ELDS Planning Cohort (READ CAREFULLY)

Read this VERY CAREFULLY:

Every year, we offer opportunities for all VQB5 educators to be part of one of our cohorts.   What is a cohort?  A cohort is a group of educators who meet several times, about once a month.  The ELDS Planning Cohort is designed to help you do an even better job of covering the state standards (ELDS) to prepare your children for kindergarten. This cohort will be a collaborative “think tank” rather than typical training sessions. We will explore ways to use the ELDS in conjunction with your center/school’s curriculum to plan more effectively.

Our focus will be on ways to observe children during play, using the age band(s) in the ELDS to determine a child’s level of functioning, and using your curriculum to plan strategies and activities to help each child achieve mastery for age-appropriate emerging skills. We will take advantage of our collective knowledge and expertise to share ideas and hone our planning skills.

We will meet four times beginning on Feb. 26  The dates are listed below.  All trainings will be be held IN PERSON at the FirstSpark office at 11832 Cannon Blvd., Suite F in Newport News on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30.

Testimonials:

Beyond the ELDS cohort gave me the opportunity to delve further into the ELDS, determine what skills are emerging or mastered and then what comes next, and use the ELDS to drive lesson planning! This cohort is fantastic for both the novice and the veteran teachers due to that the ELDS is fairly new to us. Diane and Eric were both helpful and had many great ideas for us to be the best teachers that we can be.     ~Debbie D.

The ELDS cohort took a more in-depth look at how teachers and early education staff can use the ELDS to plan lessons and meet the needs of the students in their care. Whether you have a curriculum that is aligned with the Virginia standards or you are starting a brand new curriculum, this cohort will provide you with the experience needed to determine the appropriateness of lessons that you have planned to use in the classroom. I came away with a stronger knowledge of Virginia Standards expectations and how to relate them to daily activities in the classroom. I would recommend this cohort whether you are a brand new teacher to ELDS or an experienced teacher looking to strengthen use and knowledge of the ELDS.  ~Sarah R.

Now, here’s the most important thing.  In order to qualify to be part of this cohort, you must complete an Early Learning & Child Development (ELDS) training with us.  If you already have, you are eligible.  If you have not, you can still be eligible.  Just attend one of the ELDS trainings being offered in January (registration is open now)!

You may register any time, but our cohorts fill up fast so don’t delay. On or around February 17th, you will receive an IMPORTANT email to finalize your registration.  Please monitor your email so you don’t miss this important message.   If you have not completed an ELDS training by Jan. 17, your registration will be voided.  There are only 20 slots open, so do not delay.

Trainer: Diane Postman

Questions? Contact Diane at dpostman@firstsparkva.org.