La Grande JAM

FINAL VISION PROJECT PART 1 For my final vision project for LIBE477C, I have decided to focus on the importance of inquiry based learning for the 21st century learner.  I have always been interested in this topic and this year, I implemented for the first time a year long inquiry using the Genius Hour framework in a Sciences humaines 11 (SS11) class.  The experience was challenging yet rewarding in the end for both my students and for me.  For this reason, and in the spirit of sharing (Richardson, 2012), I have decided to apply to be a workshop presenter at this year's BCSSTA PSA Conference.  I would like to share my experience and expertise (albeit minimal) with other social studies teachers and in particular, help out other French Immersion teachers who struggle to access resources and/or workshops in French. (NB. Applications are due July 15, 2018 and presenters will be selected shortly after this date!) I have divided the post in two sections.  The f...

(Image courtesy of Pinterest "Top 10 teacher quotes") HOW DO I LEARN NOW??? This question is easy for me to answer.  Since the beginning of my career, I have experienced many different learning journeys to keep my skills current.  For example, I did formal learning through graduate work at SFU and currently am enrolled in this TL diploma program at UBC.  I have always participated in school based pro-d activities and local PLN on topics of personal interest (especially if there was a promise of a free book).  I have attended major conferences in both Canada and the US and subscribe to many professional associations such as BCSSTA, BCTAML, BCTELA, CUEBC, ACPI, BCLCA, NCSST, etc.  I have done Ministry work first in the field of Social Studies as a 20th Century History 12 curriculum consultant, then as a Trial Writer of Provincial Exams as well as a marker for over 10 years.  Marking exams was amazing prod and a great opportunity to network with other ...

(Source:  françaispourl'avenir.org 2014) Let's make something very clear:  it is very unlikely that as a French Immersion teacher, I will foster an intrinsic joy of reading in French in my students.  My best hope is that I can get them reading and not complaining too much about it.  Let me explain... (Source:  Journal Le Reflet Témiscamien ) I am a native French Canadian from northern Ontario.  I spoke only French until I was 5 and once I started watching Sesame Street, Polka Dot Door & Mr. Dressup , as well as playing with the kids on my street, I learned to speak English.  I attended a francophone school my whole life and even attended a French language university where I studied in both languages.  I am fluently bilingual.  In my teens, I started learning Spanish and continued to learn my third language in university and also did an intensive study abroad program in Mexico.  I have a very functional Spanish.  I als...

Learning is messy... Last week, I identified some areas of interest for my independent study for LIBE477.  I had way too many ideas and needed more time to focus my topic.  After much reflection on what would be the most relevant, practical and engaging topic/issue, I have decided to focus my research on the following question: "How can I engage students in powerful learning  that is also fun and interesting?" This overarching question then led to the following secondary questions: How can I effectively engage students with inquiry based learning (IBL) through the Genius Hour project in Social Studies? What technologies would facilitate this kind of learning? What is useful? How can IBL/Genius Hour help connect learners with other learners & experts? How can I deepen student learning through questioning?  How manageable is IBL in today's context? With these questions guiding me, I am better able to organize my thoughts and research, so here we ...

The importance of balance... As I find myself trying to come up with a focused inquiry for LIBE477, where technology will play a central role, I am also conflicted.  The reason:  I am worried about the impact technology is having on society and more importantly, on kids.  How do we strike a balance? Years ago, when I taught the Renaissance in SS9, I would tell the kids about the Bonfire of the Vanities.  Short history lesson... Jerome Savoranole was a Dominican priest who spent his life fighting corruption in the Catholic Church.  In Florence in 1490, he denounced the luxurious life led by certain Florentines.  In response to his criticism, people built these huge bonfires and burned wigs, clothes, art work and books, etc.  I would ask students what they would throw in the bonfire today, keeping in mind it had to be something that was negatively impacting society.  At the time, call waiting was a new function on home phones, and I always...