Opening Remarks
Habib Sayegh
CEO, Sayegh companies
H.E. Mr. Fadi Yarak
Director General, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Lebanon
Theme 1. Literacy in primary school
So much has happened in the last 30 years of literacy education, but the tools to support teachers and learners had not kept up. A new generation of learners needed a new generation of teaching tools and techniques. This led to the development of Bug Club, a new globally centred literacy programme. I will explain the development of that programme and highlight some of the key learning we have discovered along the way. We will also investigate some case studies to better understand the teaching and learning strategies that have led to proven improvements in literacy learning in UK primary schools.
Marc Bloch
Speaker
Theme 2. Relevance of English literature
“Bringing
Macbeth to life in the 21st century classroom: York Classics & York
Notes”
Yussef Sayah
Moderator
Amani El Massry
Panellist
Ruba Haddad
Panellist
Ouafa Zouari
Panellist
Theme 3. Engaging teens in the secondary / Key Stage 3 classroom
In this session we will discuss the reality of technology in the classroom and how a balance of tools, both digital and analogue can be used to engage learners and manage classrooms. Through the example of Exploring Science we will look at the development and delivery of an inspiring curriculum. We will discuss the reality of technology in the classroom and strategies for dealing with limited access to both computers and mobile devices.
Marc Bloch
Speaker
Theme 4. International & national
qualifications
“International Arab Baccalaureate (IAB): The pros and cons:
what are the challenges of international and national qualifications?"
What are the challenges of national and international qualifications?
We always aim to offer our students the best form of education, which is why
we face the dilemma of enrolling them in an educational system of either
national or international standards. While national-based education focuses
on important topics like local history, culture, and regional development,
international-based education pays more attention to global studies and
global development. Another predicament we encounter is local educators with
a national-based education being forced to adapt their teaching styles to
fit international curriculum standards. Choosing one over the other has
proved to have both pros and cons. Therefore, is it possible to find a
balance between the two focuses of education and apply international
standards while preserving awareness of national culture, customs and
traditions?
Dr. Fadi El Hage
Moderator
Dr. Mona Shaheen
Panellist
Rasmi Al Mallah
Panellist
Georgia Najem
Panellist
Reham Zabaneh
Panellist
Dr. Bassem Kandil
Panellist
Theme 5. International GCSEs for international
learners
“How the new qualifications and resources are designed to enable
success for international learners”
Theme 6. The Common Core State Standards: Challenges for English Language Learners
Schools have been subject to the pressure of walking the common core path for a few years now. In its birth place, 2015 was the year set for full common core state standards (CCSS) implementation. Globally, the story can somehow vary. Only that with SATs or ACTs now assessing students using the CCSS philosophy and expectation, most if not all schools need to include common core approaches in their curriculum and instructional models. Walking backwards from college and career readiness expectations, this session will shed a light on challenges and solutions to implementing CCSS for English Language Arts in the context of English Language Learners (ELLs).
Pierre Atallah
Speaker
Theme 7. The Next Generation Science Standards: Implementing the NGSS in international schools
The Next Generation Science Standards promise significant shifts in student
attainment in sciences. The promise stands true if the standards are
implemented in fidelity to their structure and approach. The shift to full
NGSS implementation is a learning curves at all levels. Teacher professional
development programs, curriculum design, unit writing, instruction and
feedback, assessment and data driven planning are all steps that shape a
school's NGSS quest. How will your school make the shift? How Pearson can
help?
In this session, we explore what your NGSS shift could entail and how can
Pearson be your partner in the journey.
Pierre Atallah
Speaker
Theme 8. Acquisition of Arabic as a mother tongue: Butterfly Leveled Arabic Reading Scheme
Butterfly Readers Program:
A Magic Wand
Butterfly Readers Program is a unique program that grants Arab students the
chance to develop a positive attitude towards reading in Arabic and become
readers. Reading books of different genres, students enjoy climbing up the
reading ladder and progressing smoothly from one level to the other.
Reaching the 26th step, they would have completed the four reading stages
and planted the proficient readers’ flag at the top. Butterfly Readers
Program is also teacher friendly. It provides teachers with the right
resources to help their students achieve learning outcomes that align with
the Arabic curricula adopted in the Arab countries. Teachers are provided
with all the means to contextualize integrated language arts skills in
leveled authentic texts and activities.
Dr. Suha Safiyiddeen
Speaker
Theme 9. Math skills in K to 6: enVision Math 2.0
Math practices had been around much before their publication under the Standards for Math Practices. Teachers use them in their classes on daily basis. So what has changed? The standards for Math practices bring in an element of awareness much needed in our Math lessons and direct us to ensure that students, more than teachers, own and apply these practices. In this session, we will experience how a math practice comes to life in a classroom context from a teacher and student perspective using tools out of Envision Math.