Study Groups
Study Groups
Grand Island Faculty Study Groups
- Need a chance to discuss an educational issue or idea with a couple of colleagues?
- Need time to develop a new teaching strategy with teachers in your grade level or subject?
- Interested in improving a teaching technique with someone who is an expert?
Then a study group is for you!
Study groups can be a unique way to pursue ongoing, comprehensive professional development. If approved, single payment is available for study group participants.
Study groups can be a unique way to pursue ongoing, comprehensive professional development. If approved, single payment is available for study group participants.
Ideas for Groups:
- Teaching Reading Strategies
- Assessment
- Writing in the Content Area
- Improving Questioning Techniques
- Effective Lesson Design
- Developing parallel assessments/rubrics
- Cooperative Learning
- Ideas for Active Participation
- Handling Difficult Students
- Science labs in Elementary Schools
- Ideas for Implementing the Early Literacy Profile
- Technology Integration Techniques & Lesson Development
- Other
Interested in forming/participating in a Study Group?
- Study Group Proposals are submitted via My Learning Plan by the group's facilitator.
- Once approved the activity appears on the calendar and participants can request approval.
- Any questions or concerns contact the office of Curriculum & Instruction.
GICSD Guidelines for Study Groups:
- Decide if you want to join a study group at your school or if you want to organize a group that is district wide. There is more interaction between sessions when participants are from one school but the topics may be limited.
- Make the group time and place convenient. Schedule the study group time as if it’s a class time. Write the dates and times in your planner.
- Select a place to meet that’s conducive to studying rather than to socializing. The library and empty classrooms are natural places for study groups.
- Decide on some ground rules for the group. Ground rules should include attendance, outside work, participation in discussion, etc.
- Choose a facilitator and a method of communicating that everyone will use (e-mail, interoffice mail, phone, etc.).
- Decide if you need to consult an expert for some part of your topic. See your Faculty Representative for help in locating one.
- Keep track of questions and side topics that come up during your group study. They may be the kernels of a future study group.
- Take advantage of your learning style. If you are a visual learner, ask for explanations to be written down. If you are an auditory learner, ask for a clear verbal description. Know how you learn best, and make sure that you use this mode of learning.