Dr. Tate’s Course Offerings

 Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites:  20 Instructional Strategies that Engage the Brain:  
Have teachers ever complained that their students cannot understand or recall much of the content taught after a 24-hour period?  It stands to reason that if students don’t learn the way we teach them, then we must teach them the way they learn!  Experience 20 instructional strategies (based on brain research and learning style theory) that maximize memory and minimize forgetting.  Increase learning for students when strategies like drawing, metaphor, music, and storytelling are used to teach curriculum objectives and meet national standards.  Explore research that shows why these strategies are preferable to others.  Ensure that brains retain key concepts, not only for tests, but for life!  This workshop has been called both professionally and personally life-changing and lots of fun!

Participants will:

• Experience 20 brain-compatible strategies for delivering an effective lesson or staff development course;
• Recall facts regarding the physiology of the brain as those facts pertain to increased comprehension and retention;
• State five factors which all teachers should use to increase long-term retention;
• Design a brain-compatible classroom environment;
• Develop teaching plans which adhere to brain research and incorporate at least three of the 20 strategies.

Shouting Won’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Techniques for Managing a Brain-compatible Classroom

 Have you ever noticed that the louder some teachers get when reprimanding students, the louder the students also become?  Assist teachers in managing a brain-compatible classroom without ever raising their voices.  Show them how to alleviate at least 50% of their behavior problems just by the way they set up the physical environment and deliver engaging lessons, another 40% by developing a comprehensive plan and the most challenging 10% by using strategies for chronic behavior disorders such as oppositional or conduct disorder.

 Participants in this session will learn to:

• Identify the characteristics of a proactive classroom manager;
• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and a home environment which alleviates stress;
• Develop instructional activities which foster student engagement;
• Develop a management plan with rituals, celebrations, and consequences; and
• Gain confidence in dealing with the most difficult behavior challenges.

 This workshop has been referred to as both professionally and personally life changing!

Mathematics Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites – 20 Numeracy Strategies That Engage the Brain (K-8)

 M-A-T-H is known to be the shortened form of the word mathematics.  Did you also know that it is a mnemonic device that stands for Math Ain’t That Hard?  This acrostic rings true when brain-compatible strategies are used.  Experience how easy math can be when sung, role-played, drawn, visualized, danced, or told in a meaningful story.  This workshop is highly engaging and tons of fun.

Sit & Get Won't Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies that Engage the Adult Brain. 

"Sit & Get" draws on the latest research in brain-based learning, differentiated instruction, multiple intelligences, and adult learning to provide strategies that not only motivate adult learners but also increase understanding and long-term retention.  Designed for easy implementation, the material includes an overview of adult learning theory, more than 150 professional learning strategies, several sample professional learning designs, and opportunities to reflect on and apply the presented strategies.  Supported by both learning-style theory and brain research, the strategies enable all staff development professionals to plan and deliver powerful, memorable presentations that improve teaching practices and increase academic achievement.  The material is suitable for anyone who teaches adults, including staff developers, trainers, principals, teacher leaders, and educational consultants.

Reading & Language Arts Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites:  20 Literacy Strategies that Engage the Brain

According to experts in the field, reading and language arts skills are best acquired when students are actively engaged in their own learning. Reading and Language Arts Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites focuses on brain-based literacy strategies for Grades K-12, structured around the International Reading Association and National Council of Teachers of English standards. It contains over 300 activities from hundreds of teachers as well as the author’s own classroom models.

This practical resource is dedicated to literacy strategies that apply to the way students learn to read and read to learn. These hands-on techniques will help you teach reading in relevant, motivating, and engaging ways.  Unless students are involved and actively engaged in learning, true learning rarely occurs. Invite your students to use their higher-level thinking skills, increase their comprehension, and make the learning their own!

The Power of Positive Thinking

 Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re right! People severely limit their brain’s potential with negative thinking.  However, when people approach situations with a confident attitude and determine a purpose for their lives, amazing, life-changing things can occur.  Find out how to reduce stress, increase laughter and lengthen your life!

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Based on the best-seller by Stephen Covey, this workshop acquaints participants with 7 principles which people practice daily to be effective in both their personal and professional lives.  Learn to be proactive, not reactive; to prioritize your life with the things that matter most and to balance all aspects of your life - spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally.  This workshop has been called absolutely life-changing!

Teacher Expectations and Student Achievement (TESA)

 Students tend to live up or down to the expectations afforded them by the important people in their lives.  Experience 15 interactions which teachers use to communicate their high expectations to all students.  These include involving all students in the lesson, standing in close proximity to them, or taking a personal interest in their lives.  These interactions assist teachers in increasing academic achievement, reducing behavior problems, and increasing attendance.

 Assessment

It stands to reason that if students don't learn the way we teach them, then we must teach them the way they learn! Whether you refer to them as intelligences (as Howard Gardner does) or gifts, students come with different ways of knowing. Experience 20 brain-compatible strategies for unlocking those gifts, strategies such as role play, drawing, graphic organizers, or music. Learn over 50 ways to determine if those strategies are making a difference in student achievement through such assessment tools as checklists and rubrics. This workshop has been called professionally life-changing and lots of fun!