Professional Development Services
Professional Learning Workshops
What Makes Us Different?
Our Professional Development:
- Deepens content knowledge through content focused training
- Incorporates active learning
- Uses researched models of effective teaching practices
- Supports collaboration
- Provides coaching and feedback
- Increases student achievement
Strategic Planning - Using Aligned Instructional Material
Gentle Minds offers school leaders a strategic planning process designed to improve student achievement. We will help leaders develop plans that are focused and brief and that provide consistent monitoring and evaluation. We will support teachers in using aligned instructional material to deliver objective-focused instruction.
Data Coaching and Intervention Design
Take your knowledge of data to the next level. Gentle Minds offers data coaching and consulting services to help staff analyze data and drive systemic change across the campus to increase student achievement.
Fun, Relevant, & Engaging PD Offerings
INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY TOOLS IN THE CLASSROOM:
In this workshop teachers will explore tools and techniques to engage students by integrating technology in the classroom. Teachers will develop skills in delivering lessons, checking student understanding, and increasing student participation by incorporating the use of technology.
6-hour session – Full Day
At the end of the training, the educator will be able to….
1. Use technology to provide differentiated instruction.
2. Use technology tools to provide students with real time feedback on their work.
3. Provide students with easily accessible classroom notes and exemplars.
MAKING MATH EASY:
In this workshop teachers will explore strategies using hands – on manipulatives and best instructional strategies to increase number fluency, build number sense, and teach problem solving using all operations.
3 – Full Day 6-hour sessions
Session 1: Building Number Fluency and Number Sense
Session 2: Models of Addition and Subtraction
Session 3: Models of Multiplication and Division
At the end of the training, the educator will be able to….
1. Incorporate instructional strategies to build numerical fluency.
2. Provide students will tools to build number sense.
3. Use manipulatives and hands – on experiences to build conceptual understanding of how-to problem solve.
CLASSROOM BEST PRACTICES:
In this workshop teachers will improve the quality of instruction and explore strategies for increasing student engagement and achievement.
6-hour session – Full Day
At the end of the training, the educator will be able to….
1. Create a structured learning environment.
2. Teach content through exploration and/or experimental design.
3. Incorporate movement, rhythm, and rhyme to support student retention.
MAKE IT VISIBLE – ANCHOR CHARTS:
In this workshop teachers will increase student vocabulary and content retention.
3-hour session – Half Day
At the end of the training, the educator will be able to….
1. Use interactive anchor charts as graphic organizers to help students streamline their thinking.
2. Use anchor charts to highlight connections between academic vocabulary and hands – on experiences.
3. Use anchor charts to include visual representations of exemplar work and strategic step by step processes.
BACKWARDS PLANNING:
In this workshop teachers will plan with the end in mind by analyzing assessments to determine what students need to know and how to incorporate scaffolds. Teachers will explore instructional strategies to support student understanding.
6-hour session – Full Day
At the end of the training, the educator will be able to….
1. Analyze released STAAR questions to create a “picture of mastery”, which includes academic language, necessary skills, and understandings, as well as possible misconceptions to be addressed.
2. Decide on the best sequence of instructional delivery that will lead students to mastery and select aligned quick checks for understanding.