Lesson Planning
 | Course #L950
Course Description: Where do we start? How do we end? The beginning and the end of any lesson must be carefully considered when constructing lesson plans. What is the purpose of a measurable objective? Why must a closure clearly connect to the objective? These are key questions that must be regularly addressed, and doing so can be frustrating. Teachers enrolled in this course will focus on understanding and crafting purposeful objectives and operative closures, both as a means of facilitating effective lesson planning. This course is applicable to all subjects/grade levels.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) | |
 | Course Description: After a summer of (hopeful) recuperation, we enter a new school year with renewed enthusiasm and energy. With that, however, can come nervousness and apprehension. What kind of students will I have? What new challenges will I face? How can I ensure I start the new year on the right foot? September is a crucial month because it’s our opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the year. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore tried and true pedagogical methods for making the first month productive and purposeful.
Note: This course is applicable to teachers of all grade levels/subjects.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only | |
 | Course Description: We’ve all felt the stress of teaching in front of an administrator; the nervousness that encapsulates us while we try to do our very best and show what kind of teacher we are. Preparation is the key to any successful performance, and delivering a lesson while being observed is no exception. The more work you put in, the better the outcome will be. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore proven lesson-planning strategies, questioning tactics, and behavior management approaches that not only focus on the occasional observation, but elevate our teaching for every other day of the year.
Applicable to teachers of all subjects and grade levels.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only | |
| Course Description: Being a master of your content area is half the challenge of being an effective teacher. What is the other half? The delivery. The ability to execute your lesson plans, to keep your audience of students engaged and connected. For some, this comes naturally; the entertainer, so to speak, emerges when the bell rings and we put on the show. For others, however, commanding the room is not so easy. Sometimes, it’s about confidence. Sometimes it’s about finding ways to make the material relatable. And sometimes it’s a matter of employing a few proven tactics to ensure your classroom environment is orderly, respectful, and productive. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore tried and true tactics and tools that will facilitate consistently effective leadership.
Note: Applicable to all subjects/grade levels.
(3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only | |
 | Course #L970
Course Description: Application: All subjects/grade levels
Points or percentages? Weights? Dropping the lowest mark? Offering a curve? There are many variables when it comes to implementing grades and grading policies, all of which must be considered as we strive to create a fair, dependable, understandable system for our students and their parents, as well as for administration. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore tried and true grading practices that focus on creating such a system while steering clear of pitfalls and common mistakes.
Applicable to teachers of all subjects and grade levels.
(3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only | |
 | Instructor: Lee Markowitz email: MarkowitzLIIPS@gmail.com ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only Course Description: While our instructional periods often consume our energy and focus, there is much that can be done during our preparatory time. Lesson planning, grading, collaborating, the list could go on and on. However, with numerous items to handle, our prep periods are often rendered unproductive because of how much there is to do. What do we do first? How do we break up the time? How do we create an effective balance? Teachers enrolled in this course will break down a preparatory period and explore the best ways to make the most of the time. Doing so will lead to more productivity, better organization, a clearer state of mind, and smoother instruction. Applicable to all subjects/grade levels. | |
| As any educator would agree, effective planning and preparation leads to effective lessons. We all learned about lesson construction way back when in our college years, but times have changed and district/administrative goals and expectations can and will vary. What does not and has not changed is the key concept that planning is one of a teacher’s paramount responsibilities. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore seven essential elements that comprise purposeful lesson planning. This course is applicable to all subjects/grade levels.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only | |
 | From the very moment that we enter the classroom, we create an image of ourselves. First impressions are everything in September. Our body language, behavior, and diction can be the be all, end all of our reputation. Educators really are actors in disguise, putting on five shows a day; 900 shows a year. What is a weary pedagogue to do?
Within this course, teachers will:
• Examine the various roles that they play in the classroom
• Learn how to develop material for every day class discussion and performance
• Learn about power, politics, and methodology in the classroom
• Reflect upon their teaching styles and learning execution
• Challenge themselves in their daily repertoires
• Create lessons that challenge their learners
Overall, the participants’ classroom will definitely be enhanced through this course.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only | |
 | PDLI9070
(45 HOURS/3 GRADUATE CREDITS)
ON-LINE
Course Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
Course Description
From the very moment that we enter the classroom, we create a definitive image of ourselves. First impressions are everything and encapsulate who we are and what students will glean from the course. Our body language, behavior, and diction are indicative of our teaching styles and our expectations of our learners. Educators are actors, putting on five shows a day, 900 shows a year, all which produce transformative learning from students. Delving deeply into the students’ psyche and learning styles is tantamount for both educators and students today and provides everyone with the opportunity to enhance their learning and make personal connections between their own experiences and those of the curriculum. Successfully incorporating a wealth of social emotional resources as well as delving into the science of learning is crucial and invaluable. In the end, all aspects of learning will be covered.
In this course, participants will learn everything there is to know about creating a successful environment that motivates students. They will explore various resources such as articles, interviews, readings, differentiated learning sites, lesson plans, and links to literary sites. They will research a variety of sources and decide which ones are engaging and fit into their curriculum. In addition, teachers will gain student centered ideas, lessons that differentiate, challenging ways to motivate students, current research on pedagogy, various interdisciplinary websites and Socratic seminars and philosophical rounds that take literacy and learning to a new level! Applicable all Educators and staff K-12. | |
 | A pivotal unit in the Social Studies curriculum, the Industrial Revolution must be explored and revered. Samuel Slater and the development of the factory system, how that system has evolved into the modernized factories we see today, the crucial inventions that paved the way for the North, the trailblazers who saw into the future and believed in the country’s potential. These topics, if taught the right way, have the ability to captivate an audience of students.
Teachers enrolled in this course will explore interactive lesson ideas and modern connections that make teaching the Industrial Revolution an engaging, rewarding experience for students.
Applicable to Social Studies teachers.
ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only | |
 | Instructor: Loren Warman
Email: lorenwarman@gmail.com
45 Hours/3 Credits
Course Descriotion: Dr. Barret once said, “Testing gives you a snapshot, portfolios give you a movie.” Go beyond assessment with student digital portfolios. Use technology throughoutgrades K-12 to engage and involve students in their ownlearning journey. Incorporate digital portfolios as an assessment tool that showcases students’ abilities, growth, culture, and personalities that standardized testing cannot capture. Suitable all educators K-12. | |
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3 Credits – In-Service Course (45 Hours)
Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
Course Description: Keeping students engaged and invigorated in their learning is the task of all educators far and wide. Offering new and innovative material, deepening students’ skills, and involving them in the learning process are the optimum tools for success. In this course, participants will immerse themselves in the learning process- researching their audience, embracing their students’ worlds, altering their mindsets. They will receive a plethora of information on creating unique lessons, ones that traverse learners’ lives and transcend their mindsets. Boredom shall never occur again at the culmination of the course!
**A must for K-12 educators in all disciplines | |
| *Requirement: access to SMARTBoard/and or SMART Notebook Software
Course Description: Teaching and learning has combined with the technology of the 21st century through the use of the SMARTBoard in many classrooms across the country. This interactive electronic whiteboard works with your computer to create a highly motivating teaching tool with endless possibilities. SMART software enables teachers to create dynamic, content rich lessons that foster the various learning modalities of our students, especially visual and kinesthetic.
The first portion of this course will provide an overview or review of the usage of a SMARTBoard via informational PDF files for download as well as tutorial video clips. The main focus of the course will be to allow teachers the opportunity to research the internet to explore the countless resources available to educators with regards to SMARTBoard use. Participants will learn new and exciting ways to enhance their instruction through the use of this technology. In addition, educators will be exposed to pre-made, ready-to-go material for immediate adaptation and use in their classroom. Furthermore, participants will be given the opportunity to create their own lessons for the SMARTBoard using the resources provided. Whether you are a novice or an expert on the use of the SMARTBoard, this course will expose you to a vast variety of resources to fit all grade levels and content areas.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
| In this course, teachers will learn how to implement the flipped learning model in their classrooms. Teachers will learn how to create a learner-centered classroom by moving instruction to the home. Teachers are provided with tips and strategies on how to find and create engaging instructional videos and develop interactive, collaborative, and hands-on classroom activities. This course provides information on how to flip each of the four main content areas, plan/organize technology into lessons, and assessment strategies. Suitable for ALL educators K-12
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service only | |
 | Giving Students More Authority – Facilitating Meaningful Classroom Discussions in the K-12 Classroom PDLI 9130 (45 HOURS/3 GRADUATE CREDITS) Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.comCourse Description: Providing students with high quality discussions that promote learning and engagement is tantamount to teaching. High quality discussions include content-specific ideas that spark students to express different points of view, reflect on their own opinions, varying perspectives, and engage in democratic dialogues. Education that develops deep reasoning, critical thinking, and conceptual and practical tools for inculcating knowledge is tantamount for students today. Teaching in this modality empowers our learners and enables them to recognize that proactive engagement is the key to their success. In this course, participants will be instructed on the pedagogical principles that promote student learning and democratic engagement. They will learn the ways in which students themselves facilitate learning and streamline their own thinking. Teachers will be instructed on ways in which to act as mediators and not sages, including the ins and outs of effective questioning. Rich discussion tactics will be integrated as fishbowl techniques, Socratic Seminars, Jigsaws, formative assessments, graphic organizers, gallery walks – all of which engage the learner and provide for optimum efficacy. Goals and Objectives: Upon completion of the course, participants will be better prepared to: • Understand the impact of effective classroom discussions
• Comprehend the respective ways in which teachers can transform their classrooms via classroom dialogues
• Generate meaningful strategies that challenge students
• Develop deep learning outcomes for their classrooms
• Integrate a myriad of learning activities that challenge their learners
• Engage their learners with 21st century tools of instruction | |
 | Homework plays a major role in the learning process. Often enough, if homework is not complete, classroom objectives cannot be met. What is the role of homework in the learning process? How do economic diversity and parenting style affect homework? What does the research on homework reveal? Let’s explore these questions and get specific strategies for customizing homework tasks, enhancing student ownership, and providing feedback about homework. Effects of social class differences and school-family relationships. Suitable for all educators K – 12.
ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only
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 | PDLI 9140 Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com(45 HOURS/3 GRADUATE CREDITS) Course Description: Education that incorporates a multiethnic perspective recognizes children’s own frames of reference, ones that utilize ideas formed through the traditions of the students’ families and communities. It is a way of teaching that addresses issues of equity and commitment to social action. Teaching in a multiculturalism fashion promotes academic excellence and social justice for all children. Helping children become critical thinkers and make connections in their learning is the essence of multicultural instruction, one that promotes democracy and recognizes that proactive engagement in students of all ages is the key to their success. In this course, participants will be instructed on the ways in which to infuse multiethnic strategies into students’ repertoires. Teachers will be able to create a successful classroom environment where culture is at the forefront, developing and maximizing responsibility, diversity, and cognitive growth in students throughout this course. They will explore various resources such as articles, interviews, readings, differentiated learning sites, lesson plans, and links to literary sites. Additionally, they will research a variety of sources and decide which ones are engaging and fit into their curriculum. Teachers will gain student centered ideas, lessons that differentiate, challenging ways to motivate students, current research on pedagogy, various interdisciplinary websites and Socratic seminars and philosophical rounds that take literacy and learning to a new level! Goals and Objectives: Upon completion of the course, participants will be better prepared to: • Understand the impact of culture in students’ learning
• Comprehend the respective ways in which teachers can transform their classrooms
• Design multicultural learning activities that challenge students
• Create assessments and lessons for their classrooms
• Utilize character education within their classrooms
• Create instructional goals with the multicultural learner in mind | |
| Academic Competitions can help motivate students to follow their passions and achieve success. Local, national, and international competitions related to English-Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies provide effective opportunities for student recognition. Participants in this course will learn about different competitions, contests, and programs that celebrate academic accomplishments. Connections will be made to the standards and curriculum. This course is suitable for all educators, K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-service credit only | |
| Setting up a classroom that has an atmosphere of cooperation and consideration is crucial for students today. Effective communication is necessary for both teachers and students to be successful. In this course, teachers will:
• Study effective test-taking strategies
• Comprehend the ways to improve standardized test scores
• Learn the ways to creatively implement activities into the classroom
• Understand how to motivate students intrinsically
• Help students recognize their inner potential
• Address a myriad of student needs and perspectives
• Connect the impact of reading and writing across the content areas
• Complete research on academic success in the classroom
• Envision alternatives for their students
Overall, teachers will emerge with a plethora of insight and information that will increase their students’ love of the subject matter!
***A must for all K-12 teachers!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only | |
 | Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours
Course Description: Hands-on, experimental learning is the wave of the future for educators, coaches, directors, and administrators alike. Developing driving questions for students enables them to utilize critical thinking skills and enhance their learning tremendously. The course will center around summative and formative assessments for learning, showcase lessons for discussion, PBL techniques, inquiry-based analysis and many more innovative concepts. Participants will be able to guide their learners perfectly. All disciplines and grade levels welcome.
*A must for K-12 educators* | |
 | This course is designed to provide educators with instructional strategies and apply it to meet the needs of all students grades K-12. Emphasis will be placed on how to effectively design your lessons, how to evaluate your curriculum, distinguish between learning styles, and how to provide instruction that enhances and improves academic performance for all students. This course examines how all these concepts combined serve as the basic design of curriculum and instruction overall. Educators will discuss proper planning of the core concepts, essential questions, how to use metacognitive reading strategies, background knowledge, and scaffolding, in order to lead to a successful classroom environment. Additional applications introduced in this course include rubrics, graphic organizers, vocabulary strategies, peer tutoring, note-taking, paraphrasing, summarizing (with the use of 10% summary), reciprocal teaching, and questioning. Educators will learn practices in this course that relate to district-wide teacher evaluations, the New York State Teaching Standards, and the Common Core Standards. Participants will also discover how to engage students, deepen their understanding of context, and prepare them for success beyond the classroom.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
 | Students of all ages look at sports as a main hobby and source of entertainment outside of school. This course focuses on learning in relation to youth, amateur, and professional athletics. Participants will create projects, lessons, and activities that will tie sporting events to English-Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Participants will develop curriculum-based assignments for their classroom, with a special emphasis on sports leagues, teams, and athletes. Students will make connections between what is happening in and outside of the classroom. This course is suitable for all educators, K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-service only | |
 | Janna Florio Online Course - 3 credits / 45 hours - In-Service Credit Only Applicable to High School Teachers & Department Coordinators/Chairs Description: Being a student in high school is tough; being a teacher of high school students is tough; however, surviving high school as a newcomer to the country could feel almost impossible. Combined with the harrowing experiences they suffer during their immigration journeys, adolescent ELLs are also faced with the stresses that plague the majority of all other high-schoolers. From high-stakes testing to mental health concerns, students within this age bracket hold a lot of weight on their shoulders. Past trauma, feelings of isolation, displacement from family, and the challenges of learning a new culture and language only exacerbate these issues for immigrant and migrant students. In this course, you will learn about the struggles these students face, the challenges they must overcome, and what schools might be able to do to support them. | |
 | This course equips educators with practical strategies to integrate hands-on, experiential learning into a standards-driven curriculum. Participants will explore how tactile, inquiry-based activities can deepen student understanding, foster engagement, and build critical thinking skills—all while aligning with academic standards and learning objectives. Through interactive activities, real-world examples, and collaborative lesson design, teachers will learn to create dynamic learning experiences that bring content to life and meet diverse student needs. By the end of the course, educators will feel confident designing and implementing lessons that balance creativity with curricular rigor. | |
| *New Course Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours) Dates: Summer 2025 - August 25th-29th Course Description: This course will deal with the tried-and-true form of teaching learning. As educators we should teach our students to work smarter, not harder! This course will provide teachers with simple strategies that will make students’ time in your classroom worth it! Students will learn and study more effectively and make learning stick. Educators will discuss in this course research on how the brain works and thus retains information. Teachers will discuss the day-to-day reality of teaching and learning strategies to a dynamic classroom of students of all levels. Educators will discuss the basics of how the brain takes in and stores information, as well as best practices for retrieval of daily information. Easy-to-implement strategies will be shared to help guide any educator through lessons that can improve outcomes for all students. This course is a must for all educators grades K-12. | |
 | This course empowers educators to intentionally weave community service, compassion, and empathy into everyday instruction across multiple subjects. Participants will explore strategies for designing lessons and projects that connect academic content with real-world issues, encouraging students to engage with their communities and develop a strong sense of social responsibility. Through reflective discussions, service-learning models, and practical classroom examples, teachers will learn how to create a culture of kindness and civic engagement that aligns with curriculum standards. By the end of the course, educators will have tools to inspire students to think beyond themselves and take meaningful action in the world around them. | |
 | *New Course Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours) Dates: Summer 2025 - July 28th-Aug 1st Course Description: A creative teacher is a teacher that students remember. This type of teacher is a pleasure to be around, makes you laugh and makes you want to come to class every day. This course will arm educators with the positive and fun strategies they will need to be the creative teacher they want to be. Strategies such as games in the classroom, exciting cooperative learning activities, and how to build positive and strong relationships that inspire your students will be discussed. By the end of this course educators will feel that they have enough strategies to inspire their students for free exploration and an open atmosphere in the classroom. This course is a must for all educators grades K-12. | |
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Course Description:
As an educator, do you ever feel that you just don’t have enough time in the day to get all your things done? Do you feel like you just don’t want to take your paperwork and grading home? Well, this course is designed to help educators with proper time management strategies. Tips from planning lessons, to contacting parents, to grading will be discussed. Together we will examine how to prioritize your tasks, use your time more effectively, and stop procrastinating! You’ll also learn how to teach your students the skills to do it as well. Teachers will discuss the importance of time management skills and planning, and how this is a skill we will use for life. This course is a must for all educators levels K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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| Course Description: This course is designed to simplify the process of writing a terrific lesson plan. Educators will work together to create and execute the perfect lesson plan for your students. Teachers will share ideas and lessons they have previously used and discuss what makes an effective lesson. From the Do Now, to the Procedures, to the use of the standards and expectations, teachers will be armed with the tools to move forward with ease. Lesson plan writing does not have to be difficult; it could be perfect.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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