15th Annual Residential Vermont Middle Grades Summer Institute

June 22-June 26, 2008 - and - November 26, 2008
on the campus of
Vermont Technical College at the UVM Davis Center, Burlington

Participants in this four-day residential institute may choose from one of the four courses that lead to the middle grades endorsement (*) or continue their middle level work in teaming. Each course is designed to integrate the competencies required in the State’s middle grades endorsement, with research and best practices from the field of Middle Level Education, and the “Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities” for grades 5-9.

During the week, participants attend sessions held specifically for their strand of choice, as well as sessions held for all institute participants. There are small group discussions, and a variety of special events, including some with visiting teams and students. Every effort is made to model best middle level practice throughout the Institute.

The Institute will be held at Vermont Technical College, in Randolph Center, beginning 3 pm on Sunday, June 22, and concluding 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2008. This is a residential institute, and participants are expected to stay on campus for the four nights as class sessions are held into the evening hours. A final required workshop and conference will be held on November 26, 2008, at the UVM Davis Center in Burlington.

 
Articles
Calendar
Information
Membership
Opportunities
Recognition
 

STRANDS OFFERED

Nature and Needs of Young Adolescents

The entire middle school philosophy is built around the developmental traits of young adolescents. Participants will explore the social, emotional, physical, moral, and intellectual traits of the 10-15 year-old, and examine the various social and institutional contexts in which they interact.

Middle Level School Organization

Explore the design of structures that support developmentally appropriate educational experiences for young adolescents -- block scheduling, shared governance/ leadership, interdisciplinary and partner teaming, transitions, teacher advisories, etc.

Middle Level Curriculum,
Instruction & Assessment

By experiencing and reflecting on an integrative, developmental approach to middle level curriculum and pedagogy, middle level educators will become more committed to implementing this approach in their schools.

Embedded Literacy
in Middle Level Education

This strand helps participants explore and identify literacy in their content area: to learn why it’s a struggle for some learners to read and write, to foster the excitement of reading and writing, to learn about good literacy practice in grades 5-9 & to embed those strategies in one’s own instruction.

Team Teaching in the Middle Grades

This strand is to develop the basic foundation for teams of teachers and/or administrators to build teacher learning communities. Teams should come with ideas/issues to work on and/or student work to examine together. Educators will work with an experienced facilitator and spend extended planning time together to develop projects, units and programs that meet their students' needs and interests.

Participants take only one strand per institute. Each strand is 3 graduate credits. The first four are applicable to the Vermont Middle Grades Endorsement. Participants are encouraged to take the strands in order as listed.

Faculty
  • Dr. Ken Bergstrom, Union Institute and University
  • Dr. Penny Bishop, University of Vermont
  • Dana Cummings, Math/Science, Essex Middle School
  • John Downes, University of Vermont
  • Lindsey Halman - Verve Team, Essex Middle School
  • Dr. James Nagle, Saint Michael’s College
  • Meg O’Donnell, Alpha Team, Shelburne Community School
  • Ken Reissig, Champlain College
  • Dr. Cynthia Reyes, University of Vermont
  • Joe Rivers, Brattleboro Area Middle School
  • Heather Schneider, Vermont Department of Education
  • Regina Toolin - University of Vermont
Institute Director - Dr. Mary Jackman Sullivan, University of Vermont
 
College Graduate Credit
The Institute strands are offered.... as a three credit graduate course from:
  • Champlain College (undergraduate only)
  • Johnson State College
  • Saint Michael’s College
  • University of Vermont
  • Union Institute & University
For work toward middle level endorsement, for professional development credit as a workshop for non-credit - 45 professional development hours
QUESTIONS ? CONTACT : JOE RIVERS Joe_Rivers@wsesu.org

HOW TO REGISTER
Complete the registration form and send it with a check or purchase order,
to VTMGPDC at the address on the reverse side.
Include a one-page proposal of what the team will be working on during the week.

TEAM TEACHING IN THE MIDDLE GRADES (5-9)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE - JUNE 1, 2008
Image Print View
       
You Need Time??? ---- You Got It!!!
Invite Your Team to
TEAM TEACHING IN THE MIDDLE GRADES
(Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, and/or 9)
JUNE 22 -JUNE 26, 2008
ON THE CAMPUS OF VERMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN RANDOLPH, VERMONT
and
NOVEMBER 26, 2008
AT THE DAVIS CENTER ON THE UVM CAMPUS IN BURLINGTON
This Institute is for any educator who works with
10-15 year-olds
in Grades 5, 6, 7, 8 and/or 9

Presented with support from:
Vermont Association for Middle Level Education
Vermont Principals Association
Vermont Department of Education