The following are opportunities for professional growth available at IISD. Register online for the following sessions.

Fall series: September 22; October 6, 20; November 10, 24; Dec. 8
OR
Winter series: January 22; February 11, 26; March 12, 26; April 16 - 6

Cost: Evening sessions $220 per series or $40/session.
Audience: K-12 special education, Title 1/Reading & classroom teachers who have completed LIFT K-3, LIFT 3-6, LIFT SR, LIFT SSR, or LIFT MS.

This series is designed to support teachers who have completed the LIFT 3-6 Part II class which focuses on implementing the Units of Study for Teaching Writing (grades 3-5) by Lucy Calkins. Participants must provide their own set of texts. This is an ADVANCED class. Teachers will be expected to have a comprehensive literacy program in place, which includes daily reading and writing instruction. Classroom management procedures should enable a teacher to conduct regular small group instruction. Participants must be able to teach one or more small groups of students daily. Topics include Poetry, Literary Essay, Starting the Writing Workshop and others. Two series, fall and winter 

 Art & Craft of Writing:brochure 

Dates: August 13*, 2008 - December 3, 2009 - 12 sessions - $525
6 Wednesday evenings with 3 full days in August before school starts

The class is organized around the Three Tier Model of instruction. The course content focuses on Tier I and Tier II: the differentiation of instruction, guided by assessment data, in small reading groups. This program will enable teachers using the Foundations:LETRS© modules, MLPP 4-5, and other assessment procedures, to observe, assess, plan and teach guided participation (e.g. guided reading, literature circles, reciprocal teaching) within a comprehensive literacy program. Teachers will be expeced to have a comprehensive literacy program in place which includes daily reading and writing instructions. Participants must be able to teach one or more small groups of students daily. Upon completion of the series, participants will be certified in MLPP 4-5. Note: this is an advanced class for participants who have completed one of the LIFT courses: LIFT K-3, LIFT 3-6, LIFT SR, LIFT SSR, or LIFT MHS.

 Gift 3-6 brochure

Dates: Wednesdays January 7, 2009 - May 13, 2009 - 16 sessions - $700

This course is designed for teachers working with older students who have not progressed to the stage of fluent reading. This program will enable teachers to observe and assess students, as well as plan and implement a comprehensive literacy program to accelerate progress in reading and writing. The course content focuses on Tier II and III of the Three Tier Model of instruction: the differentiation of instruction, guided by assessment data, in small groups and one-one. Both small group and tutorial methods are used. Upon completion of training, participants will be LIFT SR/MLPP K-3 certified.

 LIFT Struggling Reader brochure

Dates: August 19, 2008 - May 12, 2008, 2 full days in August prior to school start, 6 more full days, 16 evenings - $1400

LIFT 3-6 is for teachers who work with later elementary students.  Part I will enable teachers to assess students using MLPP 4-5, and to plan and implement a balanced literacy program based on research and experience with students in these grades. Upon completion of training, participants will be MLPP 4-5 certified. Part 2 will enable teachers to implement a Writer's Workshop approach using Lucy Calkins "Units of Study for Teaching Writing Grades 3-5" to focus their teaching. Note: You must attend all sessions of LIFT 3-6 Part 2 to be certificated.

LIFT 3-6 Part II: Writing (Prerequisite)

Fall series: August 11-December 15, 2008 - 2 full days in August before school starts, 4 full days in all and 8 evenings - $700
OR
Winter Series: January 9-May 13, 2009 - Four full days and eight three hour after-school sessions - $700.

Literacy Frameworks for Grades 3-6 Part 2 enables teachers, certificated in the specified classes, to implement a Writer's Workshop approach using Lucy Calkins "Units of Study for Teaching Writing Grades 3-5" to focus their teaching. Prerequisite: Should be certificated in LIFT 3-6, LIFT SSR (6-12), or LIFT SR (K-5)

 LIFT 3-6 Part II brochure

Dates: January 13-April 28, 2009 Tuesdays, Full day sessions 8:30-3:30 - $700

Literacy Frameworks for Secondary Teachers of Struggling Readers (LIFT SSR) is for teachers who work with struggling readers in middle and high school. This program will enable teachers to observe and assess students, as well as plan and implement a balanced literacy program to accelerate progress in reading and writing. Both small group and tutorial methods are used.

 LIFT Secondary Struggling Readers brochure

Dates: October 24 - April 24, 2009

This monthly series for administrators has two foci; 1) to enable an administrator to become media literate in order 2) to support teachers in providing multiple literacy opportunities for their reluctant readers and writers. The dynamic interface of media literacy is highly appealing to all students; especially those apparently disinterested in learning to read and write.Literacy Awareness Session Grades 3-12 (2hr session)

These programs offer an opportunity to earn what professional development sessions are available for upper elementary through secondary levels to address the burgeoning literacy needs of preteens and adolescents. Check back for details as they are scheduled.

 Strategies-AYP brochure

These workshops will offer insight on special topics during the school year to allow exploration of the ‘what' and ‘why' in the art and craft of teaching literacy. They are also designed to enable sharing with colleagues.

Dates: Tues. November 11 - 4:30-7:45 - $50

It is not unusual these days to have several students in your class who do not speak English as their first language. Some are fluent in social situations, and others are still struggling to communicate, but many of both groups have problems academically. This session will provide you information about second language acquisition that will help you support these students even though you do not speak their native languages. A variety of effective instructional procedures will be presented that will be helpful for ELL students and for other struggling students as well.
Audience: All teachers working with English Language Learners.