Feb 6, 2011

Update 2011

OESSTA News Jan 2011

 Hello teachers, this is our final chance to let the Ministry of Education hear us about the Social Studies, Geography and History Curriculum Draft.

 

OESSTA (Ontario Elementary Social Studies Teachers’ Association) is composed of teachers from public and Catholic School Boards and we have members from different regions in the province. Our goal is support educators who teach Social Studies and Geography and History (grade 7&8).

 1) Curriculum Review     (Survey due date - February 22, 2011)

Our survey is posted at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SSGH_curriculum_review

Links to the curriculum

Please share this with your peers.

Executive Summary Primary Junior  Intermediate

Inquiry Model 1-6  Inquiry Model 7-8  Grade 7/8 Comparisons


 

The Ministry has heard the following from teachers and other stakeholders. The curriculum should include:

Concept Clarity (a “big picture” going beyond information and knowledge based content

Relevant And Meaningful Issues

Engaging Multiple Perspectives

Skills Focused

Action Oriented “Doing the Discipline”

 We can consider the following when reviewing the draft:

• Assess the revised expectations

• Check for clarity, coherence, and balance

• Provide suggestions

 

Please look at a grade or a division and add your comments. Feel free to answer some or all of the questions. We will submit a report to the Ministry on your behalf.

 

2) Conference for Junior Educators

 

If you are in the GTA area you are invited to InteGreat!

Integrated Curricular Planning for the Junior Grades

Hosted by the Ontario Association of Junior Educators

Wednesday February 23, 2011, from 4:30 to 7:30

OISE/UT

252 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1V6

Deadline for registering is February 22, 2011

Register at www.oajeintegreat.eventbrite.com

 $25 for general admission including a light dinner

4:30-5:30 Keynote

 Integration Matters: What does it mean?

Jim Strachan instructional leader from TDSB, responsible for the teacher induction program

 5:30-6:00 Light Dinner (provided)

6:00-7:30 Breakout sessions focused on integrated planning facilitated by subject specialists.

Starting with Math: Considering Integration of Mathematical Learning

Cathy Marks-Krpan.

A Place for Drama: Considering Integration of the Arts

Larry Swartz

Social Studies as the content to build literacy

Byron Stevenson  and Kevin Phillips

 HOT (Higher Order Thinking) Health Lessons that Integrate Mathematical and Media Literacy

Julie Anderson

 

3) The OLA (Ontario Library Association) Super Conference workshop

     February 5, at 10:45

 

Social Studies Success!   

Margaret Geare, Teacher-Librarian, Peel DSB, Vice-President OESSTA; Byron Stevenson, Toronto DSB, President OESSTA

  Learn how to effectively teach students to apply historical thinking skills through a successful inquiry process. Students learn how to analyze issues or individuals of personal significance by generating questions and examining information that reflects different perspectives and a variety of resources (primary/secondary sources). Explore the Heritage Fair process that engages students as they create personally meaningful projects and presentations for a class, school or regional Heritage Fair based on the project-based inquiry process. Strategies, rubrics and resources will be provided.