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Action Factor, Inc. presents the workshop for teachers and parents…

Presenter: Dr. Myrna R. Gifford

Workshop overview: Learners with special needs and those who have experienced failure in traditional classrooms often thrive when learning tasks are presented in new and motivating contexts. This workshop focuses on five goals for turning school failure around by helping students to:

• develop skills and knowledge necessary for success.
• develop intrinsic motivation.
• become problem solvers.
• become lifelong learners.
• achieve their personal potential.

Workshop activities are designed around ten principles for attaining these educational goals. Participants receive a packet of learning tools that are readily adaptable to a wide range of ability levels. Packets also include information about locating additional resources to meet special learning needs.

Objectives of the presentation: Participants will become familiar with activities, techniques, and strategies specifically designed to provide at-risk students with the support they need to succeed. Participants will learn to design and modify large group, small group, partner, and individual activities to maximize effectiveness for individual learning needs. Finally, participants will learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies they use with at-risk students.

Format of the presentation: This is an interactive workshop where participants engage in stimulating learning activities prior to using them with students. Games, challenges, songs, and raps are just a few of the varied instructional formats.

Target age group: Elementary and Middle School

The target audience: Classroom teachers, special educators, administrators, tutors, parents, and others who wish to provide young learners with alternatives to traditional classroom instruction

Brief summary of content: The workshop is divided into four main sections:

• What are my goals?
• What basic teaching/learning principles can help me achieve my goals?
• What strategies can I use to achieve my goals?
• How well have I met my goals?

Goals for at-risk students include skill development, motivation, problem-solving, independence, and growth. To achieve these goals, activities can be designed to:

• help students feel valued.
• satisfy basic needs.
• keep students actively involved.
• promote responsibility.
• help students become aware of their own learning processes and goals.
• be appropriate to student needs and abilities.
• provide personally meaningful learning.
• make learning enjoyable.
• help students evaluate their own progress.
• help students extract patterns and structures from information that they see and hear.

Strategies based on these principles build basic skills in reading, writing, and math, develop effective study skills, and help students learn to manage their time efficiently.

To request a customized workshop at your location, please use our online form.