PD & Instruction

Cognitive science suggests that children learn best through experiential, hands-on activities and that their brains develop at very different rates in the early grades. Play is an important stress reliever for young children, but it also teaches important interpersonal skills and is considered essential for healthy brain development.
Surveys conducted by CEA’s Commission on Instruction and Professional Development found that children in grades K–2 are under significantly more pressure than in the past. Demanding academic programs coupled with increasing time on direct instruction in the early grades has resulted in less time for play and hands-on learning. This shift appears to be contributing to unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and aggression in young children, especially among boys, low-income students, EL students, and students with disabilities.

This research-based workshop reviews developmentally appropriate instructional strategies for students in the early elementary grades and provides practical examples of hands-on, play-based learning activities that reduce stress, develop executive function, and enhance the learning environment for our youngest learners.

This workshop is designed for teachers of all levels and focuses on encouraging students to gradually take ownership over their learning goals and take a more active role in achieving them. Practical classroom tools include total class participation strategies, student-generated performance rubrics, student-led parent conferences, and more.

Homework is a hot topic. When relevant, carefully designed, and given in moderation, homework has been shown to increase student achievement (at the high school level). It can also, however, contribute to high levels of 5 Leadership & Collaboration Teacher Evaluation, Support, & Growth Health & Well-Being Social Emotional Learning Social Justice & Equity Education Law & Legal Considerations Instructional & Professional Enhancement stress, anxiety, and family discord. This workshop provides an overview of the extensive research into the subject of homework and offers practical tips for minimizing the harmful impact while maximizing the positive outcomes. Designed for middle and high school teachers, this workshop can be customized for any grade level.

This workshop is designed for new teachers, mentors, cooperating teachers, instructional coaches, and others who want to learn how to better support and strengthen the practice of early-career educators. Included are useful teacher evaluation tips for new teachers, mentoring strategies, and classroom structures and routines to help new teachers maximize instructional time.

Boys are falling behind girls academically at every level, from kindergarten through graduate school. Girls dramatically outperform boys on every standardized measure of reading and writing achievement and have reached rough parity with males in math and science, except at the very top of the curve. Boys are also far more likely to get into trouble at school and experiment with drugs, and they are three times more likely to drop out of school. Sixty percent of students graduating from college are now female, and for the first time in history we see more women than men getting advanced degrees. What is the trouble with boys? Learn what schools can do to support males academically and emotionally and begin to close the growing gender achievement gap.