Archives: learning

Three ways to spice up classroom activities

Spring is here, and with the changing seasons come some fresh ideas for your class.

Bringing the Global Community into the Classroom

CLC is about more than connecting your students to the local community. The global community offers a vital learning experience for inspiring young minds. The Centre for Global Education based in Edmonton, Alta., is one way for CLCs to expand their reach.

Each month, TCGE hosts a series of video conferences on everything thing from body systems, to the environment, and global issues. The conferences are opportunity for CLCs to interact with experts around the world without having to step outside their classrooms. What can your class do?

Canada’s History Contest

Visualizing information is a more versatile way to encourage writing and reading in the classroom for students struggling with literacy skills. Canada’s History blog Kayak is inviting students to participate in a contest to illustrate a piece of Canadian history through graphic novel or illustrated story.

Submissions are from 500 to 1200 words and include illustrations or historical photos. The contest is open to students between the ages of seven and 14.

The top two writers in French and English will receive a $1000 RESP and a trip to Ottawa. Twenty-five stories will be selected in English and French for publication as a special digital edition of Kayak and published on their website. The contest deadline is June 14, 2014.

Finding Voices in Education for Change

Even teachers need a little inspiration. Check out these five TED talks on bringing change into the classroom.

Forming networks key to CBSL project success

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A successful Community-based Service Learning project (CBSL) forms networks among schools, community members, and other teachers to give students positive and educational experiences, agreed teachers at this year’s CLC Teacher Institute.

The conference, held on Jan. 21 and 22, brought together teachers from across the province to share ideas and build stronger connections for their own CBSL projects.

Melissa Laroque, a grade five teacher at the Gault Institute in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, said hearing about successful projects from other schools encouraged the creative use of resources specific to a region, especially in communities with limited finances.

“We come from small areas and you hear about other schools like, ‘Oh, they have salmon,’” she said, referring to a salmon-spawning project at Gaspé Elementary in Gaspé, QC. “You really have to work with what you have.”

During a brainstorming session on enhancing CBSL projects, white poster paper decorated with rainbow-coloured Post-it notes and felt markers outlined the aspects that worked and others that needed improvement.

Actively involving students and building self-esteem were among the list of priorities echoed by many educators.

“You have to be passionate,” said one teacher. “But the fact is, students need to be passionate, too”.

You can view photos from the CLC Teacher Institute by clicking here.