Title: Chalk Talk
Time Needed: 10 – 15 minutes
Materials Needed: Poster paper (enough for 4 groups)
Markers
Post‐it notes
Description:
Divide the group into the four subgroups.
Provide the topic for discussion.
Allow all group members to contribute to the discussion….BY WRITING ONLY.
Once time is called the topic can’t be discussed – neither orally nor in writing.
The collaborative group moves to the next activity.
Note: There is no talking during Chalk Talk. The only way to communicate is through writing.
Title: Synectics World (Do Now/Intro Activity)
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: Photo that stimulated thinking about the main topic of the workshop
LCD projector or Laptop
(possibly) document camera
Description:
“Problems cannot be solved by thinking within the framework in which the problems were created.”
‐ Albert Einstein
Objectives: Participants will identify their relationship to the synectics photo.
Vocabulary: Synectics – an innovative, creative process that supports people in furthering
their understanding of creativity.
Facilitator Will:
‐ Project the photo, which relates to the upcoming learning activities, on the screen
‐ Invite the participants to reflect on the photo through the essential question
‐ Share the essential question: “As you reflect on this photo, what might be a metaphor that comes
to mind in relation to leadership?”
Participants will:
‐ Write their reflections (possibly a metaphor) that relate to the photo; respond to the essential
question
‐ Share their reflections in pairs or small groups
‐ Share out as a whole group as time allows
Assessment: Reflection sheets
Title: Differentiated Strategies Carousel
Time Needed: 20‐30 minutes
Materials Needed: chart paper
Markers
Description:
In groups, teachers walk around the room and respond to prompts on chart paper. Groups can be made
according to teacher need, can be random, or as based on grade level or content area. In this case, the
prompts are on differentiated instruction based on readiness, interest, and learning profiles. Teachers
discuss strategies and write them down based on ones they have used before, and/or ones they have
seen used. This serves as an assessment to clear up any misconceptions and solidify understanding. It
also moves teachers closer towards application. It can provide teachers with a list of strategies as
scaffolding if necessary.
Title: Pre‐Post Continuum
Time Needed: 5 minutes each
Materials Needed: chart paper
Markers
Description:
If there is a challenging or difficult topic that will be addressed in your session, create a continuum map
that plots five or so key attitudes or understandings along a continuum of understanding. This helps the
presenter know his/her audience so that the presenter can ensure content/activity watch during the
session. It also creates movement during a session, which is always good. It helps all participants see
knowledge and attitudes of the room.
Doing a post at the end helps move the participants to demonstrating an increase in understanding at
the end of the session.
Title: Chocolate Box (Discussion/Meaning/Follow‐Up)
Time Needed: 15 – 30 minutes
Materials Needed: chocolates
small slips of paper
Description:
You have a box of chocolates with a phrase/question stuck on the bottom (examples “What I learned
most from this activity….What I don’t understand is….What really impressed me was….”). Pass the
chocolate box around – each participant picks a piece of chocolate, but will only be able to eat it if
he/she answers the question/s.
Title: Engaging Emotions (Assessment Practices)
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: none
Description:
Before beginning instruction on assessment practices, ask the attendees to remember a best and worst
experience in testing or assessment (can include auditions, try‐outs, etc…) from childhood to the present
time. Advise to use fictional names of people, schools, etc.
Ask for volunteers to share their stories or read the worst stories. This allows for activation of memories
of how they felt – hopefully this creates a “fire in the belly” so they will avoid making such errors when
working with their own students. Follow this with the best experiences, so there will be positive models
to emulate.
This strategy can also be used for best/worst principals, supervisors, etc. if PD is being provided to those
groups.
Title: Wiki (Follow‐Up)
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: computer, Internet access
Description:
This is way to organize and monitor your follow‐up after a workshop or training. Create a free wiki site
where you can have people contribute ideas, discuss ideas, post links, videos, etc. As the facilitator, you
can add resources, lead discussions, and give feedback.
wikispaces.com
Title: The True Story of….. (insert topic here)
Time Needed: 10 to 15 minutes
Materials Needed: 8.5 X 11 sheet of paper folded in half
Description:
Step 1: Before the session, fold paper in half (hamburger style). With the fold on the top, on the 1st page
write “Once upon a time….”. Then the learner writes in where they are in their own learning relative to
the topic.
Step 2: During the presentation, pause and open the booklet. On the top half, the learner writes “And
then….”. The learner then writes a key idea or something they are wondering about or intrigued by
during the presentation so far.
Step 3: Stop again at an intentional point in the presentation to repeat Step 2 on the bottom half of the
booklet.
Step 4: At the end of the presentation, on the back of the booklet, the learner writes “ Finally….” And
then writes one key learning related topic and/or one key action step they will take as a result of the
learning.
Title: Photo Connect
Time Needed: 5 ‐10 minutes
Materials Needed: Color photos – 2 per participant
Description:
As the participants come in, have them pick one photo that “speaks” to them. To start the session and
activate prior knowledge, have the participants:
a. Reflect on how the photo they chose is like _____________________________. (This could be
anything.) For example, have them reflect on how the photo is a like a child struggling with
reading. (1 minute)
b. Group Share – Each person around the table shares their photo and their reflection. (5 minutes)
c. Have participants individually list characteristics. (1 minute)
Title: Tuning Protocol
Time Needed: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Materials Needed: writing supplies
Description:
1. Set the tone – intro members.
2. Presenting member shares key question or issue for which feedback is desired
3. Team listens and takes notes
4. Team asks clarifying questions
5. Presenter removes him/herself from the group
6. Group discusses issues with recommendations
7. Team invites presenter back to the group
8. Presenter receives warm/cool feedback
9. Presenter shares what he/she heard as feedback
Facilitator and timekeeper need to be identified from the get‐go.
Title: Pre‐Assessment Quiz
Time Needed: 10‐20 minutes
Materials Needed: photocopies of a relevant multiple choice quiz
Description:
This is a great way to pre‐assess participant knowledge while helping them connect with what they do
know and don’t know about a topic. It works particularly well with subjects about which there are a lot
of common myths or misconceptions.
Develop 5 to 10 questions related to these myths or misconceptions with four answers a piece.
Participants will fill it out at the beginning of the session. The presenter than goes over the answers with
a show of hands for ABCD, or it can be made kinesthetic by making it a four corners activity. Participants
then correct their own quiz.
After going over the answers, have the participants share about what they learned and what surprised
them.
Title: Meeting/Workshop Protocols
Time Needed: 10 minutes at opening
Materials Needed: flips chart paper and markers
Description:
In table groups, ask them what the protocols for the date must be regarding the following:
Electronics
Participation
Breaks
Respectful dialogue
Post, share, and gather.
Title: Move It
Time Needed: about 5 minutes every 30 minutes of the session
Materials Needed: varies
Description:
Plan quick movement activities for participants to do every 30 minutes. Plan the activity with a
song so that members of the group know that when the song is over – so is their Move It break.
Title: Collaborative Professional Development
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: varies
Description:
a. Based on need, allow staff members to go to another school to interact with other colleagues on
a specific topic.
b. If two districts have the same in‐service day, coordinate so that one site can offer a specific topic
or presenter and vice versa.
Title: What? So What? Now What? Journaling
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: journal, writing supplies
Description:
a. Present a topic. After the topic is presented, the participants summarize “what” is important to
them; major points.
b. In the “so what” section, the participants indicate why this is important.
c. “Now what” is when the participants indicate how the new info will help them change their
behavior, approach, understanding, etc.
Title: Follow‐Up Application
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: varies
Description:
a. Use technology to show application of learning and use as a follow‐up to build on learning
b. Examples – www.prezi.com
Title: Reflection
Time Needed: 10 minutes
Materials Needed: paper
Description:
a. Write three things you learned from today’s professional learning. ]
b. Write two questions you still have about today’s topic.
c. Write one idea that you will implement in your instruction.
Title: Engaging the Emotions
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: varies
Description:
When discussing a new concept, stop and ask participants, “What are your feelings about using this
strategy?”
Title: Continuum
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: signs for strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree
Description:
Provide participants with a debatable statement. Provide time for personal reflection. Have individuals
decide their positions on the continuum through writing or journaling. Participants move to the corners
of the room based on their positions.
Share in a dialogue to hear various viewpoints. Participants should move from place to place if their
position changes based on shared information.
Title: Family Feud/The Unfair Quiz Show
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: varies
Description:
1. Download a Family Feud PPT template or a quiz show template
2. Modify to fit your questions – can be open‐ended, True/False, or multiple choice
3. Play the game
Title: 1, 2, 3 Closure
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: varies
Description:
1. Participants have a set amount of time to find one person and share an idea or lesson learned.
2. Participants have a set amount of time to find a different person and then share two ideas or
lessons learned.
3. Participants have a set amount of time to find a different person and then share three ideas or
lessons learned.
Title: Square/Circle/Triangle
Time Needed: 5 minutes
Materials Needed: blank paper or prepared paper
Description:
1. Have participants draw a square, circle, and triangle on a piece of paper or provide them with a
pre‐drawn paper.
2. In each shape, the participant fills in the following:
a. Square – something I’m “square” on
b. Circle – what’s circling in my head
c. Triangle – something that pointed me in the right direction
Title: Parking Lots
Time Needed: varies
Materials Needed: chart paper, sticky notes, pens, markers
Description:
The presenter tells the participants at the beginning of the workshop that this option is available to
allow participants to ask questions throughout the day without constantly raising their hands.
Participants are allowed to pick‐up a sticky note at their table. They write their questions on their sticky
notes and put their questions on the chart paper that is posted throughout the room during specified
break times. The presenter goes to the parking lot to pick up the questions for them and gives answers
throughout the day or at a specific time.