Are you an instructional coach or administrator at an elementary school seeking effective strategies to teach addition and subtraction to your teachers? This professional development session offers:

• True/False Icebreaker: An engaging activity to help distinguish between effective and ineffective strategies.
• Phases of Learning Math Facts: Insights into the stages students go through, including foundational concepts and derived facts.
• Effective Strategies: Techniques such as quick looks and games to enhance understanding.
• Assessment Ideas: Methods for evaluating student progress.
• Family Engagement: Innovative ways to involve families in the learning process.

This professional development opportunity is perfect for guiding your teachers in teaching addition and subtraction facts.

Additionally, the Canva presentation for this session is fully editable, allowing you to customize it to meet your teachers’ specific needs.

The topics and what is included:

• 24 pages of editable Canva Slides. 
• Icebreaker
• Student Learning Phases
• Procedural Fluency
• Strategy Focus
• Foundational Facts
• Quick Looks
• Strategy steps for teachers
• Game Ideas 
• Assessing Ideas
• Engaging Families 

Resources you may also love.

• Classroom Management PD
• PD Bundle
• Engaging Math Opportunities PD

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• True or False to Elevate Learning
• Picture of Day
• Morning Meeting Questions

Let's Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

TikTok- doctor.teach

Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns @ heather.schrage@gmail.com

Professional Development - Top Chef Challenge!

Are you looking for an exciting, interactive way to engage your teachers during professional development? We often expect our teachers to deliver engaging lessons to their students, but rarely do we provide equally engaging learning experiences for them. This Top Chef-themed professional development session is designed to change that by combining fun with practical pedagogy.

Overview:

In this Top Chef Challenge, teachers will participate in a teach-off where they compete to present the best teaching strategy or classroom practice related to the focus of the professional development. This format encourages creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking, while also promoting a deeper understanding of the best practices being discussed. Teachers will research a topic within a set time frame, collaborate with colleagues, and create a presentation to impress a panel of "judges," just like contestants on the popular TV show Top Chef.

By turning professional development into a fun, competitive challenge, teachers will learn from one another and be inspired by a variety of strategies they can use in their classrooms.

How It Works:

1. Introduction & Group Formation: Teachers will be divided into small teams. Each team will be assigned a specific teaching strategy, best practice, or educational concept that is the focus of the PD session (e.g., differentiated instruction, student engagement techniques, or formative assessment strategies).
2. Research & Preparation: Teams will have a limited amount of time to research their assigned topic. They’ll use that time to create a brief, dynamic presentation, incorporating creative elements to “wow” the judges. The presentations can include visuals, interactive activities, or demonstrations.
3. Teach-Off & Presentations: Once time is up, each team will present their teaching strategy to the panel of judges. The judges—who could be administrators, instructional coaches, or selected teachers—will evaluate each presentation based on specific criteria, such as clarity, creativity, and relevance to classroom practice.
4. Judging & Feedback: Judges will use a rubric (included with the template) to score each presentation. Feedback will be given on the strengths of the presentation and how the strategies can be adapted to different classrooms. Teams will also have the opportunity to reflect on their learning and how they might use the ideas they’ve seen from other teams.
5. Award Ceremony: At the end of the challenge, the team with the highest score will be crowned the Top Chef of teaching strategies! Small prizes, certificates, or fun badges can be awarded to the winning team to add a celebratory element to the day.

Why It Works:

This PD session allows teachers to engage with content in a hands-on, collaborative way, fostering creativity and professional growth. Teachers can draw on their expertise while also learning new strategies from their peers. The competitive aspect adds excitement and motivation, ensuring active participation and deeper learning.

What’s Included in the Canva Template:

• 7 Editable Canva Slides: Customizable to fit your school's focus or specific teaching strategies. You can add your own branding, adjust the content, and tailor the slides to suit your audience.
• Judging Rubric: A detailed rubric to guide judges in evaluating presentations based on criteria such as creativity, practical application, engagement, and depth of research.

What You’ll Need:

• Basic supplies such as chart paper, markers, and digital devices for teams to research and create their presentations.
• Small prizes or certificates for the winning team to foster a fun, competitive spirit.

Outcome: By the end of the session, teachers will leave with fresh ideas, practical strategies, and an increased sense of collaboration. This professional development experience ensures that the learning is both engaging and directly transferable to the classroom, enhancing teaching practices and boosting student engagement.

Resources you may also love.

• Video of The Day- Part 1

• Video of The Day- Part 2

• Video of The Day- Part 3

• Morning Meeting Questions

• Picture of Day

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• Video of The Day

• Picture of Day

• Morning Meeting Questions

Happy Teaching!

Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns.

heather.schrage@gmail.com

Let's Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

TikTok- doctor.teach

Twitter- heatherschrage

Facebook

I created and currently teach The Teacher Field Experience online course at our local community college. This is a Teaching Field Experience syllabus for you to get started on your own course or to get an idea of the activities and assignments to use in your own course. We are not using a textbook, and this is an editable Microsoft Word Document.

I created and currently teach a Children's Literature online course at a local community college. This is a multicultural Children's Literature Syllabus for you to get started on your own course or the get an idea of the acitivites and assignments to use in your own course. We are using Literature and The Child (2016) as the main textbook. Also, this is an editable Children's Literature Syllabus Community College Microsoft Word Document.

Are you looking for an engaging and impactful professional development (PD) session for your in-service or pre-service teachers? This vocabulary-focused PD offers a dynamic presentation that starts with an interactive icebreaker, sparking “aha” moments for participants. The session equips educators with a variety of instructional strategies and activities, making vocabulary concepts more accessible and engaging for students. By participating, teachers will enhance their ability to tailor their teaching methods to diverse learning styles, allowing for seamless integration of vocabulary instruction into their existing curriculum.

Professional Development (PD)

This PowerPoint-based PD is designed to provide teachers with fresh, engaging ideas for teaching vocabulary strategies to students. The presentation is fully customizable, allowing you to adjust it to meet the specific needs of your teachers or school environment.

Key Features:

• 19 Editable PowerPoint slides
• Real-world photos that support learning concepts
• Research-based instructional strategies
• A practical, time-saving end-of-session activity to help teachers apply their new skills immediately

Professional Learning unity (PLC)

This presentation is also ideal for use during PLC meetings with smaller groups of teachers. During these sessions, educators can discuss and exchange ideas on the newly introduced vocabulary strategies, as well as share their own experiences and best practices. Future PLC meetings can include follow-ups using vocabulary or language arts data, fostering collaboration and continuous learning among colleagues.

This PD session is a flexible tool, offering structured yet adaptable content to empower teachers with strategies that enrich their students’ vocabulary and language arts skills.

Resources you may also love.

• Student Math Engagement PD

• Top Chef Engaging PD Template

• Engaging Stations PD

• Morning Meeting Questions

• Picture of Day

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• Video of The Day

• Picture of Day

• Morning Meeting Questions

Let's Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

Are you an instructional coach, administrator, or teacher looking to master the art of writing successful grants? Whether you’re seeking to secure essential classroom supplies without spending your own money, or you want to lead a professional development (PD) session to empower others, this workshop is designed to meet your needs.

This comprehensive PD session will:

• Equip Teachers with Grant-Writing Skills: Learn how to craft compelling grant proposals that stand out and increase your chances of receiving funding for classroom materials, technology, and enrichment activities.
• Empower Administrators to Secure Funding: Discover strategies for writing effective grant applications to support school-wide initiatives, enhance educational programs, or upgrade resources without straining the school budget.
• Guide New and Veteran Teachers: Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting out, this workshop will provide you with actionable tools to create the classroom of your dreams—without relying on your own personal finances.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand the key elements of a successful grant proposal.
• Learn how to identify and apply for various grant opportunities.
• Gain insights into how to effectively present a strong case for funding that aligns with your school or classroom goals.

This PD is ideal for anyone looking to unlock new funding opportunities and bring innovative ideas to life in their classrooms or schools. With a focus on practical strategies, this workshop will give you the confidence to navigate the world of grant writing and secure the resources you need for student success.

The topics and what is included:

• 35 pages of editable Canva Slides. 
• Grant Writing Websites
• Preparing to write a grant
• Success Story
• The Why
• Grant Proposal Steps
• Additional Tips
• Creative ways to teach with grants
• Pictures of real grant items being used in a classroom

Resources you may also love.

• Classroom Management PD
• PD Bundle
• Engaging Math Opportunities PD

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• True or False to Elevate Learning
• Picture of Day
• Morning Meeting Questions

Let's Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

TikTok- doctor.teach

Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns @ heather.schrage@gmail.com

Professional Development: Addressing Behavior Issues
Are you ready to energize your next professional development session? Transform the traditional PD into an interactive and unforgettable experience with a Survivor-themed twist! This unique approach engages teachers in challenges that mirror real-life classroom scenarios, promoting collaboration, teamwork, and strategic thinking around behavior management.

Behavior Management PD / Pedagogy
The session kicks off by organizing teachers into “tribes,” where they collaborate from the start by creating a tribe name. Once in their groups, they’ll be presented with behavior management scenarios—common classroom challenges that need immediate attention. Within their tribes, teachers will discuss and develop strategies to de-escalate or address these issues effectively. Each tribe will select a representative to share their group’s approach with the other teams.

Over the course of the PD, teachers will engage in four additional scenario discussions, each designed to encourage collaboration and learning from one another’s experiences. By the end of the challenges, tribes will vote for the individual in their group who contributed the most creative or effective strategies. Winners from each tribe will receive a prize, adding a fun and competitive element to the session.
The Survivor theme is enhanced throughout the PD with integrated background music that plays automatically via embedded YouTube links on the slides, adding to the immersive experience.

Customizable Focus
The content of the professional development can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your staff. Whether you want to focus on behavior management or incorporate subject-specific strategies for math, reading, or any other core skill, the PD can be adjusted to align with your goals.

Editable Presentation
This professional development presentation is fully editable in Canva, allowing you to adapt it to the unique needs of your school or district. The presentation can also be easily downloaded as a PowerPoint or Google Slides file. To download, simply click the "Share" button in Canva, then select "Download." From the download options, choose the file type that best suits your needs.
Turn your next PD into a high-energy, engaging experience that leaves teachers equipped with practical behavior management strategies they can immediately implement in the classroom!

The topics and what is included:

• 17 Editable Canva Slides 

• Embedded Survivor Theme Music 

• Images reminiscent of Survivor

• Transformative Professional Development 

Resources you may also love.

• Student Math Engagement PD

• Top Chef Engaging PD Template

• Engaging Stations PD

• Morning Meeting Questions

• Picture of Day

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• Video of The Day

• Picture of Day

• Morning Meeting Questions

Let's Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

TikTok- doctor.teach

Twitter- heatherschrage

Facebook

Are you an instructional coach or school administrator looking for an engaging editable professional development (PD) session focused on improving math scores? This comprehensive PD covers essential strategies for successfully implementing guided math in your classrooms. You'll learn the reasoning behind guided math, how to effectively use data to inform instruction, different grouping strategies, what guided math looks like in practice, and a wealth of tips for teachers to implement this best practice effectively.

This professional development presentation includes the following key components:

• Canva Template: Editable Presentation to tailor to the needs of your teachers.
• Fun Teacher Icebreaker inspired by the Abbott Elementary show to set a positive tone and foster engagement.
• The Importance of Guided Math: Explore why guided math is a powerful instructional approach for differentiating learning and improving student outcomes.
• Data-Driven Instruction: Learn how to use student data to make informed decisions that enhance instruction and student progress.
• Forming Groups with Data: A practical example of using MAP Assessment data to create effective small groups tailored to student needs.
• Visuals of Guided Math in Action: Photos showcasing different classroom setups and how guided math stations can be organized.
• Video Demonstration: Watch an example lesson of guided math in action, offering a clear picture of how it can be implemented in real-time.
• Tips for Successful Implementation: Gain actionable tips and strategies for seamlessly integrating guided math into your teaching practices and overcoming common challenges.

This Editable PD is designed to be interactive, informative, and ready to inspire your educators to take their math instruction to the next level!

Engaging teachers during professional development is crucial for several reasons:

1. Improves Effectiveness: Engaged teachers are more likely to absorb and implement new strategies, techniques, and information presented during professional development. This leads to more effective teaching practices and better student outcomes.
2. Promotes Active Learning: Engagement fosters active participation, discussion, and collaboration among teachers. This active learning approach helps in retaining information and applying it in real classroom settings.
3. Encourages Reflective Practice: When teachers are engaged, they are more likely to reflect on their own practices, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments. Reflective practice is essential for continuous professional growth.
4. Increases Motivation and Morale: Engaging professional development can reignite teachers' passion for teaching, making them feel valued and supported. This boosts their motivation and morale, which positively impacts their performance and job satisfaction.
5. Facilitates Collaboration: Engaged teachers are more likely to collaborate with their peers, share best practices, and support each other. This collaborative culture enhances the overall learning environment and promotes a sense of community within the school.
6. Addresses Diverse Needs: Engaging professional development can be tailored to address the diverse needs and interests of teachers, making it more relevant and meaningful. This personalized approach ensures that all teachers benefit from the training.
7. Promotes Innovation: When teachers are engaged, they are more open to exploring new ideas and innovative teaching methods. This willingness to innovate can lead to the adoption of more effective instructional practices and improved student learning experiences.
8. Builds Capacity: Engaged professional development helps build the capacity of teachers to handle various challenges in the classroom. It equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to address diverse student needs and create a positive learning environment.
9. Ensures Sustainability: Sustainable change in teaching practices requires ongoing engagement and reinforcement. Engaged teachers are more likely to continue implementing new strategies and approaches long after the professional development sessions have ended.

Resources you may also love.

• Classroom Management PD
• PD Bundle
• Engaging Math Opportunities PD

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• True or False to Elevate Learning
• Picture of Day
• Morning Meeting Questions

Let's Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

TikTok- doctor.teach

Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns @ heather.schrage@gmail.com

Are you an instructional coach or administrator at an elementary school searching for an effective way to support your teachers in mastering classroom management? Whether you're working with new teachers eager to develop strong management skills or veteran educators looking to refresh their strategies, this professional development (PD) workshop is designed to equip them with the tools they need to create a positive, structured learning environment.

This PD is ideal for teacher orientation sessions, setting new teachers up for success before the school year begins. It provides a clear roadmap for establishing a classroom management plan that fosters student engagement, minimizes disruptions, and supports academic growth.

For veteran teachers, the workshop offers innovative techniques and fresh ideas to reinvigorate their classroom practices, ultimately enhancing student behavior and boosting achievement.

Key features of this professional development include:

• Creating Effective Classroom Management Plans: Guidance on how to establish clear expectations, procedures, and routines that promote a calm, focused learning environment.
• Behavior Management Strategies: Practical tools and techniques for handling common classroom challenges, reducing disruptions, and maintaining a positive classroom culture.
• Tailored for New and Experienced Teachers: New teachers will gain a strong foundation, while experienced educators will discover new strategies to fine-tune their approach.
• Editable Presentation: The PD is fully editable and can be customized to meet the unique needs of your teachers and school environment.

This workshop emphasizes the critical role of the teacher in student success. As research shows, the single greatest factor affecting student achievement is not race or poverty—it is the effectiveness of the teacher. By investing in professional development that enhances classroom management skills, you're investing in the overall success of your students.

This engaging and actionable PD will empower your teachers to create classrooms where learning thrive

The topics and what is included:

• 44 pages of editable Canva Slides. 
• Organizing Space
• Routines and Procedures
• Morning Meeting 
• Engaging Toolbox Ideas
• Setting Boundaries

Resources you may also love.

• Video of The Day- Part 1
• Video of The Day- Part 2
• Morning Meeting Questions
• Picture of Day
• Surgery Day Math

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• True or False to Elevate Learning
• Picture of Day
• Morning Meeting Questions

Let's Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

TikTok- doctor.teach

Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns @ heather.schrage@gmail.com

Are you an instructional coach or administrator seeking innovative ways to deliver a professional development session on enhancing student engagement in math? This customizable professional development (PD) template is an excellent starting point for guiding teachers on how to incorporate engaging, hands-on activities into their math instruction using their current curriculum. The template is fully editable, allowing you to personalize it with details specific to your curriculum, school environment, and even add photos or videos to further customize the experience.

Session Overview:

1. Experiencing Engagement from a Student’s Perspective: To kick off the session, teachers will participate in a variety of math activities within small groups, experiencing the learning process from a student’s point of view. These activities will range from traditional worksheets to more interactive and game-based approaches. Afterward, participants will reflect on their experiences and compare which method fostered higher engagement. By directly experiencing different learning strategies, teachers will gain a clearer understanding of what truly engages students and promotes deeper understanding.
2. Cognitive Engagement Quadrant Model: Following the activity, the Cognitive Engagement Quadrant Model (with a visual guide included) will be introduced to help teachers analyze the relationship between student participation and the level of cognitive demand. The model highlights four types of engagement:

• High participation with high-order thinking
• High participation with low-order thinking
• Low participation with high-order thinking
• Low participation with low-order thinking

Teachers will use this framework to reflect on their current practices and discover how to balance participation and critical thinking in their classrooms.

1. Multimedia Examples of Engaging Math Activities: To inspire creative approaches, the session includes a variety of video and picture examples showcasing real-world classroom scenarios where students are actively engaged in math lessons. Teachers will observe examples of hands-on learning, math games, and other dynamic activities that align with core math skills and concepts. These examples will serve as a practical resource for educators looking to transform their instruction.
2. Math Rotation Ideas & Engagement Strategies: Teachers will explore different strategies to maintain student interest and participation during math instruction, including rotation stations and game-based learning. These ideas are designed to provide teachers with concrete methods for incorporating student-centered activities into their lessons. By rotating through activities, students remain engaged while reinforcing their understanding of key math concepts in a collaborative and interactive setting.
3. Collaborative Problem-Solving Game: As part of the session, teachers will participate in a group-based algebra game that challenges them to solve an algebraic expression together. This hands-on game fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and engagement—skills that can easily be adapted to their own classrooms to make math more interactive and enjoyable for students.
4. Group Reflection and Anchor Chart Creation: At the conclusion of the PD, teachers will come together to collaborate on creating an anchor chart summarizing the key engagement strategies and takeaways from the session. This chart will serve as a reference for implementing these ideas in the classroom, and can also be shared with other staff members to extend the impact of the professional development across the school.

Research-Backed Approach: Engaging students through hands-on, interactive learning has been proven to enhance academic achievement. A study in a low-income elementary school found that students exposed to 12 weeks of hands-on learning experiences significantly outperformed their peers in classrooms using traditional textbook-based instruction (Guthrie et al., 2006). This PD leverages these insights to promote engaging, active learning environments that make a lasting impact on student performance.

**Customizable and Flexible:**This PD template is completely editable, giving you the flexibility to adapt it to your school’s specific curriculum and instructional goals. Whether you need to add school-specific materials, customize the activities, or include photos of your own classrooms in action, this template provides the framework to create a professional development session tailored to your teachers' needs.
By the end of the session, teachers will leave equipped with practical strategies to engage students, increase participation, and foster a deeper understanding of math concepts—all while making learning fun and meaningful for their students.

The topics and what is included:

• 24 pages of editable Google Slides. 
• An activity to show teachers the levels of engagement with different math activities. 
• Videos and pictures showing differing examples of engaging students during math. 
• An engaging math game to play with staff. 
• Engagement strategies that transfer to the classroom.

Resources you may also love.

• Video of The Day- Part 1
• Video of The Day- Part 2
• Morning Meeting Questions
• Picture of Day
• Surgery Day Math

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• True or False to Elevate Learning
• Picture of Day
• Morning Meeting Questions

Lets Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

TikTok- doctor.teach

Twitter- heatherschrage

Facebook 

Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns @ heather.schrage@gmail.com

Professional Development- Number Sense

Are you in need of an engaging professional development for your teachers? 

This number sense presentation equips teachers with a variety of instructional strategies and activities to make mathematical concepts more accessible and engaging. This will enhance their ability to tailor teaching methods to diverse learning styles. Teachers can seamlessly integrate number sense concepts into the existing curriculum. 

P.D.

This Canva Presentation PD is a copy that you can edit and is centered around giving teachers engaging ideas to teach number sense strategies to their students.  The professional development is editable and can be altered to fit your teachers’ needs. This presentation can also be downloaded as a PowerPoint or Google Slide. You will go to the share button in Canva and then the download button. After the download button, press the down arrow where the file type is and select the file you want to download it as. 

PLC

This presentation can also be used during PLC time to present to a smaller group of teachers. Teachers during PLC meetings can easily discuss the new number sense strategies with one another and can share their own experiences with number sense.  Number sense data can be brought to follow-up meetings to effectively collaborate and learn from each other. 

The topics and what is included:

• 19 Editable Canva Slides 

• Real pictures and videos of number sense activities

Resources you may also love.

• Student Math Engagement PD

• Top Chef Engaging PD Template

• Engaging Stations PD

• Morning Meeting Questions

• Picture of Day

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• Video of The Day

• Picture of Day

• Morning Meeting Questions

Let's Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

TikTok- doctor.teach

Twitter- heatherschrage

Facebook

Are you an instructional coach or administrator at an elementary school or a professor teaching an education course that is seeking effective strategies to teach the gradual release of responsibility?

Unlock the Magic of PD!

This professional development presentation includes the following: 

• Deal/No Deal Icebreaker
• Gradual Release Phases
• Examples of Gradual Release
• Focused Instruction- I Do It
• We Do It
• You Do It Together
• You Do It Alone
• 27 Editable Canva Slides

This professional development opportunity is engaging for teachers.  When teachers are engaged, the transfer of learning to the classroom happens.

Additionally, the Canva presentation is fully editable, allowing you to customize it to meet your teachers’ specific needs.

Engaging teachers during professional development is crucial for several reasons:

1. Improves Effectiveness: Engaged teachers are more likely to absorb and implement new strategies, techniques, and information presented during professional development. This leads to more effective teaching practices and better student outcomes.
2. Promotes Active Learning: Engagement fosters active participation, discussion, and collaboration among teachers. This active learning approach helps in retaining information and applying it in real classroom settings.
3. Encourages Reflective Practice: When teachers are engaged, they are more likely to reflect on their own practices, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments. Reflective practice is essential for continuous professional growth.
4. Increases Motivation and Morale: Engaging professional development can reignite teachers' passion for teaching, making them feel valued and supported. This boosts their motivation and morale, which positively impacts their performance and job satisfaction.
5. Facilitates Collaboration: Engaged teachers are more likely to collaborate with their peers, share best practices, and support each other. This collaborative culture enhances the overall learning environment and promotes a sense of community within the school.
6. Addresses Diverse Needs: Engaging professional development can be tailored to address the diverse needs and interests of teachers, making it more relevant and meaningful. This personalized approach ensures that all teachers benefit from the training.
7. Promotes Innovation: When teachers are engaged, they are more open to exploring new ideas and innovative teaching methods. This willingness to innovate can lead to the adoption of more effective instructional practices and improved student learning experiences.
8. Builds Capacity: Engaged professional development helps build the capacity of teachers to handle various challenges in the classroom. It equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to address diverse student needs and create a positive learning environment.
9. Ensures Sustainability: Sustainable change in teaching practices requires ongoing engagement and reinforcement. Engaged teachers are more likely to continue implementing new strategies and approaches long after the professional development sessions have ended.

Resources you may also love.

• Classroom Management PD
• PD Bundle
• Engaging Math Opportunities PD

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• True or False to Elevate Learning
• Picture of Day
• Morning Meeting Questions

Let's Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

TikTok- doctor.teach

Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns @ heather.schrage@gmail.com

Are you an instructional coach or school administrator seeking an engaging and impactful professional development (PD) session focused on enhancing the use of partner talk in your classroom? This comprehensive Editable PD session offers essential strategies to foster a positive, collaborative learning environment through effective partner discussions.

The professional development presentation includes the following key components:

1. Thought-Provoking Icebreaker: Kick off the session with an interactive icebreaker that introduces participants to a partner talk strategy in action, setting the stage for the rest of the PD.
2. Building a Positive Learning Environment: Explore practical techniques for cultivating a classroom atmosphere where students feel comfortable engaging in partner talk, emphasizing trust, respect, and open communication.
3. Modeling Effective Partner Talk: Demonstrate best practices for facilitating meaningful partner discussions, providing educators with a clear example of how to guide and structure student conversations for maximum impact.
4. Creative Approaches to Partner Talk: Discover a variety of innovative ideas and formats for conducting partner talk, from structured discussions to more spontaneous interactions, ensuring engagement across different learning styles and subjects.
5. Problem-Solving Tips: Equip educators with strategies to overcome common challenges that may arise during partner talk sessions, such as unequal participation, off-topic conversations, or time management issues.
6. Addressing Potential Challenges: Identify and troubleshoot the obstacles teachers might encounter when implementing partner talk in the classroom, and explore strategies for adapting to different student needs and classroom dynamics.
7. Additional Partner Talk Strategies: Provide a toolkit of extra ideas and alternative strategies for partner talk, empowering teachers to customize and differentiate their approach based on the specific needs of their students.
8. Editable: Edit the Canva Template based on teachers' needs and add slides to the presentation.

This PD session ensures that educators leave with a deeper understanding of how to effectively incorporate partner talk into their instructional practices, enhancing student collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Engaging teachers during professional development is crucial for several reasons:

1. Improves Effectiveness: Engaged teachers are more likely to absorb and implement new strategies, techniques, and information presented during professional development. This leads to more effective teaching practices and better student outcomes.
2. Promotes Active Learning: Engagement fosters active participation, discussion, and collaboration among teachers. This active learning approach helps in retaining information and applying it in real classroom settings.
3. Encourages Reflective Practice: When teachers are engaged, they are more likely to reflect on their own practices, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments. Reflective practice is essential for continuous professional growth.
4. Increases Motivation and Morale: Engaging professional development can reignite teachers' passion for teaching, making them feel valued and supported. This boosts their motivation and morale, which positively impacts their performance and job satisfaction.
5. Facilitates Collaboration: Engaged teachers are more likely to collaborate with their peers, share best practices, and support each other. This collaborative culture enhances the overall learning environment and promotes a sense of community within the school.
6. Addresses Diverse Needs: Engaging professional development can be tailored to address the diverse needs and interests of teachers, making it more relevant and meaningful. This personalized approach ensures that all teachers benefit from the training.
7. Promotes Innovation: When teachers are engaged, they are more open to exploring new ideas and innovative teaching methods. This willingness to innovate can lead to the adoption of more effective instructional practices and improved student learning experiences.
8. Builds Capacity: Engaged professional development helps build the capacity of teachers to handle various challenges in the classroom. It equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to address diverse student needs and create a positive learning environment.
9. Ensures Sustainability: Sustainable change in teaching practices requires ongoing engagement and reinforcement. Engaged teachers are more likely to continue implementing new strategies and approaches long after the professional development sessions have ended.

Resources you may also love.

• Classroom Management PD
• PD Bundle
• Engaging Math Opportunities PD

Blog Posts You Might Enjoy

• True or False to Elevate Learning
• Picture of Day
• Morning Meeting Questions

Let's Connect

Instagram- heatherschrage

TikTok- doctor.teach

Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns @ heather.schrage@gmail.com

Professional Development- Engaging Stations

Are you in need of an engaging professional development for your teachers? We expect our teachers to be engaging with their students but we rarely engage our teachers with their learning. Additionally, as teachers, we got away from using hands-on resources in the classroom when COVID-19 happened. Hands-on resources give students a tangible, experiential way for learners to engage with concepts, making abstract ideas more concrete and understandable. By physically manipulating objects or engaging in interactive activities, students can grasp complex concepts more easily and retain information better. Now it is time to refresh our memory on the hands-on resources we can use in the classroom or that we have buried somewhere. 

This Canva Presentation is a copy that you can edit and is centered around giving teachers engaging ideas to use for centers or rotations.  The professional development is editable and can be altered to fit your teachers’ needs.

Additionally, this presentation can also be downloaded as a PowerPoint or Google Slide. You will go to the share button in Canva and then the download button. After the download button, press the down arrow where the file type is and select the file you want to download it as. 

This PD is important because it gives teachers the following to think about:

• Varied Teaching Strategies: It introduces teachers to diverse teaching methodologies. Engaging stations often incorporate different activities, catering to various learning styles and preferences. This equips educators with a range of strategies to better engage and reach different types of learners in their classrooms.

• Active Learning Techniques: Stations promote active learning, encouraging students to interact, explore, and apply knowledge actively. Educators trained in these techniques can create dynamic, interactive learning environments that stimulate student involvement and participation.

• Differentiated Instruction: Stations can be tailored to accommodate different proficiency levels or learning paces within a classroom. Through professional development, teachers learn how to design and implement stations that cater to individual student needs, allowing for more personalized instruction.

• Increased Student Engagement: Engaging stations often lead to higher student interest and participation. By providing professional development in this area, teachers can learn strategies to create captivating, interactive lessons that capture students' attention and foster a love for learning.

• Encourages Collaboration: Stations often involve group work or collaboration among students. Training teachers in station-based learning encourages them to design activities that promote teamwork, communication, and cooperation among their students.

The topics and what is included:

• 15 Editable Canva Slides on Engaging Stations

• Real pictures of centers and students using the centers

Resources you may also love.

• Video of The Day- Part 1

• Video of The Day- Part 2

• Video of The Day- Part 3

• Morning Meeting Questions

• Picture of Day

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