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Website Updated

Hello all…despite having to shovel snow, go for a walk and make some snowballs, I managed to have a productive snowday and updated our science blog with all of the K-7 science topic four-pagers and DLRC resource lists.  Find them here.  I would appreciate any feedback or additional information/resources you have.  Because of the snow, our last workshop in the series, on Earth and Water, will be postponed to a later date.

Great Poster Resources for Women in Science

If you would like to decorate your room, consider these posters which are available for a free download. Not only do they celebrate women in science, but they are very artistic and represent women from diverse backgrounds.  Another set of free download is available from the Might Girl Website. We have learned that representation matters…but also that girls perform best when asked to DO science rather than being CALLED scientists.

Offerings on District Day

There are many diverse offering on District Day if you want to pursue science or outdoor education.

Flip that lab! Moving from structured labs to guided inquiry is offered by Byrne Creek teacher Tanya Virani–how to make your labs more inquiry oriented.

The Sierra Club is offering primary and intermediate+ workshops on learning through nature.

For secondary teachers (and this would also work for Gr 6-7 teachers) a representative from GALE presents a workshop on how we teach our students to distinguish real science from FAKE NEWS?

Lori Snyder’s workshop on medicinal plants of Coast Salish territories is already full…we will have to bring her back again.

Kent Lui from Burnaby South presents Common Grade Inquiry Projects for Grade 8-10 science. Brenda Moore and Kent Rockwell from Alpha will be holding a workshop on assessing curricular competencies in science. And Norman Jansen of Cariboo secondary presents Using Claymation to Explore Chemistry Concepts–which might be good for Gr 7 teachers as well as a high school audience.

Follow me on Twitter

I only get to the blog periodically, but I am frequently tweeting out resources and ideas for math and science teaching.  You don’t have to join to look. I’m @DonnaMorgan8 

We teachers are lucky to have two “New Year’s” every year…January brings us an opportunity to return to our demanding work with renewed vigour and hopefulness. Perhaps the greatest part of teaching is that it practically forces us to be optimistic–we are always ready to learn more, do better, make more authentic connections.  

In 2019, I hope to continue meeting teachers and working with students in classrooms to develop inquiry-based science lessons, incorporate Indigenous perspectives and understandings into science learning, and to connect students to this beautiful land.  Please contact me donna.morgan@burnabyschools.ca if you would like to consult with me 1:1 about your science program.  You can also take advantage of some of the opportunities below.

Curriculum Implementation Day

There are a variety of opportunities available on CID. In the realm of science, two opportunities are being organized by district teachers.  The first is Place Based Learning (K-12), held at the Burnaby Lake Pavillion.  This will include presentations by Lori Snyder, a Metis Herbalist, educator, mother, and story-teller. Lori offers workshops to discover our wild, edible, native and medicinal plants in different communities around Metro Vancouver, the unceded territories of the Coast Salish People; and Gillian Judson, Executive Director of SFU’s Centre for Imagination in Research, Culture and Education.  She will be speaking about her book A Walking Curriculum: Evoking Wonder & Developing Sense Of Place (K-12).  

Also, there will be a session for Secondary School teachers on Standards Based Assessment, held at Burnaby Mountain Secondary.  Teachers will share their experiences in transforming their teaching and assessment practices using standards based assessment. There will be Ed Camp style break-out sessions for different subject areas, including Science. 

For both of the above sessions, sign up at the Staff Development Calendar.

Spring Sessions

For elementary teachers, the workshop series on Inquiry in the new curriculum continues with the last two offerings which provide a look into the Elementary Science Curricular threads, how student understanding is built up, and what types of activities you can do to facilitate structured, controlled, guided and free inquiry. We will look at ways to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into science lessons, related books and stories, and how to get outside. Hand-outs with links and suggestions for resources will be given out.

 Join with other K-7 teachers for MATTER on Monday, January 14 at Alpha Secondary, 3:45-6:15, with a light supper to be served.  Sign up at  https://learn.sd41.bc.ca/events-calendar

You can also sign up for EARTH AND WATER on Monday, February 11 again at Alpha Secondary, 3:45-6:15, with a (different) light supper.

If you missed sessions but are looking for the resources lists and the Four-Pager Summaries with information and suggested activities, look here.

Spring will also see a joint session with myself and Literacy Consultant Tanis Anderson on Literature and Science (K-12), and a brief series on Assessment and Science (Gr 4-12). Check this out on the Staff Development Calendar as well.

Happy New Year!

-Donna

The new school year offers a chance to look ahead and start afresh!  Some advice I have for you as you face 2018/19: 1) It’s about the relationships.  The most effectiveness we have as teachers is in connecting with our learners and sharing our passions. Minimise the work that is far from the learner and impacts our ability to be present (both physically and emotionally).  Don’t worry if your classroom isn’t “Pinterest-worthy”. Don’t worry if that thing isn’t laminated.  Focus on the connection and the communication in the classroom.

2) The more work they do, the more they learn.  Get the kids engaged in as much of the work and decision-making as possible.  I emphasize this for assessment–get the kids talking about what the criteria for work should be, and get them giving feedback on peer’s work. If you don’t think primary kids can do this, take a look Austin’s Butterfly.

3) Keep your work/life balance.  There’s a lot of pressure on us to change and improve, and teachers are so dedicated that we often engage in a lot of change, learning and work.  However, it is important to keep the focus of professional growth manageable and to maintain a good work/life balance. Don’t forget to go for a walk.  The Well Balanced Teacher is a great resource if you have forgotten how to have a good life.

Science Sessions in the Fall

I’m kicking off my Elementary Staff Development offerings with Space on Oct 1.  This will be followed by a re-running of all the Science Inquiry Sessions from last year for those of you who missed them.  Don’t forget that you can check out the 4-pagers by subject area up on the “Workshops” section of this blog.  For Grades 6-9 teachers, we are offering a learning team jointly with Science World.  Check out the elementary Promo 2018 19 Plans  and the Secondary Science Staff Development Opportunities here.  Fall offerings are on the staff development calendar now.