Update of Fall 2004 Activities

Programs for Harrisburg School District Teachers

Calculator Workshop: Using the TI-83 Graphing Calculator in the Classroom
August 25, 2004

Shippensburg University professor, Dr. Terry Baylor, presented a one-day workshop for all 8th and 9th grade math teachers in Harrisburg. PA State GEAR UP provided class sets of graphing calculators and accessories for each classroom.

Urban Field Experiences for Math Pre-service Teachers
September 15, 22, & 29, 2004

Secondary math methods students from Shippensburg University will travel to Harrisburg for three days of middle level classroom observation and conferences with their teacher mentors in preparation for teaching a math lesson to the Harrisburg students. The lessons, which will be taught during the students’ third visit on September 25th, will focus on technology integration.

Urban Educators Panel
October 5, 2004

Educators from the Harrisburg School District, as well as a Shippensburg University student teacher and a math methods student who are doing their field experience in Harrisburg School District, will present a panel discussion on “Observation, Field Work and Teaching in an Urban Setting” to teacher education professors and students in the Elements of Instruction classes. All education majors are invited to attend this panel presentation which will be followed by a question and answer session.

Math Curriculum Workshops for Middle Level Teachers
October 11, 2004 & November 30, 2004

Dr. Terry Baylor will provide two follow-up workshops to the well-received August 25th graphing calculator workshop. Dr. Baylor is also consulting with John Harris High School teachers throughout the 2004-05 academic year to support their continuing development of the district’s secondary math curriculum.

Chemistry Workshops
October 11, 2004 & November 30, 2004

Shippensburg University Chemistry professors, Dr. Robin McCann and Dr. Christina Martey-Ochola, are developing lab kits on four topics for teachers in the school district. The hands-on materials will be provided by PA State GEAR UP and presented to the teachers at workshops in October and November.

PRAXIS II Workshop
November 5, 2004

PA State GEAR UP is sponsoring a PRAXIS II workshop at the Dixon University Center for Harrisburg teachers who are elementary certified and need middle-level content area certification. The all-day workshop begins with a large group session on general test-taking strategies. After lunch, breakout sessions will match participants by area of interest. Teacher Quality Enhancement grant will provide books and study materials for each teacher attending the workshop.

Programs for Harrisburg School District Students

PA State GEAR UP Coordinator Visits
September 2004 – May 2005

Early Intervention Coordinator Sandy Patsolic and Direct Services Coordinator Steve Little will visit all Harrisburg 7th graders to introduce them to PA State GEAR UP, to administer a survey about college and careers, and to help them begin their Educational Action Plans (EAPs) which they will continue to create until their graduation from high school.

Direct Services Coordinator Steve Little and school counselors will also be visiting 8th grade classrooms this year to help students review and update their EAPs with their academic progress and goals.

Back to School Night
September 22, 2004

Harrisburg School District hosted “Back to School” night for parents and families. PA State GEAR UP set up exhibits in Downey, Lincoln, Marshall and Steele schools. Staff met with parents and students, distributing brochures and newsletters, and talking about this year’s GEAR UP activities.

Reality Check
October 30, 2004

Reality Check for 8th graders. This financial simulation activity will be offered for the second year on Shippensburg University of PA campus. Students will participate in the program activities in the morning and attend a Shippensburg University football game in the afternoon.