Venue: Riffa Views International School, Bahrain
Full Bio
Dr. MICHELLE RUPIPER recently retired from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (USA) where she worked to develop well-prepared, competent teachers who understand how children learn and are equipped to meet their needs. She has served as a classroom teacher for infants through school-aged children as well as directed community-based programs.
Her belief that children deserve the best education opportunities possible has resulted in her conducting numerous national, regional and state presentations as well as presentations in Kenya, Mongolia, Thailand, Bahrain, Australia, Qatar, Thailand, and China.
She has co-authored three books: Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum in Action (2014), Guiding Children's Social Development and Learning, 9th ed. (2017) and Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum: Best Practices in Early Childhood Education, 7th ed. (2018).
Institute Description
Early Childhood Educators: Growing Your
Instructional Practice Through Collaboration
Teams who are already practicing an inquiry-based project approach in preschool and kindergarten (ages 3-6 years) classrooms are encouraged to attend this session.* The goal of the institute is to reflect on our current practice, challenge ourselves to grow and develop, and take best practice to the next level within our classrooms.
Much of the institute will focus on collaborative discussion within and between teams to explore and extend our current use of project-based curriculum. Each team will be expected to bring examples of tools used to design and implement inquiry studies, as well as documentation examples of past studies. Teams will be asked to share their documents and current practices with the group and participate in collaborative, constructive analysis.
NOTE: Please bring examples of project work, any assessments used and the related standards/goals/learning targets. This can be work in progress - from first attempts to quite professional, successful projects.
*Although educators are encouraged to attend with a team, individuals are welcome to register and collaborate with other teams.
Target Audience: PreK and Kindergarten (3-6 yrs) teachers.
Continuum Level: 4 = Extending Implementation (reflecting, evaluating, modifying practice, improving skills)
NESA's Learning Continuum:
Outcomes
Advance Prep/Prereqs
- Currently utilizing an inquiry-based, project approach curriculum within their classroom.
- Teaching teams are encouraged to attend together, although individuals are welcome to register and collaborate with other teams.
- Please bring examples of project work, any assessments used and the related standards/goals/learning targets. This can be work in progress - from first attempts to quite professional, successful projects.
Handouts
Save paper and effort where possible!
For your convenience, and to support our efforts in being "green", all handouts/files posted here have been notated with an A, B, C or D indicating the following:
(A) hardcopies needed at workshop
(B) electronic version on laptop is sufficient (for viewing during the workshop)
(C) required reading PRIOR to the workshop
(D) file not needed for workshop itself, but simply material of additional interest/reference
(B) Creating Topic Web Group Activity
(B) Elements to Consider Before Undertaking a Project
(B) Five Structural Features of the Project Approach
(B) Helm & Katz 3 Phases of Project Work
(B) Principles of Inquiry Handout
(B) Project Approach Key Events
(B) Project Reflection Checklist
(B) Purposes of Documentation Handout
(B) Quality of Documentation Checklist
(B) Reflecting on Documentation
(D) Katz Article on Intellectual vs Academic Goals