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Put It All Together With Our Help Award Winning Workshops
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Our workshops are designed for classroom teachers K-12, special needs teachers, teacher assistants, administrators and parents who are searching for hands on, problem solving activities that match curriculum and N.C.T.M. standards.

Participants will experience a classroom model in action, ranging from
Whole Group ---> ---> Small Group ---> ---> Independent Activities.


Participants who attend a Box Cars Hands-On Interactive Workshop Learn:

* How to use games as a teaching strategy & why this powerful strategy works.
* Classroom and resource management ideas.
* Curriculum/problem solving connections, strategies for implementation.
* A selection of appropriate grade level games through hands-on play.
* How to translate current curriculum recommendations and guidelines into actual classroom practice.

It is a total, hands-on, interactive workshop where participants have the opportunity to be completely involved with the resources, strategies and activities.

All workshops are taught by teachers who have implemented the Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks games, philosophy and classroom management ideas in their classrooms. They are connected to students, other teachers, administrators and parents so they can CONNECT with you.
Click "More Info" for specific workshops information
MORE INFO

If You Want Us . . .Here's How To Get Us!

Pick from our Workshop Selections on the at the bottom of this page. Together with Box Cars you tailor design the best workshop for your staff. You have complete control over the date, topics, numbers attending and whether you will invite any other participants. Our goal is to provide Excellence & Flexibility in designing a workshop that is innovative, exciting and practical - one that works for you!

No need for a minimum number of participants. Together with Box Cars the fees and expenses are agreed upon, then your date is guaranteed. Schools and districts can access grants, local professional development funds, share costs with other schools or districts. It's up to you!

Box Cars reserves workshops dates up to two years in advance. Phone, fax or e-mail to reserve your Professional Development Day with us.

Odds Are . . . it'll be the best workshop your teachers will ever experience!


Workshop Format Ideas


1. District Wide Pro D Days
Box Cars fits into your set Pro D day's time schedule. We can do several different sessions in a day (i.e. 2 or 3 x 1.5 hour sessions OR 2 x 2.5 hour sessions). It is best to keep us in the same location. Grade level and topics are up to you. For example, we can do a Spelling K-3 then a Math 4-6 and then a money workshop!

2. School Based Staff Development
We are flexible here too, but a typical scenario includes a morning Basic Math and in the afternoon continue with a math focus with Probability or Money games OR a morning Math and an afternoon Spelling. Usually a 9:00 to 3:00 day with local variations such as 8:30 to 3:30.

Grade level focus can vary as well. Sometimes we will do K-3 or K-4 in the morning followed by an afternoon 4-7 or 5-9. This grade level focus depends on how the school or district is organized and can vary (special education and teacher assistants, and parent volunteers are also welcome).

3. After School Workshops (Usually District Wide)
Budget constraints and decreased Pro D days have resulted in this popular format. An after school workshop is typically held from 4:00 to 7:30 and is open to all teachers in the district. Registration is usually held 4:00 to 4:30 to allow travel time between the host school and surrounding schools. The workshop begins at 4:30 and goes to 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. A short thirty minute break is given for supper. Some districts provide a light meal or have teachers "Brown Bag" it to save on costs.

4. Early Dismissal Workshops
These are usually held for 1/5 to 2 hours from 2:00 to 4:00. Again, schools may wish to share the workshop with other schools. These are meant to provide a brief overview of either Math or Spelling and can span K-6, K-7, 4-9 or 7-9.

We are flexible to the Booking Party's wishes for workshop times. It is up to you when to start/stop/break, etc. We can offer suggested times based on our previous experiences with similar bookings.

Budget Notes and Attendance Ideas


Costs for the workshops vary depending on many things such as the length of the workshop, the location of the workshop, and where the consultant is coming from (overnight travel, etc.). Costs will be discussed in detail with the contact person during a follow up phone call.

Box Cars charges over and above the agreed upon speaking fee for the following expenses (if applicable).
All travel expenses: these may include:
* mileage on a per mile or kilometer basis,
* ferries and tolls,
* rental vehicle,
* hotels and meals,
* airfare and cab fares,
* workshop handouts.
RECEIPTS ARE PROVIDED

At times, theses expenses can be divided between tag-on bookings or schools (i.e. the workshop is shared by more than one school, or shared between a week of contacts within one area). However, this in NOT guaranteed and should be considered a BONUS!

Schools have shared with us many ideas for getting a good turnout to their Box Cars Workshop.

* Some schools jointly fund the workshop, thus splitting the costs. You can phone surrounding schools or school districts and share the workshop. Most consultants can workshop with up to 100 participants.

* Some schools do charge a fee for attending. A teacher who has registered is more likely to show up if they have invested their own money. Sometimes a school will put out an invitation to other staff to attend and charge a per head fee, thus recouping part of the overall workshop cost.

* Box Cars tries to find "tag-on" booking, when possible, in the general area to help share travel costs.

* Copy one of our games and advertise it with the workshop information. This gives the teachers an idea of what the workshop will involve.

* Some schools have decks of cards donated and then give these away to all those who attend the workshop. Box Cars can also put together a package for those who attend - usually grants or school budgets cover the costs for these.

* Access appropriate grants or "fund-raising" funds (parents advisory council, corporate sponsors, U.S. Eisenhower and Title 1 Funding).

Jane FellingJoanne Currah


Workshop Descriptions
Dice Up Your Professional Staff Development


BASIC MATH GAMES WORKSHOP

LEVELS: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, Special Education

Participants will play a selection of math games from the award winning Box Cars & One-Eyed Jacks series. The workshop will focus on basic card and regular dice games and will cover ideas for teaching numeration, mental math, all operations, place value, graphing, data gathering, cooperative games, integers and more. Strategies are provided throughout. Problem solving is integrated into the games and can be adapted to suit the needs of all students to complement any existing math program. Ideas for resource and classroom management will be provided as well as great ideas for math journals. Get back to the basics.

PIECE IT TOGETHER WITH FRACTIONS

LEVELS: 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, Special Education

The Box Cars authors have done it again! Come prepared to play with unique fraction dice and fraction circles. Games to teach fraction names, comparing fractions, operations with fractions, equivalence, and more will be taught. These manipulatives and our newest games will bring fraction concepts to life for your students in a meaningful hands-on way. We teach the concepts through play which helps develop the understanding before the algorithms are introduced.



PROBABILITY FUN 'DIE' MENTALS

LEVELS: K-3, 4-6, 7-9

The best Box Cars games that put the "eye popping" back into probability. The games will help your students discover the "wow...that's amazing" of this part of the curriculum. Gave activities will extend and connect the learning for students into data management, graphing, outcomes, beginning statistics, predicting and more. Come prepared to Shake Rattle and Roll with all kinds of dice that put the fun back into probability.

OPERATION BOX CARS

LEVELS: 1-3, 4-9, 1-6

This strategy based workshop focuses on the best card, dice and multi-sided dice games that help learners understand and master addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. By connecting strategies with game's practice students will become more empowered and successful. This workshop is for you if you want to help your students develop understanding, proficiency and confidence when it comes time to "operate".

ROLLING IN THE DOUGH
MONEY GAMES FOR KIDS

LEVELS: K-4, 5-9, Special Education

Kids love money and they love games. So it seemed natural to pair the Box Cars Math Game format with the teaching of money concepts. Come prepared to play new card and dice games that teach money concepts, problem solving, probability and the operations. Whole class activities to teach real life connections will also be shared. Participants need to bring assortetd change to this session. Come prepared to play.

POWER PLAY
GAMES FOR PLACE VALUE

LEVELS: 1-3, 4-9, 1-6 Special Education

Get your students on the "power play team". Our most kid popular games that will empower your students with all kinds of strategies, mental math techniques, tricks, tips and more. Games will cover place value, rounding, decimals, and more, and will incorporate the use of cards, dice and multi-sided dice. Come prepared to train your brain on games!

BOX CARS RADICAL MATH

LEVELS: Middle Years 5-9 or 7-9, Special Education

An interactive games workshop using cards, dice and multi-sided dice with a "back to basics" approach. By combining games and problem solving teachers are able to maintain high interest even from the low level student. Areas covered include integers, place value, decimals, operations, order of operation, probability, problem solving, data management and more!



PLAY ON WORDS

LEVELS: K-3, 4-6 or K-6, 7-9 plus Special Needs

Are you a Teacher who is seeking multi-sensory, integrated language activities for your students? This is a hands-on workshop that integrates spelling and reading/literacy skills through the use of cooperative learning games. Unique alphabet dice, stackable letter tiles and decks of sight word cards are some of the motivating materials used to enhance literacy development. Handouts will include reproducible gameboards. Many practical take-home ideas for your students will be shared. Come prepared to get "On A Roll" with Box Cars.

BOX CARS
SCHOOL VISITS / MODEL LESSONS

LEVELS: Elementary - Junior High (Middle Years)

Consultants visit a school for a day and teach as many students as possible. Teachers watch, play and learn strategies right along with their "real students" and experience how it works. Strategies for classroom management and organization are brought to life for teachers who can immediately follow up the visit with implementation. Parents can be invited and participate right along with their children. The entire school community benefits. This workshop is often combined with a Family Math Night.

FAMILY MATH NIGHTS

LEVELS: k-3, 4-6, 7-9

Have parents and students come and play a wide variety of math games that use cards and dice from the award winning Box Cars & One-Eyed Jacks series. During the workshop families will play a wide variety of games to review and strengthen math concepts. Great ideas and strategies will be taught to help students learn the basics. Games are a fun way to provide homework support to your parents and build success and self-esteem for your students. Get your community "shake, rattle and rolling" with this excellent workshop.



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