Summer Institutes for Educators Abound at Keene State College

KEENE, N.H. 3/17/05 - Educators may continue their own education this summer at Keene State College, which offers numerous institutes on such topics as Storytelling in the Classroom, Conflict Resolution and the Arts, Invigorating Elementary Science, What’s New in Children’s Literature, Directing for Teachers, Balancing Traditional and Social U.S. History, and Evaluation Writing for Principals.

Eight courses are offered on weekends or in the evening during the first summer session, May 16-June 24, when teachers are still minding their own students. There are 20 institutes, most weeklong, during the second summer session, June 27-Aug. 5.

All summer education courses and institutes provide teachers with an opportunity for professional development and offer graduate credit that can be applied to school district requirements. A newsletter detailing summer courses for educators is available by mail, and education courses are listed at www.keene.edu/courses. To receive the educators’ newsletter or to register for courses, call the KSC Continuing Education and Summer Session Office at 603-358-2290/800-KSC-1909 or visit www.keene.edu/conted.

The Enchanted Wood: Storytelling in the Classroom explains a variety of storytelling techniques for teachers and their students. Step-by-step instructions for a final school presentation is given and modeled at the last class meeting. This one-credit course meets Friday, June 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, June 18, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday, June 29, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Building Community in the Classroom Using Cooperative Games explores a variety of games and activities that when used in the classroom builds cohesiveness, fosters respect toward individuals, promotes positive group dynamics, and helps students feel a sense of belonging within the group. This one-credit course meets Friday, June 24, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 25, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Summative Evaluation Writing for Principals provides the opportunity to write summative evaluations, critique writings, and support the group in their collective learning. This course meets May 17-June 23 on Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8:20 p.m.

K12 Media Literacy for Educators looks at TV, radio, film, magazines, CDs, the Internet, and video games from a variety of perspectives, gaining an awareness of the technologies, issues, and implications for students, parents, and educators. This institute meets Monday to Friday, June 27-July 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Teaching Peace: Conflict Resolution and the Arts in the Classroom examines the lives of children, youth, and families who have stories to tell about learning and attention issues; autism spectrum disorders; child abuse and trauma; Tourette’s syndrome, OCD, and anxiety; and conduct disorders/delinquency. This institute meets Monday to Friday, July 11-15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Moving Minds: Invigorating Elementary Science through Current Best Practice explores integrated curriculum, inquiry-based science, and performance-based assessment through hands-on/minds-on activities to use in elementary classrooms. Special consideration is given to addressing participants’ needs in physical and chemical sciences. This course meets Monday to Friday June 27-July 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What’s New in Children’s Literature examines books that have been published in the last ten years including traditional literature, modern fantasy, modern realism, historical fiction, biography, information books, and poetry. This course meets Monday to Friday, July 18-22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Directing for Teachers is for middle and high school teachers whose primary training has not been in theatre and introduces the director’s functions and the resources available for translating scripted material into a theatrical performance. This course meets Monday to Friday, July 11-15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Balancing “Traditional” and “Social” U.S. History helps educators find a balance between the “Great Men” way of teaching (i.e. using textbooks to study Presidents, wars, etc.) and “Social History” (i.e. studying the lives of ordinary Americans with primary sources). This one-credit course meets Friday, July 8 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 9 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.