AI chatbots are a powerful way to provide safe, monitored, personalized learning experiences for students. Chatbots can be used for a wide range of engaging activities such as interviewing a historical figure, discussing a book, learning about a career, assessing understanding, providing tutoring, or diving into any topic. With AI these chatbots adjust to each student individually to meet their specific needs and interests. In this session we will explore traditional AI chatbots, as well as tools such as SchoolAI, Mizou, Khanmigo, and MagicSchoolAI where you can choose from a wide range of pre-made chatbots or easily create your own. For more details see: https://bit.ly/curts-chatbots
This session will provide a broad overview of the NGSS, discussing the frameworks that inform the standards, instructional practices that support the NGSS in the classroom, and high-quality instructional resources that are available that can support NGSS implementation. We will also discuss tools you can use to become a critical consumer of resources to use in your classroom.
In the spirit of the classic Choose Your Own Adventure series, this will be an interactive session with participants having an opportunity to select educator commitments that they would like to learn most about. This session will expose you to a variety of authors' best practices and fundamentals, particularly in the areas of communication, relationships, and critical thinking. Participants will leave the session with awareness of daily techniques that if implemented in earnest, will improve and strengthen your current environment whether it be a classroom, department, or school; students will grow and staff will feel empowered and valued.
As an educational leader and a mother, I am curious and interested in inclusive leadership practices that transform lives for the better. In particular, I really enjoy hearing about multilingual leadership and educational pathways, especially from colleagues and students whose family... Read More →
This session explores the power of math discussions in fostering confident mathematicians and stronger problem-solving skills at all levels. Math discussions create a safe space for students to share ideas, clarify understanding, and learn from each other. By explaining their thought processes and listening to others' approaches, students refine their reasoning skills. Students learn from different perspectives, build communication skills, and develop a sense of shared responsibility for solving problems. Discussions showcase the beauty of mathematics, encouraging students to be creative and adaptable in their problem-solving approaches. Effective communication empowers individuals to tackle complex problems in all areas of life. By fostering a culture of discussion, we can nurture confident mathematicians with strong reasoning and problem-solving abilities. We make math a conversation, not just a set of procedures.
True differentiation allows students to move through learning at their own pace. Managing a classroom full of kids that all have different needs can seem overwhelming! In this session you will hear how the general idea of "The Modern Classroom Project" was applied to a middle school science class to achieve true differentiation and self-paced learning. These strategies can be applied to any content, any grade, but the focus of this session will be how it was implemented in middle school.
Director of ROE Services, Regional Office of Education #8
With over two decades immersed in education, spanning the teaching of 3rd through 8th graders, Sarah Meador has gathered a breadth of knowledge and experience. Her focus on science education, engagement strategies, and technology integration has led her to achieve the honor of becoming... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 9:30am - 10:30am CST
Monarch
Reading comprehension skills can be difficult to develop for many students. In this session we will explore a different approach of developing reading comprehension skills by using Cartoons and hands on STEM Activities.
The session will explore research in cognitive psychology and related disciplines, focusing on effective learning methods for lifelong learning and skill mastery. Participants will be provided with practical examples of these methods to utilize in their classrooms.
There’s a better way to work! This Google-focused session will share 23 tips you didn't know you needed for cutting out the clutter, streamlining your workflow, and getting more done every day. You'll learn actionable strategies to help you prioritize tasks, organize files, manage emails, schedule and run efficient meetings, and improve your document and slide creation. Learn the tips the pros use to declutter your digital life to spend more time on the things that matter most. Bring your device and learn as you listen.
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center of Illinois
Eric Santos is the Regional Educational Technology Coordinator for the Learning Technology Center in the Chicagoland region. Eric believes in advocating for greater equity in educational opportunities as well as engaging, inspiring, and empowering all educators through effective edtech... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 9:30am - 10:30am CST
Salt Creek
Using STEAM practices, this session will help to build staff confidence in relationship ideas and increase student classroom engagement. We will focus on priority standards, how to address your teachers and students, ways to build bridges between STEAM and your classroom, and opening a door for future school development conversations.
Instructional coaching is a way to build reflective practices in teachers to drive instructional change. The relational nature of coaching techniques allows the coach to provide specific, context-based suggestions that could be used to address inequitable structures in classrooms. Individuals who work with teachers can make specific and intentional moves to help teachers reflect on and challenge structures of power, narratives, and values of science, and what science participation looks like from within specific classroom structures.
Join us for an engaging session focused on leveraging co teaching as a dynamic collaborative approach for enhancing student linguistic and academic development. We will journey through the systemic approaches of co-teaching, through setting the foundations, stages of implementation, collective leadership practices, challenging and proactive solutions, and conclude with hearing voices from the field. Through the session, participants will delve into the core principles and practical strategies underpinning successful co teaching initiatives. We will explore how co teaching serves as a catalyst for fostering student achievement and growth, particularly in linguistic proficiency and academic growth. Drawing from real-world examples and evidence-based insights, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and nuances of collaborative approaches. Attendees will leave with a guideline for developing and implementing an evidence-based instructional co-teaching model.
Assistant Superintendent of English Learning, North Palos School District 117
My name is Shadia Salem and I am an district administrator for programs of English Learning. Prior to this role, I was a Technology Instruction Coordinator and Arabic bilingual teacher for students in grade 1st-4th.
Education is a people business. Our hope as leaders is to create an environment and structure where deep, meaningful conversations happen consistently and teacher growth is the norm and not the anomaly.
This session uses personality archetypes to help leaders better understand themselves and how to communicate to others. Once we understand that we can continually adapt our communication styles to meet the diverse needs of those we serve, we crack the coaching code and can become a better leader for those we serve.
Level Up Your Teaching with a Student-Centered Approach! This session dives into competency-based instruction (CBI) and data-driven decision making, a powerful combination for maximizing student achievement. What You'll Learn: The Core of CBI: Discover how CBI focuses on mastering specific skills and knowledge, ensuring students progress at their own pace. Data as Your Guide: Explore how to leverage student data from assessments and activities to identify learning gaps and tailor instruction accordingly. Actionable Strategies: Leave with practical techniques to implement CBI in your classroom, including effective assessment methods and data analysis tools. Benefits for You and Your Students: Personalized Learning: Meet the needs of all learners by differentiating instruction based on individual strengths and weaknesses. Increased Engagement: Foster a mastery-oriented environment where students take ownership of their learning journey. Data-Driven Decisions: Make informed choices about instruction based on concrete evidence of student progress. Join us and unlock the potential of a dynamic and personalized learning experience!
This is Mollie's second year as an instructional coach for Sycamore High School. She previously taught English for seven years in two different school districts, most recently Sycamore High School.
Monday December 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am CST
Clarendon Hills
In this session we will discuss the development and framework of a K-8 STEM program in a the diverse, low income, rural school. Our STEM program explores coding/robotics, 3D design, and basic physics.
Are you eager to ignite a dynamic fusion of learning in your classroom? Dive into our session and discover the art of weaving together diverse content standards through the dynamic framework of the 5Es lesson design. Explore invaluable resources to seamlessly blend various subjects, empowering your students with engaging and interconnected learning experiences. Walk away equipped with the expertise and tools to cultivate impactful educational journeys in your classroom. Join us and unlock the potential of cross-curricular exploration!
In this session, participants will leave with gamification ideas that can easily be implemented, are standards driven, empower students, and make learning fun. Using these student driven activities and giving students a voice and choice in their learning is just one more way to bring back the FUN and help increase engagement! We will reference our own experiences increasing engagement with gamifying as well as teacher and student feedback. Our inspiration comes from some of our favorite professional texts (Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Explore Like a Pirate, and Fully Engaged). Get inspired and bring in collaboration and creativity into your classroom.
This interactive session will being by exploring participants language profile. Then moving into terminology, theory, practice, examples and best practices of Translanguaging.
Explore AI-powered multimedia experiences that make digital creation more accessible to everyone through faster content generation and powerful editing features. Learn how AI tools can create everything from logos for your business to cover art for your AI-generated album. Create and edit podcasts, audiobooks, short films, training videos, advertisements, even social media posts. This session is intended to inspire and inform you of what the future of AI holds for creative multimedia production.
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center of Illinois
Eric Santos is the Regional Educational Technology Coordinator for the Learning Technology Center in the Chicagoland region. Eric believes in advocating for greater equity in educational opportunities as well as engaging, inspiring, and empowering all educators through effective edtech... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am CST
Salt Creek
EduProtocols are instructional templates that are designed to engage students in learning through critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity, in any subject or grade level. In this session you will see how engaging these can be for students by trying out several hands-on activities with Google tools such as Sketch and Tell, Iron Chef, Tier List, Thin Slides, and more. For more details see: https://bit.ly/curts-active
In this session, participants will explore the concept of gender bias, and how identifying it can help to enhance the climate and culture in their classrooms. Participants will learn how understanding gender bias can increase student engagement and success while improving relationships throughout the school.
If you're a Google school looking to increase student engagement and accountability for academic progress, as well as improve communication with families, this session is for you! We will dive deep into an extension called Autocrat.
With Autocrat, you can merge information from any Google Sheet into a Google Doc or PDF and send it to any email address or share the documents with a data team.
The possibilities are endless: weekly newsletters, student reflections, SEL data, 9-week feedback, grading projects and essays, organizing student data, and much more.
Finding ways for students to communicate with their families is often a challenging Domain 4 task, but it becomes much easier with Autocrat.
By the end of this session, you will leave with a product you can use in your class as soon as tomorrow!
Instructional Coach, East Peoria Community High Sch
Laura Moore is teaching her 14th year in the classroom as a math teacher, currently at East Peoria Community High School. As a Google Certified educator, technology in the classroom has always been a passion. Laura is constantly trying new ideas and platforms to improve her teaching... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Pebble Beach
This session equips educators with an understanding of how to address diverse reading challenges from Dyslexia to Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Through the Simple View of Reading (Gough & Tunmer, 1986) framework, participants learn data analysis techniques and evidence-based interventions for word recognition, language comprehension, and reading comprehension difficulties. These strategies cultivate an inclusive culture of literacy success, aligning seamlessly with the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan to raise the literacy achievement of all students.
Reading Content Specialist, IL SLD Support Project
Kellyn Sirach is a passionate and motivated educator who has committed her career to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn to read. Over the past year, she has served as the Reading Content Specialist for the IL SLD Support Project developing professional development... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Hinsdale
Word problems are always an area of frustration for teachers as well as students. Identifying key words to solve world problems in math is a common practice that often confuses students. Come find out how to shift the focus from identifying keywords to modeling and making sense of problems that you can make work in your classroom tomorrow!
Within the CCSS the term "Fluency" is used within all K - 5 grade level expectations. So just what exactly is "Fact Fluency", and how do we work as teachers of mathematics to develop student's fluency with their basic facts? This session is focused on providing an awareness of the research based progression of developing student's math fact fluency. Additionally, participants will leave with an understanding of supportive structures designed to assess student fact fluency while moving students toward a deep conceptual understanding of the basic facts that ultimately leads to fact automaticity.
One of the biggest challenges in education is the time required to provide detailed feedback on student work. Thankfully we now have powerful AI tools that can generate personalized feedback for student work based on the guidelines, rubrics, and style we suggest. This can include feedback on student writing from short answers to full essays, as well as feedback on spoken student explanations. In this session we will explore AI feedback tools such as Class Companion, Snorkl, EnlightenAI, and more. For more details see: http://bit.ly/curts-aigrading
Cultural relevance promotes inclusive environments that expand perspectives of meaningful participation to include all students. This session will consist of two parts, with part 1 focusing on: (1) What is cultural relevance? (2) How has cultural relevance been applied? and (3) How can we make actionable steps in our own classrooms to affirm the diverse cultures and perspectives of our students?
What is it that ties people together? Join the conversation as we take a look at the abundant ideas around what makes humans care about one another, what inspires them, and how our own humanity drives us to seek happiness, purpose, and bonds. Whether we are considering Sheryl Sandberg, Simon Sinek, Dalia Feldheim, Daniel Coyle, Liz Wiseman, or Shawn Achor, it all comes down to the human elements, really.
Are you tired of feeling like you're herding cats in the classroom? Do you find yourself assessing student engagement by counting the number of yawns per minute? In this session we’ll dive head first into a carefully curated list of instructional strategies that you can take home with you today! I’ll cover assessment, writing, discussion, SEL, grading, and AI strategies just to name a few! All strategies can be adjusted to fit your needs.
Discover the transformative power of Object-Based Learning (OBL) in the modern classroom with our presentation on "Engaging Minds: Active Teaching through Object-Based Learning." This innovative educational approach leverages physical objects to stimulate student engagement, enhance critical thinking, and deepen understanding across various subjects. Join us as we explore how OBL can bring abstract concepts to life by integrating tangible artifacts into lesson plans. Participants will gain insight into the diverse benefits of OBL, including improved retention, heightened curiosity, and the development of observational and inferential skills. Our interactive presentation, inspired by the Smithsonian’s Teacher Innovator Institute, will showcase practical examples from different educational settings, demonstrating how everyday objects, historical artifacts, and art pieces can serve as powerful educational tools. Attendees will learn how to curate and incorporate objects into their own teaching practices, creating immersive and interactive learning experiences. Additionally, we will discuss the logistical aspects of implementing OBL, such as sourcing objects, managing classroom dynamics, and aligning with curriculum standards. By the end of the session, educators will be equipped with actionable strategies to foster a more engaging and participatory classroom environment through the use of object-based learning. Prepare to be inspired by this dynamic approach that not only captivates students but also enriches their educational journey, turning passive learning into an active exploration of the world around them.
Unlock the potential of your middle school ELA classroom with this session dedicated to fostering engagement within your classroom community. Dive into dynamic techniques and proven strategies designed to captivate and inspire young learners. From interactive activities to multimedia integration, discover practical methods to create an environment where every student thrives. Get inspired & revolutionize your approach to teaching ELA in the middle school setting.
Collaboration is fundamental in today's learning environment. Often, we assign collaborative tasks to students without explaining the key elements for success. This session is designed to unravel the core of collaboration and how it can be incorporated into the classroom. Get ready to discover various strategies for teaching people of all ages about teamwork. Participants will also have opportunities to experience digital and hands-on activities to promote and practice collaboration. Together, let’s make sure we’re supporting our learners to become strong collaborators for the classroom and beyond.
Leah Herold is in her 17th year as an educator in Central District #301. This is her seventh year of being an Instructional Coach. Prior to this position, she taught 4th grade for nine years. Leah is a Level 1 & 2 Google Certified Educator. She holds an undergraduate degree in Elementary... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Salt Creek
There are many Google tools, apps, extensions, and features available to assist all learners. In this session we take an in-depth hands-on look at a wide range of technology tools to assist any and all learners. These can include text-to-speech, speech-to-text, readability, reading comprehension, artificial intelligence tools, audio support, organization, focus, and more. Learn what tools are available and how to access and use these free tools with your students. For more details see: https://bit.ly/curts-support
Cultural relevance promotes inclusive environments that expand perspectives of meaningful participation to include all students. The second session will be a time for participants to workshop applications of cultural relevance for their classroom context in collaboration with the presenter and other participants in similar subjects/grade bands.
The goal of this collaborative presentation is important to the field in its connection with supporting both general education and special education teachers, support staff, and leadership. Placing focus on navigating mental health within tiers, responding to challenging behaviors, intervention implementation, and an exemplar process of mental health crisis management. The outcomes of this presentation will be to understand the importance of mental health in schools, implement interventions and strategies for supporting students with mental health needs, and responding effectively to students in crisis. The benefits of this presentation will provide educators with the knowledge and skills they need to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. The practices will improve student performance by staff accurately determining mental health interventions for internalizing and externalizing students. As well as, utilizing data and an effective crisis management process throughout your building(s).
By offering students creative ways to showcase and share their knowledge, we not only help them understand the content better but also teach them how to use design thinking in navigating their learning path. This thinking and creating approach can be adjusted and applied to different subjects.
Join Camille, a seasoned art teacher with 18 years of experience, as she introduces techniques to enhance your current curriculum by introducing imaginative avenues for students to display their learning. Discover numerous chances to inspire your students to explore their studies more deeply, boosting their confidence and giving them tools for real-world situations. We will explore contemporary artists who serve as examples for demonstrating learning, such as those who have transformed weather data into sculptures and musical compositions.
You will also create your own samples to prepare yourself for offering these opportunities to your students. For instance, you can use Adobe Express AI text-to-image for ELA students to visually represent character descriptions. With certifications in Google Level 1, Adobe Creative Educator Level 1 & 2, and as an Adobe Creative Educator Innovator, Camille will showcase basic techniques using Google and Adobe Express to improve student outcomes. Our primary focus will be on utilizing free computer-based tools, so please bring a device of your choice.
The future is coming and it’s moving full STEAM ahead. As we continue to adapt to the demands of the 21st century, it's imperative that our educational programs reflect the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) in preparing our students for the future. Our K-5 STEAM program aims to provide a dynamic learning environment where students can explore, create, and innovate across various disciplines.
This session will include information about how the STEAM program is set up at Pontiac #429, from how the STEAM program is utilized at each school to what a typical STEAM schedule looks like. Participants will learn what unique materials our STEAM program has and how we use STEAM projects to address the Next Generation Science Standards. Participants will also leave with access to three different STEAM projects, ready to teach in their own classrooms.
As education evolves, so do the frameworks that guide effective teaching practices. The Danielson Framework 2022 brings fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to enhance instructional effectiveness and student engagement. Join us for an insightful session where we delve into the latest updates of this renowned framework and discover how it can transform your teaching.
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, integrating AI into teaching and learning processes is imperative. This workshop will explore the potential of AI in education, focusing on enhancing student engagement and fostering a dynamic and personalized learning environment. Participants will learn practical strategies and innovative tools to effectively incorporate AI into their planning process and promote a more interactive learning experience for students.
This workshop aims to empower educators with the knowledge and tools to transform their teaching and student engagement through AI. It promises to be a dynamic and insightful experience, preparing participants to lead the charge in exploring and integrating AI in the educational environment.
We will demonstrate how to use play based learning in elementary school classrooms as a method of instruction in both large and small scale opportunities to help engage students in authentic and meaning learning opportunities.
This session is designed for K-12 leaders who are ready to move beyond the basics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and explore its practical application as a transformative teaching tool. We'll delve into using the latest AI tools to push technology use past substitution and into the deeper end of the SAMR pool. We’ll demonstrate a few tips on how AI can enhance your leadership role. We’ll explore cutting-edge AI developments on the horizon that will impact students when they enter the workforce. And finally we’ll equip you with the critical considerations for crafting a robust AI policy for your district. Join this session to become a SAMR and AI Samurai!
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Learning Technology Center of Illinois
Eric Santos is the Regional Educational Technology Coordinator for the Learning Technology Center in the Chicagoland region. Eric believes in advocating for greater equity in educational opportunities as well as engaging, inspiring, and empowering all educators through effective edtech... Read More →
Monday December 9, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Oak Brook
