Writing
Using Blended Structure and Style with the LD Learner –Half day
This practical introductory session will use the concepts from 6 Traits Writing paired with the Blended Structure and Style in Composition writing program to help teachers be more effective in the planning, implementation and assessment of their student's writing skills.  Following this session you will be able to teach your students how to effectively take notes, present oral retellings, summarize expository information using proper paragraph structure and use specific and precise language to clearly communicate in an interesting way.  

Critical Instruction for Struggling Writers – Half day
This workshop will provide direct instruction of writing strategies for upper elementary and junior high students to improve the quality of their writing.  The program will separate writing into sub-skills, and present strategies to develop students' individual skills.  This program can be easily implemented into a variety of classroom instruction environments and supports curriculum

Writing Strategies for the LD Student
This structured writing approach offers writers, kindergarten to post-secondary level, guidance in outlining, summarizing and enhancing the quality of their narrative and expository writing.  The process has been implemented school-wide at Foothills Academy.

Reading
Precision Reading –Half day
A research-based program that improves fluency and reading comprehension with a daily commitment of only 5-10 minutes a day. This powerful teaching strategy was developed by Rick Freeze, Professor at the University of Manitoba. Offered in two parts: Part I: The Core Strategy Part II: Supplementary Strategies and Follow-up

Read/Write Teacher Training -3 -4 full days
Foothills Academy offers a 75 hour intensive one on one reading/writing program for students who are one or more grade levels below their actual registered grade. This program is comprised of the LiPS program (formerly called ADD) adapted to meet the needs of persons with learning disabilities.
We offer teacher training in the specifics of LiPS over four consecutive days. The training can be offered as professional development for groups as small as four to as large as sixty participants. Our trainers have over 15 years experience teaching these methods and strategies. The LiPS program is taught daily however its success stems from the integration of other powerful programs such as Blended Structure and Style (writing), Precision Reading and concrete reading comprehension strategies.

Creating Differentiated Learning Experiences: A Strength-based Approach –Half day
Learn how to effectively engage all of your students in Language Arts by tapping into their unique talents and creativity. Through this hands-on Language Arts program, students use their strengths to build on their self esteem, reading, listening and speaking skills. Learn how to engage your students while teaching life skills; such as how to run a meeting, act as secretary, answer questions, evaluate peers and themselves and deliver authentic speeches that the whole class will truly enjoy.  Leave the session with a package to take and use immediately!

NEW!
Building Reading Comprehension at all Levels –Half day
This session is a unique blend of two programs: the GO CHART strategy created from the research of Carrice Cummins, Professor at Louisiana Tech University and aspects of the Visualizing & Verbalizing program by Lindemood Bell. Learn how to use knowledge of brain activity in conjunction with researched comprehension strategies to build comprehension levels in any subject or grade.

Assessment
Administering the WIAT –One full day
The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - Third Edition (WIAT - III) is the updated version to the commonly used WIAT-III.  The WIAT-III now contains 16 subtests across the areas of reading, mathematics, written language, and oral language to help identify the academic strengths and weaknesses of a student.  The current workshop will not only provide you with the knowledge of how this new test is used to assess each of these areas but will also provide explicit instruction on administration.

Learning Disabilities
Working with the LD student –Half day
What is a learning disability? How does it impact an individual’s learning?  These will be two of the questions leading this workshop. Several strategies for students with learning and attention issues will be presented that can be easily implemented in a variety of teaching environments

NEW!
Preparing Students for a Social World – Half day
A discussion of the social challenges children with learning disabilities and associated disorders experience. The causes along with what parents and teachers can do to help children develop their social skills will be outlined. Hands-on activities will be presented based on the Social Skills program offered through the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta.

NEW!
Cyber Bullying- Parent Workshop- Half day
Ann Wade recently completed her thesis on Cyber Bullying. She will emphasize research that supports its prevalence, parental perceptions and the devastating effects. Strategies for parents and children will be shared.

NEW!
Creating a Dynamic Teacher and Teaching Assistant Partnership- Half day
Teaching Assistants are a key ingredient to the success of a classroom.  This session will emphasize several important aspects of developing a cohesive team.  Roles and responsibilities will be discussed that have been proven successful in the Foothills Academy model.

NEW!
Student Led IPP- Half Day
Let’s strive to make all IPPs student lead.  Students set their own long-range and short-term goals with the guidance of a teacher.  Self-evaluation is on-going and integrated on a weekly basis.  Students should be aware of not only their weaknesses but basking in their strengths.  This session will guide you through how to put this theory into practice.
 
Math
Chisanbop Finger Math –Half day
This precise, accurate method of calculating math facts on your fingers appeals to the kinesthetic and visual learners. Participants will engage in an interactive, hands-on session that teaches these skills in two parts:
Part I: Addition & Subtraction, Part II: Follow-up & Multiplication & Division

Practical Strategies for Junior & Senior High Math Students- Half day
This presenter shares many of his Senior High math experiences at Foothills Academy. The workshop teaches application of learning styles in daily math lessons, problem solving strategies and effective integration of math language and terminology.
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Please contact Kim Tackaberry, Program & Presentation Manager at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or
by phone at 403-270-9400 to book a workshop for your organization. We invite you to send us your e-mail address to be added to our ongoing e-poster distribution list.

At Foothills Academy, we believe that a single workshop in isolation is not enough to instill confidence and effective teaching of the strategies and skills learned.  Therefore, we created our Follow-up sessions (Part II). These sessions offer an open and informal meeting time for participants to share their experiences with practical implementation, questions that have arisen and clarification of the program/strategies.