Lesson+Design+Work+Sessions

Lesson Design Work Session
The work sessions were originally created to offer job embedded training, develop collaboration with other teachers and learn how technology can deepen learning.

**Scheduling**
Sessions are divided into schools and content. For example, on January 31, Social Studies teachers can attend. This helps to create a collaboration among common curriculum. There are two sessions available on each day - 8:00 to 11:00 and 12:30 - 3:30. This allows us to pay 4 subs for the day but service 8 teachers.

Sample registration wiki
 * Date || Subject || AM/PM ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * 1/31/08 || Social Studies || AM ||  || Tina Fortenbery || Christiy Stewart ||   ||   ||
 * ||  || PM || Anne Pratt || Julie Grogan || Shayna Swann || Susan Johnson ||   ||
 * 2/1/08 || Language Arts || AM ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * ||  || PM || Christy Daniel || Beth Posey || Jamie O'Brien ||   ||   ||
 * 2/27/08 || Special Areas || AM || Scott Burnett ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * ||  || PM ||   || Jaime Giangrosso ||   ||   ||   ||
 * 3/05/08 || TTL/LTT || ALL DAY || Charlene Hallman || Rachel Brockman || Kathy Waites ||  ||   ||
 * 3/27/08 || Math || AM || Ashley High || Lisa Rish ||  ||   ||   ||
 * ||  || PM || Jeanette Cerisano || Lynne Wainwright || Weems ||   ||   ||
 * 3/28/08 || Science || AM || Angela Shorter || Buffy Bland ||  ||   ||   ||
 * ||  || PM || Janet Benson || Anita Brooks || Audrey Risner || Laura Elledge ||   ||
 * 4/16/08 || Social Studies || AM || Christy Ellison || Renee Street ||  ||   ||   ||
 * ||  || PM || Jeri Albrets || Candi McConnel || Trisha Humphries ||   ||   ||
 * 4/17/08 || Language Arts || AM || Jeanette Cerisano || Heather Weems ||  ||   ||   ||
 * ||  || PM || Aaryn Holland || Debbi Gray || Lisa Rish ||   ||   ||
 * 5/15/08 || Special Areas || AM || Scott Burnett || Scott Cooper ||  ||   ||   ||
 * ||  || PM || Jaime Giangrosso || Sally Murray ||   ||   ||   ||
 * 5/16/08 || TTL/LTT || ALL DAY || Charlene Hallman || Rachel Brockman || Kathy Waites ||

Day of Session
Teachers are required to bring their school assigned laptop, power supply, curriculum map and any other resources needed.

Individuals or teams started the day with a brainstorming sessions. After looking at their curriculum, the began with the end in mind. They answered the following three questions: 1. What should students understand when the unit/lesson is completed? 2. What evidence will show you the students have mastered the understanding? 3. What lessons will enable the students to gain understanding? Brainstorm all ideas!! Teachers then shared their ideas with the group for feedback.

Specialists such as the Technology Integration Specialist, Science Specialist, Reading Coach, etc. expands on the ideas to model ways to move the learning from knowledge to create on Bloom's taxonomy. Specialists also guide teachers to develop lessons that not only the core curriculum but also technology standards.

If special training is needed, the specialist will lead those interested in training on the tools, strategy, software, hardware, etc. This enable teachers to receive training just when they need it. Web pages were created with directions, video tutorials, ideas, etc. for each tools, strategy, software, hardware, etc. that was discussed.

Towards the end of the session, teachers again share their work with others for affirmation. A copy is made of all sheets and kept by the specialist.

After the Session
A Specialist follows up with the teachers to further assist them with the lessons planned. Some forms of assistance is partner teaching, analyzing projects, and more!

Comments from teachers who attended Lesson Design Work Sessions
"Thank you so much for all you did during lesson design yesterday. You are full of knowledge that I wish I had in my classroom every single day. That was one of the best training sessions I have ever done because we actually were able to create useful things for our classrooms." - Chandler

" THANK YOU for all your help and expertise! You are such a VALUABLE resource for Trussville City Schools!!!!!!!!! Give me a few more hours...then check out my website. :)" - Chuck

" We do have the CRS and I haven’t been able to figure it out yet. That was actually one of the things that we were looking forward to getting you to help us with. We are also interested in transferring some of our videos from our dance unit and possibly posting them on our website. We are also interested in hearing briefly about the GPS system that we have here (I’m not sure what it’s called, but I think Linda Ross trained people on it earlier this year). We were unable to be at that training and I was thinking we might be able to incorporate that in our orienteering unit where we use compasses to find directions. We’ve tried to incorporate more technology in our classes, but we were wondering if you might have some more ways we could do that. We have gotten the laptop carts a few times and also went down to the lab, but with 50 kids it’s hard to have enough resources for all or most of our students to use. If you have any more suggestions, we would love to hear them. I try to stay up to date on technology, but I’m sure there is a ton more stuff out there than I even realize that our kids could use. I know that’s a lot of stuff so if we don’t have enough time to get to everything that’s fine. This is just kinda what we are interested in discussing. Thanks so much for your time. Jackie and I are both excited to be working with you tomorrow!"- Amanda