Making Math and Science FUN and MEANINGFUL

by Sherial McKinney, Connie Shugart and Anna Owen
December 1, 2010
Reg. 8:30 AM, Workshop 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Description/Bio: Early childhood professionals and parents of children ages 3-5 years old will participate in hands-on mathematic and science activities. The first portion of this workshop will focus on incorporating math concepts such as geometry, numbers, and measurement into your daily experiences. The second portion of this workshop will explore ways to use scientific processes, skills, and concepts with young children. Ideas presented are based on the Illinois Early Learning Standards and current research. The engaging activities in this workshop will make exploring math and science fun, easy, and meaningful!

Sherial McKinney, M.S. Ed., has taught and worked in the field of early childhood education for over 35 years. She has taught Early Childhood Special Education in a self-contained setting and in a blended program with Pre-K at Risk students as well as teaching Kindergarten, Title I Reading and Math for grades K-8, and in a federally funded child care program. In addition, she has worked with STARnet Regions I and III as a full-time and part-time Early Childhood Resource Specialist.

Connie Shugart is currently the Assistant Project Coordinator and an Early Childhood Resource Specialist for STARnet Regions I & III. She has had numerous years in early childhood teaching and/or training early childhood professionals and parents of young children. Connie has also been the Executive Producer and host of Apples Video Magazine programs.

Anna Owen is an Early Childhood Resource Specialist with STARnet Regions I and III. She provides technical assistance and support to teachers of children birth to age eight, focusing primarily on children with special needs. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and participated in a post-graduate program to obtain her Early Childhood Teaching Certificate in Illinois. Anna has served as a regional training coordinator for Child Care Resource and Referral, a parent educator providing home visits to families with children ages birth-to-five, and as a teacher for an at-risk preschool program.

This training will provide 5.0 hours for the following:

• CPDUs (Continuing Professional Development Units) for teacher certification
• CDA (Child Development Associate) credit in area(s) #2 & #8
• CE credit for SLP, SW, LCPC, PT, and OT professionals

Full attendance is required to receive a certificate of participation.