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TOUCHSTONES DISCUSSION PROJECT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Workshops: Touchstones workshops provide teachers with a hands-on introduction to running seminar format discussions with students. In a workshop, teachers:
- Learn the Touchstones method and how and why it works through modeling and participation in discussion sessions.
- Explore the teacher’s role as the discussion leader, the concept of shared leadership, and techniques for effective classroom management.
- Develop sample lesson plans to see how Touchstones is easily integrated into existing curricular activities.
- Learn how discussion evaluations reinforce and strengthen the Touchstones experience and learn how incorporating student evaluators can help to guide the group’s progress and support the teacher’s role.
- Work with each other and with Touchstones staff to develop and refine leadership skills, and to prepare for the challenges and rewards of guiding a group inquiry.
- Engage in a lively question and answer period.
Workshops are tailored to the groups’ needs, and are offered as beginning, intermediate, or advanced levels depending on the group’s experience with Touchstones. Touchstones also offers workshop options that specifically address the IB and AVID communities.
Fee for one-day workshop (limited to 30 participants): $1250
On-Site Presentation: A presentation in your school introduces administrators, teachers, and curriculum coordinators to the Touchstones method and explains how discussion-based education improves classroom management and student achievement. In a practice discussion and evaluation, participants model the method and gain first-hand experience with this simple but revolutionary educational tool. Presentations run from 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the needs of the group. Every presentation ends with a question and answer period.
On-Site Classroom Support: With on-site support, one of our staff comes into the classroom to help you directly with implementing Touchstones with your class. Through modeling, discussion evaluation, and targeted feedback, you learn how to improve your approach and outcomes. You set the number of on-site support visits according to your budget, time, and needs.
Remote Classroom Support: Touchstones offers complimentary remote support by email, phone, and video-conferencing with the purchase of Touchstones materials or professional development services to ensure optimal classroom implementation.
“The Touchstones Workshop on discussions that I attended at the San Joaquin County Office of Education was one of the most helpful workshops I have attended in my 31 years as an educator. Touchstones provides dynamic strategies that can be used by teachers regardless of the subject they teach and the level of the student they are addressing. I have been using Socratic questioning techniques throughout my career, and this is the most effective program for that approach that I have experienced.” –Alan Hawkins, Staff Development & Head of IB, Tracy High School in San Joaquin Valley
Call 401-263-2121 or email schoolprograms@touchstones.org today to schedule a workshop, a custom presentation at your school, or to arrange for a custom on-site support program in your classroom. Fees for presentations are based on length of presentation, staff time, and travel. Fees for custom on-site support programs are based on length and duration of support contracted.
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