Pre-Conference Institutes | June 30, 2012  |  St. Louis, Mo.

Differentiated Mathematics: Connecting Conceptual Understanding and Engagement

"But math is different!" Maybe, but that only increases the need to understand how to differentiate instruction so that all students can be successful—even in math! This session explores the structure of differentiation, which provides teachers with a way to address student differences. The presenter will introduce ways to assess for student readiness, interest, and learning profile, as well as a means to manage and use the information. Come participate in this hands-on workshop featuring quick and easy ways to make activities that reinforce necessary skills, develop deeper conceptual understandings in math through writing KUDs (a modified Stage 1 from Understanding by Design^® framework), and engage students with a sense of fun and excitement. All activities will feature content for grades 6–12. Discussion of the "whys" of math will help teachers better understand the importance of the foundation they are creating.

Participants will

• Learn strategies to differentiate engaging and meaningful math activities and assessments.
• Develop the basis of a unit to take back and teach.

Institute Staff: Nanci Smith, Education Consultant, Cave Creek, Ariz. Registration Fee: $249 (ASCD members), $313 (nonmembers) Registration Code: PD12GE044

Effective Supervision: Applying the Art and Science of Teaching

"The purpose of supervision should be the enhancement of teachers' pedagogical skills with the ultimate goal of enhancing student achievement." This foundational principle of supervision opens Effective Supervision: Applying the Art and Science of Teaching (Marzano, Frontier, & Livingston, 2011, in press) and undergirds this ASCD-sponsored professional development program. In this session, participants will investigate and experience elements across the full range of teaching’s expanding knowledge base with priority given to four interrelated domains: Classroom Strategies and Behaviors, Planning and Preparing, Reflecting on Teaching, and Collegiality and Professionalism. 

The goal of this session is to improve your responses to one of the greatest challenges to supporting teacher growth and development: the provision of high-quality feedback in a culture of professional collaboration. This session is designed for teachers, teacher leaders, teaching teams and departments, coaches, and school- and district-level supervisors of teaching; in other words, anyone and everyone charged with the responsibility of enhancing student learning.

By the completion of this session, participants should

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the design questions of the art and Science of teaching method.
• Gain familiarity with Marzano Research Laboratory’s Observational Protocol so you can use this tool to provide focused feedback on teaching.
• Begin designing improvements in your school and district’s feedback on and supervision of teaching.

Institute Staff: David Livingston, Education Consultant, Estes, Colo. Registration Fee: $249 (ASCD members), $313 (nonmembers) Materials Fee: $22 for Effective Supervision: Supporting the Art and Science of Teaching Registration Code: PD12GE045

What Do I Do on Monday? From Unit Design to Daily Instruction

The Understanding by Design^® method (UbD™ method) offers a framework for long-term curriculum planning and unit design. Teachers live and work in the world of daily instruction. This session will bridge the two by examining how the backward design process of UbD framework affects lesson planning and daily instruction. Workshop participants will learn

• The role of lesson planning in UbD framework.
• The AMT construct for lesson planning using the WHERETO elements.
• Unique features of beginning and ending lessons.

Institute Staff: Judith Hilton, Education Consultant, Greenwood Village, Colo. Registration Fee: $249 (ASCD members), $313 (nonmembers) Registration Code: PD12GE046

Curriculum Mapping 101

The process of mapping the curriculum is a sensible approach for building a highly visible, easily accessible, and current curriculum. It is a 21st century method of curriculum development that clearly identifies the non-negotiable content and skills that must be taught and assessed, but also promotes flexibility based on teacher expertise and student need. As curriculum maps are built, it is imperative that "map and talk" sessions occur using the mapping data as a basis for discussion and analysis to build a reflective and collaborative climate.

This workshop will provide

• A step-by-step approach to curriculum mapping, including laying the foundation, implementing the process, and building maps.
• Practice templates for creating maps.
• Examples of curriculum maps to analyze and use as guides.
• Time to practice creating a map.
• Implementation planning tools.

Institute Staff: Susan Udelhofen, Education Consultant, Madison, Wis. Registration Fee: $249 (ASCD members), $313 (nonmembers) Materials Fee: $26 for Keys to Curriculum Mapping: Strategies and Tools to Make It Work Registration Code: PD12GE047

Quality Learning Performance

Since 1992, David P. Langford has helped thousands of schools in the United States and Australia improve the quality of classroom learning and achieve systemic performance. David Langford's Quality Learning tools and processes create new, dynamic K–12 learning environments. Join Langford for a one-day experience of interactive learning and vision of the future in curriculum design, student-led learning, and system thinking.

• Learn to implement student-managed, standards-based learning.
• Learn tools and processes for continual improvement.
• Create data-driven learning.

Institute Staff: David P. Langford, Education Consultant, Molt, Mont. Registration Fee: $249 (ASCD members), $313 (nonmembers) Materials Fee: $43 for Tool Time for Education and Quality Learning Performance Registration Code: PD12GE048