     | Emergency First Aid and CPR, February 2010 The Mandt System, July 2011 A training program designed to build healthy workplace relationships by supporting all people and preventing injury by using the least restrictive alternatives. Subjects discussed included building healthy relationships, building healthy communication, building healthy conflict resolution, trauma informed services, and behavior support. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, July 2011 During this training session, we learned how to appropriately deal with potentially threatening behavior in a calm and nonthreatening way to ensure that no one is hurt. We discussed deescalation techniques and practiced the physical intereventions with partners and in groups. Make 'n Take Math Games (K-4), September 2011 In this session, we received many handouts and resources for different kinds of math games and activities. We played some of them and made a few to take home with us. I later used many of the games from this session to make my math tool kit- a ready to use selection of math games and activities. Play on Words: Literacy Games (K-4) by Jane Felling, Box Cars and One Eyed Jacks owner, September 2011 This was a very fun and informative workshop where we were introduced to all kind of literacy games using materials such as stackable tile letters, 30 sided alphabet dice, word decks and other materials. All participants received a Box Cars and One Eyed Jacks book full of all of the games that we discussed plus many more. I also won a kit with alphabet dice, stackable letters, and an additional book full of game ideas. It was an amazing workshop where I learned a lot of ways to make spelling and reading fun. Real World Teaching (K-12), October 2011, by Brian Cox In this workshop, Brian described how he has changed his class reading and writing workshops to coincide with how reading and writing is used in the real world to help students find meaning in their work. His students are intrinsically motivated- boys that were struggling readers have come to love reading because they get to chose books that are meaningful to them. Lessons and testing all come from within the books that they have chosen themselves. Writing is always meaningful as it is seen by an audience. It is often put online or displayed in their classroom. This workshop illustrated to me that students are much more responsive and willing to put in effort when they are shown how their school work in relevant to the real world. The Fab Five: Beginning Teachers Workshop, October 2011 This was a two day conference taking place in Brandon, Mb for teachers in their first five years of teaching. The sessions that I chose to attend were: Working with EAL students (K-6)- focused on strategies and resources to help teachers meet the needs of these students. Meeting Special Needs (early and middle years)- focus on planning for special needs, developing IEP's, and adapting curriculum and assessment. Controversial Issues in the Classroom- a great hands on workshop which encouraged us to think about our own perspective on controversial issues and to challenge students to develop skills, knowledge and attitudes in order to consider arguments based on principles of social justice, equity, and global citizenship. The main idea I took away was that when individuals share their personal perspectives and reasoning related to issues, you are more likely to move closer to understanding and relating to one another. Working with Educational Assistants- clarified the differences in roles and responsibilities of teachers and EA's. We learned what to do to create create effective working argument and addressed problems that many teachers have with Ea's and how to appropriately deal with them The Role of Storytelling- I learned that a strong student teacher relationship at core of effective teaching. By encouraging students to share their stories and using them as learning opportunities, you create community in your classroom and help students relate to the material. |
   | Digital Storytelling, January 2012, by Ron Nordstrom This was an excellent all day hands-on workshop that illustrated some of the many ways that children can demonstrate their learning using digital tools. The programs that we tried included making radio plays, electronic scrapbooks, comic books and movie making. We were given many ideas as to what each program could be used for in the classroom. Digital storytelling is a great way to incorporate the ICT continuum into your teaching and to get students engaged in their learning. I think that students of all ages would have so much fun with these programs, I know I did! Introduction to EAL in Brandon School Division (K-12), January 2012, by Kelly Fuhr This session provided an overview of the different programs and services available to EAL students in Brandon. We learned about the process that their families go through in coming to Brandon. Since the father often comes to Canada at least two years before his family can come, it can be a difficult adjustment when the families are reacquainted when they finally arrive. This workshop helped me get a feel for what it is like to be an EAL student coming to a new country which I think will help me to better understand their struggle when I encounter a student in my classroom. Kelly also sent us all of the information from her other workshop, "How to make an EAL survival kit". Including Exceptional Children in EY Classroms through Music and Drama (K-3), January 2012, by Dr. Sheila Scott I was immediately drawn to this PD when I first heard about it because of my love for drama and music. In this hands on workshop we performed a series of skits/exercises incorporating props, music and movement that Dr. Scott, a professor in the school of music, does with her class of exceptional children. We then discussed the benefits of these exercises and what they help teach in the classroom. Using music and drama is one of the ways in which you can include exceptional children with the rest of the class with benefits for all. I also took the opportunity to observe Dr. Scott's class so see her ideas in action. Dealing with Difficult Students (K-12), February 2012, by Blake Stephens This workshop offered strategies and tools for dealing with the especially difficult students in your classrooms. Blake was very knowledgeable on the subject and had many (kind of scary) stories to share. The main suggestion of the workshop was to work on building relationships with these students. |
