Spring is here, and we feel now is a perfect time to reflect.

Take this time to reflect on your goals and aspirations as a teacher and to recommit to the pursuit of excellence in the classroom. Let’s finish the year strong! In this edition of our Long Island Professional Development Resource Center (PDRC) Newsletter, we are thrilled to share a variety of resources designed to help you and your students stay inspired and energized throughout the duration of the school year. Be sure to check out the ELA Shelf and look at the Earth Day Writing Challenge. This is an opportunity to improve writing skills while at the same time learning about the importance of environmentalism and advocacy. We hope that these resources will help you to find the motivation and enthusiasm you need to continue making a positive impact in the lives of your students.

Be sure to check back regularly!

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Upcoming Workshops

The Science of Reading

April 12, 25, 27 @ 4pm-5pm This workshop will explore the latest research on how the brain processes written language and how that can inform effective reading instruction. You’ll learn about the different components of reading, such as phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, and how each one contributes to skilled reading. We’ll also delve into the importance of early literacy experiences, the role of motivation and engagement in reading development, and how to support struggling reader. Get ready to develop tools to help your students unlock the power of reading. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to deepen your understanding of the science behind reading!

Virtual Storytelling

May 4 @ 4pm-5pm Do you want to learn how to captivate your students’ attention and ignite their imaginations using virtual storytelling? In this workshop, you will learn how to leverage the power of digital technology to bring stories to life in a way that your students have never experienced before. You will be guided through the process of creating compelling digital stories, using a range of multimedia tools and techniques. Take your students on a virtual storytelling journey that will leave them excited, inspired, and eager to learn more.

Gamifying Your Instruction

May 11 @ 4pm-5pm Games in the classroom lead to a wealth of opportunity for students and teachers to delve more deeply into meta cognitive conversations about learning. Games support not only strategic thinking with game play, they also support essential skill development such as humility, integrity as well as empathy. The skills that we desire in our students to help them be successful in school and their futures.

The New AP Precalculus: Info & Planning

April 25 @ 9:30am and 3pm Created for Principals, Math Dept. Chairs, Precalculus Teachers, and other Leaders, we’ll cover the following questions:

  1. Why is AP Precalculus being offered starting in 2023-2024?
  2. What is the content of AP Precalculus? How does it compare to traditional Precalculus courses?
  3. What resources and sample items already exist, and what’s coming later?
  4. What questions should we ask when planning?
  5. What’s the timeline for decisions and implementation?

Teachers Become Presenters

Coming in June! If you’re a teacher and you’ve had success with your class, we’d love to hear about it! This is your opportunity to present on a topic you are passionate about in order to help others. Please reach out to john.matula@cataputllearning.com for more details about being a presenter.

Community Spotlight

Hamza Academy is a Faith-Based Private School located in Valley Stream, NY that recently held events for students with a spotlight on Ramadan. They taught about the “Three Stages of Ramadan” and focused on the core values of Ramadan which include fasting or cleansing, praying, charity, seeking forgiveness, and being kind. Some of the many things that were done during this event include presentations and a t-shirt contest which gave students the ability to learn and also be creative in their work. Hamza Academy’s strength is its staff and teachers who are passionate, motivated and work hard to make learning fun through various activities. No matter which activity they are involved in from Science to Health & Safety Week, from English to Literacy Week, from Social Studies to Multicultural Week, from Math to Career Week – the goal is always to provide an enriched curriculum that would increase students’ zeal to learn and gain a set of skills that prepare them academically, physically, emotionally, and most of all spiritually for the upcoming challenges in tomorrow’s world.