Marcia Tate

Dr. Marcia Tate is the former Executive Director of Professional Development for the DeKalb County School System, Decatur, Georgia. During her 30-year career with the district, she had been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, language arts coordinator, and staff development director. Dr. Tate received the 2001 Distinguished Staff Developer Award for the State of Georgia and her department was chosen to receive the 2002 Exemplary Program Award for the State.

Marcia Tate is currently a National Educational Consultant and has presented to over 100,000 administrators, teachers, parents, business and community leaders throughout the U.S. She is a member of the National Speaker's Bureau for the Teacher's Workshop and has presented at numerous state, national, and international conferences. Her book, Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites: 20 Instructional Strategies that Engage the Brain has become a best-seller. In addition, she has written three other books,

• "Sit and Get" Won't Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies That Engage the Adult Brain

• Reading and Language Arts Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites: 20 Literacy Strategies That Engage the Brain

• Shouting Won't Grow Dendrites- Techniques for Managing a Brain-Compatible Classroom.

Her workshops receive rave reviews since Marcia uses these brain-compatible strategies to engage her audience. In March of 2002, she was featured in a national teleconference, “Brain-Friendly Reading,” along with Carolyn Chapman.

Marcia Tate holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Elementary Education from Spelman College, a Master of Arts Degree in Remedial Reading from The University of Michigan, an Educational Specialist Degree from Georgia State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Clark Atlanta University. Spelman College awarded her the 1994 Apple Award for excellence in the field of education.

TOPICS:

Reading and Language Arts Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites

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

What if your students were motivated and actively engaged in reading and language arts activities?

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. The activities cover essential areas of literacy instruction, including:

• Phonemic awareness

• Phonics and vocabulary instruction

• Text comprehension

• Reading authentically, widely, and strategically

• Writing strategically

• Creating, critiquing, and discussing texts

• Conducting research using technological resources

• Respecting diversity in language, participating in literary communities

• Using language to accomplish purposes

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!

Shouting Won't Grow Dendrites - Techniques for Managing a Brain-Compatible Classroom

Have you ever noticed that the same student can travel from one classroom to another and exhibit different behaviors depending upon teacher expectations and management techniques? While we know that not all brains are the same, there are teachers who consistently meet the needs of various brains in a well – managed, proactive classroom. Learn the secrets these teachers already know as they maximize instructional time and minimize disruptions.

Participants will:

• Establish rituals and routines for a well managed, proactive classroom environment.

• Develop a classroom management plan which addresses unique student needs.

• Learn strategies for managing students who provide teachers with exceptional behavioral challenges, e.g., learned helplessness, attention deficit disorders, oppositional disorders, and conduct disorders.