Grades 7 & 8
Shifting Teaching and Learning Online - Part 1
(Mon Oct 26 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
This session could easily have been called "Mistakes I made teaching online and what I learned". Based on over a decade of teaching online, this session will introduce best practices in online teaching and learning for middle and high school teachers.
(Maximum 300 participants)
Robin Kay
(Mon Oct 26 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
This session could easily have been called "Mistakes I made teaching online and what I learned". Based on over a decade of teaching online, this session will introduce best practices in online teaching and learning for middle and high school teachers.
(Maximum 300 participants)
Robin Kay
Shifting Teaching and Learning Online - Part 2
(Mon Nov 2, 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
This workshop will build off Shifting Teaching and Learning Online - Part 1 and focus on specific activities/strategies (in detail) that can be used in a variety synchronous middle school and high classrooms. Participants will experience and learn how to facilitate each type of activity.
(Maximum 300 participants)
Dr Robin Kay
(Mon Nov 2, 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
This workshop will build off Shifting Teaching and Learning Online - Part 1 and focus on specific activities/strategies (in detail) that can be used in a variety synchronous middle school and high classrooms. Participants will experience and learn how to facilitate each type of activity.
(Maximum 300 participants)
Dr Robin Kay
Helpful Tools for Online and Blended Learning
(Tue Oct 27, 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
This interactive workshop focuses on a series of helpful and free online tools that will help teachers (Grades 4 to 12) with organization, assessment and feedback, collaboration, learning modules and activities, mind maps, graphics and video creation. Participants will receive a summary booklet of resources addressed and an opportunity to contribute to an edited book (after the conference) with their favourite online tools.
(Maximum 100 participants)
Robin Kay
(Tue Oct 27, 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
This interactive workshop focuses on a series of helpful and free online tools that will help teachers (Grades 4 to 12) with organization, assessment and feedback, collaboration, learning modules and activities, mind maps, graphics and video creation. Participants will receive a summary booklet of resources addressed and an opportunity to contribute to an edited book (after the conference) with their favourite online tools.
(Maximum 100 participants)
Robin Kay
Adapting Visual Arts for Online and Blended Teaching
(Mon Nov 2, 7:00 - 8:30 pm)
No previous Visual Art experience is required for this session. We will explore how to incorporate digital technology into the Grade 4-8 Visual Arts program for online and blended teaching. It will support, enrich, and extend your Visual Arts program particularly in Art-making where video and stop-motion activities to engage students will be introduced. Various ways to conduct Critical Analysis and the use of digital portfolios to increase creativity will be explored.
(Maximum 36 participants)
John Bebbington with Bryden Mac Donald & Mandi Touma
(Mon Nov 2, 7:00 - 8:30 pm)
No previous Visual Art experience is required for this session. We will explore how to incorporate digital technology into the Grade 4-8 Visual Arts program for online and blended teaching. It will support, enrich, and extend your Visual Arts program particularly in Art-making where video and stop-motion activities to engage students will be introduced. Various ways to conduct Critical Analysis and the use of digital portfolios to increase creativity will be explored.
(Maximum 36 participants)
John Bebbington with Bryden Mac Donald & Mandi Touma
Creating Virtual Literature Circles: Community, Courageous Conversations and Student Choice
(Mon Oct 26, 7:00 - 8:30 pm & Wed Oct 28 7:00 - 8:30 pm)
A wide body of research has long shown that classroom literature circles can build community, develop critical thinking, oral communication and listening skills, and deepen understanding of books through ongoing conversations. But, what happens in an online environment? How can teachers build community, facilitate meaningful discussion, and gather authentic assessment data when students are meeting virtually instead of face to face? During this session we will share strategies as to how teachers can foster a sense of community, encourage reflection and rich dialogue on a variety of text forms including fiction and non-fiction books, poetry, graphic novels and others, while providing opportunities for students to creatively demonstrate their knowledge in digital forums on topics that reflect their own interests and passions. A number of formative and summative assessment strategies will conclude the session. Participants will receive an abundance of fresh ideas, activities, and resources that support virtual literature circles and how they can be used to tackle a number of important issues within our society and globally. Join us for discussions about integrating inclusive texts into our classrooms, modernizing the literature circle, embracing perspectives and narratives of those marginalized in society, and providing a forum where our students can share their thoughts, and have their voices heard and acknowledged.
(Maximum 60 participants)
Stephanie Thompson with Jennifer Birnie, Emma McWatt & Nicholas Rita
(Mon Oct 26, 7:00 - 8:30 pm & Wed Oct 28 7:00 - 8:30 pm)
A wide body of research has long shown that classroom literature circles can build community, develop critical thinking, oral communication and listening skills, and deepen understanding of books through ongoing conversations. But, what happens in an online environment? How can teachers build community, facilitate meaningful discussion, and gather authentic assessment data when students are meeting virtually instead of face to face? During this session we will share strategies as to how teachers can foster a sense of community, encourage reflection and rich dialogue on a variety of text forms including fiction and non-fiction books, poetry, graphic novels and others, while providing opportunities for students to creatively demonstrate their knowledge in digital forums on topics that reflect their own interests and passions. A number of formative and summative assessment strategies will conclude the session. Participants will receive an abundance of fresh ideas, activities, and resources that support virtual literature circles and how they can be used to tackle a number of important issues within our society and globally. Join us for discussions about integrating inclusive texts into our classrooms, modernizing the literature circle, embracing perspectives and narratives of those marginalized in society, and providing a forum where our students can share their thoughts, and have their voices heard and acknowledged.
(Maximum 60 participants)
Stephanie Thompson with Jennifer Birnie, Emma McWatt & Nicholas Rita
Introduction to Online Inquiry-based Science Projects: Part 1
(Tue Oct 27 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
This session will assist teachers explore some science investigative strategies but with greater collaborative discussions. This presentation will guide teachers to develop online inquiry activities to build critical and creative thinking. Inquiry activities involve constructing knowledge, developing research strategies, and communicating the findings for real world events. Be it in grade 3 or grades 8, these inquiry processes develop tech-savvy learners and builds important habits of minds. This approach develops curiosity, inclusivity, open-mindedness, stewardship and genuine care for society, and will prepare learners for our ever changing world of technology. Teachers will gain strategies to organize skill development and do real projects that matters to students. Participants will receive access to an e-book on facilitating inquiry projects in their classes. Learn to facilitate students doing open-ended projects online.
(Maximum 30 participants)
Gabriel Roman Ayyavoo & Shannon Hill
(Tue Oct 27 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
This session will assist teachers explore some science investigative strategies but with greater collaborative discussions. This presentation will guide teachers to develop online inquiry activities to build critical and creative thinking. Inquiry activities involve constructing knowledge, developing research strategies, and communicating the findings for real world events. Be it in grade 3 or grades 8, these inquiry processes develop tech-savvy learners and builds important habits of minds. This approach develops curiosity, inclusivity, open-mindedness, stewardship and genuine care for society, and will prepare learners for our ever changing world of technology. Teachers will gain strategies to organize skill development and do real projects that matters to students. Participants will receive access to an e-book on facilitating inquiry projects in their classes. Learn to facilitate students doing open-ended projects online.
(Maximum 30 participants)
Gabriel Roman Ayyavoo & Shannon Hill
Online Scaffolding with K - 12 Teachers on their Current Science Inquiry - Part 2
(Thu Nov 5 7:00 - 8:30 pm)
With the current pandemic crisis, doing sciences online may promote building authentic investigative skills in students. Using more discussions in Breakout Groups, teachers will present their ideas/strategies that they have begun or will begin soon. Possible resources for accessing General Sciences/ Biology/Chemistry/Physics materials and mentorship opportunities will be discussed for intermediate/senior students. Teachers will collaborate in breakout groups on their current strategies, preferably in their teaching panels (i.e., k-3, 4-6, 7-8 and 9-12). This part 2 workshop presents further opportunities for classroom teachers to collaborate in developing more inquiry teaching strategies. Collaborative discussions may include, assessing their procedures/methods, interpreting data, applying solutions and presenting their findings via online platforms. At the end of this session, teachers will leave with more shared and improved ideas to mentor their students’ current class projects. This builds on Introduction to Online Inquiry-based Science Projects: Part 1 on Oct 27 or Oct 29.
(Maximum 30 participants)
Gabriel Roman Ayyavoo & Shannon Hill
(Thu Nov 5 7:00 - 8:30 pm)
With the current pandemic crisis, doing sciences online may promote building authentic investigative skills in students. Using more discussions in Breakout Groups, teachers will present their ideas/strategies that they have begun or will begin soon. Possible resources for accessing General Sciences/ Biology/Chemistry/Physics materials and mentorship opportunities will be discussed for intermediate/senior students. Teachers will collaborate in breakout groups on their current strategies, preferably in their teaching panels (i.e., k-3, 4-6, 7-8 and 9-12). This part 2 workshop presents further opportunities for classroom teachers to collaborate in developing more inquiry teaching strategies. Collaborative discussions may include, assessing their procedures/methods, interpreting data, applying solutions and presenting their findings via online platforms. At the end of this session, teachers will leave with more shared and improved ideas to mentor their students’ current class projects. This builds on Introduction to Online Inquiry-based Science Projects: Part 1 on Oct 27 or Oct 29.
(Maximum 30 participants)
Gabriel Roman Ayyavoo & Shannon Hill
Fear of Coding? Fear No More
(Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:00 - 8:30 pm & Wed Nov 4, 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
Are you thinking, "How am I ever going to teach my students to code when I know so little about it myself?" If you are, you are not alone. In this session, we will walk through the specific curriculum expectations and how to use Code.org to support yourself and your students in this journey. We will discuss what is coding, how it connects to math and other subject areas, and provide you with the tools you need to get started and continue.
(Maximum 30 participants)
Joy Benjamin
(Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:00 - 8:30 pm & Wed Nov 4, 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
Are you thinking, "How am I ever going to teach my students to code when I know so little about it myself?" If you are, you are not alone. In this session, we will walk through the specific curriculum expectations and how to use Code.org to support yourself and your students in this journey. We will discuss what is coding, how it connects to math and other subject areas, and provide you with the tools you need to get started and continue.
(Maximum 30 participants)
Joy Benjamin
An Introduction to Coding and Math
(Mon Oct 26, 4:30 – 6:00 pm & Tue Oct 27 7:00 - 8:30 pm & Mon Nov 2, 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
If you have never coded before, just coded a little, or you are not sure how to learn math through coding, this workshop is for you. We will go through several 'hands on' activities to give you a head start on learning to code and learning mathematics. Practical, free, online resources will be shared and critiqued so you can make informed choices about what you bring to your students.
(Maximum 30 participants)
Iain Brodie with Shawna McCracken
(Mon Oct 26, 4:30 – 6:00 pm & Tue Oct 27 7:00 - 8:30 pm & Mon Nov 2, 4:30 – 6:00 pm)
If you have never coded before, just coded a little, or you are not sure how to learn math through coding, this workshop is for you. We will go through several 'hands on' activities to give you a head start on learning to code and learning mathematics. Practical, free, online resources will be shared and critiqued so you can make informed choices about what you bring to your students.
(Maximum 30 participants)
Iain Brodie with Shawna McCracken
Meeting the New Coding Expectations through Art & Storytelling Activities
(Wed Oct 28 4:30 – 6:00 pm & Wed Nov 4, 7:00 - 8:30 pm)
New coding environments have lots of possibilities for creative expression. Come explore art, animation and language activities that meet all the coding expectations within the new curriculum. After our creative explorations, we will discuss the curricular connections embedded in these activities. This session is suitable for beginning coders.
Maximum 40 participants)
Diane Tepylo with Mandi Touma and Bryden MacDonald
(Wed Oct 28 4:30 – 6:00 pm & Wed Nov 4, 7:00 - 8:30 pm)
New coding environments have lots of possibilities for creative expression. Come explore art, animation and language activities that meet all the coding expectations within the new curriculum. After our creative explorations, we will discuss the curricular connections embedded in these activities. This session is suitable for beginning coders.
Maximum 40 participants)
Diane Tepylo with Mandi Touma and Bryden MacDonald