Susan Jacobs is a veteran teacher with more than two decades in the classroom. For the last 18

years she has taught third grade at Glenwood School in Enid, Oklahoma, where she has been

honored twice as Teacher of the Year. She has also been named Teacher of the Year by the Air

Force Association and the Enid Masonic Lodge. Susan is a Master Teacher with the Oklahoma

Energy Resources Board, conducting science workshops throughout the state. She is one of the

co-authors of OERB’s Fossils to Fuel curriculum used in Oklahoma primary classrooms. She

was a trainer for the University of Oklahoma’s Summer Flight Academy for two years and has

since started her own flight academy in Enid, which has grown each year since its founding in

2006. Susan is a former administrative staff member for the International Institute of Literacy

Learning’s Pathways to Literacy workshops and this summer is joining Pathways as a presenter.

She is the co-author of a new picture book, O is for Oil, scheduled for release in summer 2009.

Using Blogs in the Classroom: A Great Tool for Student Publication and Parent Communication

Even if you’ve never set up a blog before, you’ll know how after this workshop. It’s taught in a computer

lab, so you can actually set up a blog while you’re there. You’ll learn the do’s and don’ts  of blogging and

see how you can use blogs to publish student writing and communicate with parents better than you ever

thought was possible. Even if you’re technophobic, check this out. Anyone who can type, can blog. 

Focus: All levels.

Inquiry-Based Learning in Science:  Hands-On, Activity-Oriented Projects that Help Kids Think

Like Scientists

Meaning-based learning isn’t just for language arts. The same concepts that can transform a writer’s

workshop can make science learning process-oriented. You’ll learn how to take a concept that you’re

already teaching and design activities that help young scientists discover principles for themselves, not

just memorize what the curriculum dishes out. 

Focus: K-5

Writer’s Workshop 101:  How to Get a Workshop Started in Your Classroom

This is for new teachers or teachers who are just getting writer’s workshop started in their classroom.

You’ll see what to do on day one and week one, and how to cope with the typical problems that come up

in new writer’s workshops. Bring your questions and frustrations and get some answers. 

Focus: K-5

Writing About Science:  How to Set Up Science Notebooking in Your Class

Science notebooks are a great tool to get students to think about science concepts in a new way. When

students write about science, their understanding deepens. You’ll go through the steps of setting up

notebooks and come away with a game plan for using notebooks in your class next year.

Focus: 2-5

Linking Literature to Science and Math Instruction

It’s a match made in the classroom!  This workshop explores ways you can integrate children’s literature

into science and math. 

Focus: K-4