Professional Learning Teams (PLTs)

Geometry for All: Interactive Tasks to Encourage Deep Learning in Every Student p

Facilitators: MƒA Master Teachers Rebecca Caporale-Guarino, Carol Kinney, Ph.D., and Azikiwe Peters

WEDNESDAYS, FEB 8, MAR 15, APR 26, MAY 24 MƒA  MATHEMATICS

How might we create interactive tasks to encourage access and depth for all Geometry students? In this PLT, we will collaborate to make content accessible and engaging to all learners as we create innovative, interactive, and cognitively demanding tasks. As we adapt and develop materials, we will share feedback to refine tasks, improve geometric comprehension for struggling students, and challenge our more confident students to push themselves deeper into geometric connections and extensions. This PLT is designed for high school Geometry teachers who want to improve accessibility for diverse learners, including English Language Learners and students with IEPs, and to continually challenge all students to push their geometric understanding.

Getting Kids to Care About Climate Change

Facilitators: MƒA Master Teachers Shakira Provasoli and Adam Zaid

TUESDAYS, MAR 7, APR 4, MAY 9, JUN 13 ONLINE  SCIENCE

How might we cultivate a community of student activists with the knowledge and desire to change the world? In this PLT, elementary, middle, and high school teachers will share best practices for educating and inspiring students and will plan lessons and projects to motivate them to energize and educate others. In each session, we will spark a discussion with a guest speaker followed by planning time. In session one, a Youth Climate Leader will demonstrate how to develop a mindset of independence and activism. In session two, Cafeteria Culture will share their success with enacting change. In sessions three and four, we’ll focus on discussion starters, planning time, and sharing the work of our students taking action. Throughout, we’ll use a variety of resources to help guide our work, including the Student & Educator Toolkit developed by the Climate Resilience Education Task Force. All STEM teachers are welcome.

Guided by Wonder: Phenomena-Based Units in AP Chemistry

Facilitators: MƒA Master Teachers Mohamed Elhawary and Laura Torres

WEDNESDAYS, MAR 1, MAR 29, MAY 10, JUN 7

ONLINE  SCIENCE

How might we use phenomena to anchor AP Chemistry content and inspire wonder in our students? In this PLT, we will investigate the use of phenomena, connecting them with our students’ lives and interests while also allowing for productive struggle and equitable access to this rigorous content. We will continue the work we began in the fall, further exploring Paul Andersen’s tools at The Wonder of Science to identify relevant and captivating chemistry phenomena (e.g., relating our sense of taste to molecular shape or linking an athlete’s performance to buffer capacity). We will alternate our time between designing phenomena-based lessons, implementing them in our classrooms, and discussing our experiences and the impact these lessons have on student learning. This course is open to both new and returning teachers. It is best suited for AP Chemistry teachers, but all chemistry teachers are welcome.

How to Design Project-Based Learning Curriculum

Facilitators: MƒA Master Teacher John Derian and MƒA Early Career Teacher Tess Dul

TUESDAYS, MAR 7, APR 4, MAY 9, JUN 13 MƒA  INQUIRY, PRACTICE, AND LEADERSHIP

How might we design a meaningful project-based learning (PBL) unit to implement in our class? Join us in this PLT to explore PBL content and develop and get feedback on your own PBL unit to implement in your course! Our first session will focus on developing a project idea centered on students and aligned to key content. The second session will focus on the essential elements of PBL curriculum design. During the third session, we will explore PBL-style assessment and scaffolding. We will conclude with project management and facilitation strategies. We will use PBL Works’ Gold Standard PBL Design Elements to help focus our understanding of PBL and the projects we develop. This course is for any teacher interested in learning more about project-based learning and wanting to plan a PBL unit for their class.