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Professional Development Opportunities 2008

Strategic Instruction Model * Instructional Coaching

The University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning invites you to explore effective instructional methods through our series of institutes geared toward classroom teachers, higher education faculty, and instructional coaches. These institutes--offered at both introductory and advanced levels--are practical, hands-on experiences that will enable you to implement Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) interventions or instructional coaching methods effectively. For experienced SIM teachers who successfully complete an application process, we offer two institutes to begin the process for SIM professional developer certification.

Hotel Information (DOC)

The Strategic Instruction Model (SIM), developed by researchers and teachers at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning, is an approach to teaching adolescents who struggle with becoming good readers, writers, and learners. SIM is based on the reality that for adolescents to meet high standards, they must be able to read and understand large volumes of complex, difficult reading materials. Additionally, they must acquire the skills to express themselves effectively in writing. The instructional components of SIM take the processes that are necessary for learning and break them down into manageable steps, enabling students to successfully meet standards. For a description of the SIM Learning Strategies Curriculum and Content Enhancement Series, visit www.kucrl.org/sim.

For Classroom Teachers

SIM Reading and Writing Strategies is now full and registration for this session has been closed.

SIM Reading and Writing Strategies ($650)
June 18-21, 2008 (8 a.m. Wednesday to noon Saturday)
Lawrence, Kan.

This institute, formerly known as SIM Level 1, will introduce teachers to the foundations of SIM, then teach them to implement research-based interventions to help students acquire the skills necessary to understand grade-level reading materials. Institute participants will be offered two reading strategies, one vocabulary strategy, and the two-level sentence writing strategy. Time will be allotted to planning for implementation.

The More SIM Strategies session has been canceled.

More SIM Strategies ($650)
June 18-21, 2008 (8 a.m. Wednesday to noon Saturday)
Lawrence, Kan.

This institute, formerly known as SIM Level 2, will offer instruction in additional SIM reading, writing, and other Learning Strategies. Participants who have attended an introductory SIM institute in the past and have implemented strategies will be able to select more strategies to support their literacy efforts. In addition to reading and writing strategies, selections may include strategies related to motivation, improving assignments, and studying and remembering information.

The SIM Institute: Introduction to Content Enhancement is now full and registration for this session has been closed.

SIM Institute: Introduction to Content Enhancement ($650)
June 24-27, 2008 (8 a.m. Tuesday to noon Friday)
Lawrence, Kan.

In these institutes, teachers learn methods to teach large amounts of content to academically diverse classes in "learner-friendly" ways without diluting the content. Participants will plan how to use Content Enhancement (CE) Routines in their own courses to enhance the way they present subject-area content and improve students' ability to organize, understand, and remember critical information. CE Routines include ways to plan courses, units, and lessons; teach the mastery of concepts; promote the understanding of reading assignments; teach the mastery of the meaning of vocabulary words; guide the development of answers to critical questions; and support understanding and remembering key information. General and special education teachers will find these institutes relevant and stimulating. Individuals who have completed an introductory Content Enhancement institute may take More Content Enhancement, which will feature instruction in different routines.

For College/University Faculty

The SIM Learning Strategies Institute for Preservice Educators is now full and registration for this session has been closed.

SIM Learning Strategies Institute for Preservice Educators ($900)
May 27-31, 2008 (9:30 am Tuesday to noon Saturday)
Lawrence, Kan.

This institute will enable preservice educators in teacher education programs to provide empirically validated SIM interventions to prospective teachers. This institute will focus on exploring strategies from the SIM Learning Strategies Curriculum. Participants will explore several learning strategies and will be provided sample syllabi, books, and teaching resources that can be used to modify existing courses or construct new courses.

The Teaching Content to All: Effective College Teaching is now full and registration for this session has been closed.

Teaching Content to All: Effective College Teaching ($900)
May 27-31, 2008 (9:30 am Tuesday to noon Saturday)
Lawrence, Kan.

This institute, which is designed for college/university faculty who are engaged in teacher preparation, will enable participants to implement a variety of empirically validated teaching routines from the SIM Content Enhancement (CE) Series. Content will emphasize inclusive course planning and the implementation of a variety of explicit teaching routines designed to ensure content-area mastery of critical ideas and concepts by all students. Participants will explore several routines in depth so that CE Routines can be infused into existing courses or new courses can be constructed. Information related to meeting additional SIM CE Professional Developer certification requirements for inservice professional development will be provided. Teams of individuals from the same institution are encouraged to apply.

For Potential Professional Developers

Potential SIM Professional Developers Institutes for Learning Strategies and Content Enhancement ($800)
June 23-27, 2008 (8 a.m. Monday to 3 p.m. Friday)
Lawrence, Kan.

These two, five-day SIM professional development institutes will be conducted simultaneously. Each will use the Content Literacy Continuum as a unifying framework. Instruction in specific Content Enhancement Routines and Learning Strategies will not be offered during this week; the focus will be on the professional development process.

Participants will be selected through an application process. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Applicant is an experienced SIM teacher, administrator, coordinator, or university personnel who has previously completed professional development in CE Routines or Learning Strategies and has implemented the routines or strategies successfully with students.
  2. Applicant has the energy and spirit required to be a good professional developer.
  3. Applicant has effective communication skills in teaching adults and working with administrators.
  4. Most critically, applicant has administrative support for acquiring training/instruction, attending update sessions to maintain professional developer status, finding the time and resources required to deliver instruction to others, and achieving wide-spread, long-term implementation success.

Download the Content Enhancement application (DOC)
Download the Learning Strategies application (DOC)


An instructional coach is an on-site professional developer who teaches educators how to use proven teaching methods. In KU-CRL projects, instructional coaches have provided on-site professional development in our Content Enhancement Series, Learning Strategies Curriculum, Community Building Series, and Strategic Tutoring as well as, recently, materials from Randy Sprick's Safe and Civil Schools program. Instructional coaches employ a variety of professional development procedures to foster widespread, high-quality implementation of interventions. Visit www.instructionalcoach.org for more information.

January 31, February 1 & 2, 2008
 PLEASE NOTE: THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

August 7, 8, & 9, 2008
PLEASE NOTE: THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

October 6, 7, & 8, 2008
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Institute Fees
Institute fees cover the cost of materials and instruction provided during the institute. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation, housing, and meals.

Registration
To register online for Instructional Coaching Institutes, please click the button below.

Late Registration, Refund & Cancellation Policy
An additional $25 fee will be assessed for registrations postmarked after the deadline.

For cancellations requested after the registration deadline, a full refund of registration fees, less a $25 administrative fee, will be available. A $15 fee will be charged for returned checks. KU reserves the right to cancel the course and return all fees in the event of insufficient registration. The liability of the University of Kansas is limited to the registration fee. The University of Kansas will not be responsible for any losses incurred by registrations, including but not limited to airline cancellation charges or hotel deposits.

Privacy Policy
The University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning does not share, sell, or rent its mailing lists. You have our assurance that any information you provide will be held in confidence by KU-CRL.

Program Accessibility
We accommodate individuals with disabilities. Please call 785.864.0626. To ensure accommodation, please register at least two weeks before the start of the institute.

The University of Kansas is committed to providing programs and activities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, and veteran status. In addition, university policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, marital status, and parental status.