PBS TeacherLine Course Descriptions

Mini Spring Session May 11-June 21, 2011

STEM420 (Elms College BIO563) Inspire Elementary Students with Engineering
Subjects: STEM
Grades: Preschool-6th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) May 11-June 21
This course introduces the engineering design process and development of model eliciting activities. Throughout the course, you will engage in a model eliciting activity (MEA), a strategy for integrating engineering principles into the classroom. You will design an original MEA that aligns with curriculum and pilot it in your classroom. This activity will require your students to develop hands-on solutions for a client and then test the model they developed.
Cost: $545

INST300 (Elms College EDU742) Curriculum Mapping I by Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Subjects: Instructional Strategies
Grades: Kindergarten-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) May 11-June 21
Explore curriculum mapping in this course developed with expert Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs. Understand how to incorporate mapping in classrooms to enrich curricula and have a powerful impact on student performance. Part I explores the history and purpose of curriculum mapping, your role as a teacher, the types of maps, and the various data collected in the maps. You will finish the course with a complete peer-reviewed plan to adjust the scope and sequence of your curriculum.
Cost: $545

Summer June 22-August 2, 2011

STEM420 (Elms College BIO563) Inspire Elementary Students with Engineering
Subjects: STEM
Grades: Preschool-6th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
This course introduces the engineering design process and development of model eliciting activities. Throughout the course, you will engage in a model eliciting activity (MEA), a strategy for integrating engineering principles into the classroom. You will design an original MEA that aligns with curriculum and pilot it in your classroom. This activity will require your students to develop hands-on solutions for a client and then test the model they developed.
Cost: $545

STEM412 (Elms College BIO569) Global Climate Change Education for Middle School
Subjects: STEM
Grades: 5th-8th
Hours: 45 (3 Credits) June 22-August 2
Teach global climate change using a problem-solving approach and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) methodology to engage middle-school students and help them understand the causes and effects of climate change. Learn about the differences between climate and weather and how actions and nature affect the environment. Enhance content knowledge of climate change and learn how to effectively implement STEM instructional strategies using resources from NASA and WGBH's Teachers' Domain.
Cost: $720

SCIE504 (Elms College BIO573) Plants and Animals - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston
Subjects: Science
Grades: Kindergarten-4th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
A topic immersion course on Teaching Elementary Life Science. Lead your students' examination of how the structures and functions of plants and animals help them meet their needs as living things. Explore strategies for the use of concept maps and effective uses of live plants and animals in the classroom to present plants as producers and animals as consumers. Note: The content of this topic immersion course is drawn from our full survey course Teaching Elementary Life Science (SCIE500). When planning your professional development, you should select either the full survey course or choose one or more of the topic immersion component courses.
Cost: $545

SCIE524 (Elms College BIO575) Teaching About Genetics - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston
Subjects: Science
Grades: 9th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
A topic immersion course on Teaching High School Biology. Provide your students with a deep and meaningful understanding of genetics by learning to employ content knowledge, sound teaching strategies, and real-life case studies. You'll explore methods to identify the challenging topics and "big ideas" in genetics and discover new resources and strategies to approach them. Note: The content of this topic immersion course is drawn from our full survey course Teaching High School Biology (SCIE520). When planning their professional development, learners should select either the full survey course or choose one or more of the topic immersion component courses.
Cost: $545

SCIE564 (Elms College BIO579) Structure of the Earth System - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston
Subjects: Science
Grades: 5th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
A topic immersion course on Teaching Earth and Space Science Develop content knowledge about landform processes, data sets, and mapping tools while you learn effective teaching methodologies, strategies, and tools for use in teaching earth and space science concepts. Uncover the processes that account for the Earth's ever-changing appearance and investigate how the rock cycle connects to these processes.
Cost: $545

SCIE568 (Elms College BIO580) Weather and Climate - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston
Subjects: Science
Grades: 5th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
A topic immersion course on Teaching Earth and Space Science. Examine the causes of weather and explore technological advances to monitor weather. Consider the impact of human activity on climate change.
Cost: $545

SCIE570 (Elms College BIO565) Introduction to Biotechnology- Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston
Subjects: Science
Grades: 9th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
This course introduces teaching strategies and media use in teaching biotechnology concepts effectively at the high school level. Explore basic concepts, common tools and techniques, and learn to incorporate biotechnology into instruction to introduce students to the industry and career opportunities. Through the readings, videos, discussions, and assignments, you will develop content knowledge about biotechnology and its applications in a media-rich environment.
Cost: $545

INST320 (Elms College EDU741) Connecting Family, Community and Schools
Subjects: Instructional Strategies
Grades: Kindergarten-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
Learn the Action Team for Partnership (ATP) model and discover how to engage families and communities in children's education. Examine the "connection" issues, acquire tools to integrate partnership programming into your curriculum, and develop a plan that involves parents, family members, and community resources in your own classroom.
Cost: $545

INST300 (Elms College EDU742) Curriculum Mapping I by Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Subjects: Instructional Strategies
Grades: Kindergarten-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
Explore curriculum mapping in this course developed with expert Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs. Understand how to incorporate mapping in classrooms to enrich curricula and have a powerful impact on student performance. Part I explores the history and purpose of curriculum mapping, your role as a teacher, the types of maps, and the various data collected in the maps. You will finish the course with a complete peer-reviewed plan to adjust the scope and sequence of your curriculum
Cost: $545

INST342 (Elms College HIS525) Teaching with Primary Sources from the Library of Congress 
Subjects: Instructional Strategies
Grades: 3rd-12th
Hours: 45 (3 credits) June 22-August 2This course helps educators utilize the more than 19 million resources and materials of the Library of Congress to create student engagement, build critical thinking skills, and enhance knowledge construction with primary sources. Gain a new understanding of how close contact with the library's historical resources can provide young people with a strong sense of the past and a new understanding of the present.
Cost: $720

RDLA195 (Elms College EDU745) Teaching Reading Fluency
Subjects: Reading/Language Arts
Grades: 2nd-5th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
A fluent reader is more confident and successful. Learn quantitative and qualitative techniques to assess and improve students' fluency, and discover ways technology can foster students' fluency progress. Apply practical, research-based strategies that leverage trusted PBS resources to help parents make the home-to-school connection. This course is also ideal for teachers who work with older, struggling readers. Content aligns with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and International Reading Association (IRA) standards.
Cost: $545

RDLA220 (Elms College EDU746) Teaching Writing in the Content Areas
Subjects: Mathematics, Science, Reading/Language Arts
Grades: 6th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
Writing can provide a better understanding of what students are thinking and learning. This course explores new strategies to support writing across grade levels and content areas, and explains the importance of students demonstrating learning and understanding through writing. Develop a practical plan to find time for students to write and teach effective writing processes. Discover student writing evaluation techniques and find resources for integrating technology into writing assignments.
Cost: $545

RDLA125 (Elms College EDU747) Children's Authors on the Web: Online Sites that Motivate Students to Write
Subjects: Reading/Language Arts, Instructional Technology, Instructional Strategies
Grades: Kindergarten-6th
Hours: 30
Discover the power of author studies to motivate students to read and write. This course uses a problem-based approach to teach the techniques of conducting an author study integrating technology and the Internet. Explore author and other Web sites to collect resources that will introduce your students to many genres and inspire your students to read, write, and use technology effectively.
Cost: $545

MATH270 (Elms College MAT542) Developing Algebraic Thinking in Grades 3-5
Subjects: Mathematics, Instructional Technology, Instructional Strategies
Grades: 3rd-5th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
Help your 3rd- to 5th-graders think algebraically by learning strategies for incorporating algebra in your classroom. Explore the algebraic content in your current teachings and develop a connection between algebra and mathematics.
Cost: $545

MATH410 (Elms College MAT554) Seeing Math^TM: Linear Functions
Subjects: Mathematics
Grades: 6th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
Discover a fresh approach to teaching linear functions through the use of real-world problems that generate varied approaches and solutions. Learn how multiple representations and solutions strengthen students' understanding of functions, equations, and problem solving.
Cost: $545 

MATH420 (Elms College MAT546) Seeing Math^TM: Linear Equations
Subjects: Mathematics
Grades: 6th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
Develop strategies for teaching students how to represent and manipulate linear equations. Examine the rationale behind the symbol manipulation that maintains an equality or corresponding inequality. Use symbolic and graphic techniques to solve equations.
Cost: $545

MATH430 (Elms College MAT548) Seeing Math^TM: Proportional Reasoning
Subjects: Mathematics
Grades: 6th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
Discover techniques to successfully guide your students through the critical transition from elementary mathematics and computing to the more complex, proportional thinking of algebra. Adapt problems from your curriculum to different learning styles using graphing, multimedia technology, and other strategies.
Cost: $545

MATH445 (Elms College MAT550) Seeing Math^TM: Quadratic Equations
Subjects: Mathematics
Grades: 9th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
Move beyond tried-and-true quadratic equation teaching techniques and look at the big picture: what the results reveal, how to interpret them within the context of a problem, and how to find related information. Manipulate the three symbolic forms of a quadratic function in order to inspect and predict shape, orientation, and location, and connect graphic and symbolic representations.
Cost: $545

MATH517 (Elms College MAT540) Guiding Student Learning through Accomplished Mathematics Instruction
Subjects: Mathematics
Grades: 6th-12th
Hours: 45 (3 credits) June 22-August 2
Learn to effectively guide student learning, based on data from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards' performance assessment of mathematics teachers. Focusing on key instructional aspects such as student profiles and a "focal" student approach, classroom culture focused on mathematics learning, aligning goals with instructional methods, and checking for understanding during lessons, this course helps 6th- to 12th- grade teachers accomplish mathematics goals. Note: Course 1 (MATH512: Achieving Learning Goals through Accomplished Mathematics Instruction) will be a helpful, but not required, precursor for this course. This course is facilitated by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in mathematics.
Cost: $720

Mini Summer Session August 10-September 20, 2011

INST320 (Elms College EDU741) Connecting Family, Community and Schools
Subjects: Instructional Strategies
Grades: Kindergarten-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) August 10-September 20
Learn the Action Team for Partnership (ATP) model and discover how to engage families and communities in children's education. Examine the "connection" issues, acquire tools to integrate partnership programming into your curriculum, and develop a plan that involves parents, family members, and community resources in your own classroom.
Cost: $545

INST342 (Elms College HIS525) Teaching with Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
Subjects: Instructional Strategies
Grades: 3rd-12th
Hours: 45 (3 credits) August 10-September 20
This course helps educators utilize the more than 19 million resources and materials of the Library of Congress to create student engagement, build critical thinking skills, and enhance knowledge construction with primary sources. Gain a new understanding of how close contact with the library's historical resources can provide young people with a strong sense of the past and a new understanding of the present.
Cost: $720

Fall October 26-December 6, 2011

STEM412 (BIO569) Global Climate Change Education for Middle School
Subjects: STEM
Grades: 5th-8th
Hours: 45 (3 CREDITS) October 26-December 6
Teach global climate change using a problem-solving approach and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) methodology to engage middle-school students and help them understand the causes and effects of climate change. Learn about the differences between climate and weather and how actions and nature affect the environment. Enhance content knowledge of climate change and learn how to effectively implement STEM instructional strategies using resources from NASA and WGBH's Teachers' Domain.
Cost: $720

STEM420 (Elms College BIO563) Inspire Elementary Students with Engineering
Subjects: STEM
Grades: Preschool-6th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) October 26-December 6
This course introduces the engineering design process and development of model eliciting activities. Throughout the course, you will engage in a model eliciting activity (MEA), a strategy for integrating engineering principles into the classroom. You will design an original MEA that aligns with curriculum and pilot it in your classroom. This activity will require your students to develop hands-on solutions for a client and then test the model they developed.
Cost: $545

SCIE520 (Elms College BIO 555) Teaching High School Biology - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston
Subjects: Science
Grades: 9th-12th
Hours: 45 (3 credits) October 26-December 6
Learn inquiry-based approaches to teaching standards-based science topics, including genetics, evolution, and cell biology. Gain practice using multimedia to explore novel learning environments and methodologies that foster student interest, involve them in the research process, advance their critical thinking skills, and develop their conceptual understanding.
Cost: $720

SCIE570 (Elms College BIO 565) Introduction to Biotechnology- Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston
Subjects: Science
Grades: 9th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) October 26-December 6
This course introduces teaching strategies and media use in teaching biotechnology concepts effectively at the high school level. Explore basic concepts, common tools and techniques, and learn to incorporate biotechnology into instruction to introduce students to the industry and career opportunities. Through the readings, videos, discussions, and assignments, you will develop content knowledge about biotechnology and its applications in a media-rich environment.
Cost: $545

INST315 (Elms College EDU739) Teaching for Multiple Intelligences
Subjects: Instructional Technology, Instructional Strategies
Grades: Kindergarten-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) October 26-December 6
Discover the advantages of teaching methods that engage multiple intelligences and explore ways to implement them. You will also learn to teach and assess students differently based on their individual intellectual styles.
Cost: $545

INST180 (Elms College EDU 740) Differentiated Instruction
Subjects: Instructional Strategies
Grades: 6th-8th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) October 26-December 6
Meet the needs of all your middle-school students with techniques to differentiate content, activities, and assessments. Discover methods for pre-assessment and strategies for tiered activities. Create a differentiated instructional unit that meets your local standards of learning.
Cost: $545

INST320 (Elms College EDU741) Connecting Family, Community and Schools
Subjects: Instructional Strategies
Grades: Kindergarten-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) October 26-December 6
Learn the Action Team for Partnership (ATP) model and discover how to engage families and communities in children's education. Examine the "connection" issues, acquire tools to integrate partnership programming into your curriculum, and develop a plan that involves parents, family members, and community resources in your own classroom.
Cost: $545

INST300 (Elms College EDU 742) Curriculum Mapping I by Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Subjects: Instructional Strategies
Grades: Kindergarten-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) October 26-December 6
Explore curriculum mapping in this course developed with expert Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs. Understand how to incorporate mapping in classrooms to enrich curricula and have a powerful impact on student performance. Part I explores the history and purpose of curriculum mapping, your role as a teacher, the types of maps, and the various data collected in the maps. You will finish the course with a complete peer-reviewed plan to adjust the scope and sequence of your curriculum.
Cost: $545

INST120 (Elms College EDU 743) Creating Units to Support Differing Learning Styles
Subjects: Instructional Technology, Instructional Strategies
Grades: Kindergarten-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) October 26-December 6
Unlock the secrets to developing a curriculum that meets the learning needs of different types of students. Create a cross-curricular unit that integrates technology to support learning, and plan lessons that address the different ways that your students learn. Activities will help you build flexibility into your lesson plans, enabling you to integrate your new knowledge into your instruction.
Cost: $545

INST342 (HIS 525) Teaching with Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
Subjects: Instructional Strategies
Grades: 3rd-12th
Hours: 45 (3credits) October 26-December 6
This course helps educators utilize the more than 19 million resources and materials of the Library of Congress to create student engagement, build critical thinking skills, and enhance knowledge construction with primary sources. Gain a new understanding of how close contact with the library's historical resources can provide young people with a strong sense of the past and a new understanding of the present.
Cost: $720

RDLA220 (Elms College EDU746) Teaching Writing in the Content Areas
Subjects: Mathematics, Science, Reading/Language Arts
Grades: 6th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 credits) June 22-August 2
Writing can provide a better understanding of what students are thinking and learning. This course explores new strategies to support writing across grade levels and content areas, and explains the importance of students demonstrating learning and understanding through writing. Develop a practical plan to find time for students to write and teach effective writing processes. Discover student writing evaluation techniques and find resources for integrating technology into writing assignments.
Cost: $545

RDLA125 (Elms College EDU747) Children's Authors on the Web: Online Sites that Motivate Students to Write
Subjects: Reading/Language Arts, Instructional Technology, Instructional Strategies
Grades: Kindergarten-6th
Hours: 30
Discover the power of author studies to motivate students to read and write. This course uses a problem-based approach to teach the techniques of conducting an author study integrating technology and the Internet. Explore author and other Web sites to collect resources that will introduce your students to many genres and inspire your students to read, write, and use technology effectively.
Cost: $545

MATH410 (Elms College MAT554) Seeing Math^TM: Linear Functions
Subjects: Mathematics
Grades: 6th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 CREDITS) October 26-December 6
Discover a fresh approach to teaching linear functions through the use of real-world problems that generate varied approaches and solutions. Learn how multiple representations and solutions strengthen students' understanding of functions, equations, and problem solving.
Cost: $545

MATH445 (Elms College MAT550) Seeing Math^TM: Quadratic Equations
Subjects: Mathematics
Grades: 9th-12th
Hours: 30 (2 CREDITS) October 26-December 6
Move beyond tried-and-true quadratic equation teaching techniques and look at the big picture: what the results reveal, how to interpret them within the context of a problem, and how to find related information. Manipulate the three symbolic forms of a quadratic function in order to inspect and predict shape, orientation, and location, and connect graphic and symbolic representations.
Cost: $545

MATH517 (Elms College MAT540) Guiding Student Learning through Accomplished Mathematics Instruction
Subjects: Mathematics
Grades: 6th-12th
Hours: 45 (3 CREDITS) October 26-December 6
Learn to effectively guide student learning, based on data from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards' performance assessment of mathematics teachers. Focusing on key instructional aspects such as student profiles and a "focal" student approach, classroom culture focused on mathematics learning, aligning goals with instructional methods, and checking for understanding during lessons, this course helps 6th- to 12th- grade teachers accomplish mathematics goals. Note: Course 1 (MATH512: Achieving Learning Goals through Accomplished Mathematics Instruction) will be a helpful, but not required, precursor for this course. This course is facilitated by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in mathematics.
Cost: $720