CURRICULUM
BACK TO SCHOOL WEBCAST AND WORKSHOP SERIES
INTRODUCTION
To assist members returning to schools this fall, four webcasts have been up- loaded to the ETFO website with three accompanying lessons plans for each. The topics of the webcasts include: Virtual Learning 101 for Occasional Teachers, Mindfulness, Community Building – Early Years/Primary and Community Building – Junior/Inter- mediate.
In addition, six virtual workshops are available to locals from September to December. Some of these workshops have been revised from the offerings in the spring. Like the webcasts, three accompanying lesson plans are avail- able to workshop participants which have also been uploaded to the ETFO website. The topics of the workshops include: Environmental Action/ Climate Change, Now What? Tips for using primary learners’ identities to enhance learning. Re-energizing Your Early Years/Primary Class with Practical Projects, Re-energizing Your Junior/Intermediate Class with Practical Projects, The ART of Getting Through! and What is PLAY: Shift- ing Experiences in the Kindergarten Learning Environment.
Three of the lessons are included in this issue of Voice. All lessons are avail- able at
etfo.ca
(
etfo.ca/resources/classroom- resources/back-to-school-webcasts- and-workshop-series/overview)
LESSON #1: CREATING COMMUNITY IN THE JUNIOR/INTERMEDIATE YEARS
Learning Goal(s): To create a positive and welcoming learning space using a traditional sharing circle and co-create a community agreement
Success Criteria:
• I understand and can participate appro- priately in a sharing circle.
• I can listen attentively to others and re- spond with respect and understanding.
Skills Focus: Communication, collabora- tion, self-regulation, expression of emotion
Prep/Materials:
• Book: The Sharing Circle by Theresa “Corky” Larsen-Jonasson
• Talking piece
expectations of those participating in a sharing circle. Consider why this structure is a circle rather than a square or triangle and explain your thinking.
Actions:
2. Invite learners to participate in a shar- ing circle, each learner brings their chair to form a circle and the educator introduces the talking piece and reminds learners that a talking piece allows
the speaker to speak their truth and speak from the heart without interruption.
3. The educator reminds learners about the purpose of the circle: to share, com- municate, and/or make decisions. When passing the talking piece to others, we pass it clockwise, the direction
of the sun rising and setting, as in a custom from the Anishinaabe tradition.
4. Practice the structure with learners using the following prompts: Introduce yourself and something you are look- ing forward to this year. How would you describe an ideal learning environment? What does it feel like to be in a space of be- longing? How do you demonstrate respect to others?
Minds on:
1. Read aloud The Sharing Circle and fol- low up with a general discussion surround- ing sharing circles (How do they work? What are the expectations of partici- pants?). Educator prompts: How would you describe a sharing circle? Describe the
38 E ETFO VOICE | ALL 2021TFO VOICE | F FALL 2021
5. Thank learners for participating in the sharing circle
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
