Paris 2009

Pre-Conference Information

Cathryn Beerger Kaye

SERVICE LEARNING: A Formula for Relevance and Success
What brings students and teachers to life in the classroom? Can we engage students in meaningful activities that combine learning and social action, and exceed academic expectations? Join with colleagues to explore service learning strategies that bring learning to life while infusing social-emotional growth. Integrate skill development with civic involvement. Discover practical methods and interdisciplinary connections that allow students to apply critical thinking. In this highly interactive session we will cover:

Foundations of Service Learning
Literature Connections
Planning for Service Learning in Action!
Strategies for Engagement
Youth Leadership and Reflection
Materials and ideas you can put to use.

This session models how to work develop and apply analytical, creative, and practical thinking abilities with youth. Be prepared for a dynamic session!

Jack Berckemeyer

Teaching Strategies that Motivate Young Adolescents

Strategies on how to involve and motivate adolescents in the areas of spelling, reading, writing, listening and speaking will be shared. Great classroom activities that are simple to do will be demonstrated. If you are looking for some new language arts teaching techniques, then this presentation is for you! No philosophy, just laughter and great handouts will be shared.

Bill and Ochan Powell

Assessment and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom

In this interactive workshop, we will address the subject of how we evaluate student learning consistently, equitably and positively in the differentiated classroom. This will be accomplished by reviewing what aspects of the curriculum can and can’t be differentiated; and what students need to know about formative assessment. Participants will review principles of high-quality assessments and also address the issues that many teachers feel conflicted about: grading and reporting in a differentiated classroom.

Alan November

Student as Contributor: Digital Learning Farm:

Before tractors and combines, 80% of the population was involved in farming
and children made a vital contribution to the family with real chores. While
technology eventually eroded the meaningful work of children, we have enough
technology today to restore the dignity of real work in school.   All of our
students can use collaborative online tools and research and global
communications skills to add value to the learning community.

These contributions include:

    * Curriculum Review Team
    * Tutorial Creation/Organizing/Design Team
    * Global Communication Team
    * Official Scribes
    * Resource Finders
    * Technical Editors

Note from a Nebraska educator:
In essence, it is a “return to the farm” - children contributing and
collaborating. I grew up on a farm/ranch and I had meaningful work everyday
of my life. Our livelihood depended on each person doing his or her job
well, and it was vital work indeed. If I was asked to ride a horse through
blizzard conditions to pick up a newborn calf it was important that I did
so; otherwise, a calf that would eventually be worth as much as $2000 or
more dollars would die frozen in the night. Many do not have that kind of
responsibility today and that is okay, but without something to be
responsible for a child is missing the opportunity to be valued. This should
happen at home, but it can be reinforced at school as we help students,
young and old, to accept jobs that have value and substance and are
meaningful in a young person’s life in today’s busy world. The jobs Alan
mentions are simple, but they are important, and we should provide
opportunities for students to serve as they learn and learn as they serve.

Janet Allen

Inside Words: Developing a Comprehensive Vocabulary Program

If you have struggled to find a way to teach vocabulary, this session is for you.  Janet Allen will share four components of comprehensive vocabulary programs: developing word consciousness for content learning; teaching individual words; modeling strategies for independent word learning; and, increasing volume and diversity of students’ reading.  Instructional strategies will be modeled using a wide variety of nonfiction and fiction texts.  Join us as explore effective instructional strategies for helping our students learn the “insider” vocabulary they need for reading, writing and communication.

The goal for participants attending this workshop is that they would gain deeper understanding of the following components of word study:

1.  Know how to develop a comprehensive vocabulary program.
 2.  Know several instructional strategies for increasing vocabulary through building background knowledge. 
3.  Know how to teach individual words to support students' comprehension. 
4.  Know how to teach students strategies for learning words independently. 
5.  Know how to increase volume and diversity of reading to support students learning content-specific and specialized vocabulary. 
6.  Know multiple ways to assess students' understanding of and ability to use specific and appropriate language to communicate. 
7.  Know the research base to extend their knowledge of effective vocabulary instruction.

Judith Baenen

H.E.L.P. – How to Enjoy Living with a Preadolescent

The Middle grades can be a troubled and troubling time for 10-15 year-olds and their families.  Understanding the wide range of changes that young people go through during this time will help parents and teachers really enjoy this age rather than tolerate it.  Baenen, the author of NMSA’s popular H.E.L.P. booklets, will offer a humorous but researched-based look at the characteristics of middle grades students and discuss ways of accommodating these characteristics in the classroom.

Valerie Jackson and David Lynn

The Story of a City: A Journey through the Heart of Paris

What are creative ways in which to expose students to a vibrant city? How can educators draw a link between the present and the past? What are ways to make a foreign culture accessible? These are all topics that we will explore during our walking tour through the heart of Paris. The morning portion of the tour will focus on the history, culture and architecture of the Latin Quarter in the Left Bank. The tour will be based on an orientation walk and observation activity that is run each year for middle school students. Participants will have the chance to peak into famous churches and cafés, learn about the ever-changing history of the community and jump off the standard tourist circuit to witness the heart of Parisian culture. After a morning on our feet, we will stop for a midday visit to “Le Procope, est. 1686” where you will have the opportunity to dine in the same rooms as Voltaire, Robespierre, Diderot and Franklin. In the afternoon, we will explore the Right Bank, with a focus on the German occupation between 1940 and 1944. This was one the most challenging periods in the modern history of the city and help to expose the resilience and perseverance of its citizens. Throughout the day, there will be an emphasis on identifying and sharing techniques used with middle school students to maximize the learning potential of city explorations. The day will primarily be spent outside and on foot, so please be sure to bundle up and wear comfortable shoes! A bientot!

Leanne M. Dunlap

Administrator Job Alike

For the first time ELMLE is providing an opportunity for administrators to convene and discuss the issues relevant to middle level
administration. During the day long pre-conference, administrators will have a chance to network, share ideas, best practice, as well as the successes and challenges middle level administrators face. An agenda for the day will be put together by pre-conference participants in early January. Topics may include: curriculum, scheduling, evaluation practices, technology, recruitment, ESL and resource programs. A list of job alike attendees will be shared prior to the pre-conference and an
email discussion will determine the exact agenda for the day. For further information contact Leanne Dunlap at ldunlap@asw.waw.pl

Paris 2009
General Information - Hotel Information - Pre-Conference Information
Conference Program - - Featured Speakers - Presenter's Application- Registration - Group Registration
Graduate Credit - Recruiting - Exhibitor Application