Bloomington Public Schools
Professional Development
Thank you to all those who participated in 2007-08 Professional Development!!!
2008 Summer Professional Development Options are now available.
Click HERE for a list of Summer Workshops and Courses!
2008-09 Professional Development will be available in August 2008.
District 87 Professional Development Plan Summary
Phonemic Awareness Workshop
2007-08 SAC and Grade Level Meeting Dates
A.M. SAC Meetings 8:30 - 11:00
Full Day SAC Meetings 8:30 - 3:00
Grade Level Meetings 3:45 - 4:45
Special Education/Intervention
Differentiated instruction is the process of developing one's knowledge of each student's readiness, interests and learning profile and using that knowledge to provide each student with meaningful learning experiences by modifying the content, process and product of the lesson. In short, differentiated instruction is about giving each student what he/she needs in order to learn best.
Professional Development Opportunities
District Sponsored Courses
Reading in the Content Areas (Grades 6 - 12)
Reading in the content areas focuses on the specific vocabulary, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills necessary to "read to learn" in a variety of subject areas. Students must learn to use different skills to read science as opposed to literature. They must also use different strategies to read math as oppose to history. Reading in the content areas is about explicitly teaching students the strategies to read to learn in different subjects.
Professional Development Opportunities
District Sponsored Courses
Teaching Reading to Learn (Grades 3 - 5)
In grades 3, 4 and 5, students must make the transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn". Many students struggle with this process. As a result they fall behind in the reading comprehension and critical thinking skills necessary for success in upper elementary school. To "read to learn", students must develop a toolbox of skills and strategies necessary to read and understand a variety of texts. They must also learn when and how to use the skills and strategies effectively and efficiently. Teaching reading to learn is about explicitly teaching students these skills.
Professional Development Opportunities
District Sponsored Courses
Standards Aligned Classrooms/Assessment (Pre-K - 12)
The Standards Aligned Classrooms project focuses on aligning curriculum, instruction and assessment with the Illinois Learning Standards and using quality assessments to monitor and enhance student learning. The use of high quality formative assessments has been shown to improve student achievement and motivation and shrink achievement gaps.
Professional Development Opportunities
- SAC In Motion - Registration for SAC
in Motion is handled through the Regional Office of Education.
Contact
Diane Stempinski for information.
Intervention/Special Services (Pre-K - 12)
Interventions are specific services provided to students who, for a variety of reasons, struggle with meeting the learning standards in core curricular areas or with developing appropriate behavior or social skills. Interventions are usually focused on the student as an individual and may range in duration and intensity. Special education is one form of intervention that focuses on students with disabilities. Special services also include services for other groups of students with unique needs including students considered to be "academically talented".
Professional Development Opportunities
District Sponsored Course
Instructional technology can be a powerful tool for increasing access to the curriculum and to a wealth of resources. Technology can be used to support classroom instruction, differentiated learning, student assessment, intervention and special services.
Professional Development Opportunities
Workshop