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For the Primary Level
Concept-based Curriculum & Instruction for the Thinking Classroom
By Dr. Lynn Erickson
  17th - 18th February 2012, Melbourne
 
Overview:
Lynn Erickson expands our understanding of the conceptual level of knowledge, thinking, and understanding. In this highly interactive session, Dr. Erickson will challenge your mind as she contrasts a three-dimensional concept-based curriculum and instruction model with the worn out two-dimensional coverage model. You will see and discuss a DVD clip of a three-dimensional, concept-based teacher instructing students. You will learn specific, practical instructional strategies that engage the hearts and minds of students. On day 2 of this workshop, participants will work on developing a concept-based unit of instruction with Lynn’s guidance. If participants have a unit they would like to refine, they may bring it; or they can design a new unit with group members teaching the same level.
Objectives:

And you will learn answers to questions like these:
  • How is knowledge structured and how can we utilize that structure to develop higher levels of thinking?
  • How can I become a three-dimensional, concept-based teacher?
  • What is a conceptual lens and how can we use it to develop higher levels of thinking and increased motivation for learning?
  • How can we design instruction to achieve synergistic thinking between the factual and conceptual levels of knowledge and understanding?
  • How do we scaffold thinking to deeper levels?
  • How do we develop different kinds of guiding questions to path student thinking from the factual to the conceptual level of understanding?
  • What is the difference between an Activity and a Performance of Deep Understanding
  • What does concept-based instruction “look like” in the classroom?
Concept-based curriculum and instruction is not a program. It leaves the design of curriculum and instruction to teachers, but informs and reinforces quality curriculum design and pedagogy.
Agenda:
Day 1
8:00 - 8:10 Opening - Workshop Overview

8:10 - 8:20 Our changing world: New paradigms for education

  • 21st century skills and knowledge
8:20 - 9:30 Understanding the conceptual level
  • The three-dimensional vs. the two-dimensional model of curriculum & instruction
  • The relationship of concepts & topics
  • The Structure of Knowledge and how it relates to quality teaching
  • Writing powerful “Big Ideas”
9:30 - 9:45 Break
9:45 - 10:30Scaffolding thinking from lower to higher levels
10:30 - 11:00 TheConceptual Lens and the Goal of Synergistic Thinking
( synergistic thinking is an interactive energy between the factual and conceptual levels of thinking)
11:00 - 11:30 DVD clip – a grade 3 concept-based teacher—Evaluation & Discussion
DESIGNING A CONCEPT-BASED, INTERDISCIPLINARY UNIT OF INSTRUCTION (Collaborative group work)

11:30 - 12:00 The value of a unit web– understanding the components: unit title, conceptual lens, strands with sub-topics and sub-concepts
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 1:30 
Step 1: Designing an interdisciplinary unit web(incorporate national curricula or standards)
  • The Unit Title and Conceptual Lens
  • The unit Strands with Sub-topics and Sub-concepts
1:30 - 2:15
Step 2: Writing powerful and clear “Big Ideas”(Essential, Enduring Understandings) using concepts from the web
2:15 - 2:30 Break
2:30 - 3:00 
Step 3: Writing Guiding Questions for inquiry (Factual, Conceptual, Debatable)

3:00 - 3:30  Questions, Sharing and Close
Day 2
8:00 - 8:10 Opening and Questions
8:10 - 9:00 Revisit unit development from day 1. Refine Big Ideas and finish writing Guiding Questions
9:00 - 9:30 Video clip of a secondary level concept-based teacher - what are the instructional parallels with the 3rd grade teacher?
9:30 - 9:45 Break
10:00-10:30
Step 4: Identifying critical content knowledge and key skills for a concept-based  unit
  •  Examples of KUD’s (Know, Understand, able to Do)
10:30 - 11:30
 Step 5: Writing the Culminating Performance Task
11:30 - 12:00  A group quiz on Concept-based! Which table group can get the most correct answers?
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 1:45
Step 6: Designing the Scoring Guide
1:45-2:15 :
Step 7: Designing the Learning Experiences (Backwards Design) that address the unit Knowledge, Understandings and Skills. (Design backwards—but teach forward)
2:15 - 2:30 Break
2:30-3:15  Bringing it all together (table task)--Creating a visual showing  the relationship of the concept-based components; Share out

3:15-3:30  Final Questions/Close
Potential Audience:
K-8 teachers, principals and assistants, central office curriculum and instruction coordinators, university instructors in teacher training.
Trainer’s Profile
Dr. Lynn Erickson is a private consultant assisting schools and districts nationally and internationally with curriculum design and instruction. During the past fifteen years Lynn has worked extensively with K-12 teachers and administrators on the design of classroom and district level curricula aligned to academic standards.

Lynn is the author of three best-selling books, Stirring the Head, Heart and Soul: Redefining Curriculum and Instruction, 3rd edition  c. 2008, Concept-based Curriculum and Instruction for the Thinking Classroom, c. 2007, and Concept-based Curriculum and Instruction: Teaching Beyond the Facts, c. 2002 Corwin Press Publishers. She has a chapter in Robert Marzano’s new book, On Excellence in Teaching, c. 2010, Solution Tree Press.

Lynn is a recognized presenter in the areas of concept-based curriculum design, teaching for deep understanding, and standards alignment. Erickson has worked as a teacher, principal, curriculum director, adjunct professor, and educational consultant over a 43-year career.

Lynn currently lives in Everett, Washington with her family. She and Ken have two children, and two grandsons, Trevor and Connor, who continually stir her heart and soul.
Investment:
 

Includes Concept-based Curriculum & Instruction for the Thinking Classroom  by Lynn Erickson, Lunch 2 coffee breaks and a certificate of participation.
  AUD 720/- Closing Date 8th February 2012
Venue:
  Wesley College Elsternwick.
Contact:
  Shonal Agarwal
CEO
Website: shonal@chaptersinternational.com
chaptersinternational@gmail.com

Website: www.chaptersinternational.com
 
  register now
 
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