Friday, October 16, 2009

Friday, 6 AM – 5 PM Registration Friday, 7 – 8:15 AM Teacher Educators Networking Session Peter J. Larrow, Facilitator This session will provide an opportunity for Montessori teacher educators (faculty members of teacher education programs) to get together with colleagues old and new. In particular, the discussion will focus on ways of improving teacher education programs and the delivery of course components to colleges. Please bring your ideas, information, and questions to share (TE) Friday, 7 – 8:15 AM Coffee & Tea Friday, 8 AM – 6 PM Exhibit Hall Open Come explore an enticing assortment of high-quality Montessori materials, classroom furniture, gift items, and more. Friday, 8:30 – 10 AM Workshops: Session 1 The letters following each workshop description indicate target interest group(s): I&T (Infant & Toddler) • EC (Early Childhood) • EL (Elementary) • SEC (Secondary) • TE (Teacher Educators) • ADM (Heads & Administrators) • PUB (Public Schools) • PAR (Parents) • ALL (All Audiences) AMS and the Support of Public and Charter Montessori Schools, Part 1 Richard A. Ungerer , Dennis Schapiro , Facilitators Public Montessori schools face unique challenges. Join prominent Montessori leaders for a roundtable discussion of common issues facing public and charter Montessori schools, and explore how AMS and the Montessori community can best work toward addressing these issues. This workshop will continue through Session 2. (PUB) Communicating Openly with the Adults in Your Community Lucas McQuillan So many daily messages are unwittingly miscommunicated or misinterpreted. Come explore the interpersonal relationships among parents, staff, and administrators to discover ways to build a sense of inclusion for everyone. By learning to identify the elements of both positive and potentially destructive interactions, this session will provide an opportunity to improve your own communication as well as to elicit positive communication from those around you. (ALL) New Ideas for Classroom Music: Moving Beyond “Wheels on the Bus” Judy Woodson Are you tired of your limited musical repertoire? In this engaging session, you’ll learn songs and movement that are developmentally appropriate and engaging for toddlers and preschoolers. Come learn some tried and true “hits,” including “One Little Owl,” “John the Rabbit,” “Biddy Biddy,” “Palo Palo,” and “Dancing with Teddy.” (I&T, EC, TE, PAR) Before Numbers: Laying a Mathematical Foundation Bee Pape Teachers sometimes spend time counting from 1 to 10, over and over, with children who simply aren’t ready. This practical session will explore pre-math games and activities that form a bridge from Sensorial and Practical Life to math work. Come learn about these appropriate activities and discuss the benchmarks that show teachers when a child is truly ready to begin numeration. (EC) The Inclusive Classroom: Strategies for Success Camille Marie Brandt This workshop will take a close look at the specific learning challenges for children with special needs, such as sensory processing disorder, autism, and Asperger’s syndrome. How can Montessorians encourage classroom independence and appropriate social and communication skills? Come explore research-based strategies and resources for teachers and parents to better serve the child with special needs. (EC) Hinky Pinkys and Teakettles: Verbal Creativity, Logical Thinking Thomas Keeler This playful, participatory workshop introduces the “phony pony” and other wordplays that will get your students thinking logically and creatively. Come learn how to inspire children to create their own homonym and synonym riddles, genre jokes, type analogies, and logic problems. You’ll leave with a wealth of ideas to put to immediate classroom use. (EL) For Heaven’s Sake, What Am I Doing? Working with the Competing Voices inside Our Heads Michael J. Dorer , Jonathan Wolff Why are some aspects of authentic Montessori implementation easier said than done? This interactive, theatrical workshop will employ an “angel and devil” metaphor to demonstrate how the voices for delivering quality Montessori education vie with those to modify the program, and how teachers can overcome the roadblocks they so often face in their own spiritual preparation. Through the use of allegory, this dynamic session will offer solutions to some of the most fundamental problems of modern Montessori work. (EC, EL, TE, ADM, PUB) Digging into Rocks and Minerals Claudia Jensen Mann Young children love rocks and minerals! Come discover practical, developmentally appropriate ways to capitalize upon children’s natural interests to introduce geological phenomena and develop their skills of observation and investigation. (EC, EL) Effective Staff Recruiting and Retention Cheryll R. Ruszat Maintaining a quality staff is a major key to program success, but it can also be the administrator’s greatest challenge. Learn to harness aspects of Montessori philosophy using a mission-based approach to human resources that empowers you to attract, hire, develop, and retain a staff that builds programmatic excellence. You’ll receive forms and materials for use in your own school. (ADM) Seven Steps to Improve School Culture and Student Success, Part 1 Mo Sanders A positive school culture, in which all constituents are happy and engaged, has a direct impact on student success. Come learn how to assess your school environment through positive inquiry, creating a school compact, and other strategies that foster supportive attitudes and practices in line with Montessori philosophy. This workshop will continue through Session 2. (EC, EL, SEC, TE, ADM, PUB, PAR) Friday, 10 – 11 AM Morning Break Be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall and the AMS Hub. Friday, 11 AM – 12:30 PM Workshops: Session 2 The letters following each workshop description indicate target interest group(s): I&T (Infant & Toddler) • EC (Early Childhood) • EL (Elementary) • SEC (Secondary) • TE (Teacher Educators) • ADM (Heads & Administrators) • PUB (Public Schools) • PAR (Parents) • ALL (All Audiences) AMS and the Support of Public and Charter Montessori Schools, Part 2 Richard A. Ungerer , Dennis Schapiro , Facilitators Please see Session 1 for description. (PUB) Montessori Principles for the Home Tamara Sheesley Balis Imagine that all children came to your classroom from a “Montessori home”! This presentation, created for educators to share with parents, explores the principles of designing an in-home Montessori setting for children from birth to age three. Come prepared to discuss philosophy, the prepared home environment, daily schedules, and more. (I&T) Observing the Child: How to See What’s Important Marlene Barron You look, but do you listen? You look, but do you see? Observation is complex: how do we see, and how do we notice the important things? In this session, you’ll work in small groups to examine and identify information embedded in photographs, videos, and sound clips. Be prepared to leave with new eyes, ears, and other tools to uncover critical information about children and classrooms. (I&T, EC, EL, TE, ADM, PAR) Bringing Practical Life to Life Linda Riek , Molly Mix Practical Life lays the foundation for all learning, so breathe new life into this area with new approaches to the usual jobs. Come explore several concrete ideas for work that captures the interest and imagination of your students, and, more importantly, gain an understanding of the thought processes behind these activities so that you can continue to innovate in your own classroom. (EC) My Very Own Classroom! (Now What?!) Lisa Sabatini , Lisa Huang , Anna K. Fonte , Lily Reyes , Emily E. Whitcomb Opening a new classroom can be overwhelming; it can feel like reinventing the wheel. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a plan? This hands-on workshop will provide just that: a sequenced list of beginning jobs with their extensions and variations, a guide for easy storage and rotation of teacher-made materials, and tips on making quality materials at low cost. (EC, TE, ADM) Teaching and Assessing Character Terrie Sampson , Rhonda Payne Are you able to report a student’s academic progress with confidence but falter when it comes to tracking his or her personal development? Do you have a clear vision of the personal attributes you want to foster? Come examine the stages of moral development and learn how to develop a tracking framework that incorporates the specific teachable values and culture of your school. (EC, EL, SEC, ADM, PAR) Bringing Poetry Alive Nicole Champoux Poetry is more than rhyme schemes and metaphors: it is a language that enhances all learning by connecting children to their imaginations, their worlds, and their spirits. Come explore ways to create an inclusive, joyful culture of poetry in your classroom, and take home a workbook, including a bibliography, an annotated list of poets, and a thematic list of poems. You’ll be ready to bring the love of reading and writing poems into your classroom immediately. (EL) Life Science Literacy: A Review and Update Priscilla Spears Reinforce your understanding of life science studies. What are the essential concepts for children? When are they ready to explore them? Come discuss new findings and methods that will change your approach to life science curricula, including topics such as ecology, cell studies, and phylogenetic systematics (a classification system that reflects evolutionary relationships). (EL, SEC, TE) Technology in the Adolescent Environment Alice Roberts , Tim Fickenscher Middle schools are faced with a wide variety of technologies to help prepare students for 21st-century success, but what are the best tools and programs available? This session will explore the benefits of 3D-software tools, cameras, movies, and other technology tools and ideas that can enhance curricula, motivate students, and help students with learning differences keep pace in the classroom. (SEC, PUB) Seven Steps to Improve School Culture and Student Success, Part 2 Mo Sanders Please see Session 1 for description. (EC, EL, SEC, TE, ADM, PUB, PAR) Friday, 12:30 – 2 PM Lunch Break Be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall and the AMS Hub. Friday, 12:45 – 1:45 PM Regional Groups Networking Session: Looking at the Bay Area Montessori Association Eulalia Halloran Carla Hofland, Facilitator The Bay Area Montessori Association (BAMA) is a group of educators dedicated to building ties among Montessorians and promoting a positive perception of Montessori education to the entire community, throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Anyone involved or interested in forming a regional network of Montessori advocates should come to explore BAMA’s organizational structure, its history of outreach, and the volunteer support systems necessary to plan social events and operate an active, effective local association. Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy during this casual session (ALL) Friday, 2 – 3:30 PM Workshops: Session 3 The letters following each workshop description indicate target interest group(s): I&T (Infant & Toddler) • EC (Early Childhood) • EL (Elementary) • SEC (Secondary) • TE (Teacher Educators) • ADM (Heads & Administrators) • PUB (Public Schools) • PAR (Parents) • ALL (All Audiences) Positive Discipline: Encouraging the Best in Children, Part 1 Jane Nelsen Why do children misbehave? Why do punishments and rewards fail us? This session will explore the criteria for positive discipline, a series of kind but firm strategies that help children feel a sense of belonging and significance while developing character and encouraging them to contribute to their community. Discover why positive discipline, the opposite of punishment, fits so seamlessly within a Montessori framework. This workshop will continue through Session 4. (I&T, EC, EL, TE, PAR) The Moral Formation of Children Catherine Maresca The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based approach to religious education developed by Sofia Cavalletti. Principles of moral formation can be extracted from Cavalletti’s work and used with children of any background. Be inspired by Cavalletti’s powerful approach to helping the child prepare the heart for healthy relationships and the mind for the development of an ethical conscience, together with Montessori’s preparation of the body for self-discipline. (I&T, EC, EL, SEC, PAR) Technology: It’s a Part of Practical Life! Teresa Van Acker Come discover a wealth of ideas for incorporating technology into the Montessori classroom at all levels. Topics to be discussed include tailoring technologies and activities to suit different developmental stages, using Websites for effective work planning and communication, improving reading with podcasting and digital recording, and enhancing classroom participation with animation and Smart Boards. (EC, EL, TE, PUB) The Development of the Mathematical Mind Michael Duffy Maria Montessori said she developed her math and geometry materials to build the child’s “mathematical mind.” In this age of test-driven, standards-based math programs, take a look at the findings of educational psychology and modern brain research that validate her ideas and materials. You’ll also explore concrete, multisensory activities that cannot be matched by paper-and-pencil, memory-based approaches to math. (EC, EL, ADM) Understanding Boys in the Classroom Betsy Hoke Fidgety, aggressive, impulsive, bored. Why are so many boys struggling to excel or even survive in school? Examine brain-based research that is helping to unravel this puzzle, and learn about simple adjustments to Montessori environments and teaching techniques that effectively address the urgent needs of boys. (EC, EL) Encouraging Creative Writing Nancy Terry Sager , Dottie Sweet Feldman Is the blank page staring at you? Learn to spark your creative writing with a model developed by AMS 2007 Living Legacy Dottie S. Feldman, based on her years of classroom observation. In this hands-on session, learn how to offer activities to encourage students to set the scene and fill the page. You will also explore oral reading time so that students can experience their work through an audience. (EL) Introducing the Expert: A Visit from a Scientist Michele Beus , Stanley Beus Bring special focus to any scientific topic with a visiting professional from the field, who can share true adventure stories and real-life samples. In this interactive workshop, you will meet a geologist and a classroom teacher who work together to enhance and deepen students’ understanding of the natural world. Together, they will guide you in finding appropriate visitors, prepping the scientists and students in advance, designing relevant activities, and other details that will help ensure that all involved get the most out of this special experience. (EL, PUB) Elementary Classroom Management 101 Sheri Sesko , Lainie Santos Torres Classroom management isn’t just about keeping peace and getting children engaged in work. Today’s teacher is managing record keeping and lesson planning, organizing special events, and trying to enlist parent support through constant strategic communication. This session will focus on the tricks of the master teacher and how to better organize your world to serve your students, your community, and yourself. (EL) Creating a Faculty Culture of Excellence Daniel W. Driscoll , Barbara Garland You know the far-reaching positive effects of the prepared environment on children, but how can you prepare an environment to create a culture of excellence among your staff? In this interactive session, discuss recruiting and hiring practices, ongoing faculty growth and development programs, and mission-driven collaboration to create lasting success for your school. (ADM) AMS School Accreditation Q & A (for AMS Schools) Marie Conti , Joanne Oh Whether you’re thinking about beginning the AMS school accreditation process, are midway through it, or are preparing for reaccreditation, this is your opportunity to have your questions answered by AMS accreditation staff and AMS school accreditation commissioners. There will be no formal presentation and no agenda. If you register for this session, you will be contacted to schedule a one-on-one appointment time during the session to ask questions or to purchase an accreditation information packet. Note: If your school is currently accredited by the Montessori School Accreditation Commission (MSAC), please attend the session specifically for MSAC schools (Session 6). (ADM, PUB) Friday, 3:30 – 4 PM Afternoon Break Be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall and the AMS Hub. Friday, 4 – 5:30 PM Workshops: Session 4 The letters following each workshop description indicate target interest group(s): I&T (Infant & Toddler) • EC (Early Childhood) • EL (Elementary) • SEC (Secondary) • TE (Teacher Educators) • ADM (Heads & Administrators) • PUB (Public Schools) • PAR (Parents) • ALL (All Audiences) Positive Discipline: Encouraging the Best in Children, Part 2 Jane Nelsen Please see Session 3 for description. (I&T, EC, EL, TE, PAR) Save Our Songs! Restoring the Folk Tradition Sarah Bright , Sarah Richardson With each passing generation spending less and less time telling traditional stories and singing traditional songs to children, we risk losing our cultural heritage. Get reacquainted with a wealth of folk songs, nursery rhymes, and traditional games that impart generational wisdom, and gain the confidence to play your part in the oral tradition. (I&T, EC) Sensational Sensorial!  (Cancelled) Joan Ellard The Sensorial journey never ends. Come reexamine the origination of Sensorial materials and Montessori theory about their foundational role in lifelong learning. Short video clips will be used to illustrate the many ways children use and experiment with Sensorial materials so that, most crucially, your observation techniques will be reinvigorated. (EC) Following the Child through Portfolios Rayann Palazzolo The world of early childhood education has turned to portfolios as a cornerstone for assessment, and they provide the perfect tool for Montessori’s directive to follow the child. Learn quick techniques to make and keep manageable portfolios that allow students to self-reflect, help teachers plan lessons along specific developmental and curricular guidelines, and establish a meaningful tool for communication with parents. (EC, TE) Computer Science Education in the Montessori Classroom Sylvie Giral Kacmarcik , Gary Kacmarcik How can we better prepare our children for life in a high-technology society? How early should we teach them computer and pre-programming skills? How can we integrate computer science education into Montessori classrooms? This presentation of Montessori-friendly and age-appropriate activities will include stand-alone activities and extensions to existing classroom curricula as well as a take-home list of some useful online resources for teachers. (EL, SEC, TE, PUB, PAR) Science Made Simple Betsy Lockhart Children crave an understanding of what makes the world tick. Learn how to make science fun and organic, participatory and adventurous. Discover concrete approaches to scientific concepts using nothing but items found in a well-stocked kitchen and workshop, and bring the “ah-ha!” back into your classroom. (EL) Everyday Rhythm Frank Leto Rhythm is an essential musical skill, and its development doesn’t have to be limited to music class. Come see how students can be empowered to confidently explore rhythm through lively, enjoyable activities incorporated into your daily classroom routine, from patschen (using the body as an instrument) to echo activities to playing instruments, including sticks, maracas, tambourines, hand drums, and cymbals. (EL) LGBT Issues and the Open-Hearted, Open-Minded School Nancy M. Rose , Misse Carolan Our school communities need to be safe and nurturing to all. Please join us for an informative and insightful discussion about the unique issues facing non-heterosexuals in our communities, and explore tools to respond to “coming out” as well as school policies and practices that are supportive and responsive to everyone involved. (EL, SEC, TE, ADM) Classroom Management: The Power of a Peaceful Presence  (Cancelled) Celeste Ross , Chandon Thorell Do you put out fires and dole out consequences more than you’d like? Are you tired and stressed by day’s end? Experience a new paradigm for classroom management, where you can stay peaceful, powerful, and effective. This workshop will offer skills in the art of responding vs. reacting, authentic communication, and keeping a sense of humor so that you can manage yourself and your classroom with grace and ease. (EL, SEC, TE, PUB) Beyond the Basics: Extension Adventures Dena Stoneman , Amy Peckham After a student has mastered the traditional uses of Montessori materials, learn to encourage creative and constructive explorations to ignite profound discovery and nurture advanced thinking skills. This session offers ideas for expansions upon the trinomial cube, the geometry stick material, the constructive triangles, and the golden bead material. (EC) Effective Parent Education and Communication Jodi Harms Adequately explaining the complexities of the Montessori classroom to parents can be a challenge. What do parents really want to know, and what are the best ways to effectively communicate with them? This session will teach you how to develop a communication system that incorporates educational elements, Montessori-style grace and courtesy, and a newsletter to enhance parent philosophical understanding and engagement. (ADM) Understanding and Coping with Separation Marie Conti At the beginning of every school year, children and parents go their separate ways, and pangs of anxiety are common. These pangs may also reoccur during the school year. How we learn to handle separation as very young children affects our reactions for life. This workshop is designed to help teachers and parents understand the process and provide coping mechanisms to students and children, to help ensure healthy separation experiences throughout their lifetime. (IT, EC, PAR, PUB, ADM)