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EDZU 9029 Dealing with Parents: Fostering Productive Relationships 3 Credits

This class is designed for teachers in any grade level and in any discipline. In this class, we will discuss and develop the skills necessary to build effective communication with parents, tailor messages to the recipient, and interact with difficult parents under pressure. We will plan for parent/teacher open house events as well as individual parent conferences and written communication. We will investigate scenarios such as dealing with angry, confused, and apathetic parents as well as sharing unpleasant information.

EDZU 9721 Succeeding with Difficult Students 3 Credits

In this course, we will identify some of those reasons and try to understand the resulting behaviors. Once we have defined some of the concerns our students bring to the classroom, we will develop strategies to use when working with them. Throughout the course, we will explore current research, examine case studies, as well as discuss our own experiences to create a personalized proactive plan that each teacher can bring back to their current teaching situation. This course is designed for teachers in all grade levels who want to become more effective with students that exhibit difficult behaviors.

EDZU 9690 The Bully Free Classroom 3 Credits

This course will help all educators and staff members to create a classroom/school environment where everyone feels safe, accepted and valued. It will help you to identify and empower victims of bullying as well as act quickly and effectively when learning of a bullying incident. Participants will also learn how to effectively communicate with parents while establishing a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. This course is a must for all educators K-12.

EDZU 9578 Strategies for a Successful Classroom 3 Credits

All teachers want their students to succeed. But how do we identify effective, research-based strategies to use in our classroom? Selected readings from Classroom Instruction that Works by Marzano, Pickering and Pollock, as well as other sources, will enable teachers of grades 5-12 to gain insight into what these strategies are, how to implement them in their classroom, and how these strategies will enhance student learning and long-term retention of content area information. Note: participants may want to purchase the above text for their own personal use.

EDZU 9574 Behavior Modification for Students K-12 3 Credits

This course provides a specific understanding of how to create, implement, assess, and reconstruct your own behavior modification program as well as existing programs in classrooms K-12. It gives teachers an understanding of different types of students' behaviors and how to control them without impeding the learning process. This course will use Internet articles, websites, classroom discussions, and case studies as a tool for designing modification programs.

EDZU 9814 Violence in American Schools and Society 3 Credits

Through this course, teachers will gain a greater understanding of how to detect these issues within their students, how to speak to them, and their parents. They will also be able to determine which support staff of the school (psychologists, social workers, guidance counselors, administration) would be most appropriate to approach regarding various issues. Violence in American Schools and Society will use government and think tank studies, scholarly readings, news stories, film clips and movies.

EDZU 9815 Impact of Gangs on Education 3 Credits

This course offers insight for all teachers and administrators as to the appearance of gang infiltration in our schools. It will also provide extensive information of what local gangs look like, their symbols/patterns in the community, correlation with historical gangs, how to prevent and report these types of behaviors in the classroom, as well as the educational impact they have on our students.

EDZU 9505 The Cooperative Classroom 3 Credits

This course will focus on understanding and integrating cooperative learning strategies and techniques into our classrooms. Teachers will learn how to develop and implement lesson plans/activities, while differentiating instruction through use of cooperative learning techniques. By the end of this course participants will have a variety of lesson plans and activities that they can incorporate into their classroom.

EDZU 9027 Common Core Standards 3 Credits

This course will provide teachers and parents with a common understanding of what students are expected to learn. Within this course, understanding the consistent standards will provide appropriate benchmarks for teachers to instruct all students, regardless of where they come from. These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. By the conclusion of this course, students will be able to understand what Common Core Standards are as defined by New York State, how the standards align with college and work expectations, compare and contrast current NYS Learning Standards with Common Core Standards, as well as having a clear, consistent, and understandable idea on how to align your lessons with the standards.

EDZU 9026 Desktop Publishing Projects for the Classroom 3 Credits

Are you tired of giving your students the same old boring handouts? This course will focus on how to use teacher-generated and student-generated documents to "jazz up" your classroom and student learning experiences! Participants will learn how to design attention-getting educational publications such as classroom newsletters, brochures, worksheets, informational flyers, and project outlines. These professional-looking documents will be created utilizing desktop publishing software "from scratch", as well as by using "wizards" and "templates" included with some of the software programs. This course is suitable for PC and Mac users and all teacher and student levels.

EDZU 9031 Advanced Interactive White Board Instruction 3 Credits

This comprehensive class is designed to test and advance the thinking of teachers who have already successfully completed "Integrating an Interactive Whiteboard to Enhance Your Lessons". A student in this class has already developed a command of the basic functions of the interactive white board. They have had ample opportunity to implement what they have learned, and this class will drive their thinking and lesson creations to a higher level. Students will have the chance to create new or revise lessons with advanced concepts. They will learn about the differentiation capabilities to cater to the needs of all of their students. In addition, students will discover methods of using the interactive white board to team teach and implement fine arts.

EDZU 9805 Integrating an Interactive Whiteboard to Enhance Your Lessons 3 Credits

During this class teachers will be exposed to the use of toolbar functions, the image and animation gallery, importing items from other files, and ultimately creating a full presentation. This class is designed to be used by teachers at any grade level, and in any discipline. The lessons and units we create will be practical, and can immediately be implemented into your classroom. This course will enable teachers to take their lessons to the next level, as well as assess student progress and understanding.

EDZU 9580 Enhancing Classroom Instruction Utilizing PowerPoint Presentations 3 Credits

This is a project-based course that will focus on the numerous multimedia features of PowerPoint, including the incorporation of text, graphics, sound, video, animations, hyperlinks and slide show timing techniques. The class is intended to guide the novice as well as the more advanced Microsoft PowerPoint user through the necessary steps towards the creation of dynamic classroom-enhancing presentations.

EDZU 9817 Creative Classroom Projects using Windows Movie Maker
        (with Mac iMovie Adaptations) 3 Credits

This is a "hands-on", project-based course suitable for ALL LEVELS of computer expertise and will guide participants step-by-step through the process of creating dynamic multimedia classroom-enhancing movies. Participants will learn how to import, add and edit photos, video, titles, transitions, video effects, music and narration. In addition, sample movie projects and ideas for lessons will be viewed. (Adaptations, online resources and tutorials for Mac users of iMovie will be provided.)

EDZU 9577 Strategies for Success with ELL and ESL Students 3 Credits

Strategies for academic and social success will be examined thoroughly to help your ELL and ESL students feel "at home" in your classroom. Proper parent communication, governing laws, testing, and language learning will also be studied using variety of resources. Participants in this class will gain understanding of the cultural, emotional, behavioral, social, and linguistic barriers these children face each day, as we know a happy, comfortable, and confident child proper guidance and encouragement will flourish.

EDZU 9675 RTI - Response to Intervention 3 Credits

In this course, we will explore the events leading up to RTI and why the pendulum has now swung in this direction. Also, we will scrutinize the different 'Tiers' associated with this model and look at the different interventions and strategies needed for student success. Through this exploration, will be able to create differentiated lessons, implement lessons with proper delivery, assess teacher and student progress, understand the model, as well as back up our information through research-based case studies and exercises.

EDZU 9818 Using Picture Books to Drive Elementary Math Lessons 3 Credits

This course offers elementary teachers (kindergarten through sixth grade)strategies that will help you integrate children's literature into your math lessons. From this course, you will take with you lessons and activities that align with the national Standards and span all of the NYS Standards and Strands for Mathematics. Participants will find that by using favorite picture books in their math lessons, their students will become more confident and motivated to succeed!

EDZU9820 Motivate and Differentiate through Music in the Classroom 3 Credits

Imagine being able to incorporate an assortment of elements of music into daily reading, writing, math, science, and social studies lessons. You will also learn how to build a classroom community and motivate. Harness musical elements and concepts as a primary teaching tool, or refine and enhance existing lessons. Your don't need to play a musical instrument or be a talented singer to use music as another instrument in your teaching repertoire.

EDZU 9575 Creating Motivating Lessons 3 Credits

Motivating students is half the battle. As educators, to get students' attention we compete with sports and other extracurricular activities, social pressures and concerns, family stresses, and even socioeconomic factors. How to grab and keep their attention is a skill all teachers aim to master. In this course, we will investigate what motivates students and how we can incorporate that into the lessons we teach every day.

EDZU 9755 Emotional Literacy 3 Credits

This course is designed to help teachers develop a learning environment that promotes emotional wellness through the exposure of various forms of literature. By the end of this course, participants will have a variety of activities and book lists to assist them in developing an emotionally literate environment.

ED/B 9692 Teaching Multiculturalism in the Classroom

EDZU 9822 Closing the Achievement Gap 3 Credits

Teachers enrolled in this course will be guided through a close and collaborative examination of the practices and needs particular to their places of work. We will collaborate in scrutinizing data, teaching trends, and student perception to arrive at an understanding of what we can do to help close the gap not only as educators within a given classroom, but as potential leaders among colleagues and students in setting standards of practice that promote achievement for all.

ED/D 9579 Speech and Language Pathology: A Classroom Teacher's Guide

EDZU 9676 Making Math Interactive 3 Credits

This course offers elementary teachers (K-6) strategies that will help you incorporate interactive math activities into your current math curriculum. You will take with you hands-on activities that align with the National Standards and span all of the NYS Standards and Strands for Mathematics. Using differentiated instruction, participants will learn how to integrate manipulatives, games and other strategies into daily lessons. Get your students out of their seats with these motivating math activities!

EDZU 9749 Character Education Matters 3 Credits

This course is designed to develop a collection of classroom lessons, activities, and strategies that can be used to integrate character traits into everyday instruction. The emphasis will be on how to help your students develop a life-long sense of honesty, decency, and respect for one-self and others through literature and practical classroom activities. Some of the topics that will be discussed will include; values/traits that can be taught, roles of the teacher, teaching values through the curriculum, caring beyond the classroom, cooperative learning, as well as classroom management techniques.

ED/D 9818 Creating and Maintaining a Curriculum Map

EDZU 9903 The Global Student 3 Credits

The Global Student will help all students with better methods to teach the issues of world history to their classes. Assessment ideas, lesson planning, resources and materials will present global history in an informative light. All students will analyze ancient civilizations, world leaders, economics, global wars and political concerns of world history. We will look at how civilizations have shaped the world that we live in today. All students will learn about the important, controversial, unique and dangerous contributions of global leaders in history. The Global Student will also focus on the importance of geography and how to best teach this important subject.

EDZU 9689 Poetry in the Classroom 3 Credits

This course is designed to introduce various ways that poetry can be utilized in the classroom. Participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of poetry and create effective lessons that may be used in the classroom.

EDZU 9816 Reading and Writing, Making It Exciting: Exploring Genre 3 Credits

This course is designed for the 2nd - 8th grade classroom teacher who is looking to rev up their literature/genre lessons. Teachers will be exposed to a variety of creative resources to delve your students into the excitement of learning about genre. Poetry, Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Biography/Autobiography, and Fiction/Non-fiction will be explored. Relevant author's will be analyzed and you will see how exciting literature and learning can be.

EDZU 9501 Integrating Children's Literature into Elementary/Middle School Classrooms
        3 Credits

This course will focus on using children's literature, particularly picture books, to motivate discussions, debates, writing, and teaching difficult concepts. We will explore ways to integrate literature across the curriculum and develop interdisciplinary units that meet the New York State standards in social studies, ELA, math, science, and all specialty areas including counseling. Teachers will also learn how to differentiate instruction while integrating literature into classroom learning activities.

EDZU 9958 Enhancing Your Reading Instruction K-12 3 Credits

This course is designed to provide teachers with a wide variety of resources to help their lower level readers. Participants will be exposed to assessment tools and strategies used to improve decoding, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. This class will also explore interactive and instructional websites that will enhance reading instruction. Now is the time to make reading more enjoyable!

EDZU 9908 Using Newspapers Across the Curriculum 3 Credits

This course offers teachers (grades 2-8) strategies that will help you integrate the newspaper into all areas of your curriculum. As educators we know that students learn best when what they are studying is interesting and relevant to their lives; let the newspaper drive your students to learn! Working with newspapers allows students access to real world practice that will develop necessary reading skills that will help your students prepare for the state tests, as well as strengthen their ability to work with nonfiction texts. Participants will find that by bringng the world into their classroom through the newspaper, they will create more mindful students and citizens in an increasingly complex world!

EDZU 9750 Exploring America's National Parks Through Virtual Field Trips 3 Credits

Today's educators face many challenges (i.e. funding, liability, etc.) when planning traditional field trips so they are relying on Internet resources to bring various destinations into their classrooms. Where should you go on your first virtual trip? Try visiting one of the 380 National Parks that are spread across the United States. These extraordinary parks offer resources that can be incorporated into every curriculum at any grade level. During this course, educators will experience the value of integrating virtual fieldtrips into the classroom and acquire ways to open doors to places most students will never see in a lifetime.

EDZU 9683 Ecology is for Everyone 3 Credits

Teaching ecology is part of the state and national science curriculum. Are you prepared to teach your students about this scientific topic? An effective way for students to learn about the environment is through hands-on, interdisciplinary activities. We will explore themes such as: biodiversity, pollution and overpopulation, as well as the interactions of living things in our natural environment.

EDZU 9087 Teaching the Holocaust through Film and Literature 3 Credits

Are you prepared to teach your students about the Holocaust? This course will cover the roots of anti-Semitism through the aftermath of the Holocaust. We will be utilizing documents, short stories, novels, online exhibits, documentaries and films to augment our study. By the end of the course you will be able to develop min-lessons utilizing the information on the Internet, become familiar with Podcasts and learn how to utilize survivor testimonies in your classroom.

EDZU 9392 The Autistic Student: Understanding and Management in the Classroom/School
        Environment 3 Credits

This course is designed to educate participants and provide them with essential information for working with PDD students. The course syllabus will include an overview of Autism starting from the most formative years, pre-school through the secondary level. This course will provide the knowledge and understanding of their behaviors, triggers, and solutions within the school environment. Some of the topics to be discussed include definition, ABA, behavior management and an interdisciplinary approach.

EDZU 9089 Inclusion: Making It Work 3 Credits

This course will provide educators with a positive outlook on inclusion and provide strategies for the successful implementation of an inclusive classroom. Participants will familiarize themselves with the special education process and law, learn how to read and implement an IEP, understand what the responsibilities are of the general education teacher and the special education teacher, develop strategies for collaborating with parents, regular and special educators, paraprofessionals, and other individuals in the educational program and develop lessons that meet the needs of all the students.

EDZU 9758 Special Education Law for All Educators 3 Credits

This course will focus on special education law and how it applies to all classrooms that educate students with special needs. Regular and special educators will learn how to meet the requirements of the IEP and better understand the special education process as a whole. The class will review mandates of various federal public laws that impact the educational programs and services of our students with special needs. This class is open to all grade levels and subject areas.

EDZU 9819 Understanding Learning Disabilities 3 Credits

This course will provide all educators with an understanding of and successful strategies for working with the learning disabled student. Symptoms, types of learning disabilities, evaluation, classification, and methods of instruction are just a few of the areas covered in the course. It is a must for any educator who comes in contact with learning disabled students. (K-12)

EDZU9324 AD/HD Student: Know the Facts and Be Prepared 3 Credits

This course is a must for all educational professionals K-12. Schools / teachers must be able to accommodate these students and the many challenges they present to the classroom and school environment. This course will provide the knowledge and understanding necessary to the professional in teaching and supporting the AD/HD student. Some of the topics that will be covered include: diagnosis, medication, parent communication, self-esteem, behavior management, modifications, and counseling.

EDZU 9819 Asperger's Syndrome: A Classroom Teacher's Guide to Social and Academic
        Success 3 Credits

Throughout this course, students will learn the definition and symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome and view associated video clips. We will also discuss academic and social challenges within the school environment and ways to meet those needs within your classroom. Bullying and advocacy will be incorporated into the course, as well as a section on easing the transition for these students from year to year.

EDZU 9028 Pepping Up Test Prep 3 Credits

Don't put your students to sleep doing endless practice exercises to prep them for standardized tests! Or put your curriculum on hiatus while they practice! Engaged learners tend to score higher so pep it up and get their attention with these easy to employ strategies. All activities in this course will be differentiated for adaptation by all grade levels and subject areas. With increased focus across the country on standardized testing and incorporating Understanding by Design (UdB) concepts, finding innovative and creative ways to prepare students for these tests is a must! It's never too early to include students in the process of measuring their academic progress as assessed by standardized testing/employing.

EDZU 9030 The Respectful Student

Respect is one of the greatest issues teachers and support staff face when trying to educate this generation of children. Creating a culture that identifies and embraces our newest generation of students for who they are is crucial to achieving success in the classroom. In this course, educators will explore the impact of cultural values, work ethic, family life, and a number of other factors that influence students inside and outside our schools. The Respectful Student will incorporate shared experiences, engaging readings, videos, and related stories in the news to provide a global understanding of the children we see in our schools every day.

EDZU 9951 Social Concerns For Educators 3 Credits

This course will look at the most pressing issues that are plaguing our schools and the potential remedies that could help our students in this new century of learning (technology, drugs, obesity, occupations, racism, morals, motivation, etc.). All students will be involved in a variety of activities that will highlight important information in the handling of twenty first century educational issues. A necessary class for all educators, school psychologists, guidance counselors and support staff that will help identify the most pressing problems of today.

EDZU 9753 Best Practices in Unit Design For All Educators K-12 3 Credits

This course will focus on hands-on unit design using recognized best practices in pedagogy, giving each of its students something to immediately implement in his or her classroom. We will emphasize teaching for concept attainment, establishing and using core vocabulary as a bank of core knowledge for students, and we will pull from advanced placement strategies, strategies in backwards unit design, and much, much more!