The CARE Project (Collaborating About Reading Engagement) launched this September on the Sunshine Coast.  A team from each elementary school attends the sessions, including Primary, Intermediate, Support Services, Aboriginal Education, and Reading Support Teachers and Principals. Monthly meetings are held to develop a network for sharing values, mindsets and strategies of collaborative reading supports across our district. Primary and Intermediate teachers in the project each receive 2 half days of release time per month for collaboration time to support reading practice.

Through the CARE Project, educators in the district have been able to participate in some wonderful professional development to support the student literacy. 

Faye Brownlie led a session on reading assessments in October, and each time school teams participate in the CARE project we provide time for teams to plan for reading assessments.

Teachers had a chance to examine the factors that influence reading enjoyment and to purchase outstanding, new books in the November CARE Project meeting and in an after school ‘Supporting Readers’ session with Vancouver Kidsbooks.

Infusing learning with indigenous literature and knowledge was the focus of the January CARE Project session.  Our district Aboriginal Support Team described the collaborative work they do to support teachers and students.  Terri Mack from Strong Nations Publishing then highlighted stories and strategies that build community and teach culture.  The district supported elementary school teams in purchasing literature to support indigenous ways of learning in the classroom.

Many of the teachers and StrongStart facilitators in the district were able to learn about ‘Multiple Paths to Literacy’ during a full day with Miriam Trehearne on the district professional development day in February.  In March, an amazing session titled ‘We Are All Connected’ with Adrienne Gear was offered. Books from both authors have been purchased for staff at all schools. 

If you have questions, feel free to contact me (Kirsten Deasey) at kdeasey@sd46.bc.ca or 604-741-5787.

The Writing Strategies Book Coming Spring 2017

Hello ELN members:

Jennifer Serravallo's Reading Strategies Book has been a huge success in helping teachers and their readers. Now she's doing the same for writing. The Writing Strategies Book provides 300 strategies that support 10 crucial instructional goals. Heinemann is offering a pre-publication discount of 10% if ordered before February 15th, 2017.

Use the Promo Code PREPD and save 10%! Online orders only (Image links to Pearson Canada site).

Okanagan Mainline Fall ELN meeting

Whenever our group comes together, I'm always amazed by the wisdom and experience around the table.  Although we take time to share what our districts are doing, we seldom have a chance to go deeper on a few topics.  At our session on November 4th, Jen Kelly (North Okanagan-Shuswap) organized a World Café activity to allow us to collaborate and discuss questions that matter.  Tables with chairs arranged around them allowed for comfortable conversations.  At each table, sat a large sheet of paper with a compelling question, such as:

• In what ways would self-assessment of core competencies be most beneficial for students?
• In what ways would reporting to parents be most beneficial for the student, parent and teacher?
• In what ways does the renewed curriculum change how we teach literacy in the primary classroom?
• In what ways are you excited and/or apprehensive about helping teachers navigate the new curriculum?
• What are you thoughts on "The Rights of a Reader"?  How does this fit into a primary classroom?
• In what ways does the First Peoples Principles of Learning connect to literacy? 

Jen outlined the activity to our group, encouraging us to share our ideas and perspectives or to listen respectfully, and we were ready to begin. Many of us started to jot down our ideas down or doodle on the sheets of paper right away, as we made connections to our own thinking.  We were excited, we laughed, we listened and we learned.  After a short time we moved to a different table, with one of us staying behind to act as a 'table host' for the next group. We moved once more, then shared out with the whole group what we had learned.


As someone new to the World Café activity, I found it a great way to connect and "cross-pollinate ideas" with my colleagues.  



  

Eco Educators' Night

More teachers are wondering how to create outdoor learning opportunities for students.  The Langley School District decided to host a series of three Eco Educators' nights where teachers and support staff, ECE preschool teachers, members of the Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations and other community members come together to discuss ways build outdoor learning for children.  Langley partnered with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks to create these evenings where participants could share resources and ideas as well as make connections with others.  We scheduled each session to take place at a different regional park to help feature the wonderful learning spaces Langley has to offer.
Our first night brought 40 participants together.  The Langley School District featured bins available for sign out through their Media Centre for classroom teachers.  Different bins include: ropes, pulleys, tarps, outdoor kitchen supplies, tools that support writing, waterproof iPad covers, compasses, shovels etc...  Metro Vancouver also featured outdoor learning benefits, supports and resources available. As well, we were guided through some easy to do activities like making nature perfume and finding sit spots. It was a positive evening that made us look forward to the next opportunity to get together again.  Potential themes for future sessions include Outdoor Education and the New Curriculum and Place Based Education.  

Exploring Music Education in the Elementary Years, Surrey

This Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies, developed in partnership with School District #36 (Surrey) for elementary music specialists and generalists who seek to deepen their understanding of music education and inquiry. Program Themes •   Exploring and developing core principles in elementary music education •   Supporting teachings in developing students' core competencies (Thinking, Communication, and Personal and Social) •   Using music to address the diverse needs of learners •   Exploring voice and instrumentation •   Exploring music as a form of personal and professional inquiry •   Developing an understanding of the ways in which music is transformative in the education and life of each learner •   Designing learning activities that effectively integrate music across the curriculum The Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies in Education (GDE) is a two-year 30-credit program of study for teachers whose primary focus is school-based educational practice. It provides the opportunity to engage in focused, sustained reflective inquiry. Completion of the diploma allows teachers to move from TQS category 4 to TQS category 5 or from category 5 to 5+. RSVP for a free information session: Tues. Dec. 6, 4:00–5:00pm District Education Centre, Room # 1231, 14033 – 92 Ave. , Surrey Tues. Jan. 10, 4:00-5:00pm Golden Ears Elementary, Room #1032, 23124 118 Ave, Maple Ridge or email: npilgrim@sfu.ca for more information or to register for an information session. 

On the Sunshine Coast we have developed a strategy called ‘Coast READS’ – modeled after the CBC radio initiative ‘Canada Reads’.  We work with our community partners (including Welcoming Communities, Early Years Centres and Literacy Council) and our school staff, including teachers and librarians to choose books ranging from the early years all the way up to adult fiction.  We have these books in all of our school and public libraries and hold events where we will debate these book selections.  The purpose is to celebrate the JOY of reading, school- community connections, intergenerational literacy, and to create community-wide conversations! Take a look at this year’s book selections: