are required. It is not required but highly recommended that participants have use of a GPS receiver for the week.
Wisconsin State Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 6, 9, 10
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Information & Technology
Wisconsin Teacher Standards 1-10
Wisconsin Academic Standards A, B, C, D
Literacy
Cooking It Up In Kindergarten – Let’s Stir the Pot
Grade Levels: Pre-K and
Kindergarten
Subject: Literacy
Instructor: Debbie Rosera, Coolidge Elementary School, Neenah, WI
Bam! If you give a Kindergartner the “Write Stuff,” they’ll ask for more! Sing, Write, Read, and Learn like 5 and 6 year olds do! Participants will learn ten essential practices and related strategies that will develop students as learners, readers, writers, mathematicians, and scientists. This class will weave curricular areas that are age appropriate. Reflection and assessment tools will be addressed to evaluate the effectiveness of current Early Childhood classrooms and practices. This will address the journey – not the race- that 5 and 6 year olds need to be proficient readers and writers in all areas of the Kindergarten program.
Participants in this course will use “Make and Take” centers, science projects, Musical Bog Books and interactive charts, games and songs. No previous experience needed! Inquiring minds and dedicated, passionate teachers are required!
Please be prepared to bring Make and Take supplies (poster board, construction paper and other necessary book making supplies). Participants will travel to a teacher store. Bring your humor and a camera to make the most of this class.
Participants will leave with a variety of ready to use ideas and strategies that will improve Early Childhood classrooms.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1-10
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: A, B, C, D
Creative Books & Journals
Grade Levels: preK-8
Subject: Language Arts &
Art/Design Education
Instructor: Dawn Schulz, Little Chute Elementary School, Little Chute, WI
We already know that the heart and soul are drawn to beauty and color; hence, we must engage our students with its use. The more the senses are integrated into the experience, the more we learn. The use of journals has become a wonderful way to bring color work, visual representation of knowledge and visual spatial constructs into classroom work. Organizing a space graphically to share knowledge of a subject is an important capacity for all students but in some, is the primary learning style. The opportunity to create a journal of this type allows students to go beyond the less complex task of note copying and on to the higher level thought process of organizing information into specific visual representations through the use of space, form, and color.
This class will provide you with ideas on how to create a variety of papers, journals and projects while incorporating many types of materials, such as interesting papers, fabric, paint, found objects, and more. We will discuss the many ways journals can be integrated and incorporated into many subjects. Class participates will learn various ways to use materials to enhance their subject area while making journals to help their students create beautiful and meaningful projects. During the week a spectrum of techniques will be covered while each participant creates an assortment of journals to be applied to their own classroom curriculum.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 3, 7
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Art & Design A, C; Language Arts B
Words Their Way™ — Shaken Up
Grade Levels: K-6
Subject: Language Arts, Word
Study (Spelling)
Instructor: Joy Strasburg, Nicolet Elementary School, Kaukauna, WI
Are you wondering about your current spelling program? Do children memorize words just to forget them a week later? Do you find you just need a change in how you are teaching spelling? In this course, you will be introduced to a word study program that is based off of Words Their Way™ by Bear. You will see how this developmental spelling program is designed to meet the needs of a variety of students by using a hands-on sorting technique to teach patterns found in words.
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to take the information they have learned and make plans to implement their own version of Words Their Way™ in their classrooms. From start to finish, teachers will experience the word study program in action and will have the chance to work through all of the various steps in this word study program. Time will be given to create sorts needed and research various internet sites that will aide in the implementation of word study in any classroom.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Language Arts A, B, C, D
The Reading/Writing Connection: Reading Workshop
Grade Levels: K-2
Subject: Language Arts, Reading, Writing
Instructor: Lisa Hietpas, Park Elementary School, Kaukauna, Wisconsin
The Reading Workshop will focus on Reading with Meaning by Debbie Miller and The Art of Teaching Reading by Lucy Calkins. Units of study will include: Creating a Culture and Climate for Reading, Think Alouds, Schema, Connections, Mental Images, Inferring, Asking Questions, Synthesizing, Digging Deeper into Nonfiction, and a Look into Guided Reading. You will learn how to write mini lessons, teach guided reading groups, conference with readers, and assess reading comprehension. You will be actively involved in creating reading materials and plans to launch a Readers Workshop in your classroom. This Workshop will help your students become thoughtful, independent, and strategic readers.
This course will “connect” with the Writing Workshop course. Participants will meet daily with writing workshop participants to discuss balanced literacy connections between reading and writing!
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1-10
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Reading/Literature A; Writing B; Oral Language C, Language D
The Reading-Writing Connection: Writing Workshop
Grade Levels: K-2
Subject: Language Arts,
Writing, Reading
Instructor: Jenni Gries, Park School, Kaukauna, Wisconsin
The Writing Workshop will focus on the Units of Study For Primary Writers: A Yearlong Curriculum written by Lucy Calkins. The units of study include Launching the Workshop, Small Moments: Personal Narratives, Writing for Readers: Teaching Skills and Strategies, Craft of Revision, Authors as Mentors, Nonfiction: Procedures and Reports, and Poetry: Powerful Thoughts in Tiny Packages. Participants will learn how to write strategic mini-lessons, confer with students, assess student writing, and plan monthly units of study. This course will offer organizational techniques to develop a structured workshop so your students are writing independently while you are conferring. The participants will be actively involved in creating materials as a necessary resource to launch the workshop in the fall.
This course will “connect” with the Reader’s Workshop course. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with the other participants to discuss the balanced literacy connections.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: English B, D
Through the Eyes of a Writing Teacher: Making Writers Workshop Real
Grade Levels: 3-6
Subjects: Writing
Instructors: Kathy Van Offeren & Autumn Steif, Victor Haen Elementary School, Kaukauna, WI
Are you familiar with a writer’s workshop and want to learn more about this researched based approach and how it can impact writers in your classroom? We will spend our week rolling up our sleeves, becoming writers ourselves and deepening our knowledge of workshop components including: mini lessons, conferencing, strategy grouping, partnerships, independent writing and teaching share. We will study various genres such as personal narrative, personal and literary essay, poetry and fiction and develop formal assessments for each genre we study. At the end of the week, we will celebrate and reflect upon our process as writers.
Upon completion of this course you will:
• Have taken an idea through all of the
stages of writing and be able to use this
experience in your teaching.
• Developed cohesive units of study
focused around a genre or writing
quality.
• Written streamlined mini lessons using a
predictable architecture.
• Assessed student writing in a way that
will impact your teaching.
• Practiced conferencing techniques that
will allow you to focus on the writer.
• Explored management strategies to get
your workshop up and running and
sustain it across the year.
Wisconsin State Teacher Standards Addressed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: Language Arts E, F, G, H
Energize Your Content Instruction
Grade Levels: 6-12
Subject: Cross Curricular
Instructors: John Meyer, Neenah Joint School District, Neenah, WI; Tina Meyer, Winneconne Middle School, Winneconne, WI
Get ready to spice up your content area with some new innovative strategies and ready to use materials, which will put a zest into your content. You will go home with a wealth of ideas to maximize student potential, help with student directedness, and enhance student comprehension. These practical and usable strategies can be easily adapted to your curriculum. Participants will be involved in various teaching methods during the week.
Participants will:
• Expand their knowledge of graphic
organizers to enhance reading and
vocabulary skills;
• Be introduced to writing strategies and
new content writing assignments
(different strategies will be shared
to enhance writing skills and content
knowledge);
• Use supplementary reading material to
reach different reading levels within the
classroom;
• Construct a portfolio that is practical for
your classroom and used as an assess-
ment or communication tool;
• Use assessment as a tool to reach target
goal;
• Become skilled at designing alternative
assessment possibilities to measure
student achievement,
• Learn to utilize revision strategies, and
• Design rubrics for alternative assess-
ment
Time will be allocated for participants to create new lessons using the new strategies for their classroom. Take advantage of an opportunity to enhance your teaching methods from this “coordinating” husband/wife duo. Come learn, try something new, and have a great time with us.
Participants need to bring a copy of their curriculum objectives or benchmarks (if possible) and some curriculum units to apply strategies learned in class.
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Wisconsin Academic Standards Addressed: English Language Arts A, B, D, F; Mathematics A, F; Science A, B, C, E, F, G, H; Social Studies A, B, C, E
Other Areas
of Staff Development
Autism and AD/HD: Practical Ideas for the Classroom
Grade Levels: K-12
Subject: All
Instructor: Julie Martzke, School Psychologist & Adjunct Professor, Hamline University, Minneapolis, MN
The number of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder is rapidly growing across the United States. AD/HD continues to be a commonly encountered disorder in the classroom. Knowledge is power and the more you can learn about these disorders, the more successful those children will be in your classroom. In addition, many regular education teachers have found that the strategies that work well with students with these disorders also benefit ALL students in their classes.
Course participants will:
• Develop a new understanding of the
main characteristics of AD/HD and
Autism Spectrum Disorders and
understand their similarities and
differences;
• Learn the impact of these disorders on
the social, academic, and psychological
functioning in your classroom;
• Learn practical strategies focusing on
social skills, attention, organization, and
calming techniques in K-12 classrooms;
• Be introduced to comic strip conversa-
tions, have the opportunity to make
visual supports for the classroom, learn
how to write social stories, and learn
how to use a five-point scale to help
students identify and manage their own
behaviors.
Wisconsin Teaching Standards Addressed:
2, 3, 5, 7
The Forgotten Standard: Teaching to the Heart of a Child
Grade Levels: PreK-College
Subject: All subject areas; good
for counselors and administra-
tors also
Instructor: Carol Bahrke,
Howard-Suamico School
District, Green Bay, WI
This course is designed to provide educators pre-K through college with powerful tools for developing a classroom and school environment that fosters resilient, respectful, asset building students. The participants will leave this class with teaching tools that teach content while creating a climate in your classroom in which students will thrive. Participants will reflect on their personal and district practices as they explore current research on healthy youth and resiliency. The seven blocks of the Standards of the Heart, which are found in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Characteristics of Successful Schools, will serve as a basic framework for the class. The goals of the workshop are for educators to utilize the powerful tools for developing classroom and school environments that foster caring, responsible, and academically successful learners and explore current research that proves that building positive relationships improves academic performance and school climate.
Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed:
1, 2, 3, 4
Wisconsin Academic Standards
Addressed: Health Education A, F, G
Increasing Civic Engagement in the Classroom
Grade Levels: 6-12
Subject: Social Studies,
Integrated
Instructors: Jennifer Melville &
Tim Roehring, Kaukauna Area
School District, Kaukauna, WI
Teachers today are being asked to put a greater emphasis on the teaching of civic engagement in their social studies lesson plans. Increasing Civic Engagement in the Classroom will help teachers develop lessons and units within their curriculum that will help students learn about how one participates in civic life and in turn becomes a more active citizen.
Participants will learn about an entire class centered solely on civic engagement as well as how civic engagement can be incorporated throughout the curriculum in a variety of ways. Participants will then plan ways to increase civic engagement within their own classroom based on their target student population. During the
