PACKAGE: Common Core (40 Hours)

 

“Do you ever wonder if your students are getting what they really need from the education system?”

The Common Core Standards were formulated to ensure that students graduate from school with the essential skills they need to be successful in college and consequently, in their careers. Building towards this larger goal, there are specific standards laid out to equip teachers to cultivate the necessary skills in their students at each grade level. Very simply, these standards ensure that the education system really fulfills its purpose in students’ lives. Though teachers recognize the importance of these standards, it can be quite a challenge to actually bring them into their classroom and teaching practices in a meaningful and practical manner. This package contains a comprehensive set of courses that break these standards down into practical components teachers can implement with confidence and ease.

The Professional Learning Board presents the Common Core Package which includes EIGHT self-study courses adding up to 40 hours of professional development. Scroll down to see more information on the courses in this package.

Assessment Strategies for the Common Core

Assessments are not confined to year end tests and grades. They are meant to be a part of daily teaching and learning. Good assessments are powerful – they may be used to change the way teachers teach, students learn and sometimes even what is to be taught.

Assessment Strategies and the Common Core is an online course that will help teachers design an assessment process that will provide a reliable and valid evaluation of their students. The course also provides information on how the assessment process may be aligned to the Common Core standards. Strategies for assessing Reading and Math skills are explored in detail. Assessments may be seen as an opportunity for teacher professional development. From updating teaching strategies to modifying curriculum to tailoring instruction, assessments may be used to enable both teachers and students to stay on course to achieve their goals.

Student-Centered Learning

Have you been longing to see a group of students who are self-motivated, engaged in their learning and able to make real-world connections?

Teachers committed to real development in their students look forward to lively, stimulating and effective learning environments where their students are self-motivated, able to build on what they already know and equipped for the real-world. The Student-Centered Learning approach provides a fitting framework for building such an environment that shifts focus from the basic implementation of standardized curriculum and assignments, to a more creative, organic facilitation of subject content and student activity.

This course presents resources, research-validated strategies and practical examples to equip teachers with the necessary toolkit to seamlessly turn their classrooms into student-centered environments. Some questions answered in this course include – Why is there a need for teachers and schools to change their approach to education? How does the Student-Centered Learning approach compliment achieving the common core standards? What is the teacher’s role in this new learning environment?

This course also details principles of Student-Centered Learning, a comparison of teacher-led classrooms and student-centered classrooms, developing student-centered objectives, facets of understanding, practical teaching methods that can be used, and several online tools that will help achieve success.

Common Core Enhancing Instruction

Explore practical ways for you to integrate the Common Core Standards into your classroom instruction, to enhance your students’ learning experiences. The Common Core State Standards have set high expectations for all students that by the time they complete high school, they would be prepared to be successful in college, career and life globally in the 21st century. This course provides an insight into the roles of teachers and students in the implementation and adoption of Common Core State Standards in Schools by integration of proven strategies like collaborative learning, differentiated instruction and technology.

Common Core Mathematics for All Teachers

Math is a subject that is very connected with every other subject taught in the classroom. This course is designed to help any teacher gain confidence in areas related to mathematics and the common core. It is a great start for teachers looking to implement STEM and other models of integrated education.

Common Core Mathematics for All Teachers helps teachers understand math practices and application of math through the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). It helps teachers understand ways in which these practices can be incorporated into any classroom, explains the different ways a teacher can enhance student learning, and encourages teachers to set up their classroom in a way that increases student involvement and makes math real and fun for everyone.

Mathematics education is changing today and is no more just about solving questions on paper. It’s all about application and using math in real ways. This course will help equip Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies teachers to gain confidence in integrating math effectively in their teaching practice.
And so much more!

Common Core Raising Academic Achievement

In the past, students who were failing were often sent for special education services whether or not they really needed it. However, the education system today aims to help all students succeed in the general educational setting. In such a setting, teachers play a critical role in identifying those who are struggling to learn and succeed in academics and intervening with help. This is even more critical, as students are exposed to higher standards with the adoption of Common Core by states and school districts.

This course provides educators with information about academic interventions that can be incorporated in the classroom, through frameworks such as the RTI or even in the absence of such structures. We will deal specifically with academic interventions but will not explore the area of behavioral interventions.

Formative Assessment

Is your school moving in the right direction?

Can you tell if students are learning – how can you tell?

Brian Creasman became principal of a “low performing” high school and was confronted with these two questions. A high school classified as “low performing” obviously is not a title any teacher, administrator, student or parent wants for their school.

Out of everything (curriculum alignment, effective instructional strategies, etc.) Mr. Creasman learned that for an assessment to be effective, it should also be formative. Keep in mind that effective formative assessments result in instruction that meets the needs of each student. Formative assessments allow teachers to respond to the needs of the student quickly, however more importantly it allows the student to shape instruction (both a student-centered and teacher-driven education model).

The formative assessment program there continues and is constantly changing for the better. Once you have a well planned formative assessment program in place, your school will also see:

1) A change in the culture within classrooms
2) Concise communication of learning goals
3) Varied effective instructional methods
4) A new understanding for student learning
5) Improved student engagement with targeted student feedback
6) An increase in student learning!

Take the next step. Learn about and implement formative assessments in your school to discover and demonstrate for yourself, your students and your community what happens when a school moves in this direction and you know students are truly learning.

Integrating Standards in Teaching

Benchmarks?
Rubrics?
Assessments?
Content Standards?
Instructional Standards?
Performance Standards?

We’re told that a standards-based curriculum is suppose to increase student learning and promote higher student achievement, but what is it really all about? This course helps educators untangle what turns out to be the not-so-mysterious-language of today’s teaching and learning and put successful strategies into practice.

Standards Based Instruction through STEM

STEM integration doesn’t need a huge budget, lots of technology, or a ready-to-use curriculum. It’s something any teacher, any school and any classroom can integrate. This course teachers you how.

We understand that no one knows your students better than you. Therefore, this course is designed to equip and encourage you to integrate STEM education into your classrooms in ways that you think are most suitable for your students. You will learn how to plan your classroom set-up keeping in mind the needs of your students. You will also become confident to design your own STEM curriculum, while integrating the standards, including the Common Core Standards.

STEM education is not just about doing what’s “cool” and “in.” It is essential in today’s world that our students learn to apply what they learn in real life situations and across different subjects. The STEM model helps prepare our students for the 21st century.