For the third consecutive summer, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction will offer summer professional learning for ACPS teachers K-12. Course offerings will provide teachers with the knowledge, skills and materials to meet the needs of our students. A major focus in all sessions will be differentiation strategies for diverse student populations. All courses are aligned to the goals outlined in the ACPS 2020 Strategic Plan and provide participants with skills and tools to ensure that Every Student Succeeds.
To view all offerings or to sign up for courses, please log into the PLMS website.
Blended Learning Camp
ACPS’ 2nd annual Blended Learning Camp is a professional learning opportunity centered around empowering teachers to create deliberate connections of educational technology with face-to-face instruction to enhance and personalize a deep and meaningful curriculum. Teachers and administrators can participate in one or both days of Blended Learning Camp. Sessions will be facilitated by ACPS administrators, teachers, and members of the Tech Services department. Additionally, a variety of company representatives for programs used in ACPS will be present to provide their expertise. Companies include: Canvas, Nearpod, Common Sense Media, and more! #14930
Family Life Education Teacher Certification Course: Human Sexuality
Are you interested in gaining useful skills and content knowledge that will help you effectively teach the Family Life Education (FLE) curriculum? Teachers who will be delivering FLE content to students are required to take the Human Sexuality for Educators course. This course will take a closer look at FLE materials and resources at the teacher’s disposal. It seeks to build participant confidence and knowledge-base when delivering this sensitive, but meaningful content. It will be taught by the Human Growth and Development Department Chair, Stephanie Ghent, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the subject. #14239
Introduction to Instructional Rounds
What should effective classrooms look and sound like? What role do leadership teams have in educational improvement? This course will provide an overview of Instructional Rounds (IR). You will learn about the next steps in ACPS around the IR process and how our work in schools can improve educator practice. Dr. Richard Elmore, Harvard professor, and his colleagues wrote the book “Instructional Rounds in Education,” which will be the basis for the session. Participants will gain an effective theory of action that connects the Central Office and the classroom as well as tools to measure progress and collaboration across school teams. #14779
Science Academy for Improving Learning in Science (SAILS)
In collaboration with George Mason University, the ACPS curriculum department is conducting the Science Academy for Improving Learning in Science (SAILS). This professional development opportunity consists of a series of sessions that focus on improving science instruction in grades 3-5. All participants will receive recertification points, instructional materials, books, and access to all the lesson plans, assessments, and other tools that are developed during the academy. #12722
Assessment Based Writing Workshop Instruction in Grades K-5
How can teachers thoughtfully use a Writing Workshop structure to build proficient writers? Participants will review the basic parts of daily writing workshop: mini-lesson, writing & conferences and how to meet the needs of all writers within that structure. The session will include an opportunity study mentor texts, engage in the “quick piling” writing assessment analysis protocol, as well as time for participants to add to their personal writing toolkits. By the end of the interactive session, participants will be able to explain how to plan for a genre-based writing workshop structure to meet the Tier I needs of all students, including students identified as TAG, SPED or EL. #14935
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