Workshops
(NEW) What is Underachievement in Gifted Students and How Can It Be Reversed? (K-12)
Participants will take an in-depth look at underachievement in the gifted student, what causes it and explore strategies that can be used to reverse it. Participants will create a reversal plan for a student based upon knowledge learned from the training. Each participant will receive a resource/workbook.
(NEW) Creating a Student Portfolio to use in Identification of the Gifted Student (K-5)
Participants will gain an understanding of what makes up a good portfolio to use in the identification process. Each participant will establish the criteria and create a rubric to use when evaluating work in a portfolio. Characteristics and types of giftedness will be reviewed. Student examples of work will be used to help in this process. Each participant will receive a resource/workbook.
(NEW) Using Lapbooks as a Teaching Tool for Thematic Units (K-8)
Participants will explore the use of student lapbooks as a teaching tool. Needed skills will be discussed and foldables made that address those skills. Each participant will choose a unit they wish to teach and create a lapbook to go along with the unit. Please bring any resources needed to create the lapbook. All supplies will be furnished and a resource book with foldable directions.
(NEW) Differentiation through Project Based Learning (K-8)
Explore how to use project based learning as a strategy to differentiate for the gifted student. Participants will develop a project based learning unit to use in the classroom. A resource book is included in this training.
Increase Rigor for G/T Students with RtI (K-12)
If you are looking for ways to increase the performance of your district's top students, this is the workshop for you. Presenters will show teachers how to use the Response to Intervention (RtI) model with the gifted student. Tiers I, II, and III will be fully explained with examples of intervention at each level. Many research-based strategies and classroom management strategies will be discussed including: critical and creative thinking, Bloom’s higher order questions, depth and complexity, and research and independent projects. (K-12)
Sticky Business (5-12) Very Popular Workshop!
Sticky Business is a workshop designed to teach a unit over business and entrepreneurship. Teachers will learn how to make duct tape products, create a market plan, work with advertising methods, and learn how to use a simple accounting method in order to teach students the principles of business. This unit was taught and proved to be a very successful and real-life experience for the students.
Creative Ways to Teach (Different topic choices listed below in description)
Motivating students to learn sometimes requires great creativity on the teacher’s part. The following topics include ways to excite students about learning. Many research-based strategies are used in these workshops.
Creative Experiences in Science…Insects (Grades 3-5), Oceans (Grades 3-5), Marine Life (Grades 3-5), Our Earth (Grades 3-5), Water (Grades K-3), Customs and Traditions Around the World (K-4), Plants (1-5), Animals (1-3), Solar System (1-3)
Teaching Research Skills Using the Five Step Process and Research Portfolios
Teachers are reluctant to teach students how to research; however, using the five step process makes research skills easier to teach and learn. These workshops offer teachers ways to implement research skills into their curriculum using motivating activities that will excite students about research. Each of the following topics involves separate workshops that address research skills:
Weather ( Grades K-2), Dinosaurs (Grades K-2), Animals (Grades K-3), Famous People (Grades 1-3), Our Solar System (Grades 1-3), Historical Figures (Grades 1-5), Inventors and Their Inventions (Grades 3-5) Famous Explorers (Grades 3-5), and Ancient Civilizations (Grades 5-8).
Motivating Students in Social Studies
Social Studies made exciting through many teaching strategies and activities that excite the students. The following topics are addressed in these individual workshops:
A Creative Look at: Famous Explorers, Native Americans, Colonial Life, Pioneer Life (1-5), Historical Figures (1-5), Texas History for Elementary Students (Grades 3-5), Texas History for Middle School Students (Grades 6-8), and U.S. History for Middle School Students (Grades 6-8).
Differentiation for the Gifted Student (K-8)
Differentiation for the gifted student in a regular classroom setting is a challenge. This workshops shows the audience how to differentiate using best practices strategies such as RTI for the gifted student, Texas Performance Standards Project, research skills, products/presentations, and many other as well as examples of successfully completed projects by students at all grade levels.
The Ins and Outs of Products #1 (Grades K-8)
Explore the world of student products. Learn how to achieve high quality products from students. Evaluate products and see how they fit into the Texas Performance Standards Project. This workshop presents many ways for teachers to differentiate for the gifted child, also. Participants will make product examples that can be taken back to the classroom and shared with the students.
The Ins and Outs of Products #2 (Grades K-8)
This workshop builds upon Products #1 by adding more product ideas mixed with various teaching strategies that address classroom needs. It provides more ways to differentiate for the gifted student.
Projects, Portfolios and Foldables! (K-5), (6-8)
Research projects, portfolios and foldables that will excite students. Participants will be exposed to the five step plan for research, then create a portfolio full of foldable activities that makes the research process exciting for students.
Projects and Foldables (K-5), (6-8)
Excite students about learning with foldables and project ideas. Many foldables will be made and examples shared of how they can be used in the classroom. Project lapbooks will be introduced, and made, to increase motivation and retention of new learning.
Advanced Level Projects: How to Achieve Them (K-8)
What are advanced level projects and how do we get them from our students? Participants will explore what advanced level projects are, look at examples of some, and make examples of project ideas that can be shared with students. Some projects are examples of completed Texas Performance Standards Projects.
Explore the Middle Ages Using Advanced Level Activities (Grades 5-8)
This workshops shows participants how to present the Middle Ages to students in grades 5-8 through the use of advanced-level skills and products. The Middle Ages unit presents topics such as knights, peasants’ and nobles’ lives, Joan of Arc, technology and medicine, and trades and crafts. Participants will make many foldables that can be used in teaching this unit.
Explore the Renaissance Using Advanced Level Activities (6-12)
The Renaissance Era was an exciting, yet dark period of history. Participants will be shown how to challenge students in exploring the architecture, literature, science and technology, exploration and trade, and Renaissance Cities by using advanced level activities. Many foldable ideas will be presented that can be used by students to present their acquired new knowledge.
Creativity: What is it and How Do We Develop It? (K-8)
Participants will be introduced to what creativity is and exposed to many different activities that will enhance it. Participants will leave with many ideas and hands-on activities that can be used in their classrooms.
Differentiation for the Gifted Students with Learning Centers or Using Learning Centers to Add Rigor to the Regular Classroom (K-8, High School)
Differentiation for the gifted is increasingly being addressed in the regular classroom. Strategies and activities presented in this workshop will build an understanding of what true enrichment activities are and how to incorporate them into the regular curriculum. Participants need to bring curriculum that will be taught in the classroom to use as a resource in writing advanced-level activities for their own learning centers. Some foldable ideas will be presented and made by participants.
30 Hours of G/T Training (K-12)
Day 1: Nature and Needs of Gifted Students
Day 2: Assessment and Program Development of the Gifted
Day 3: Texas Performance Standards Project, a possible accountability measure for gifted programs
Day 4: Depth and Complexity and how to implement it in the classroom with the gifted child
Day 5: Differentiation Strategies for the gifted child in a regular classroom
Texas Performance Standards Project: How to Make it Work in Your Classroom! (K-8) (High School)
The Texas Performance Standards Project fulfills the needs of gifted students. It is also an option to meet the state requirements for an accountability measure for gifted students which is now a state law. Participants will learn about how to create a task within their classroom, teaching materials they usually teach each year. The TPSP is research based curriculum which students work through individual research projects with a product and presentation at the end of the task.
Let's Get Our Hands On Depth and Complexity
Participants will develop and understanding of Sandra Kaplan's Depth and Complexity through hands-on activities. Each participant will develop a lapbook of foldables that relate to a topic using each of the Depth and Complexity elements. Participants will also receive a workbook to help create their lapbook.
What Do We do with That Research? Understanding the Process, Product and Presentation of a Research Project.
(K-2, 3-5, 6-12)
Participants will be led through the entire research project using the five-step research process. Steps include different foldables that can be used to show the guiding questions, resources, different perspectives, and products. Participants will be shown ways to help students use the new learning in the "what now" step of the process. The entire process is tied to the TPSP and its assessment rubric. An in-depth explanation of the assessment will be intertwined throughout the training.
Foundations for the Gifted Student (K-5)
Participants will be introduced to research based skills needed by all gifted students in order for them to meet their potential. Many curriculum strategies will be shared with participants in a "hands-on" approach to learning. Participants will leave with several examples to use in their classrooms.
Participants will take an in-depth look at underachievement in the gifted student, what causes it and explore strategies that can be used to reverse it. Participants will create a reversal plan for a student based upon knowledge learned from the training. Each participant will receive a resource/workbook.
(NEW) Creating a Student Portfolio to use in Identification of the Gifted Student (K-5)
Participants will gain an understanding of what makes up a good portfolio to use in the identification process. Each participant will establish the criteria and create a rubric to use when evaluating work in a portfolio. Characteristics and types of giftedness will be reviewed. Student examples of work will be used to help in this process. Each participant will receive a resource/workbook.
(NEW) Using Lapbooks as a Teaching Tool for Thematic Units (K-8)
Participants will explore the use of student lapbooks as a teaching tool. Needed skills will be discussed and foldables made that address those skills. Each participant will choose a unit they wish to teach and create a lapbook to go along with the unit. Please bring any resources needed to create the lapbook. All supplies will be furnished and a resource book with foldable directions.
(NEW) Differentiation through Project Based Learning (K-8)
Explore how to use project based learning as a strategy to differentiate for the gifted student. Participants will develop a project based learning unit to use in the classroom. A resource book is included in this training.
Increase Rigor for G/T Students with RtI (K-12)
If you are looking for ways to increase the performance of your district's top students, this is the workshop for you. Presenters will show teachers how to use the Response to Intervention (RtI) model with the gifted student. Tiers I, II, and III will be fully explained with examples of intervention at each level. Many research-based strategies and classroom management strategies will be discussed including: critical and creative thinking, Bloom’s higher order questions, depth and complexity, and research and independent projects. (K-12)
Sticky Business (5-12) Very Popular Workshop!
Sticky Business is a workshop designed to teach a unit over business and entrepreneurship. Teachers will learn how to make duct tape products, create a market plan, work with advertising methods, and learn how to use a simple accounting method in order to teach students the principles of business. This unit was taught and proved to be a very successful and real-life experience for the students.
Creative Ways to Teach (Different topic choices listed below in description)
Motivating students to learn sometimes requires great creativity on the teacher’s part. The following topics include ways to excite students about learning. Many research-based strategies are used in these workshops.
Creative Experiences in Science…Insects (Grades 3-5), Oceans (Grades 3-5), Marine Life (Grades 3-5), Our Earth (Grades 3-5), Water (Grades K-3), Customs and Traditions Around the World (K-4), Plants (1-5), Animals (1-3), Solar System (1-3)
Teaching Research Skills Using the Five Step Process and Research Portfolios
Teachers are reluctant to teach students how to research; however, using the five step process makes research skills easier to teach and learn. These workshops offer teachers ways to implement research skills into their curriculum using motivating activities that will excite students about research. Each of the following topics involves separate workshops that address research skills:
Weather ( Grades K-2), Dinosaurs (Grades K-2), Animals (Grades K-3), Famous People (Grades 1-3), Our Solar System (Grades 1-3), Historical Figures (Grades 1-5), Inventors and Their Inventions (Grades 3-5) Famous Explorers (Grades 3-5), and Ancient Civilizations (Grades 5-8).
Motivating Students in Social Studies
Social Studies made exciting through many teaching strategies and activities that excite the students. The following topics are addressed in these individual workshops:
A Creative Look at: Famous Explorers, Native Americans, Colonial Life, Pioneer Life (1-5), Historical Figures (1-5), Texas History for Elementary Students (Grades 3-5), Texas History for Middle School Students (Grades 6-8), and U.S. History for Middle School Students (Grades 6-8).
Differentiation for the Gifted Student (K-8)
Differentiation for the gifted student in a regular classroom setting is a challenge. This workshops shows the audience how to differentiate using best practices strategies such as RTI for the gifted student, Texas Performance Standards Project, research skills, products/presentations, and many other as well as examples of successfully completed projects by students at all grade levels.
The Ins and Outs of Products #1 (Grades K-8)
Explore the world of student products. Learn how to achieve high quality products from students. Evaluate products and see how they fit into the Texas Performance Standards Project. This workshop presents many ways for teachers to differentiate for the gifted child, also. Participants will make product examples that can be taken back to the classroom and shared with the students.
The Ins and Outs of Products #2 (Grades K-8)
This workshop builds upon Products #1 by adding more product ideas mixed with various teaching strategies that address classroom needs. It provides more ways to differentiate for the gifted student.
Projects, Portfolios and Foldables! (K-5), (6-8)
Research projects, portfolios and foldables that will excite students. Participants will be exposed to the five step plan for research, then create a portfolio full of foldable activities that makes the research process exciting for students.
Projects and Foldables (K-5), (6-8)
Excite students about learning with foldables and project ideas. Many foldables will be made and examples shared of how they can be used in the classroom. Project lapbooks will be introduced, and made, to increase motivation and retention of new learning.
Advanced Level Projects: How to Achieve Them (K-8)
What are advanced level projects and how do we get them from our students? Participants will explore what advanced level projects are, look at examples of some, and make examples of project ideas that can be shared with students. Some projects are examples of completed Texas Performance Standards Projects.
Explore the Middle Ages Using Advanced Level Activities (Grades 5-8)
This workshops shows participants how to present the Middle Ages to students in grades 5-8 through the use of advanced-level skills and products. The Middle Ages unit presents topics such as knights, peasants’ and nobles’ lives, Joan of Arc, technology and medicine, and trades and crafts. Participants will make many foldables that can be used in teaching this unit.
Explore the Renaissance Using Advanced Level Activities (6-12)
The Renaissance Era was an exciting, yet dark period of history. Participants will be shown how to challenge students in exploring the architecture, literature, science and technology, exploration and trade, and Renaissance Cities by using advanced level activities. Many foldable ideas will be presented that can be used by students to present their acquired new knowledge.
Creativity: What is it and How Do We Develop It? (K-8)
Participants will be introduced to what creativity is and exposed to many different activities that will enhance it. Participants will leave with many ideas and hands-on activities that can be used in their classrooms.
Differentiation for the Gifted Students with Learning Centers or Using Learning Centers to Add Rigor to the Regular Classroom (K-8, High School)
Differentiation for the gifted is increasingly being addressed in the regular classroom. Strategies and activities presented in this workshop will build an understanding of what true enrichment activities are and how to incorporate them into the regular curriculum. Participants need to bring curriculum that will be taught in the classroom to use as a resource in writing advanced-level activities for their own learning centers. Some foldable ideas will be presented and made by participants.
30 Hours of G/T Training (K-12)
Day 1: Nature and Needs of Gifted Students
Day 2: Assessment and Program Development of the Gifted
Day 3: Texas Performance Standards Project, a possible accountability measure for gifted programs
Day 4: Depth and Complexity and how to implement it in the classroom with the gifted child
Day 5: Differentiation Strategies for the gifted child in a regular classroom
Texas Performance Standards Project: How to Make it Work in Your Classroom! (K-8) (High School)
The Texas Performance Standards Project fulfills the needs of gifted students. It is also an option to meet the state requirements for an accountability measure for gifted students which is now a state law. Participants will learn about how to create a task within their classroom, teaching materials they usually teach each year. The TPSP is research based curriculum which students work through individual research projects with a product and presentation at the end of the task.
Let's Get Our Hands On Depth and Complexity
Participants will develop and understanding of Sandra Kaplan's Depth and Complexity through hands-on activities. Each participant will develop a lapbook of foldables that relate to a topic using each of the Depth and Complexity elements. Participants will also receive a workbook to help create their lapbook.
What Do We do with That Research? Understanding the Process, Product and Presentation of a Research Project.
(K-2, 3-5, 6-12)
Participants will be led through the entire research project using the five-step research process. Steps include different foldables that can be used to show the guiding questions, resources, different perspectives, and products. Participants will be shown ways to help students use the new learning in the "what now" step of the process. The entire process is tied to the TPSP and its assessment rubric. An in-depth explanation of the assessment will be intertwined throughout the training.
Foundations for the Gifted Student (K-5)
Participants will be introduced to research based skills needed by all gifted students in order for them to meet their potential. Many curriculum strategies will be shared with participants in a "hands-on" approach to learning. Participants will leave with several examples to use in their classrooms.
Austin Creek Education Systems: Dr. Cecelia Boswell www.austin-creek.com
Julie Browning Education Workshops
Bronwen Choate & Ellen Morris Workshops