AGIS Conference 2024 Potsdam

In this session we will talk about how teachers can support the development of executive skills in the mainstream classroom. We will discuss strategies to teach students how to plan their work and follow through with their plan. The session is aimed at teachers for Middle School and High School students.
We will try to answer the following questions:
- Can we expect students to plan and take responsibility?
- How can teachers develop planning skills in the everyday classroom?
- How to activate students and enable student ownership?
- How to create an environment where students can focus more easily?
- How to implement UDL routines that are beneficial for all students (and yourself as teacher)?

We will present how we created a Multimedia Journalism class in our Middle and Senior School.

It is a course for students interested in developing real life journalism skills and publishing for an authentic audience. Whilst all students will learn basic journalism skills like interviewing, news writing, and media ethics, the course is student-led, with opportunities to pursue areas of interest, including multimedia elements (podcasting, video stories, photo stories, and print).

Students publish their content in the school’s online student news publication. They are the leadership team responsible for creating, updating, and editing the newspaper’s website and print edition. Through this, they will develop 21st century career skills, for example using industry-standard software like Adobe Audition, Photoshop, and Rush.

The course is a student-led workshop, where students self-direct their learning and can follow their own projects, interests and passions. They are assessed using a student-created portfolio in a teacher conference.

This presentation covers topics ranging from journalism, writing, and creating a student-led curriculum with real-life connections.

In recognition of the critical role teachers play in fostering a positive learning environment, this workshop aims to equip teaching staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to support students' mental health, creating an atmosphere for optimal learning and development. The starting point is ourselves. By making sure we are teaching with good mental health we can influence our students. Tips will be given to ensure work life balance and stress relief.

This workshop will educate teaching staff about the prevalence of mental health issues among students and the impact on academic performance. It will allow for educators to recognise early signs of mental health challenges in students and respond effectively. By doing this, they can cultivate a deeper understanding of the emotional needs of students, promoting a compassionate and empathetic approach to teaching. Practitioners will leave this session with practical tools and strategies to create a supportive classroom environment that enhances students' mental well-being and tools to ensure their own mental health. The workshop will include interactive sessions, case studies and role-playing exercises to engage participants actively.

In this session I will introduce how a structured daily journaling approach can ignite a passion for writing in students, making them eager to express their thoughts on paper. I'll delve into how the Science of Reading can be seamlessly integrated into this journaling method, enhancing literacy skills while fostering a love for writing.

Additionally, I'll share ideas for special events that involve families, turning writing into a community celebration. Although this approach is particularly effective in the early years, it can be adapted for any grade level. By the end of the session, you'll leave equipped with practical tools to encourage independent writing in your classroom, along with a sample journal to implement immediately.

Building upon the successful session about the ToK Essay in Mathematics from AGIS 2023, this workshop aims to give teachers of ToK and Mathematics a detailed overview of the Knowledge Framework for Mathematics within the ToK course as well as providing Mathematics teachers in the DP specific opportunities to link their content to the ToK course in a way that fosters deeper understanding of both courses. During the session, participants will complete ToK activities that unpack the scope, methods, perspectives and ethics within the field of mathematics. In addition, specific mathematical activities derived from all 4 DP Mathematics courses will be unpacked and discussed with respect to their links to the ToK course and its assessment.

This session will introduce how to use Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) rehearsal room approaches to teach Shakespeare to secondary school students.

Participating in a session focused on RSC rehearsal room approaches equips English teachers with valuable insights into teaching Shakespeare and introduces strategies that inherently support Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, making the experience more inclusive for all students.

The session guides educators in tailoring their teaching methods to engage diverse learners effectively. By integrating UDL approaches, teachers can customize their instruction to accommodate various learning styles, abilities, and preferences, ensuring that the exploration of Shakespeare becomes a more accessible and enriching experience for every student. This inclusive framework, embedded within RSC rehearsal techniques, empowers educators to create a classroom environment that embraces diversity, promotes equity, and fosters a deeper appreciation for Shakespearean works among all students. Thus, the session allows teachers to enhance their instructional repertoire and cultivate an inclusive and supportive learning atmosphere in the English classroom."