2007-2008 Course Catalog

Are you tired of the same old boring professional development? Are you ready to be engaged, excited, and enriched by a new learning experience? Sign up for some Inspired Teaching courses and:

REDISCOVER the joy of learning
TRANSFORM the way you think about teaching

Our courses include Advanced Seminars, Saturday Workshops, and the Inspired Teaching Institute. Choose the courses you want to take and then register online!

Advanced Seminars#

There is a $75 materials fee for each Advanced Seminar. Graduate credit is available. All Advanced Seminars are held at the Inspired Teaching office 1436 U St., NW Washington DC, 20009 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.
Register Now

Teachers as Researchers: Action Research in your Classroom
Pre-requisite: Inspired Teaching Institute (or permission of instructor) With the guidance of Inspired Teaching’s educators and other Inspired Teachers, take your instruction to the next level by engaging in an in-depth study and analysis of your classroom. Over the course of several months, choose a particular subject in your classroom on which to focus (i.e. discipline system, centers, a specific student, assessment) and using action research, determine what is working and what isn’t — then develop a plan to improve your effectiveness. Mondays/Wednesdays: September 10, 19, October 10, November 5, December 3, January 9, 28, February 11, March 3, 19

Teaching Self-Discipline
Decrease the time spent on discipline by building student problem-solving skills. Learn to create a classroom where students’ behavior is governed by their role as valued members of their classroom community, rather than punitive measures or rewards. Develop strategies for successful student and teacher conflict resolution. Wednesdays: April 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28

Inspired Inquiry: Integrating Scientific Inquiry across the Curriculum
Simple science experiments and creative explorations of scientific concepts form the basis of some of the most enjoyable teaching moments. Learn to use read-alouds, poetry, and writing activities in the standards-based science classroom. Investigate hands-on activities that address science and math standards simultaneously. Experiment with inquiry-based approaches that teach the process of science as well as content. Tuesdays: February 5, 12, 19, 26, and March 4

Authentic Assessment in Math Instruction
How do you truly know that children understand mathematical concepts? Move beyond letter and number grades to assess your students in math. Learn to use a wide range of assessment tools that gauge your students’ understanding of mathematical operations and their ability to problem-solve and apply their knowledge in real-life situations. Examine the technical and ethical aspects of assessment, and create and use rubrics, performance tasks, portfolios, and new methods in self and peer evaluation. Tuesdays: January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5

The Inspired Inclusion Classroom
Every student in your classroom has his or her own special needs. Build the skills of careful observation that will enable you to identify every student’s needs. Learn methods for enabling all of your students, regardless of their level of need, to become successful, knowledgeable and self-disciplined, with the skills to think and solve complex problems in school and in real life. Plan for ways to make all your students feel like valuable members of your school and classroom communities. This course is designed for both general and special education teachers. Wednesdays: January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20

Differentiating Language Arts Instruction
Learn to challenge each of your students with meaningful, relevant and interesting language arts activities. Practice modifying your content, teaching process, and assessment products to meet students’ interests, readiness, and learning styles. Throughout this course you will work with other teachers to create a fully differentiated unit that that can be implemented immediately in your classroom. Thursdays: February 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13

Language in the Classroom
Broaden your perspective on classroom interactions by learning to apply linguistics, the scientific study of language, to teaching. Learn the hidden logic of children’s invented spellings and other ‘errors.’ Build skills in observing, analyzing, and changing classroom discourse patterns. Investigate state-of-the-art techniques for responding to sociolinguistic diversity in the classroom. Tuesdays: February 19, 26, March 4, 11, 18

Making Math Developmentally Appropriate
In schools children are sometimes expected to think like adults when they are developmentally incapable of doing so. Explore the child development theories of Piaget and Vygostky and how children construct knowledge — with a particular focus on mathematical concepts. Using current math standards, develop practical and developmentally appropriate methods for providing math instruction which use manipulatives and real-life experiences to develop math knowledge and skill at any grade level. Mondays: April 7, 14, 28, May 5, 12

Saturday Workshops#

There is a $25 materials fee for each Saturday Workshops. Register Now
All Saturday Workshops will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church | 2100 New Hampshire Ave.
Literally Inspired
Discover ways to make language arts engaging, meaningful and intellectually stimulating for students of all ages and interests! Explore creative hands-on approaches to te aching literary concepts, and learn new ways to help students enjoy reading and writing through improved skills. February 23 - 9:30am to 12:30pm

Science in Motion
Jump into creative explorations of scientific concepts through this 100% interactive workshop. Enliven your science instruction with fun, engaging ‘off your seat and on your feet’ activities that teach scientific concepts through movement and music. March 8 - 9:30am to 12:30pm

Unlocking Student Potential: Teachers and Parents Solving the Puzzle Together
THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL for educators but we still have a few parent spots open.
Learn new approaches to bridging the challenging gap between school and home. Develop Inspired Teaching techniques for motivating every child, giving meaningful feedback to foster growth, and building strong relationships that result in increased student achievement, both at home and in the classroom.
The course is designed specifically for parent and teacher participants. April 5 - 9:30am to 12:30pm

Mental Math and Beyond
Experience alternatives to paper and pencil math through a fully interactive exploration of activities that keep students intellectually – and often physically – active. These standards-based instructional techniques are designed to make math lessons more engaging and effective. April 19 - 9:30am to 12:30pm

The Art of Teaching
Like any other art form, teaching requires practice, play, and exploration. Examine the teaching and learning process and discover the skills of Inspired Teachers including: ways to build positive relationships with students, methods for creating challenging and engaging lessons, and exercises that empower students to become problem solvers. May 3 - 9:30am to 12:30pm

Inspired Teaching Institute#

This course is FREE to all teachers. Graduate credit is available. Apply Now (This link will download a full application packet, if you cannot open the packet, the PDF versions of all individual components are listed below.)

• Inspired Teaching Institute Application
• Inspired Teaching Institute Info Sheet
• Photo Release Form
• Accident Waiver

Inspired Teaching Institute
This intensive, year-long professional development program challenges teachers (preK-12) of all academic subjects to build student achievement and meet standards in creative and truly effective ways. The course rejuvenates teachers while strengthening their abilities to meet the challenges of teaching. During the course, teachers are engaged in a 100% participatory process. Teachers are active and on their feet as they delve into a rigorous examination of the teaching-learning process. They emerge with new and more effective strategies for reaching every student. Teachers learn strategies for motivating students and engaging them in thoughtful analysis of academic material—ensuring that meaningful learning takes place. Program results show an increase in student participation, interest, and critical and analytical thinking.Take two weeks this summer to begin to change the way you teach forever.

Session I: June 16 - 27, 2008
Session II: July 7 - 18, 2008