CDCSS Mini-Conference will be held on Saturday October 22, 2016 from 8:30 to 1:30 pm.
Cost: $10 for Regular members - (please login to the CDCSS site first to access this option)
$30 for non-members (will include a one year membership to the CDCSS.
Registration fee includes light breakfast food and a snack.
Sign-in/Registration will begin at 8:00 am.
Sessions will begin at 9 am.
Breakout Session descriptions:
From 9 am to 10:30 am --
News Media Literacy - This interactive presentation will focus on media literacy: the skills of critically analyzing and composing using media texts, information tools and technologies, including social media, electronic newspapers and other resources. We will discuss how news organizations decide what makes news and work through at least one simulation of a journalism ethics dilemma. And we'll learn how to answer the questions - What is news? What is credible, fair and actionable? Presented by Mary Miller, NY News Publishers Assoc.
Intro to Google Educator - See how to use Google tools including Google Docs, Sheets, Gmail, etc. to distribute and collect assignments, communicate with students, and encourage online collaboration and learning. Presented by Shannon Lundgren, Bethlehem CSD
The Inquiry Learning Model - The new CCSS combined with the NCSS C3, rightly demand teachers attend to higher order thinking skills, while often local and state exams measure only basic literacy, knowledge, and comprehension. The Inquiry Learning Model described and modeled in this presentation allows teachers to teach both the facts and necessary civics skills through an inquiry approach which facilitates students’ investigation of concepts using maps, graphs, primary source documents, news articles, artifacts, etc. Students develop a multifaceted perspective, draw conclusions, and come to new conceptual understandings. Presented by Mary Eads, Niskayuna and Catherine Snyder, Clarkson University
From 10:35 to 11:25 am ---
Local/Regional Museums, Historic and Cultural Organizations Poster Sessions - present resources and student tour opportunities. Those who have confirmed participation include:
- Albany Visitors Center
- Albany Institute of History and Art
- New York State Museum
- Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
- New York State Capital Building Tours
- Cherry Hill/Schuyler Mansion
(more organizations may be added)
From 11:30 am to 1 pm --
Civics: Students' and Teachers' Rights and Responsibilities - This session will provide participants the opportunity to deeply examine landmark court decisions that have impacted American schools, especially our students. Participants will analyze and discuss historic events and landmark court decisions to further understand and enhance instruction related to students’ rights and civic responsibilities. A case study approach, including current cases and controversies, will be utilized to explore core themes of civic learning. Instructional strategies and resources will be shared that enhance essential literacy skills, improve students’ civic knowledge, and build capacity for student voice. Participants will gain a better understanding of the role of the law, the Constitution and the judiciary in shaping our society, especially as relates to empowering young people as active, informed, engaged participants in our democracy. Presented by David Scott, Northport-East Northport UFSD and Project P.A.T.C.H.
Blended Learning: Integrating Social Studies and English Language Arts through the SS/ELA Curriculum - With all the demands of an elementary teacher, how can we find time to teach it all? Through the integration of Social Studies and English Language Arts it is possible. During this interactive presentation, participants will examine how the Integrated Social Studies / ELA Curriculum can help elementary teachers meet the requirements of the new, New York State Social Studies Framework while strengthening students literacy skills. Teachers will leave with a better understanding of the Social Studies K-12 continuum and the vital role of each grade level plays in the development of the skills necessary for success on commencement level Regents exams. Presented by Gregory Brown, Putnam-North Westchester BOCES
As a courtesy, members of other Professional Teaching Associations may be eligible to register under our member rate. Contact Mary Miller at mmiller@nynpa.com about this or to register a group of teachers from one school district.
All other questions may be directed to Thomas Michalek at
tmichalek@bcsd.neric.org