The Cincinnati Montessori Society’s

25th Spring Conference

Saturday, March 20

8:00am—2:30pm

The

 Brain

 Matters

Keynote Speaker:

JoAnn Deak Ph.D.

MERCY MONTESSORI CENTER

2335  GRANDVIEW AVE

CINCINNATI, OH 45206

KEYNOTE SESSION   

 9:00-10:30

Current Brain Research

and How it Informs Teaching

The last five years has provided an onslaught of knowledge about the functioning of the human brain. This work has confirmed some long standing theories and totally disproved others. Because of the significant steps in scanning techniques that can image a brain while it is working, more than ever before, we can make more informed and accurate recommendations for anyone involved in working with the owners of the human brain. Dr. Deak will provide a comprehensive understanding of how to understand and work with the approximately 100 billion neurons that form an individual's brain

JoAnn Deak, Ph.D. is an educator, psychologist, author, and international speaker. She began her career as a teacher and soon learned the complexity of dealing with the many brain and motivational patterns represented by the diverse students in her classes. This led to her work at Kent State University, one of only three universities in the United States to have a specialty in Preventive Psychology. Her doctoral work focused on how to assess those environmental, school and family patterns that lead to the healthy development of children and, conversely, those patterns that cause issues, problems and disabilities. Dr. Deak has spent more than twenty years helping children develop into confident and competent adults. Author of How Girls Thrive and Girls Will Be Girls: Raising Confident and Courageous Daughters, she is currently working on her next book, The Brain Matters: A Middle of the Road Guide for Parenting and Teaching.

WORKSHOP SESSION I

10:45-12:00 (choose one)

A. ETCH-A-SKETCHING THE BRAIN: MNEMONICS TO MEMORY

                 Presenter: JoAnne Deak, Ph.D.

                 Age Group: All

Memory is the foundation of all learning and thinking. If a brain cannot hold onto the beginning of a sentence or a thought long enough to continue to process it, thinking is impaired. And on it goes from working memory to short-term memory to long-term memory. As we work with students and children, or each other for that matter, knowing how to facilitate memory development becomes a critical part of teaching and interacting. Current research not only points to some 'tricks of the trade,' but also a variety of approaches that help etch thoughts into meaningful memory and learning.

B. THE INFANT TODDLER ENVIRONMENT:

     NOT JUST  A WATERED DOWN 3-6 CLASSROOM

Presenter: Courtney Delgado

Age Group: Infant/Toddler

This workshop will explore some of the key elements of  a Montessori Infant/Toddler Environment. What things need to be considered when preparing an Infant/Toddler environment? Discussion on meeting the needs of this age group will include appropriate daily schedules and materials.

C. THE FARM REVISITED

Presenter: Mariane Cardenzana

Age Group: 3-6          

This workshop will look at new and expanded use of THE FARM beginning with exploration and vocabulary with your three year olds to grammar and creative writing with your fives and sixes. We will look at teacher and child made books as well as alternative miniature environments. An extensive handout will aid in putting these ideas to immediate practical use.

D. MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ART  AND SCIENCE

                 ACTIVITIES

                 Presenters: Tony Lawson, Director of Duke Energy Children’s Museum Center  and  Clare Pollack,  Education Program Developer of Duke Energy Children’s Museum Center

                 Age Group: 3-6,6-9

Facilitating environmentally focused activities indoors with young children is challenging.  Participants will explore tips for creating engaging, hands-on activities and be able to participate in several multi-disciplinary art and science activities.

E.  COMBINING CULTURAL LESSONS WITH SONG FOR THE UPPER ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM

     Presenter: Katherine Mullins

         Age Group: 9-12

This workshop will provide review lessons on: The Animal Kingdom Classification (9-12 Life Science), Measurement, Interdependencies (9-12 Economic Geography), Simple Machines (9-12 Physical Science) and The Branches of Government (6-9 and 9-12 Political Geography). Songs will be sung as a follow up reinforcement to the skills discussed.

12:00-1:15

LUNCH,

BROWSE VENDORS

WORKSHOP SESSION II

1:15—2:30 pm (choose one)

.  ADDRESSING ATTENTION ISSUES IN THE CLASSROOM

                 Presenter:  JoAnn Deak, Ph.D.

                 Age Group: All

In the last ten years there has been a great deal of research and practice leading to better diagnosis of attention issues and what to do about children who fall into this category of learning and behavioral difference. For example, although there are presently no medical tests for ADD or ADHD, there are comprehensive ways of identifying the issues, deciding whether medication is needed and looking at options for the teaching/learning and parenting needs of children in this area.

B.   EXPLORE ANTARCTICA: THE LAND OF ICE

Presenters: Susan Scheibenzuber

Age Group: 3-6

Teach children about the mysterious seventh continent. No one owns it. No wars have been fought on or for it. It is covered by a huge dome of ice that constantly moves. It has abundant wildlife and one of the simplest food webs on the planet. It is the keystone to the planets health. Discover Antarctic birds, mammals, plants, land, air, water, transportation and human activity. It is more important than ever to teach about environments and how we all affect them and are then affected back. It is geography, ecology, science and much more. Booklet included for all participants.

C.   DRAMAKINETICS: COMBINING MOVEMENT, MUSIC       AND  DRAMA

 Presenter: Pam Shooner, Colleen McSwiggin

 Age Group: 3-6, 6-9

Dramakinetics uses movement, music, and drama as a way for individuals of all abilities (including those with special needs/disabilities) to work on general developmental skills, as well as a way to cover educational content. This presentation will give an overview of the methodology, hands-on experiences with some of our activities, and specifics on how the methodology can be used for a variety of ages and abilities.

D.  COSMIC CURRICULUM: CLOCK OF ERAS, TIME LINE      OF LIFE , FOSSILS AND STORIES

                 Presenter:  Dr. Ginger McKenzie.

               Age Group: 3-6, 6-9

The "Cosmic Curriculum" helps elementary children see the over view of how life came to earth a "very long time ago".  It will be a hands on workshop as participants put fossils and information cards on the Time Line of Life and learn about the different eras (Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic, and Recent Life).  If you are presently in a 6-9 classroom, please come and share your ideas for creative writing, research, and use of the internet that works for you as you integrate this important part of the Cosmic curriculum.

E.   A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD 

 Presenter: Tracie Gooley

 Age Group: 9-12, Middle School

Learn how to make studying the continents, ancient civilizations meaningful and personal to your students.   During the long  term study of a continent, students gain  research skills, computer skills, time management and public speaking experience.   The “trip” culminates in a festival of sharing art, music, research, culinary projects with the children and adults of the school community.  Real projects from students will be shared as well as resources.

F.   AN OVERVIEW OF THE SENSORIAL AND MATH

     MATERIALS FOR 3-6 ASSISTANT TEACHERS

Presenter:  Jen Adamson, Jill Wilson, CMS board members

Ages: 3-6

This workshop will provide a general overview of 2 important areas in the pre-primary classroom.  Experienced Lead Teachers will demonstrate materials with a focus on sequence, aims and other essential components to help the Assistant teacher

Tips for registration:

 Cincinnati Montessori Society School members get one conference registration for $45. The school must be in good membership standing with CMS  in order to take advantage of this benefit.

 Current student interns can attend the conference at the reduced rate listed. Please indicate on the registration form which training program you are currently attending.

 You may also register and pay by credit card online. Online registration ends on MONDAY, MARCH 9.   Visit our website at www.cincinnatimontessorisociety.org

 Due to increased attendance to past conferences we will NO LONGER ACCEPT WALK IN REGISTRANTS!

*Mail in registration must be postmarked no later than:  WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010. Make checks payable to CMS. 

Questions??? Call Kathy Farfsing—513-542-3419

Cancellation Policy 
A written request with your name and address should be emailed to 
cms@cincinnatimontessorisociety.org 
Refund of registration fees (less Pay-pal processing fee) if received by 3/17/10