Connections Conference
March 19, 2016 ~ Skagit Valley College 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Theme: Diversity, Arts and Learning Environments Keynote Speaker: 123 Andrés Lunch Keynote: Voices of the Village Sessions: Three sections with ten sessions offered a variety of professional development in the areas of infant/toddler, preschool, school age, or administrator |
Andrés Salguero, one of the most exciting new voices on the international family music scene, is going to make you bailar y aprender! A native of Colombia, both his debut CD and his live performances are infused with south of the border sensibilities. Andrés has deep roots in the Latin music world, with over a decade of experience playing Latin Jazz, Salsa, Norteño and Latin folkloric music. He also brings a depth of musical knowledge, holding a Doctorate degree in music from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. His carefully crafted songs earned him the first prize in the National Composition Contest in Colombia. In his music, there is always something to listening for, since he creates art with a purpose. In 2010 he co-wrote and produced a play based on interviews with DREAMERS, young immigrants who were brought to the US as children. Andrés’ songs incorporate themes such as immigration and cultural understanding and celebrate the rich Latino heritage in the US. Andrés had his first studio experience at age 8, recording a full length record with a children’s group. Learning guitar from his father, he absorbed many of the folk traditions from Latin America. A career playing guitar, clarinet and saxophone followed, with Andrés joining numerous groups of all genres, from an opera company to a ska band. Andrés found his true calling playing Latin family music in 2009. Now he performs his live 123 Andrés kids’ show more than 200 times each year at venues large and small, from full band performances at the Smithsonian Institution’s Discovery Theater to solo appearances at schools and libraries throughout the country and abroad. Recently he performed for a full house at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Wahsington, DC. Last year he was invited to be part of the first-ever Festival Bebés al Parque (Babies to the Park) in Bogotá, Colombia, with an attendance of over 1500. He also visited Tijuana, México and performed for underserved communities. Other highlights included the celebration of the 50 years of Head Start in Washington DC, LA Times Festival of Books and Teatro del Parque in Bogotá, Colombia.
Conference A Sessions:
A1. Building Foundations in Numeracy | Presented by: Sherri Laboon
Examine our dispositions toward mathematics. Become familiar with the research in early numeracy. Describe what the implications of this research and instruction are for young children and teachers. Identify classroom practices that support mathematical growth. *This is a 2-part session and will continue during the B Session. You must attend both parts.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
A2. Power Up Your ECE Program | Presented by: Lynda Clements
This fun, interactive session will focus on how your daily interactions can determine your ECE program's quality. We'll explore the dimensions of the CLASS® Assessment tool and learn more about the subtle power of even the shortest, seemingly insignificant interactions that occur throughout the day. We can all feel a bit "unplugged" at times. Come recharge your batteries and explore ways to enhance the quality of your program through powerful interactions.
STARS Core Competency: Professional Development and Leadership
A3. Engaged Learning through Art | Presented by: Jasmine Valandani &
Howard Shapiro
Art can engage students across the diverse early learning population. This workshop will address increasing student engagement and literacy skills through facilitated discussions using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), and provide a hands-on art lesson linked to art works discussed. Both museum and classroom can be places to spark curiosity, conversation, and creativity through the arts.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
A4. Introduction to Environmental Rating Scales |Presented by: Kristen
Bowler Marere
The Environment Rating Scale are tools that can help us define “high quality” in all areas of care. We will study these tools, watch video clips of examples as you learn to use and score the tools, and reflect on how you can use the tools in the future while working with providers. This class will focus on environments for children birth to 5 in licensed centers and family child care settings.
STARS Core Competency: Health, Safety, and Nutrition
A5. Teaching Diversity: Sharing and Celebrating Differences |Presented by:
Kim Owen
Attendees of this training explore ways to integrate diversity into their programs in a meaningful and appropriate manner. Learn how to navigate the sensitive issues that teaching about diversity can expose, and how to respect all the individuals with whom you work.
STARS Core Competency: Family and Community Partnership
A6. Process Art for All Ages | Presented by: MaryAnn Kohl
Join award-winning art author, MaryAnn Kohl, for a hands-on process art session with ten art stations. Discussion woven into the workshop will include how to extend one art activity to make it last all week, how to work with reluctant or overly zealous artists, how to display or save artworks, and the difference between true art and cute crafts.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
A7. Songs, Music and Dance for Life-long Learning | Presented by: 1, 2, 3
Andres
Young children learn best through experiences and repetition and singing and music are an excellent vehicle to support dual language acquisition and skills. Adding dance, children engage their kinetic memory, embedding the lessons. 123 Andrés will learn how to use a variety of music both new and traditional, to enhance and invigorate their lessons.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
A8. Expresión de las artes creativas | Presentado por: Alicia Fajardo
Planeando y haciendo actividades apropiados para niños pequeños a preescolar. Preparando los para la escuela y la vida en el área de Música, Movimiento creativo y el Arte usando el Marco de Head Start.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment, Child Growth & Development
A9. Como Usar Materiales Reciclables Para La Ciencia y Matemáticas
Presentado por: Anna M Macias
Exploraremos Matematicas y Ciencia usando materiales reciclables para crear actividades que estimulen la curiosidad, exploracion, y resolucion de problemas en las haulas y hogares de cuidado de ninos.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
A10. La Inteligencia Emocional en al Resolución de Conflictos
Presentado por: Jorge Manzenera
- Explicar el concepto de inteligencia emocional (EQ) y sus elementos principales, de acuerdo al modelo del Dr. Goldman.
- Implementacion de ejercicios divertidos y relacionados
- Discusion, analisis y concluciones
Conference B Sessions:
B1. Building Foundations in Numeracy | Presented by: Sherri Laboon
Examine our dispositions toward mathematics. Become familiar with the research in early numeracy. Describe what the implications of this research and instruction are for young children and teachers. Identify classroom practices that support mathematical growth. . *This is a 2-part session that starts during the A Session. You must attend both parts.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
B2. Early REACH (Respecting Ethnic and Cultural Heritage) | Presented by: Masa
DeLara & Julie Mauremann
This workshop provides learning experiences that promote and increase cultural self-awareness, multicultural awareness and understanding for early childhood educators. Activities inspire and empower individuals to participate in their own personal growth, as well as involve them in activities that:
- Connect participants with current concepts, resources and information.
- Engage participants in cross-cultural learning that increase knowledge of the history and culture of different ethnic and cultural groups.
- Provide a conceptual framework and practical strategies for dealing effectively with implementing multicultural concepts and activities into schools and classrooms through the use of age-appropriate curricula.
B3. Engaged Learning through Art | Presented by: Jasmine Valandani & Howard
Shapiro
Art can engage students across the diverse early learning population. This workshop will address increasing student engagement and literacy skills through facilitated discussions using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), and provide a hands-on art lesson linked to art works discussed. Both museum and classroom can be places to spark curiosity, conversation, and creativity through the arts
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
B4. Getting Messy with Our Infants & Toddlers |Presented by: Cheryl Iverson
While creative art and sensory explanation activities are certainly more work for the adults, they are critically important for a little one’s growth, development and learning. Participants will leave this hands-on workshop with new ideas and increased understanding around the importance of providing play-based and sensory-rich learning experiences for our infants and toddlers!
STARS Core Competency: Child Growth & Development, Curriculum and Learning Environment
B5. Providing an Organized and Literacy Rich Early Learning Environment
Presented by: Meghan O’Connell
Help your preschool students become ready for kindergarten by providing an organized literacy rich early learning environment. Come and learn how to implement developmentally appropriate and educational literacy activities into your classroom. This session focuses on supporting different learning styles, including family involvement and culture, addressing the early childhood developmental domains, and promoting early literacy through multiple literacy activities. You will learn how to implement, and make flannel stories, how to incorporate literacy concepts throughout organized learning centers, and how to make your own literacy activities! Please pay a $8 class fee (to be paid at registration) and bring your own scissors to make your flannel story.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
B6. Science: The Art of Making Sense of the World |Presented by: Kim Owen
Attendees will explore the many ways to capture children’s natural curiosity by incorporating science into everyday activities and every learning center in the classroom. Attendees will have the time to explore examples of materials that can be made out of recycled items, as well as make their own materials to use in their classrooms.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environments
B7. Recruiting and Supporting Men and Fathers in ECE|Presented by: Ray
Soriano
Men matter in children’s lives, and children benefit in so many ways when men are actively involved in their growth, development, and learning. Sadly, due to a variety of reasons, fathers are often disengaged, and positive male influences are absent in early learning environments. Join this workshop to learn practical ideas for making your program more “father friendly”, ways to more meaningfully engage fathers, and strategies for recruiting male staff and volunteers.
STARS Core Competency: Family and Community Partnership
B8. Expresión de las artes creativas | Presentado por: Alicia Fajardo
Planeando y haciendo actividades apropiados para niños pequeños a preescolar. Preparando los para la escuela y la vida en el área de Música, Movimiento creativo y el Arte usando el Marco de Head Start.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
B9. Cantando y Jugando | Presentado por: Marco Cortes
Ritmos y canciones con palabras fáciles en español, especiales para niños pequemos con libros y actividades.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
B10. Como Usar Materiales Reciclables Para La Ciencia y Matemáticas
Presentado por: Anna M Macias
Exploraremos Matematicas y Ciencia usando materiales reciclables para crear actividades que estimulen la curiosidad, exploracion, y resolucion de problemas en las haulas y hogares de cuidado de ninos.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
Conference C Sessions:
C1. Science: The Art of Making Sense of the World | Presented by: Kim Owen
Attendees will explore the many ways to capture children’s natural curiosity by incorporating science into everyday activities and every learning center in the classroom. Attendees will have the time to explore examples of materials that can be made out of recycled items, as well as make their own materials to use in their classrooms.
STARS Core Competency: Child Growth & Development
C2. Early REACH (Respecting Ethnic and Cultural Heritage) |Presented by:
Masa DeLara & Julie Mauremann
This workshop provides learning experiences that promote and increase cultural self-awareness, multicultural awareness and understanding for early childhood educators. Activities inspire and empower individuals to participate in their own personal growth, as well as involve them in activities that:
- Connect participants with current concepts, resources and information.
- Engage participants in cross-cultural learning that increase knowledge of the history and culture of different ethnic and cultural groups.
- Provide a conceptual framework and practical strategies for dealing effectively with implementing multicultural concepts and activities into schools and classrooms through the use of age-appropriate curricula.
C3. The Power of Relationships: 5 Ways to Connect More Deeply with
Children | Presented by: Ray Soriano
As the world seems to be increasingly more complex and stressful, what do children need from us? As educators and parents, the quality of our relationships with children is the foundation for guiding their learning, nurturing their growth, and building resilience. We will look at five simple but powerful ways to deepen our connections with children so that they can thrive and excel.
STARS Core Competency: Interactions
C4. Power Up Your ECE Program | Presented by: Lynda Clements
This fun, interactive session will focus on how your daily interactions can determine your ECE program's quality. We'll explore the dimensions of the CLASS® Assessment tool and learn more about the subtle power of even the shortest, seemingly insignificant interactions that occur throughout the day. We can all feel a bit "unplugged" at times. Come recharge your batteries and explore ways to enhance the quality of your program through powerful interactions.
STARS Core Competency: Professional Development and Leadership
C5. Cross Sector Solutions: Connecting Families to Health, Nutrition, and
Child Development Resources | Presented by: Jefferson Rose
A comprehensive presentation on WithinReach services (WIC, Basic Food, Health Coverage, Child Development Screenings) coupled with a hands-on computer-based workshop to demonstrate to providers and families how to access resources.
STARS Core Competency: Family and Community Partnership, Health, Safety, and Nutrition
C6. Building Bridges: Encouraging Resiliency in Trauma Affected Children
Presented by: Pat Cavit
This is a session on the effects of trauma on Child Development and Behavior, and effective ways of modifying behaviors and building resilience.
STARS Core Competency: Child and Growth & Development
C7. Expresión de las artes creativas | Presentado por: Alicia Fajardo
Planeando y haciendo actividades apropiados para niños pequeños a preescolar. Preparando los para la escuela y la vida en el área de Música, Movimiento creativo y el Arte usando el Marco de Head Start.
STARS Core Competency: Curriculum and Learning Environment
C8. Como me cuido, para cuidar de otros | Presentado por: Gladys Lasprilla
Cuando hemos llenado nuestras vasijas o sea cuando estamos llenos estamos listos para lo que se sigue. Cuando estamos llenos de Amor Propio tenemos una mayor capacidad para escuchar, ver, atender a otros, y poder abrazar nuestras realidades y las de los demás .. Aprender a cuidarnos es comenzar a escuchar nuestras propias y valiosas necesidades. En esta charla usted se divertirá y le recordaremos el valor de los amigos , de la buena comida, de la risa, del arte, el valor de un buen libro, o de la bicicleta. El comenzar a llenar nuestras vasijas nos dará una capacidad de servir a otros con Amor y Felicidad.
STARS Core Competency: Professional Development and Leadership