Patricia Dickenson

When instruction moves online teachers need to prepare a digital space for learning, just like the physical classroom.  Designing online math instruction requires a blended approach of synchronous and asynchronous instruction coupled with distance learning activities to support exploration of concepts and development of procedural skills.  Technology tools to build students’ efficacy in math must be developmentally appropriate and aligned with student’s ability and interest.  This means online instruction must be highly personalized and accessible to all learners.   Delivering digital math instruction can be powerful with virtual manipulatives at your fingertips for teachers to model and students to demonstrate.

An unacceptable and tragic reality is that somewhere between 200,000 to 300,000 children sit in American classrooms and will be trafficked for labor or sex every year. Because of mandatory school attendance, educators are in a front-line position to identify and intervene in the lives of youth that are most at risk of being exploited. Participants in this course will learn about the scope and devastating effects of this exploitation, how to identify vulnerable students and intervene effectively. 

Many students lack the social and emotional skills that lead to success in work, community, and family life. Infusing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices is about how you teach what you teach and not something added on to the required curriculum. Through videos, articles, and our text by Dr. Bobbi Hansen (The Heart & Science of Teaching: Transformative Applications that Integrate Academic and Social-Emotional Learning)  participants in this course will cover:

• What does SEL encompass and why is it important
• What various SEL classrooms can look like
• Creating an emotionally safe environment
• Resolving student conflicts using peer mediation
• How to tap student assets
• Content accommodations for special needs
• Cooperative and collaborative learning
• Fostering community and world connections through service learning
• Nurturing students to become self-directed learners
• Cognitive and emotional engagement through projects 

The key to student success is not how well they perform on standardized tests or their ranking in school, but their ability to work hard, struggle, and persevere until they accomplish a task. Learn how to instill grit in your K-12 students through relationship building, challenging tasks, goal setting and active reflection. Students should perceive mistakes as an opportunity to grow. When taught in the classroom research suggests grit may have an impact key to long term success and happiness.

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements

When mathematics is taught with real-world lessons, students develop long-term conceptual understanding. The challenge for K-8 teachers is where and how to integrate these lessons. The three pedagogical practices of Problem-based learning, Project-based learning and Inquiry around five foundational skills for mathematics are key concepts. You will learn to create tasks rooted in a real-life connection to these concepts. Research suggests that a strong foundation in these areas is key for math success. $5 material fee due to instructor after registration