OWL Teacher Center
Fall 2008 Professional Development Program

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Study Groups for First Year Teachers

Our New Teacher Study Groups are designed to provide you with a friendly, collegial, confidential learning community. Discussion topics will evolve from the needs / interests of the group. Meeting dates will be announced at the first session. There is no fee for first year teachers.

Elementary Level with Erica Bohrer 30 hours, 2 inservice credits
Starts Tuesday, September 16 (ten sessions), 4:00-7:00 p.m. Lindenhurst, Daniel St. School, Room 115

Middle School Level with Kelly Ann Turner 30 hours, 2 inservice credits
Starts Monday, September 29 (15 sessions), 3:00-5:00 p.m. Lindenhurst Middle School, Room S108

High School Level with Charlene Muro 30 hours, 2 inservice credits
Starts Wednesday, September 10 (15 sessions), 2:30– 4:30 p.m. Lindenhurst High School, 2nd Fl. Faculty Rm.

Study Groups for Second and Third Year Teachers

Support will continue in the same format as Study Groups for First Year Teachers.
Fee: $60

Elementary Level with Erica Bohrer. 30 hours, 2 inservice credits.
Starts Tuesday, September 16 (ten sessions), 4:00-7:00 p.m. Lindenhurst, Daniel St. School, Room 115

Middle School Level with Karen Buechner. 30 hours, 2 inservice credits.
Starts Thursday, September 27 (15 sessions), 3:15-5:15 p.m. Lindenhurst Middle School, Room TBA

High School Level with Maureen Garofalo. 30 hours, 2 inservice credits.
Starts Tuesday, October 21(10 sessions), 2:30-5:30 p.m. Lindenhurst High School, 2nd Fl. Faculty Rm.

High School Level with Selina Durio. 30 hours, 2 inservice credits.
Starts Thursday, September 11 (10 sessions), 3:30-6:30 NBTO Office, 400 W. Main St. Ste 201, Babylon

Pedagogy & Cognition

E-Learning Workshops: Sharing Mathematical Ideas & Strategies
Instructor: Beth Read

45 hours, 3 inservice credits
Dates: Wednesdays, Sept. 24; Oct. 8, 22; Nov. 5, 19; Dec.3
Time: 4-8 p.m.
Site: Lindenhurst, Albany Ave. School Library
Fee: $95
K-6 & AIS Math Teachers

This blended learning course consists of 5 online interactive workshops alternating with 6 face-to-face class sessions. Participants will use viewing guides, participate in online activities, and write reflections on each e-workshop. Face-to-face sessions will be spent discussing and sharing strategies for instruction and integration of the concepts and skills introduced. The following are topics addressed in this hybrid course: Developing Computational Fluency in Addition and Subtraction, Patterns to Symbols: Algebra in Gr. 3-6, Standards-Based Differentiated Math (K-5), Early Steps Count (K-6), and Measurement & Geometry (K-3). All topics are appropriate for K-6 educators who teach math. Registrants must have internet access in order to participate in this course.

Response to Intervention:
The Who, What, When, Where, Why & How of RTI
Instructors: Ronni Loud & Fran Hirsch

15 hours, 1 inservice credit
Dates: Wednesdays, Oct. 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5 & 12
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Site: Bower Elementary School, Lindenhurst Room TBA
Fee: $35
Grades K-5

Response to Intervention (RTI) is an impending regulation that uses universal screening procedures to identify children who are at-risk for developing academic difficulties. It is a “pro-active” model in which interventions are implemented and progress is monitored in order to ensure improvement, or to identify the need for additional support.
Participants will learn about the origins of RTI legislation, tiers of intervention, and how to administer and interpret tests, monitor progress, and utilize the data to drive instruction that meets individual student needs.

Understanding Cultural Differences
Instructor: Dr. Louis D’Aquila

15 hours, 1 inservice credit
Dates: Tuesdays, October 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 4-7:45 p.m.
Site: Lindenhurst Middle School , Room TBA
Fee: $35
Grades K-12

Participants in this course will first examine their own culture, and then explore the differences in other selected cultures. Teachers will learn to establish pathways leading to better inter-cultural communication and learn how not to mis-communicate ideas due to cultural differences.

Using American Sign Language (ASL) in the Classroom - Basics
Grades K-3, Special Ed., Reading, Speech & ESL Teachers
Instructor: Mary Marchesani

15 hours, 1 inservice credit
Dates: Thursdays, October 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Site: W. E. DeLuca Elementary School, 223 Phelps Lane, No. Babylon , Room 100 ,
Fee: $35
K-3

American Sign Language (ASL) is a beautiful language that can be very useful in the classroom. ASL can be used as a classroom management tool to decrease interruptions during your lessons. Students can be less intrusive if they sign restroom rather than raising their hands and asking aloud. ASL can also help students who have difficulty acquiring language typically and who need a multi-sensory approach to learning. Pairing new vocabulary words with ASL words will provide these students with visual and tactile/kinesthetic cues.
In this class, basic signs will be taught, such as the alphabet, numbers, colors, family, questions, and classroom related words. Participants will also develop awareness of the deaf culture.
Note: This class is targeted for early elementary (K-3) but can be adapted for higher grades.

Connecting Children with Nature
Instructor: Eric Young

15 hours, 1 inservice credit
Dates: Saturdays, October 4 & 18
Time: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Site: Sweetbriar Nature Center, Smithtown
Fee: $35
K-8

This course is based on the book Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. The book explores the idea that the lives of children are impoverished in many ways due to the lack of contact with nature and the outdoors.
Through a variety of activities, Sweetbriar’s non-releasable wildlife, and our nature preserve, a nature center educator will show participants how to connect their students with nature. Teachers will acquire tools and resources for teaching students about nature outside of the classroom, including conducting sensory walks, outdoor wildlife habitat activities, and field trip information.

Blueprints for the Optimal Learning Environment
Instructor: Erica Bohrer

45 hours, 3 inservice credits
Dates: Thursdays, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13; Dec. 4, 11 & 18 plus 12.5 hr. practicum
Time: 4:00 -7:00 p.m.
Site: Daniel St. School, Lindenhurst, Room 115
Fee: $95
K-12

An organized teacher and classroom are essential in creating a school environment that facilitates learning.
Organizational techniques for lesson planning and classroom management, strategies for using classroom space efficiently, and solutions to common problems will be explored in this course. Time will be allotted for classroom “make-overs”. Upon completion of the course, teachers will have the tools needed to create the optimal learning environment for their students.

Scrap-booking as an Educational Tool
Instructor: Erica Bohrer

45 hours, 3 inservice credits
Dates: Wednesdays, Sept. 24; Oct. 15, 29; Nov. 12; Dec. 3, 17; Jan. 7, 21; Feb. 4, 25; Mar. 11, 25; Apr. 15, 22; May 6
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Site: Daniel St. School, Lindenhurst, Room 115
Fee: $95
K-12

Scrap-booking skills can be utilized to enhance lessons, strengthen the home-school connection, and create a visually pleasing alternative to student portfolios. Photographs, writing samples, math projects, art work and any special pieces created by students throughout the school year can be compiled using scrap-booking techniques into the perfect end of the year authentic memento of student academic progress.
This will be a make-and-take course; class time will be allocated for the demonstration and utilization of scrap-booking techniques. A supply list will be furnished upon registration.

Prerequisite for Academic Success:
Social Emotional Literacy
Instructor: Cecile Wren

15 hours, one inservice credit
Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
Time: 4-7:45 p.m.
Site: Lindenhurst Administration Bldg., Room 117
Fee: $35
Grades K-12

Social-emotional literacy creates an awareness which encourages students to be sensitive to the needs of others. This course is designed to provide teachers with necessary strategies, tools and resources to create learning environments that balance social and emotional literacy with high academic expectations. Participants will develop a repertoire of SEL teaching strategies that may be infused into current curriculum. They will develop individualized action plans and a professional portfolio for classroom use. The Teacher Center will support groups of teachers who wish to form professional circles in order to develop and implement these plans in their schools. These 15 hour circles will earn participants one additional inservice credit. Applications must be requested by January 31.

Technology

Microsoft Excel for Educators
Instructors: Rose Truglio

15 hours, 1 inservice credit
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, Oct. 30, November 4, 6, 13, 18
Time: 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Site: Lindenhurst High School, Room 210
Fee: $35
K-12

This course will focus on Microsoft Excel. Emphasis will be on individual skill development and classroom uses. Learn techniques to develop formulas, 3-D formulas, use functions, format cells, spreadsheets, and workbooks for best effect. Additionally, we will explore charting, graphing and graphics.

Improving Microsoft Word Skills for Educators
Instructor: Rose Truglio

15 hours, one inservice credit
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, Oct. 14, 16, 21, 23, 28
Time: 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Site: Lindenhurst High School, Room 210
Fee: $35
Grades K-12

This course will focus on Microsoft Word. Emphasis will be on individual skill development and classroom uses. Learn techniques to manage blocks of text, columns, effective use of tables, mail merges, merging to make labels, page and section breaks, document merges, and hyperlinks. In addition, we will have the opportunity to revisit and refine our uses of fonts, bullets, outlines, borders, and graphics for best effect.
Exporting and integration with eSchoolData will be demonstrated

Smart Boards - Intermediate Level
Instructor: Scott Tighe

15 hours, 1 inservice credit
Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Site: Lindenhurst Middle School, Room S211
Fee: $35
K-12

This course is designed for the teacher who has already completed the basic Smart Board course.
Participants will discover more functions and features of the Smart Board software. They will explore numerous Internet resources for the Smart Board, including Thinkfinity (Marco Polo). Teachers will create a product that can be used in their classrooms.

Laptop Loans

Laptop computer loans are available to teachers in the consortium . You may borrow one for a period of up to three weeks. Please call the Center at 226-2772 for more information.

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Brooklyn College of the City University of NY

Beginning fall 2007, the OWL Teacher Center, in partnership with Brooklyn College, will be offering graduate courses in Literacy and Special Education for K-12 educators.
Teachers will be able to register for courses directly with the college, but classes will be held in buildings within our consortium districts.
Each 3 credit course will be 45 hours in length, but will be scheduled according to university hours, which will require 37.5 hours of actual seat time.
The purchase of text books may be required, and will be separate from tuition, which will be $435 for each 3 credit course.Teachers should seek pre-approval from their respective district offices before taking these courses.
Lindenhurst teachers please note: there is no reimbursement for these courses.

Education 726.2
Teaching in Least Restrictive Environments
Instructor: Rose Montagnino

45 hrs; 3 credits
Site: TBA
Dates: Thursdays, Sept. 25; Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20; Dec. 4, 11
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Grades K-6

This course will address strategies to integrate and support students with special needs in least restrictive environments. Topics will included system and organizational change theories and strategies for developing models of inclusive education. Focus will be placed on curriculum and collaborative processes with other professionals, including co-teaching, consultative, and itinerant models, and engagement of family members
in collaborative efforts. Participants will implement a consultative/collaborative project.
This is a blended learning course which includes assigned online readings, research and reflections.

Education 726.3X
Psychological & Sociological Problems of Adolescence
Instructor: Denise Gibbs

45 hrs; 3 credits
Site: TBA
Dates: Thursdays, Sept. 25; Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20; Dec. 4, 11; Jan. 8, 15, 22 plus practicum
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Grades 6-12

This course focuses on the special cognitive, psychological, social and developmental needs of adolescents in order to assist teachers in instructing this population more effectively. Emphasis will be placed on maturational factors, psychosocial components, and cultural aspects which affect learning. Attention will be focused on the formation of classroom learning communities which are inclusive, value-fostering, and emotionally supportive for adolescents of all ability levels within a multicultural and diverse social environment.

Education 763.32T
Workshop in Secondary Education: Collaborative Team Teaching
Instructor: Larry Gelb

45 hrs; 3 credits
Site: Lindenhurst (TBA)
Dates: Saturdays, October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 1
Time: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Grades 6-12

This course will focus on techniques of collaborative team teaching in the secondary classroom. Participants will perform a critical analysis of the major issues involved in CTT by examining the advantages and disadvantages of co-teaching based upon current research, teacher experience, and student perspectives. Teachers will design and develop models of differentiated instruction to help create meaningful access and participation for all students with special needs in the general ed. classroom. This is a blended learning course, which combines face-to-face sessions with online readings, research and reflections.

Education 763T
Teaching Literature for Children & Adolescents
Instructor: Maria Bohrer

45 hrs; 3 credits
Site: Bower Elementary School Library
Dates: Mondays, Sept. 22; Oct. 6, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24; Dec. 1, 8, 15
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Grades K-12

This course is designed to assist teachers in becoming widely acquainted with the great wealth of children’s & adolescent literature available to them. Teachers will be come familiar with books of various genres and how to effectively use children’s/adolescent literature to support, develop and enhance learning and literacy in the classroom. There will be a practicum assigned in addition to face-to-face sessions.

Education 750.4T
Curriculum Modifications for Teaching Students with Special Needs
Instructor: Joanna Dolezal

45 hrs; 3 credits
Site: Robert Moses Middle School, N. Babylon
Dates: Mondays, Sept. 22; Oct. 6, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24; Dec. 1, 8, 15
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Grades K-12

Participants will explore principles, rationale, and research-validated methods of adapting general education curriculum for teaching students with special needs in a variety of settings and in all content areas, including technology. Emphasis will be placed on learning to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of students with various specific learning disabilities. There will be a practicum in addition to face-to-face sessions.


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Note: All Brooklyn College courses may be taken for inservice credit for a fee of $95. Please indicate Graduate or Inservice when registering, and include your check with your registration form.
Checks should be made payable to Lindenhurst P.S./ OWL Center. Please note that checks will not be deposited until after the course begins.

NOTE: Any new courses that will be offered during the fall 2008 semester, but were not submitted by the deadline for this catalog printing, will be advertised on flyers in all schools and on our website, at Owlcenter.org.

We are always looking for new instructors and ideas for new courses and workshops.
If you have an idea for a program you’d like to present, please download our course/workshop proposal form, fill it out, and send it back to us via email, fax (631-884-8939) or mail to the OWL Teacher Center at:

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The OWL Teacher Center
350 Daniel Street
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
631-226-2772
owlcenter@optonline.net