Teaching and Learning in Today’s World:

Lessons from the Field

An Educational Conference for
Secondary Teachers,
Instructional Coaches and Administrators

June 22, 23, and 24, 2010

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI), Schnecksville, PA

Welcome!

Session Selection
Please use the information on the following pages to select the sessions you wish to attend. You will receive a confirmation
email within a week of registration. Seating is limited! If a session is full or cancelled, you will be notified and invited to make
an alternate selection. Should you need to cancel, kindly notify the conference organizer immediately (schickk@lcti.org).

Technology Guidelines
x Personal computers are welcome, but guest internet connection is prohibited.
x USBs may not be used on computers provided by LCTI.

Lunch
x Lunch is complimentary.
x Please indicate on the registration form whether or not you are staying for lunch.
x We apologize that special diets cannot be honored.

Stipend and Act 48

x Sign-in and sign-out of each session is required.
x A stipend/Act 48 form must be completed.
x Stipends will be mailed to the address you provide within four weeks of conference conclusion.

Directions & Parking

x LCTI is located on the campus of LCCC. Please visit www.lcti.org for directions.
x Follow signs for Parking Lot 3; disregard assigned parking numbers.
Meet Our Presenters
x Dave Aretz Commercial Photography Instructor, LCTI
x Robyn Balsai English Teacher, Salisbury Middle School, Salisbury Township SD
x Cynthia Bartynski Coordinator of Professional Development, CLIU
x Beverly Benfer Director, Distance Education & Instructional Technology, LCCC
x Jim Bennett Science Teacher, LCTI
x Marc Bonanni English and Sociology Instructor, LCTI and LCCC
x Beth Breiner Technology Integration Specialist, CLIU
x Jennifer Brinson Instructional/Technology Coach, Salisbury High School, Salisbury Township SD
x Susan Carville English Teacher, Emmaus High School, East Penn SD
x Joe DiGerlando Computer Repair Technology Instructor, LCTI
x Heidi Faust Staff Development Facilitator/ESL, CLIU
x Lynne Fedorcha* PIIC Mentor, Educational Consultant, CLIU
x Kathy Fiedler Instructional Technology Coach, Northwestern Lehigh SD
x Cassandra Frantz Special Education Facilitator, LCTI
x Lynn Fuini-Hetten Instructional Coach, Salisbury Middle School, Salisbury Township SD
x Mark Gensimore Project Manager, Blendedschools.net
x Eric Gopen Teacher, Parkland High School, Parkland SD
x Sharon Kinney* Staff Development Facilitator, CLIU
x Kimberly Kneller Teacher, Emmaus High School, East Penn SD
x Dawn Laubner Teacher, Emmaus High School, East Penn SD
x Amanda Long English Teacher, LCTI
x Tim Lucas Educational Consultant, Lehigh University Professor, Systems Analyst
x Sharon Maletsky Service Occupations Food Service Instructor, LCTI
x Mike Monkiewicz Electrical Technology Instructor, LCTI
x Joseph Peregrin Web Design Instructor, LCTI
x Cathleen Plesnarski Instructional Math Coach, LCTI
x Stephanie Schwab Instructional Math Coach, Emmaus HS, East Penn SD
x Mike Sikora Business Education Teacher, Northwestern Lehigh High School, Northwestern Lehigh SD
x Brian Snapp Instructional Technologist, LCCC
x Pam Tonkay Special Education Teacher, Northwestern Lehigh High School, Northwestern Lehigh SD
x Darin Van Norman Special Education Facilitator, LCTI
x Debra Zosky Instructional Literacy Coach, Emmaus High School, East Penn SD

Conference Coordinator: Kathy Schick, Instructional Literacy Coach, LCTI (schickk@lcti.org)

* Members of the conference organization team
Tuesday, June 22nd
Session I: 8:30 – 10:00
Wut’s Up with High School Graduation Exams? An Update on the Keystone Exams (S. Kinney): “Wut’s Up” with the
Keystone Exams? Discover what they are; how they will impact your students, you, and your district. Examine posted test questions for
your content and find out where the state hopes to go with these tests.

Best Online Education Resources (J. Bennett & B. Benfer): What tools exist in the web for you to enhance your classroom? New
sites pop up (in a good way!) every day, allowing students to be more active learners. Today’s students grew up with the Internet but
there’s a lot more than just Facebook. Join what is sure to be a lively discussion with Jim and Beverly! (This session is also offered 6/24,
Session II.)

Checking the Pulse of Your Instruction (D. Zosky & S. Schwab): Have you ever been disappointed with your students’
performances on a test? If so, join your colleagues in an interactive intervention that allows you and your students to determine where
they are in learning the objectives. Activities and strategies to benefit your lesson preparation and encourage student involvement will be
highlighted. (This session is also offered 6/22, Session III.)

Tap Into Thinkfinity! (L. Fuini-Hetten): Engage your students with free web resources created by content partners from Thinkfinity!
Many of the resources available through Thinkfinity’s content partners – lessons, research activities, interactive sites – reflect 21st Century
skills. During this interactive hands-on session, participants will use computers to dig deeper into Verizon’s Thinkfinity!

I’d Like to Teach the World to NING! (J. Brinson): Ning is a Web 2.0 tool that allows teachers to set up entire units that can serve as
a platform for individual and group blogging as well as collaborative discussions among the class. Videos and images can be uploaded
into the Ning to enhance instruction as well.
Tuesday, June 22nd
Session II: 10:15 – 11:45
Copyright or Copywrong? (B. Snapp): With so much available on the Internet and so little understanding for some students (and
teachers!) regarding plagiarism, how can administrators, teachers, IT staff, and students deal with what is acceptable copyright use? Join
us as we discover that it’s not as easy as cut and paste!

Re-Discover Discovery Education (L. Fuini-Hetten & J. Brinson): Use Discovery Education to meet the needs of diverse learners
within your classroom. Participants will learn about the new features of Discovery Education including assignment, quiz, and writing
prompt builders, STEM Connect, and Atlas and Lesson Plan library. Many new resources have been added for all content teachers!

Implementing & Utilizing an Interactive Word Wall (S. Maletsky): Help your students develop and retain critical content
vocabulary by using an interactive word wall. Word study never looked so good. It’s easy to implement, fun to use, and best of all – it’s
effective!

Technology Integration using Blendedschools/Blackboard (M. Sikora, P. Tonkay, & M. Gensimore): Tired of running to the
copier, grading tests, and students losing papers? Would your students benefit from immediate feedback, email announcements, and
access to class materials 24/7? Be more productive and engage students with Blended Schools/Blackboard.

Honor Thy IEP: How to Implement Specially Designed Instruction (C. Frantz & D. Van Norman): Join the group as we
demystify IEP’s and learn the rationale behind some of the statements in these documents. We will discuss how best to provide the
accommodations within the Specially Designed Instruction portion. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where discussion will lead to answers
about the items that have you most perplexed! THIS SESSION IS OPEN TO LCTI STAFF ONLY.
Complimentary lunch available in main cafeteria from 12:00-12:45

Tuesday, June 22nd

Session III: 12:45 – 2:15
Google This! (M. Bonanni): The Google platform has grown from a simple search engine to a valuable resource for educators.
Classroom assignments, collaborative projects, and scholarly research can be done from the world’s most popular search engine. Search
and destroy – your classes with creativity and knowledge! (This session is also offered 6/23, Session I.)

Developing, Evaluating, and Utilizing Portfolio Projects (S. Carville): Portfolios assess students’ understanding of content and
allow for differentiation in a less threatening and more student-centered and student-controlled context. Learn the steps in presenting the
“how-to” to students, materials you will need to provide, how to engage students in the project, and how to assess the final portfolio the
rubric.

The Standards Aligned System (SAS): No Longer Shooting Darts in the Dark (S. Kinney): This session is designed for the
individual who has not been on the SAS web portal and is looking to see what’s there and how to navigate through it. Participants will
examine how this state resource will support and enhance student achievement in their classroom.

Checking the Pulse of Your Instruction (D. Zosky & S. Schwab): Have you ever been disappointed with your students’
performances on a test? If so, join your colleagues in an interactive intervention that allows you and your students to determine where
they are in learning the objectives. Activities and strategies to benefit your lesson preparation and encourage student involvement will be
highlighted.

Read to Me: Using Kurzweil Efficiently and Effectively (C. Frantz & D. Van Norman): Did you ever think your students would
“get it” if only they could have material read to them? This demonstration will give you skills to begin using Kurzweil or advance the skills
you already have. You will get to scope out Kurzweil as used in the classroom for lessons requiring reading and writing. Bring materials
that you would like to have available for your students on Kurzweil; you will have a chance to scan material into the computer. We have
fixed some of the problems previously experienced such as using the shared lab drive to store text in a place where students can access
it easily. Come to a session that will be a time saver next year! THIS SESSION IS OPEN TO LCTI STAFF ONLY.
Wednesday, June 23nd
Session I: 8:30 – 10:00
An Introduction to Putting Data to Work for Student Achievement (C. Bartynski & T. Lucas): “Without data all you have is an
opinion.” How do we determine what data we need, how to organize it and how to use it effectively in our decision making? This session
will provide participants with an introduction in the use of data, hands-on categorizing data and insights on the practical use of data for
impacting instruction and student achievement and learning. (This session is also offered 6/23, Session III.)

Google This! (M. Bonanni): The Google platform has grown from a simple search engine to a valuable resource for educators.
Classroom assignments, collaborative projects, and scholarly research can be done from the world’s most popular search engine. Search
and destroy – your classes with creativity and knowledge!

Engaging Readers with Think-Aloud and Talking-to-the-Text (A. Long): Motivating students to read can be difficult, especially
reading high school textbooks. Talking-to-the-text and the think-aloud strategy are key to helping students learn and use critical
metacognitive skills through teacher modeling and student practice. These strategies are easy to use and can quickly become a routine
part of any content subject. Warning: You don’t have to be a reading teacher to help students become better readers! (This session is
also offered 6/23, Session II.)

Students FLIP for Movie-Making (J. Brinson & L. Fuini-Hetten): Your students will flip over making videos in your content area
classes! Learn how to engage students in the development of 21st Century skills as they create videos. This session will be highly
interactive. Participants will create and perform a video using a FLIP video camera! No experience required. Great for all content areas!

Meeting the Needs of ELLS in Content Classes (H. Faust): What can teachers do when students don’t know English? How can
they make their instruction and assessment fair but rigorous? How can they meet the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) when
they have a class full of native English speakers? What resources are available to help them? Participants in this workshop will learn how
to support ELLs at various levels of English proficiency while meeting the needs of all students.
Wednesday, June 23nd
Session II: 10:15 – 11:45
Podcasting 101 (J. Peregrin): Do you have the AUDACITY to use interviews, storytelling, and lecture material on the web? If not, we
can make sure you get it! Learn the basic tenets of podcasting and how to implement it into your classroom. Video may have killed the
radio star, but the Internet can make you (and your students!) broadcasters! (This session is also offered 6/24, Session I.)

Engaging Readers with Think-Aloud and Talking-to-the-Text (A. Long): Motivating students to read can be difficult, especially
reading high school textbooks. Talking-to-the-text and the think-aloud strategy are key to helping students learn and use critical
metacognitive skills through teacher modeling and student practice. These strategies are easy to use and can quickly become a routine
part of any content subject. Warning: You don’t have to be a reading teacher to help students become better readers!

Culturally Responsive Teaching: From Diversity to Equity (H. Faust): Where does your classroom rank on the continuum of
cultural responsiveness? Are your current practices helpful or harmful to students of diverse backgrounds? How can you bridge the gap
between home and school and create a validating and engaging learning environment for all students? Participants will explore the social
and academic impact of culture, race and ethnicity, and identify culturally responsive classroom practices that give all students a voice.

Standards Aligned System (SAS) II: Been There, Done That! What’s Next? (S. Kinney): Let’s review and examine the SAS
Web Portal established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education more extensively. Participants will have the opportunity to populate
their e-portfolio and share personal learning and findings with the group. As a result of this session, educators will be “more” ready to
provide “standards-based instruction” in the upcoming school year.

Writing to Learn: A Place to Begin (L. Fedorcha): What if you could give every student the opportunity to activate prior knowledge
at the beginning of your lesson? What if you could have every student reflect on something they learned in your class every day?
Discover an easy way to support student learning through an examination of Collins Type I and Type II writing.
Complimentary lunch available in main cafeteria from 12:00-12:45

Wednesday, June 23nd

Session III: 12:45 – 2:15
Fun in the Office Suite (J. DiGerlando): You may use Word and Excel daily but do you know the hidden tricks tucked away? Take the
basic use of Microsoft Office software to another level to make your handouts more appealing and your presentations more interesting.

Pop Culture Literacy in the Classroom (M. Bonanni): Sure, you may know about your own content area, but do you know who
Justin Beiber is or MGMT are? Did you read all the Twilight saga books? Can you use Burger King in a calculus lesson? Even if you
answer “yes” to any of these, there is still a LOT more popular culture our students know about and can actually learn from. Find out
about why you should be down with the what-what. (This session is also offered 6/24, Session III.)

Integrating Math Across Content Areas: Elements of an Effective and Engaging Lesson (C. Plesnarski & M. Monkiewicz):
Integrating mathematics into other content areas is easy; teaching the math concept is not, especially for the non-math teachers. Come
explore a lesson planning framework for creating an effective and engaging lesson. During the workshop, the presenters will share a
sample lesson that integrates math into electrical technology. Participants and presenters will discuss the purpose and expected
outcomes of each element and possible writing-to-learn and literacy strategies that can be incorporated into each element.

Difficult Conversations: Use-Friendly Tools for Mastering the Talks We Dread (S. Kinney): A difficult conversation is
anything you find hard to talk about. This session will focus on the research of the Harvard Negotiation Project and how to communicate
in a way that will achieve openness and constructive outcomes in your daily life whether it’s with students, other teachers, administrators,
or your family.

An Introduction to Putting Data to Work for Student Achievement (C. Bartynski & T. Lucas): “Without data all you have is an
opinion.” How do we determine what data we need, how to organize it and how to use it effectively in our decision making? This session
will provide participants with an introduction in the use of data, hands-on categorizing data and insights on the practical use of data for
impacting instruction and student achievement and learning.
Thursday, June 24th
Session I: 8:30 – 10:00
RTII: Improving Student Achievement Using High-Impact Strategies (B. Breiner): RTII – Response to Instruction and
Interventions…It’s about working “smarter” NOT “harder.” We can best reach secondary students through instruction that uses research-
based high-impact strategies and effective teaching principles.

Podcasting 101 (J. Peregrin): Do you have the AUDACITY to use interviews, storytelling, and lecture material on the web? If not, we
can make sure you get it! Learn the basic tenets of podcasting and how to implement it into your classroom. Video may have killed the
radio star, but the Internet can make you (and your students!) broadcasters!

From Web 2.0 to Infinity! Scaffolding Project Based-Learning (K. Fiedler): Avoid due-date disappointment, excuses, and even
non-completion of projects by implementing strategies and creating scaffolds that support students engaged in self-directed learning. Help
them develop the thinking skills to navigate and evaluate myriad information sources while maintaining focus and creativity. Lots of Web
2.0 resources will be shared.

Using Technology to Differentiate Instruction (L. Fuini-Hetten & J. Brinson): It is imperative for educators to provide an
educational environment that meets the needs of all learners. Tap the power of Web 2.0 social networking tools for increasing student
achievement. Learn how to maximize classroom resources using powerful tools at your fingertips. Hear how our district (Salisbury)
embraced technology and designed instructional practices that foster meaningful and authentic connections.

Literature Circles at the Secondary Level (D. Zosky & D. Leschinsky): Enhance your content area instruction with journal articles,
editorials, current events, how-to guides, trade books, diaries, and other primary source documents. Literature circles aren’t just for
reading teachers! Learn how you can generate student interest, dialogue, and critical thinking through this dynamic instructional practice.


Thursday, June 24th
Session II: 10:15 – 11:45
Building Resiliency in Our At-Risk Students and Knowing that they are “Hard-Wired” to Bounce Back (S. Kinney): All of
our brains are hard-wired to behave and think in specific ways. Take a look at how the brain reacts to specific classroom practices and
the brains of those students who challenge us. This session will examine key research findings on improving academic learning for those
who resist learning.

Best Online Education Resources (J. Bennett & B. Benfer): What tools exist in the web for you to enhance your classroom? New
sites pop up (in a good way!) every day, allowing students to be more active learners. Today’s students grew up with the Internet where
there’s a lot more than just Facebook. Join what is sure to be a lively discussion with Jim and Beverly!

Tools for Working with Teams (T. Lucas): Working together as a successful team doesn’t occur by accident. It requires practice and
the use of specific protocols. During the workshop, we will explore communication tools, review planning sheets, and share how these
tools can be used daily.

Get “Clicking” with a Classroom Performance System (E. Gopen): The Classroom Performance System is the leading student
response system in education, being used in K-12 and high education classrooms and lecture halls. The CPS student response pads of
“clickers” are small, handheld devices that allow students to respond to questions asked verbally, on paper, or on screen and enables you
to instantly assess students’ understanding of your lesson.

Engaging Students through Literacy Skill Practice (K. Kneller & D. Laubner): When you look at your class, are there more heads
down than up? Are your students always talking to each other but not engaged in your conversation? Join us and find out how you can
use students’ personal experiences to create engagement in your classroom.
Complimentary lunch available in main cafeteria from 12:00-12:45

Thursday, June 24th
Session III: 12:45 – 2:15
Say Cheese: Using a Digital Classroom in Your Classroom (D. Aretz): This presentation is geared toward both novice and
experienced photographers wishing to improve their skill with an emphasis on uses of photography in the classroom. Discover ways to
photograph people and objects that can enhance visual posters and presentations. Learn more about file formats, resolution, general
picture taking tips and specific camera features. We’ll also review considerations in purchasing or upgrading your camera. This session
will be held in the LCTI photography lab!

Reaching and Teaching Low Achievers (L. Fedorcha): We all agree it’s easy to reach and teach high achievers, but sometimes
our low achieving students are a challenge. Identify the 15 positive interaction techniques of response opportunity, feedback, and
personal regard – skills you already have! Let’s learn how to maximize their use with all students.

Vodcasting 101 (J. Peregrin): Take your knowledge from Podcasting and go a step further: show your work! Learn simple software to
allow students to see AND hear what you are doing. Need to explain a worksheet? A PPT? A web page? I’ll show (and tell) you how!

Pop Culture Literacy in the Classroom (M. Bonanni): Sure, you may know about your own content area, but do you know who
Justin Beiber is or MGMT are? Did you read all the Twilight saga books? Can you use Burger King in a calculus lesson? Even if you
answer “yes” to any of these, there is still a LOT more popular culture our students know about and can actually learn from. Find out
about why you should be down with the what-what.

Using Metacognitive Journals (“Cog Logs”) to Get Inside Students’ Heads! (R. Balsai): “Cog Logs” make your students’
thinking more visible, help them practice a variety of reading strategies, interact more deeply with text and give them opportunities to
reflect on their progress as readers. Come learn how to make them work for your students!


Thank you for attending!

And, thank YOU for making this conference a reality…

Dr. Clyde Hornberger, LCTI Executive Director
Mrs. Elsie Bell, LCTI Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Dan Kotran and his incredible LCTI maintenance staff
Stan Nestor and his equally incredible LCTI technology staff
Joe Ginotti, Penn Literacy Network
Area School District Instructional Coaches
Area School District Administrators
LCTI Teachers (thanks for the classrooms!)
Marc Bonanni

Have a Great Summer!

Kathy Schick, LCTI Literacy Coach
Lynne Fedorcha, PIIC Coach Mentor, Educational Consultant, CLIU
Sharon Kinney, Staff Development Facilitator, CLIU