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CSV Trainings

 

Each academic year, CSV offers training opportunities for new and veteran volunteers. While not mandatory, the trainings provide a way for volunteers to keep themselves current on tutoring techniques and strategies, ask specific questions about their tutoring experiences, and share information about those experiences. A light supper is always provided before the sessions begin.


 

December 12, 2012 Training Event

(1) I DON'T GET IT!!  HELPING STUDENTS GAIN MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING (GRADES 9-12) - This workshop explored strategies for successful tutoring in mathematics. It focused on reducing student frustrations in learning mathematics, alleviating common misconceptions and errors students bring, and addressing challenges faced by tutors. Led by Peter Mili - CRLS Math Teacher (1977 - present), Instructional Support Coach, Homework Center Coordinator, Mentor Teacher

(2) MOVING FROM READING TO WRITING (GRADES 7-12)
This mini-workshop introduced strategies and tools used to help students better read and comprehend a variety of texts.  It also offered supports to put in place to help students translate their new understanding into writing.
Led by Jennifer Hogue - CRLS English Language Arts Teacher (1999 - present), ELA Instructional Coach, Jennifer is dual certified in English and Moderate Special Needs.

(3)  SUPPORTING YOUNG READERS (K-3)
This guided reading workshop looked at the stages of early reading development, explored strategies for supporting young readers at each stage, and focused on the characteristics of leveled books to use for guided reading lessons.Led by Diane Hirshberg, K-3 Literacy Specialist and Trainer

(4)  ADDING IT UP: GAMES AND STRATEGIES (K-3) TO HELP KIDS LEARN ADDITION COMBINATIONS
Knowing addition combinations to 10 is the first important step in being able to operate on numbers fluently in the elementary grades. Many children who struggle early with math don't know these combinations and find it difficult to internalize them. This workshop looked at some games and strategies to use with students to help them master these combinations. Games were both from Investigations and the Kathy Richardson materials discussed at our last training (and which are being used as intervention materials at several Cambridge Schools). Led by Glen Sherman, Director of the Intergenerational Math Program and Instructional Math Coach.

April 6, 2011 Training Event

Understanding the Whole Student and Supporting Student Wellness- This workshop explored attendee's understanding of the tutoring dynamic with students and the creative engagement needed to work with them. It looked at who the students are, how to read some of their cues and reinforce their strengths in order to support them. Through sharing and activities, volunteers explored the challenges that are encountered as well as some new approaches. Led by Sharon Lozada, STARS program at CRLS; and Mara Bentman, Clinical Social Worker at CRLS.

December 9, 2010 Training Event

(1)  Supporting Young Authors in Writer's Workshop - This workshop explored ways to encourage K-3 writers. Topics included: helping children to expand upon their ideas; utilizing drawings to elicit details; making gentle revisions; and considering the role of spelling and punctuation in the writing process. Led by Diane Hirshberg, K-3 Literacy Trainer.

(2)  Number Sense Practice and Games from the Elementary (K-5) Investigations Curriculum -  An interactive Math Workshop. Led by Monica Leon, Jr. K-8 Grade Instructional Math Coach.

(3)  Connecting with English Language Learners (Grades 6-12) - This workshop that explored the topic of second language acquisition for both tutor and student. Participants learned about ELL students while looking at useful tutoring, essay writing and classroom support strategies. They also explored ESL instruction and course sequence at CRLS, and found out what the International Center was offering students and their families. Volunteers had time to discuss their experiences and ask questions related to their support role. Led by Maria Athanassiou, Adjunct Faculty at Lesley University and Northeastern University (and former CRLS ESL Teacher Trainer and Teacher-in-Charge of International Student and Family Center).

(4)  Discovering Math Knowledge Within (Grades 7-12) -  This workshop focused on less traditional displays of math knowledge. Students do know a lot of mathematics yet they often don't think they do, or are unsure of how to express what they are thinking. Participants investigated how to draw out information from students. Led by Cale Moore, CRLS Math Teacher.


December 1, 2009 Training Event

(1) Supporting Young Authors in the Writer's Workshop, Grades K-3. This workshop explored ways to encourage K-3 writers. Topics included helping children to expand upon their ideas, utilizing drawings to elicit details, performing gentle revisions, and considering the role of spelling and punctuation in the writing process. Led by Diane Hirschberg, K-3 Literacy Trainer.

(2)  Elementary Math Workshop, Grades K-5. This workshop helped students understand place value and regrouping, as well as how to use this knowledge to have a deeper understanding of algorithms. Led by Fred Park, CPS Elementary Math Specialist.

(3) Connecting with English Language Learners, Grades 6-12. This workshop explored the topic of second language acquisition for both the tutor and the student. Participants looked at useful tutoring, essay writing and classroom support strategies. They also learned about ESL instruction and course sequence at CRLS and had an opportunity to discuss their volunteer experiences and ask questions related to their support role. Led by Maria Athanassiou, CRLS ESL Teacher-Trainer and Adjunct Faculty at Lesley and Northeastern Universities; and Yvon Lamour, CRLS Teacher-in-Charge Bilingual/English Language Acquisition Program (BELA).

(4) The Math Tutoring Experience: Supporting Student Learning Using Helpful Strategies and Inquiry Techniques, Grades 6-12. This workshop focused on strategies and techniques to build and improve student math skills. Volunteers explored the middle school Connected Math Project (CMP) and its connection to high school math students. Participants learned about available math resources and took part in hands-on activities: Visual Techniques for Teaching and Learning Math.  Led by Charlene Greene, CRLS Math Teacher; and Barbara Greenberg, licensed Middle and High School Math Teacher and current Tutoring Center Teacher.

 

March 18, 2009 Training Event

(1) Tutoring Techniques and Practical Strategies for Tutors Working with English Language Learners, Grades K-5. This workshop explored methods and activities for tutors working with English Language Learning (ELL) students. Hands-on techniques such as graphic organizers and visuals were covered. Led by Helene Smit, ESL Specialist, Tobin School.

(2) How Tutors Can Help Students Get More out of their Math Class, Grades 6-12. This workshop focused on Cornell note-taking techniques to improve math classroom comprehension. Multi-modality activities were explored. Academic strategies and best practices for providing math support were discussed. Led by Tiffany Aires, CRLS Math Teacher.

(3) Helping Students to Read Better, Grades 6-12. This workshop focused on participants as "reading mentors" to help students become better readers. Attendees worked on modeling active reading strategies, cultivating student self-reflection about reading processes, and making student reading progress visible for students to see their own improvement. Led by Joan Soble, CRLS Professional Development Teacher-Coach. 

 

December 3, 2008 Training Event

(1) Key Factors Affecting Second Language Acquisition, Grades K-8.  This workshop explored second language acquisition from both the tutor and student perspectives.  Participants examined their own experiences with learning a foreign language and discussed how the process impacts students learning English today. Led by Helene Smit, ESL Specialist, Tobin School.

(2) Engaging Students in Math through Tutoring Techniques and Games - Serious Fun!, Grades 7-12.  Mili and Miller explored the math skills and thinking processes utilized in playing math games and solving puzzles. Volunteers tested these ideas via hands-on participation. The workshop emphasized how math-based games and puzzles serve to stimulate brain cells and improve problem-solving capabilities. Led by Peter Mili, CRLS Math Teacher, and Arnie Miller, CSV Math Tutor.

(3) Connecting with English Language Learners (ELL), Grades 9-12. Athanassiou divided her audience into small groups to explore what the obstacles are for students who know little or no English. Participants also discussed strategies for helping these students with writing and other subjects. Handouts were provided that focused on assisting new English language learners. Led by Maria Athanassiou, Teacher in Charge, International Student and Family Center, CRLS.

(4) Coaching High School Students in Science, Grades 9-12.  Sudnick and Benson explored their ideas on how to succeed at one-to-one science tutoring, including classroom strategies. They also presented best practices for providing support to the Science Olympiad team. Participants did small group hands-on interactive science experiments and then reported to the larger group. Led by Tad Sudnick, former CPS Science Teacher, and Ross Benson, CRLS Math Teacher and Science Olympiad Coach.

 

 

 

 

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