Early Bird Sessions
Thursday, April 24, 2008 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
When Relationships Matter, Conflict Resolution Is Central: Respectful Classrooms
Ms. Lisa Wirtanen, Early Childhood Educator
The Children's School
Relationships are central to teaching, curriculum planning and effective guidance in the early childhood classroom. When relationships are the foundation of teaching, conflict resolution is the foundation of relationship building. Teachers understand children's needs, desires and interests as they get to know each child and ensure an emotionally safe environment. They also have the opportunity to use conflict and conflict resolution as an opportunity to teach children, because children will learn how to respond or react to conflict whether we resolve conflict consciously or unconsciously. Conflict resolution is key to developing deeper relationships and deeper understanding of self and community.
Cedar/Maplewood Room, Memorial Student Center
Voyage of Discovery Using the Outdoor Classroom
Dr. Sue Unger
M.S. Creations Hands-On Learning
Ready for a walk? The use of the outdoor classroom will be demonstrated inside. How to use outside discoveries and extend the learning and discovery activities inside the classroom. Topics emphasized will be: spying on critters; what lives in a tree or log; how to tie our favorite literature books to the outdoor experiences; how to use puppets to introduce nature in a nonthreatening way.
Time will be allocated to experience using the puppets, making samples of the art activities, reviewing the equipment and books used in the demonstration of how to use the outdoor classroom.
Ballroom A, Memorial Student Center
Macarena Seasons
Mrs. Julie Torkelson, Retired Kindergarten Teacher
Minneapolis Public Schools
Get ready to sing and dance your way through the seasons. Find new ways to develop literacy and math skills with young children using seasonal themes and holidays. (preschool, kindergarten)
Huffs, Memorial Student Center
Learning Baby Sign Language
Ms. Denise Meyer, Owner
Sign Bridge Language Systems
Baby sign language is gaining popularity in infant and toddler programs throughout the country. It is a communication strategy designed to help babies share meanings using visual symbols before they can speak. This method is based on the American Sign Language System (ASL) and combines child-initiated and adult-initiated actions in a way that resembles spoken language. Come and learn from a nationally recognized expert strategies for teaching babies signs in an effort to have their needs met. In addition to learning the advantages of baby sign language, participants in this session will learn 100 signs.
Northwood Room, Memorial Student Center