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/
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.
$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.
