november

=November Outline= 1.) Presentations - The presentations that were to take place on Nov. 4 will be shared on Nov. 10 Vanessa's group has a problem with that night - they can present the following week. 2.) All other assignments are pushed back a week. I will take time next class to show you what a Google Earth activity might/could look like. I do encourage folks to try this because it is likely new and therefore a greater opportunity to learn. If you choose this route, as i said you can work with a partner who is in a similar grade and learn together. I will explain more next week so breathe...... 3.) Using technology to support learning in Social Studies One of the changes of today's learners is their exposure to digital media. While not all learners have the same exposure and access at home, all students are growing up in a world that is inundated with media. There are numerous implications for this. 4.) What does effective use of technology look like in the classroom? Tuesday night we will have a Skype call with a first year teacher that was in my Social Studies class two years ago. [|Visit her classroom blog] to see what role technology is playing. How could a blog like this be used as well for Social Studies? Kathy Cassidy is a Grade One teacher in Moose Jaw. She is known internationally for her work with Grade One bloggers. [|Check out Kathy's Grade One blog.]
 * November 4** - cancelled
 * Firstly, as teachers we cannot ignore the influence of technology and hope that it will go away and that you, as a teacher, do not have to deal with it. That would be like trying to ignore the presence of any other media (including books, tv, radio). Many of your learners have spent hours online or playing digital games or even playing tv. Their brains are wired for stimulation and one of the challenges of the classroom, is that it can be a "steady state" environment if we are not aware of how we need to respond to the brain's wiring.
 * Students have access to the world outside of our classrooms. Why would you not tap into one of the greatest resources and sources of multimedia when they can access it in other places? For some students, the classroom can easily be an environment where they have to "dumb down" because they have to listen to "one voice" or only access "one resource".
 * As a result of the influence of media, many students do not think or do not want to learn in the traitional, linear approach that schools/teachers have historically taken. Think instead of options, choices, non-linear....
 * Learnning Styles - Technology provides a tremendous opportunity for multiple ways of learning and multiple ways of representing your understanding. Yes we have to be clear about our instructional goals, but the are many more opportunities to learn, interact, collaborate and cooperate and demonstrate when you tap into the powe of technology. For example - This "[|Virtual Fitness Centre]" is an online resource I created several years ago to demonstrate how technology could support differentiation in the classroom. In the interest of time, visit the resources in "The Cardio" section.

November 10
2.) Chapter 11- Escaping the Typical Report Trap 3.) Chapter 12 - Infusing a Spirit of Critical Inquiry 4.) Note information on Interdisciplinary planning for final project 5.) Here are some ways some teachers have incorporated [|digital storytelling with Aboriginal Content and Perspectives]. I understand that you will have your Treaty workshop shortly so perhaps this will provide some ideas. Here is a video I made from photographs taken at [|Regina Public School's Metis Days] last June in Wascana Park. This video takes a while to load - please be patient. What ideas can you incorporate into your classroom? 6.) Some thoughts about Aboriginal perspectives
 * Topics:** Chapter presentations; Skype call with Gr. 1 Teacher; Global Education Assignment
 * Assignments:** 1.) Read [|Identifying Inquiry in the K - 5 Classroom] (from a science perspective - think in terms of Social Studies)

November 17
Assignments: 1.) [|Teaching Treaties in the Classroom]- help yourself be prepared for your upcoming workshop by familiarizing yourself with this resource. 2.) How else can we make learning fun and engaging in Social Studies? Here are some ideas: >>
 * Topics:** Final Chapter Presentation; Sharing Telecollaboration and Geography activities; Skype call - Collaboration in Action; Assigned reading discussions; No More Bird Reports
 * [|PowerPoint Games]
 * Here is a sample ([|source]) Geography Jeopardy - take a template and make it your own - remember what you want the students to learn and zero in on important facts not trivial facts
 * [|Geography songs]
 * [|Continent Song]
 * [|Songs for Teachings] (more topics and subjects)
 * Handout - Learning activities from "Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites"

November 24
b.) No More Bird Reports (this will build on your reading from 2 weeks ago from Chapter 11- Escaping the Typical Report Trap and Chapter 12 - Infusing a Spirit of Critical Inquiry. Please make sure you are ready to discuss these. c.) What is Inquiry? 1.) Aboriginal Education- addition to resource page 2.) Please be familiar with the **Teaching Treaties in the Classroom** resource from last week
 * Topics:** a.) 5 Themes of Geography and the Dynamic Relationships goal of SS
 * Assignments**