Professional Day Overview January 29, 2010

1. Professional Day OverviewJanuary 29, 2010 Cambrian School District February 23, 2010 L. Potts

2. Purpose • Provide high quality, useful, differentiated professional development opportunity for teachers • Support ongoing work • Hone art and science of teaching • Engage in new ideas • Provide teacher choice as to selected sessions • Survey in late November • Results tallied and top sessions provided

3. Sessions Offered • Elementary • Half day • Classworks • Envision Math Technology • Step Up to Writing (4-8) • Google Apps/Word • Handling Disruptive Behaviors in the Classroom • Full Day • Junior Great Books • Middle School • Morning: Google Apps/Word • Semester Planning

4. Classworks • Description • Efficient use of Classworks software program to read and create reports from student participation • Presenters • Matt Jarrett and Erick Porter, Cambrian teachers • Participants--19 • Evaluations • Very positive. Time to actually work with software, review effective use in classroom, new ways to produce useful reports, align Classworks with standards, share other high quality websites, engaging presenters • Suggestions: Further review of other websites, ongoing computer training

5. Envision Math Tech Tools • Description • Effective use of technology enhancements of math program • Presenter • Ashley Tarquin, TOSA, Encinitas School District • Participants--33 • Evaluations • Very positive. Learn/review use of online tests, effective use of data to differentiate, home access and use, classroom multimedia use, computer for all participants to use, more comfortable with program, flexibility of presenter • Suggestions: Offer two sessions, tutorial for beginners and work session with coaching for those familiar with program, participants have accounts already set up

6. Step up to Writing • Description • Brush up on Step Up to Writing skill set. • Presenter • Maria Smith, Teacher/Trainer, Berryessa School District • Participants—13, including 3 Price teachers • Evaluations • Very Positive. Review of breaking writing into smaller chunks, especially for multi-paragraph narratives, use of outlines, note taking strategies, incorporation of Kagan strategies, differentiation possibilities, upbeat presenter • Suggestions: Offer follow up session with emphasis on personal narratives, district wide grade level collaboration

7. Google Apps/Word 7 • Description • Google Apps--Introduction to Google Apps as a way for teachers and students to file and save documents on the web and collaborate in document creation • Word 7—Review of effective use of new tools available • Presenters • Google Apps—Chris Heumann, Teacher/Trainer in Sunnyvale School District • Word 7—Stacy Brown, Price parent • Participants • Most Price teachers in morning • 30 elementary in afternoon

8. Google Apps/Word 7 • Evaluations—Google Apps • Elementary—Introduction, Middle School—follow up • Very Positive. Collaborative tools and information, document sharing ideas, explore uses in classroom, interactive session with computers, exciting possibilities, working in pairs, knowledgeable presenter • Suggestions: More PD with Google Apps to learn all components, opportunities to collaborate and explore with grade level teams, Cambrian teachers share best practice ideas, before session make sure all participants are signed up to save time

9. Google Apps/Word 7 • Evaluations—Word 7 • Very Positive. Ways to improve communication with families, understanding templates and graphics, shortcuts, advanced options with Outlook, useful handout, tricks for creating class documents, hands on approach, informative presenter • Suggestions: Offer workshop before school begins to help ensure better use, more afternoon choices, similar workshops with PowerPoint and Excel

10. Handling Disruptive Behavior • Description • Practical, effective ways to prevent and respond to difficult student behaviors and teach positive replacement behaviors • Presenters • Mike Slone, Director of Student Services; Janice Yamamoto, Saratoga School District and Cambrian teachers • Participants--31 • Evaluations • Very Positive. Proactive training, behavior as opportunity to teach, able to apply many practical strategies right away, diagnose and manage a behavior, effective use of reinforcement vs. punishment, key aspects of the law, experienced presenters • Suggestions: More similar type of PD, cross grade level discussions, provide more specific ideas, continue to include support staff

11. Junior Great Books • Description • Introduction to Junior Great Books program using high quality open-ended literature as well as how to lead inquiry-based techniques for deep meaningful discussions. • Presenters • Mike Elsey, Trainer with Junior Great Books • Participants--40 • Evaluations • Very Positive. Shared inquiry discussion process adds key component for improved reading comprehension, students have opportunity to share thoughts in non-judgmental atmosphere, students have opportunities to reflect and respond, students supporting ideas with evidence, practice with skills during session, engaging presenter • Suggestions: Clarify online pilot component and expectations prior to sign up for session, grade level collaboration and sharing, split K-1 from 2-5, follow up after using for awhile

12. Next Steps • Support teachers in continued use and implementation of the tools and trainings offered during PD • Continue to offer high level PD that includes teacher input, choice, and honest evaluations • Follow up with suggestions for more training and follow up sessions as well as grade level collaboration opportunities • Explore sessions geared toward K as well as Special Education • Continue to tap into experience and expertise of Cambrian teachers