Eighth Annual Corning Middle Level Institute

You are invited to join your middle-level colleagues from across New York State at the eighth annual NYSMSA/CMoG Middle-Level Institute, June 28 & 29.

The New York State Middle School Association and The Corning Museum of Glass are proud to host the eighth annual NYSMSA/CMoG Middle-Level Institute in Corning, New York. The Institute will be held at The Corning Museum of Glass’s ultra-modern facility. In addition to receiving ten hours of intensive hands-on middle-level instruction, participants will be able to explore the glass exhibits that extend back to antiquity. Participants will exercise their own creativity with a hands-on glass project.

Participants will select and participate in one of six instructional strands being offered by practitioner experts. Each session will provide participants with the tools needed to apply what is taught in practical ways. Instruction will include hands-on components with twenty-five or fewer individuals in each session.

Registrations will be accepted on a “first come, first served” basis in order to prevent over-subscription to individual sessions. Click here to register. Everyone registering for the Institute should complete an individual on-line registration form. The registration fee is $395 per person and covers participation in workshops and other activities identified in the brochure. The on-line registration must be completed by June 18, 2010. A late fee of $50 will be added to registrations completed after that date.

Special activities have also been scheduled to encourage socialization and networking. We are hopeful that in addition to gaining cutting-edge middle-level education skills and learning of current research in the field, both instructors and participants will form lasting collegial networks that will support new and creative middle-level instructional endeavors long into the future.

Instructional Strand Descriptions:

Solving the Problem with Mathematical Problem Solving:
Ideas, Resources, and Activities to Engage Students
Session A
Presenter: Mary Behr Altieri 

Overview of the Workshop:
It is an atypical middle-level student who loves solving mathematical problems. Whether they be of the boring word problem variety or tantalizing brain teasers, problems tend to be the bane of the existence of many if not most. In order to truly engage more students in a process that will benefit them at this level, and in their real lives, we must attend to both the affective and cognitive domains. This workshop will provide teachers an opportunity to engage in the problem-solving process themselves, as well as develop a repertoire of activities for their students.
Goals:
• Engage in, and reflect on, problem solving as a process.
• Become familiar with research results that speak to middle-level teaching and learning in the area of mathematical problem solving.
• Apply knowledge of problem-solving processes to individual and group work.
• Develop a catalog of print and web resources for teacher and student use.
• Build a “library” of differentiated and engaging activities and problems.
Learning Outcomes:
Teachers become better problem-solving teachers when they become better problem solvers. Participants will walk away from this workshop with new knowledge and greater understanding of the problem-solving process and, more importantly, they will have become better problem solvers. Because they attended to and communicated about their own processes, they will have gained invaluable appreciation for differences in student thinking. In addition participants will have increased their repertoire of activities that produce positive affective and cognitive results.
About the Presenter:
Mary Behr Altieri is a recognized speaker and workshop leader at the state and national level. Mary has taught students from primary grades through college in her public school career. Mary’s work in elementary and middle school earned her a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. She received the Distinguished Service Award for her work with the Association of Mathematics Teachers of NYS. Mary’s continuing efforts focus on helping teachers teach more and better mathematics in increasingly challenging environments. Passion for this work and a sense of humor combine to make Mary’s workshops productive and enjoyable learning experiences.

For more information about this workshop, please contact Mary Behr Altieri:
SUMTCHRINC@gmail.com
Voice: 845 528 3912 956 Peekskill Hollow Road
845 661 1197 (cell) Putnam Valley NY 10579

Reaching the Brain Through the Heart: 12 Keys for Linking the Essential Elements and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to Increase Academics
Session B
Presenters: Ms. Cindy Kline and Dr. Paul Vermette

Overview of Workshop
Adolescent students face a barrage of daily decisions that could cause faint-of-heart adults to cower in fear. Yet each day they persist in their various roles: student, sister daughter, friend, confidant, teammate, etc. Armed with only their over-active adrenal glands, underdeveloped cerebral cortex, and the influence of others, they move through their days making thousands of decisions with varying degrees of success.

As educators, we must face the realities of our students’ lives, and embrace the opportunity to develop their whole being. Our mission statements include it. NYSED Standards and Regulations call for it. The Essential Elements of Middle Level Education are centered around it. Parents, our communities, the global world require it. Our students cannot live successfully without it.

Emerging research says that if we attend to students’ affective and cognitive dimensions, we can expect significant increases in academic achievement. Research further suggests that this be done explicitly, systematically and gradually to maximize gain. This workshop explores multiple resources available to facilitate implementation of such SEL strategies.

Learning Objectives
• Examine synthesis of Elias’ 10 principles for SEL (2003) and Vermette’s ENGAGING Framework (2009) for fostering student achievement.
• Examine the role of the Essential Elements for Middle Level Education in teaching the whole child.
• Identify, examine and apply the 12 Keys, creating applications of the synthesis specific to their realm of responsibility.

Learning Outcome
Participants will leave with 12 Keys to improving student achievement (including many practical applications) for implementation in their respective schools and roles.

About the Presenters
Ms. Kline is a Spanish and SEL teacher at Dominic Savio MS in Niagara Falls. She presents on SEL and the “Dual Objective” at conferences around NY, has served as Co-Coordinator of the Summer Workshop of the Institute for Learner Centered Education, and is currently on its Board of Directors. Dr. Vermette is in his 25th year as a teacher-educator at Niagara University and is the honored recipient of the Neal Appleby Teacher-Educator Award for 2006. His presentations and publications are numerous, with his most recent book being entitled, “ENGAGING Teens in Their Own Learning.” Working together, they have conducted over a dozen workshops on SEDL in the past two years.

For more information about this workshop, please contact:
Dr. Paul Vermette – pjv@niagara.edu
Cindy Kline cmckline@roadrunner.com
 

Teaching Strategies with the Teenage Brain in Mind
Highlighting the Differences of How Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Session C
Presenter: Vivian Demers-Jagoda

Overview of the Workshop: The most recent neuro-scientific studies indicate that the pre-frontal lobe, white matter maturation and cortical thickness of the teenage brain should guide curriculum and instruction.
Learning Outcomes:
Join us as we consider these factors that influence students’ attention, problem solving and emotional control and apply the recent research on gender differences
• The brain, not hormones, is to blame for the inexplicable behavior of teens
• The teen brain is particularly susceptible to novelty
• The burst of growth in the frontal lobes mean that teens overcomplicate problems, idealize the world and say one thing while doing another
• The development of the parietal lobes help teen athletes improve their pace and teen musicians improve their beat
• Physical movement helps the cerebellum develop, thereby helping teens improve their cognitive processing skills
• Teens crave structure and organization in spite of their attraction to novelty
• Teen value adult influence even though they complain about it
• Teenagers will climb the moral ladder only after their frontal lobes develop
• Boy brains and girl brains really are different-it’s not just socialization
• Teens experience emotions before they can verbally articulate them
• Teenage self-awareness and teenage self-consciousness go hand-in-hand
• Testosterone and estrogen are found all over the brain during puberty
• Deficits and excesses of serotonin-the “take it easy” neurotransmitter- contribute to teen depression and eating disorders
• Melatonin changes the sleep patterns of teenagers
• Teens are very susceptible to the dopamine rushes that come with taking risks
• Teens have trouble anticipating the consequences of their behavior because they rely more on emotional “amygdale” than their rational frontal lobe.
About the Presenter:
Vivian Demers-Jagoda was an educator at Orchard Park Middle School for over 30 years. She was named NYS Teacher of the Year finalist in 1997, was selected Citizen of the Year in Education by a Buffalo newspaper, and received a Senate Award from NY for her innovation in teaching practices. Vivian has served an 8-year term on the NYS Professional Standards and Practices Board for SED, chairing the Professional Practices Committee. She was a featured presenter at the National Differentiated Learning Conference in Las Vegas, and ASCD Conference in New Orleans. Presently, Vivian is a staff developer for the NMSA on-site cadre.

For more information on this workshop please contact:
Vivian Demers-Jagoda at vdemjag@netscape.net

Practical Methods for Implementing
SED’s Seven Essential Elements in your School and its Classrooms
Session D
Presenters: Olivia Sutton, Carl Christensen, Mark Fish, and Terry Quinn

Overview of the Workshop:
In July of 2003 the New York State Board of Regents issued its policy statement on middle level education. The statement declared that the seven Essential Elements must be in place in all middle-level grades in New York State.

A variety of resources have been developed to share the Essential Elements with New York State educators and to guide implementation action in schools throughout the state. This workshop focuses on the Essential Elements and these resources.

Teachers and administrators in attendance will explore a variety of existing resources designed to help schools successfully move along a continuum that ends with full implementation of the seven Essential Elements in their schools with measurably positive results. Points of improvement along this continuum will be explored and authentic school examples will be shared. Attendees will leave with a practical road map for full implementation of the Essential Elements in their own school.

Learning Objectives:
• Understand the seven Essential Elements that guide New York State middle-level schools.
• Explore resources designed to guide implementation of the Essential Elements in schools and classrooms.
• Understand how to use the Essential Elements as a school improvement tool.

Participants will learn to:
• Use the Essential Elements of Standards-Focused Middle-Level Schools and Programs of New York State as guidance to deliver research-based, proven programs for early adolescents.
• Access a variety of resources designed to lead a school toward full implementation of SED’s Essential Elements.
• Measure success along the Essential Elements implementation continuum.

About the Presenters:
All four presenters work in schools designated NYS Essential Elements: Schools to Watch. Olivia Sutton is an ELA Teacher at Oliver W. Winch Middle School and Acting Region V Director for NYSMSA. Carl Christensen is the principal of Victor Junior High School and is Alternate Region 1 Director for NYSMSA. Mark Fish is the principal of Oliver W. Winch Middle School and serves as NYSMSA secretary. Terry Quinn was the principal of Twelve Corners Middle School and is Region 1 Director for NYSMSA. All have been leaders at the middle level for a number of years.

For more information on this workshop please contact:
Olivia Sutton at sutton@NYSMSA.org
Mark Fish at fish@NYSMSA.org
Terry Quinn at quinn@NYSMSA.org
Carl Christensen at christensenc@victorschools.org 

Best Practices with Technology Tools in the Classroom:
Leading and Learning with Web 2.0
Session E
Presenter: Jeff Craig

Overview of the Workshop:
There are many technology tools available to middle-level leaders - - tools that leaders should know and use. Leaders should know these Web 2.0 tools to model for their school community and because the tools can help us do a better job. Educators need to understand the power of these tools in order to engage students in authentic, relevant, and meaningful work in school. This workshop is all about learning the tools and how to use them to be better leaders.

After setting the stage with the rationale for knowing and using Web 2.0 tools in schools, participants will learn about dozens of useful tools, set up accounts for these tools, and begin using them. If a participant is using a particular tool she/he will be encouraged to share his/her experience with others in the workshop. Lastly, advice about overcoming the barriers to technology in schools will be addressed.

Learning Standards Include:
• What are the characteristics of our students (with regard to technology)?
• What does a leader need to know (with regard to technology)?
• How can I overcome obstacles to the use of technology in my school?
• What are the Web 2.0 tools and how can I use them in my work?

Learning Outcomes:
Participants will leave this workshop with a toolbox full of Web 2.0 tools to use in their own work and to share with colleagues. Participants will also have a greater understanding of the importance of technology in schools and will be armed with some strategies to overcome obstacles.

NOTE: Participants must bring an Internet-capable laptop to this session in order to participate in the learning.

About the Presenter:
Jeff Craig is recognized as an instructional leader, based on his work in his middle school and with other middle-level leaders around the state. In his current work as an Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Support and as Director of Research and technology for NYSMSA he uses a variety of Web 2.0 tools in his daily work. A frequent presenter on such topics as Leadership, the Essential Elements, Teams, Integrated Studies, Flexible Block Scheduling, and now technology, his efforts have been focused on helping leaders to build cultures of continuous improvement. His enthusiasm and energy are juxtaposed with experience and insight – resulting in a productive, engaging workshop.

For more information on this workshop please contact Jeff Craig at:
craig@nysmsa.org
twitter: jeffcraig37
Voice (315) 433-2624

Classroom Management and Student Motivation Strategies That Work
Session F
Presenter: Jack Berckemeyer

Overview of the Workshop:

Are you looking for ideas to help deal with classroom disruptions? Are you tired of constantly being interrupted? This session will provide some practical ideas that you can use to help with classroom behavioral issues. Find out how your room structure can make a difference. Discover other methods of getting a class to simmer down. Realistic examples will be shared along with teaching strategies that keep young adolescents motivated and on-task. Be prepared to share, learn, and participate. Who knows? You might be leading a group as they do a skit. Tons of engaging lessons will be shared; no philosophy, just practical hands-on activities and process.

Learning Outcomes:

• Discover why young adolescents interrupt a classroom.
• Create strategies that meet the needs of young adolescents.
• Participate in activities that can be used in your classroom.
• Share strategies that help decrease classroom management issues.
• Increase your knowledge of adolescent development.

About the Presenter:

Jack Berckemeyer is a nationally-recognized presenter, author, and humorist. He began his career as a middle school teacher in Denver, Colorado where he was named as an outstanding educator. Jack has presented both nationally and internationally.

Jack served as the Assistant Executive Director for the National Middle School Association for 13 years and is the author of Managing the Madness- A practical guide to Middle Grades Classrooms. Jack is currently the Director of professional development for Incentive Publications and coordinates the NUTS and BOLTS Symposiums located in Destin, Florida and Boulder, Colorado.

He is the co-author of H.E.L.P. for Teachers and the professional development kit, The Why, What and How of Student-Led Conferences. Jack served as a judge for the Disney American Teacher Awards and the selection committee for the USA Today All Teacher Team.

For more information on this workshop please contact:
Jack Berckemeyer at jberckemeyer@yahoo.com

Tentative Program Schedule

Monday, June 28

8:00 - 8:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast and Registration

8:45 - 9:00 Welcome and Introductions

9:00 - 12:30 Education Programs at CMoG *Followed immediately by start of Workshops*
CMoG Education staff will introduce participants to Museum resources that relate directly to their subject/interest areas.  Participants will then go to individual workshop locations on the Museum campus.

12:30 -1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own – Excellent choices are available at  the Museum Coffee Bar and Glassmarket Café.

1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Workshops (cont.)

Break time: FUN WITH GLASS – Make your own glass art!

Participants will make fused glass art by combining colorful pieces of glass to create pictures or patterns. Starting with a piece of glass that will be used as a “canvas” or base for the project, pre-cut shapes, glass stringers, and “bits” of glass will be layered to create unique designs. This process is similar to stained glass, but instead of soldering the pieces together they are melted or “fused” together in the kiln. You will receive your finished artwork on Tuesday.

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Reception and tour at The Rockwell Museum of Western Art. Enjoy refreshments and tour one of the finest collections of American Western and Native American art.

Tuesday, June 29

8:15 - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 – 12:00 Workshops (cont.)

12:10 – 12:30 “You Design It; We Make It” Hot Glass Show

12:30- 1:30 Picnic Time to kick back, relax and chat with colleagues.

1:30 – 3:30 Workshops Participants who are present for the full 2 days of  the program will receive a 10-hour professional development certificate of completion.

3:30-3:50 Closing Activities Win the raffle and you’ll take home a  beautiful piece of blown glass created by the Museum’s Hot Glass Show gaffers.