Workshops
"Mark Levin's workshops are informative, worthwhile, and lively. Plenty of wonderful ideas to get teachers started and keep them going."
Dr. Carol Gardner
Former Assistant Superintendent of Instruction
Spartanburg, SC District 7 Schools.
Dr. Carol Gardner
Former Assistant Superintendent of Instruction
Spartanburg, SC District 7 Schools.
We present an exciting array of dynamic workshops for teachers and all other adults who find themselves in need of some motivating ideas for inspiring and exciting youngsters.
These aren't your usual yawn-and-try-to-stay-awake kinds of in-service programs. Mind-Stretch sessions are effective and stimulating and are taught by a practicing classroom teacher. Each is designed to provide the participant with loads of information that can be used in the classroom tomorrow. These are practical ideas that work and can energize the teacher as well as the student.
Participants will receive plenty of resource information to take back to the classroom at each workshop.
Nuts & Bolts-
Mind-Stretch workshops are usually 60 to 90 minutes long, with the exception of "Newspaper in a Day." Workshops can be combined to offer a full day of programs. Suggested grade levels are listed after each program. These are offered only as guidelines.
Ready to get started? Click here.
Writing & Language Arts
The REAL Way to Teach Writing - Starting Classroom & School Newspapers
Nothing gets students more excited about writing than writing for a real audience. This workshop gives teachers all the basics for getting organized and started in the world of newspaper publishing. You'll be amazed at how much confidence your students will gain in their writing ability.
(Grades 3 - 8)
Real-Life Publishing Opportunities for Kids
Publishing a newspaper is just one way to get kids into real-life publishing. This workshop explores over two dozen additional ways for students to publish. Research proves that students write more and better when publishing for a bona fide audience. When you're finished with this workshop, you'll be ready to turn your students loose on a multitude of projects. (All grades)
Using the Outdoors to Teach Writing
What do you do when a student says, "I can't think of anything to write about." Writing prompts can be good for starters, but they often leave a student with a bad case of "writer's block." This workshop opens students' eyes to a whole new way of looking at their world. Teachers will learn to use the outdoors to stir the imaginations of their young writers and help energize creative potentials.
(Grades 1 - 8)
Newspaper in a Day
Hold the presses! Teachers in this workshop will go beyond the basics of publishing. From start to finish, teachers will be walked through the entire process of producing a newspaper. Participants will take on all the roles of a publications staff as we produce an actual publication complete with features, interviews, sports, editorials, and more. This workshop takes a full day and will help teachers handle all the "angles" of serving as a class or school publisher.
(Grades 3 - 8)
SpeakEasy
Public speaking rates up there as the greatest fear of most adults. This workshop can help change that by giving you strategies and resources to teach your students how to feel comfortable when speaking in front of groups. This might be the greatest gift you can give your students.
(Grades 2 - 8).
Outdoor Education
Can We Do It? -Group Dynamics Games & Activities
You and your students will never be the same! This workshop will teach you how to lead your students through nearly 30 activities designed to help them come together as a team. These activities are easy to lead, involve little preparation time, use few or no props, and they work! Be prepared to participate. (All grades) Mind-Stretch can also provide half and full-day "team building" experiences for teachers and administrators.
Environmental Education Activities That Anyone Can Do
You will learn and experience dozens of activities that you can take back to your classroom and try tomorrow. These activities include nature games, environmental awareness activities, and concept-building experiences. Teachers will also learn how to combine these programs so that your students can earn the title of "Earth Ranger." And to your relief, you do not need the know how to identify anything to be your class expert. (Grades K-6)
Designing Classroom & School Nature Centers
This workshop will guide you through the process of what you can do with all that excitement your students have exuded after playing all those nature games and activities you learned in the "Environmental Education Activities That Anyone Can Do" workshop. Learn how to start and maintain a classroom or school nature corner, how to design school yard nature trails where students serve as guides, and how to turn your school into a state-of-the-art Outdoor Education Center. (Grades K-6)
Unforgettable Experiences -Extended Outdoor Education Programs
For you brave souls ready to multiply the excitement outdoor education brings, this workshop will fill in the gaps needed to plan an extended, overnight or multi-night experience. Participants will receive sample schedules on how to fill a day (and night) with activities that YOU can indeed run like a wizard. Be it an overnight "Group Dynamics" program to get the year off to a flying start or a multi-day "nature camp" right at school ~ these experiences will not soon be forgotten. You will find out where to locate other resources that will be helpful, including places to go and stay. (Grades 3-8)
These aren't your usual yawn-and-try-to-stay-awake kinds of in-service programs. Mind-Stretch sessions are effective and stimulating and are taught by a practicing classroom teacher. Each is designed to provide the participant with loads of information that can be used in the classroom tomorrow. These are practical ideas that work and can energize the teacher as well as the student.
Participants will receive plenty of resource information to take back to the classroom at each workshop.
Nuts & Bolts-
Mind-Stretch workshops are usually 60 to 90 minutes long, with the exception of "Newspaper in a Day." Workshops can be combined to offer a full day of programs. Suggested grade levels are listed after each program. These are offered only as guidelines.
Ready to get started? Click here.
Writing & Language Arts
The REAL Way to Teach Writing - Starting Classroom & School Newspapers
Nothing gets students more excited about writing than writing for a real audience. This workshop gives teachers all the basics for getting organized and started in the world of newspaper publishing. You'll be amazed at how much confidence your students will gain in their writing ability.
(Grades 3 - 8)
Real-Life Publishing Opportunities for Kids
Publishing a newspaper is just one way to get kids into real-life publishing. This workshop explores over two dozen additional ways for students to publish. Research proves that students write more and better when publishing for a bona fide audience. When you're finished with this workshop, you'll be ready to turn your students loose on a multitude of projects. (All grades)
Using the Outdoors to Teach Writing
What do you do when a student says, "I can't think of anything to write about." Writing prompts can be good for starters, but they often leave a student with a bad case of "writer's block." This workshop opens students' eyes to a whole new way of looking at their world. Teachers will learn to use the outdoors to stir the imaginations of their young writers and help energize creative potentials.
(Grades 1 - 8)
Newspaper in a Day
Hold the presses! Teachers in this workshop will go beyond the basics of publishing. From start to finish, teachers will be walked through the entire process of producing a newspaper. Participants will take on all the roles of a publications staff as we produce an actual publication complete with features, interviews, sports, editorials, and more. This workshop takes a full day and will help teachers handle all the "angles" of serving as a class or school publisher.
(Grades 3 - 8)
SpeakEasy
Public speaking rates up there as the greatest fear of most adults. This workshop can help change that by giving you strategies and resources to teach your students how to feel comfortable when speaking in front of groups. This might be the greatest gift you can give your students.
(Grades 2 - 8).
Outdoor Education
Can We Do It? -Group Dynamics Games & Activities
You and your students will never be the same! This workshop will teach you how to lead your students through nearly 30 activities designed to help them come together as a team. These activities are easy to lead, involve little preparation time, use few or no props, and they work! Be prepared to participate. (All grades) Mind-Stretch can also provide half and full-day "team building" experiences for teachers and administrators.
Environmental Education Activities That Anyone Can Do
You will learn and experience dozens of activities that you can take back to your classroom and try tomorrow. These activities include nature games, environmental awareness activities, and concept-building experiences. Teachers will also learn how to combine these programs so that your students can earn the title of "Earth Ranger." And to your relief, you do not need the know how to identify anything to be your class expert. (Grades K-6)
Designing Classroom & School Nature Centers
This workshop will guide you through the process of what you can do with all that excitement your students have exuded after playing all those nature games and activities you learned in the "Environmental Education Activities That Anyone Can Do" workshop. Learn how to start and maintain a classroom or school nature corner, how to design school yard nature trails where students serve as guides, and how to turn your school into a state-of-the-art Outdoor Education Center. (Grades K-6)
Unforgettable Experiences -Extended Outdoor Education Programs
For you brave souls ready to multiply the excitement outdoor education brings, this workshop will fill in the gaps needed to plan an extended, overnight or multi-night experience. Participants will receive sample schedules on how to fill a day (and night) with activities that YOU can indeed run like a wizard. Be it an overnight "Group Dynamics" program to get the year off to a flying start or a multi-day "nature camp" right at school ~ these experiences will not soon be forgotten. You will find out where to locate other resources that will be helpful, including places to go and stay. (Grades 3-8)
