Dec 11, 2013

OESSTA Roll Out News #2

The OESSTA Rollout project is moving along. We have completed projects relating to integrating math and social studies, teaching combined grades and how to approach the document as a team. We hope to have our new webpage designed in the new year. Lesson for grade 4 and 7 supported by OTF should also be released shortly. 


Opportunities for Teachers

ETFO is seeking writers for Teaching Green Resource ,need experience in jr. years  
deadline -November 22, 2013. tinyurl.com/mptwaex

Saturday, November 23, 2013     (For those close to the GTA)
Teacher Appreciation Day at the ROM!
Join us as we celebrate Teachers at the ROM!
Arrive between 10 am – 1 pm for a full day of museum admission.
Interested in how the ROM can help you inspire your students? Sign up to receive information on free teacher appreciation events and education-related program offerings. Learn about how the ROM can support your teaching goals and inspire your students with unique experiences and hands-on learning opportunities that can’t be had anywhere else!
Teachers and 1 Guest get into the ROM for free!

Heritage Fairs 
Heritage Fairs are rich, engaging performance tasks that promote student learning. The project is an excellent way for students to practice inquiry skills and use the disciplinary thinking concepts.
Students from grade 4 to grade 8 are invited to participate in the event.  By participating  Heritage Fairs, teachers encourage cross-curricular knowledge and skills within a Canadian theme. The activity fits within the language and/or History/Geography Social Studies curriculum areas. It is excellent for combined grades.
For details on Heritage Fairs go to the Ontario Heritage fair site  http://www.ohhfa.ca/
See if there are Heritage Fairs in your region

  Professional Discussion  (Thursday)
 Participate in the OESSTA (Ontario Elementary Social Studies Teachers Association) social media network and explore the New Revised Social Studies, History and Geography on twitter @oessta1 and use the hashtag #ontsshg for discussion. There will be a twitter chat on Thursday nights at 9:00-10:00 to discuss, share ideas and strategies. Hope you will follow!
 Focus – Historical Thinking

Heritage and Identity Webinar – November 26, 2013 from 4-5 PM
 Historica Canada in conjunction with the Ontario Elementary Social Studies Teachers’ Association is offering a webinar focusing on Passages to Canada.
Passages to Canada is a storytelling initiative of Historica Canada, Passages Canada volunteers share their personal accounts of cultural identity and heritage on-line in our multimedia Story Archive and in person with schools and community groups.
 Since 2002, over 900 speakers have created dialogue on Canada's rich diversity with over 250,000 youth and adults, as we continue to build understanding and respect for Canada’s shared history and values.
During the webinar this resource will be explored and clear links to the 2013 revised Social Studies Curriculum will be discussed.
 To register click below:
 You will need to download an app for the event details to follow.
(I have spoken with teachers who have guest speakers visit their classes each year. This is a highly recommended program.)
  Resources
Combined Grades Webpage
 The Social World Studies and Humanities and the Science and Technology departments have collaborated to create a website designed to help teachers plan for their combined grades classes. The site includes draft samples of unit plans, videos and teaching/ learning strategies. Additional information regarding the 2013 Revised Social Studies History and Geography Curriculum has been added.
To support geographical thinking in grades 1-8

What is where?
Definition of Geography to guide program development (all of our geographically based units can address this definition)

Sense Of Place
Drawing on Children’s “Sense of Place” – The Starting Point for Teaching Social Studies and Geography

Using ArcGIS Online
 The recent webinar regarding the use of this software for grades 1-8 has been shared on the ESRI website.
 Visit http://tinyurl.com/krehrn4 to access the webinar. An app is needed to runt he software, so it may work better outside the firewall.
Site of the Month
Ontario Historical Society
See the Ontario Heritage Directory:
 This database of over 1,600 contacts will help connect your classroom to its local history!  Find nearby museums, archives, historic sites, libraries, and historical societies.
http://www.ontariohistoricalsociety.ca/en/For-Teachers_181
Teaching/Learning Strategies
Consider Pinterest, I have added a page relating to geographic skills:
https://www.pinterest.com/helencaldwel/primary-geography/

No comments:

Post a Comment