As teachers, it is our responsibility to give the next generation of global citizens the tools they need to understand climate change issues. Join The Science House, Catawba College, and the NC State Climate Office in Ocracoke for an exciting week delving into the science of climate change. We will be utilizing tools and protocols developed by scientists to look at changes occurring on the island due to the pressures of a shifting climate. These tools can be used to help you build and implement an engaging, inquiry-based unit to deepen student learning of climate science wherever you may teach in NC.Explore the island's delicate ecosystems to collect and analyze data, connect with climate and environmental scientists, and enhance your teacher toolbox!

Time: 3:15-5:15 p.m.

Despite our knowledge of effective reading instruction in the early grades, only 36% of fourth graders in North Carolina read at or above proficiency according to the 2019 NAEP assessment. By fourth grade, it is common for instruction to shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” which assumes that students have already mastered basic reading skills like decoding and fluency. With decreased instruction focused on learning to read, students who do not read proficiently by the end of third grade will likely encounter additional learning challenges, and teachers must support these students before the gap widens. Join us to learn about the research surrounding reading and decoding practices most effective for struggling students.

MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) is the umbrella under which all educational practices fall. It has four main pillars: Attendance; Behavior; Academics, and; SEL (Social Emotional Learning). What have we learned from the experts over the past decades? What are we continuing to learn from disequities highlighted by the pandemic? How can we use this research to create optimal teaching behaviors that equate to maximum learning outcomes? And how can we change OUR professional practices to ensure positive and thriving student behaviors?

This program is intended to offer the big picture - the major actions that will yield the biggest impact, some of the latest research, as well as practical implementation suggestions and resources. Plan to leave with ideas, resources, and a game plan for your classroom and school teams!

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Supporting the practices of instructional coaches is critical in NC schools. This program will prepare coaches for this ever-changing profession. Throughout the week, coaches will learn strategies to strengthen relationships with teachers, facilitate meaningful collaboration, and give effective coaching feedback. Sessions will include best practices for having critical conversations and establishing productive Professional Learning Communities with students’ success in mind. Join NCCAT to learn and collaborate with instructional coaches from across NC.

Want to learn how to build effective online design for Canvas and Google Classroom using Google Apps? The widespread adoption of Learning Management Systems and 1:1 laptop initiatives means teachers have opportunities to blend the best of traditional instruction and online learning. Teachers will learn the latest best practices for online learning and put that learning into practice by creating effective lessons to engage student learners. The 4 C’s - collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity are essential components of the digital learning competencies that support and enhance student learning and success for our global society. This course will help you design online lessons using Google Apps for your Canvas or Google Classroom account. By building their repertoire of skills with Google Apps for Education, teachers will see how to foster seamless communication, encourage collaboration among students, promote critical thinking, and support student creativity—the 4 C’s.

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The Covid-19 pandemic forced educators to suddenly pivot to new ways of teaching and reaching students. Now that we’ve all had those shared experiences, how can we take the best of both digital and in-person learning to create equitable and engaging classrooms? Each participant will design makeovers of their favorite lessons, using techniques like flipped classes and project-based learning to blend the best of both worlds. We will also develop frameworks for advocating for change in the classroom to support equity work. This hands-on session will give educators make-and-take products to help merge the best practices of digital and in-person learning to better reach all students.

Time: 3:15-4:45 p.m.

We know ongoing formative assessment is more critical than ever in math instruction, so how do we make the most of these assessments to guide our instruction? Join this virtual session on March 24th from 3:15-4:45 to explore different assessment strategies that help us make informed decisions about next steps in math learning. We will explore guidance for best practices in this unprecedented time to ensure students are receiving rigorous instruction and learn strategies for checking students’ learning needs with a variety of formative assessments. This program is intended for math teachers and instructional coaches in grades 2-8.

Do you either have an underutilized makerspace or are thinking of developing a makerspace? Are you finding that your STEM efforts are not generating the kind of interdisciplinary joy and wonder of learning that you see at other schools? Have you considered exploring authentic PBL instead of just “doing projects?” This workshop will answer these questions and more by providing middle and high school teachers the opportunity for a deep dive into the intersection of each of these proven strategies that drive relevance, engagement, and deeper learning. Find out how you can leverage the power of an active learning environment in your own classroom and school – one that amplifies the best traditions of progressive, constructivist education and depends more on a mindset of problem solving and sustained inquiry and less on expensive equipment and technology.