York Region District School Board's Juniors on the Move Network

 In partnership with the Ontario Association of Junior Educators’

Presents Spring Conference 2011:

 “Inspire to Learn” 

Inspiring learning through our passions and text

 Date:  May 18, 2011  Time:  4:15pm – 7:30pm

Location:  Centre for Leadership and Learning, 300 Harry Walker Pkwy South, Newmarket

4:15 to 4:45: Welcome - Registration, Graffiti Wall and Publisher Display

4:45 to 5:30: Keynote

Inspiring Learning, Humour, Managing Stress with Glenn DiPasquale

Can You Inspire If You Feel You’re About to Expire? It seems a reasonable assumption that if the goal is to inspire students, we need to begin with inspired teachers. In today’s hectic, high-pressure classrooms however, we seem more likely to find teachers battling fatigue, stress, and self-doubt; more a recipe for producing grey hair than the next generation of lifelong learners. There isn’t much doubt that student success begins with teachers who love what they do, and in this presentation Glenn will make the case that a big part of that is learning how to handle stress. We’ll examine some of  the modern research on stress, explore some of the more surprising findings, and try to apply it all to the life of today’s teacher. Finally, we’ll touch on a growing body of research suggesting that the sense of humour might just be a major coping tool impacting on stress levels and health. Oh … and there might be some jokes as well.           

Glenn DiPasquale – Dr. Glenn DiPasquale is a Registered Psychologist with a B.A from the University of Waterloo, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Western Ontario.

He enjoyed a long career with the York Region District School Board, including 17 years as Chief Psychologist. In addition, he taught part-time at the post secondary level for more than ten years. He currently works as an independent speaker, consultant and writer.  His accomplishments include a variety of professional articles and reviews as well as a best-selling booklet on school bus discipline.  Recently, he authored the chapter entitled “The Defiant Child”, in an on-line teacher resource called “The ABC’s of Children’s Mental Health.” Glenn’s expertise has contributed to various working groups at the provincial level and he currently sits on the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario’s Board of Directors. He has been honoured with an "Educator of the Year" award from the Ontario Council for Exceptional Children, and led a group that earned the first “Public Education Award” from the Ontario Psychological Association. Glenn is in high demand as a speaker on a wide variety of topics related to School Psychology and Education. But perhaps most importantly, he is married and is the practicing father of three young adults.

Workshop 1: 5:30 to 6:05

Imagine a Day by Sarah L. Thomson and Rob Gonsalves             

Imagine, Question, Think, Discuss, Participate - Participants will imagine, discuss, question, and participate around the theme “Imagination”.  Using various text forms, we’ll think about how to plan and embed critical thinking and accountable talk into and across the curriculum.               

Ellen Herbert is a Primary/ Junior Literacy Consultant with YRDSB and collaborates with 2 writing networks and the Juniors on the Move network.  She is energized by awesome texts that engage students to think critically and create joyfully.

Heather Valle is currently a Literacy and English as a Second Language Curriculum Consultant for the York Region District School Board. She has a passion for bringing literature and the arts to life for learners of all ages.

The Three Questions By Jon J. Muth              

Language Arts and Visual Arts - In this tale, Nikolai searches for the answers to three questions which lead him on a journey of discovery about what is most important in the world.  The Holland Landing Team will share ideas about how to use this mentor text as inspiration for a whole school art experience that integrates literacy and visual arts, and culminates with a cooperative art installation.           

Heidi  Armstrong, Kim Evans-Milak, and Bianca Creek are part of the Literacy Team at Holland Landing P.S. and they have been looking at how arts-infused literacy learning inspired by rich texts allows us to make deeper connections to our world, our community and one another. A whole school initiative at Holland Landing Public School called “Living Books” has emerged as a result of this inquiry. In this “Living Books” process, the entire school comes together in Literacy and cross-curricular explorations of the big idea from the book The Three Questions, by Jon J Muth.

The Elders are Watching by David Bouchard and Roy Henry Vickers        

Environmental Studies, Science, Visual Arts, Language Arts - If the earth could sing, what would be the songs? Some of these songs might be joyful, filled with beauty, and celebration, while others are shrouded in devastation, despair and destruction.  Presenters will share an integrated unit that attempts to seek out the many voices of our earth and its inhabitants. Culminating with the students offering words of wisdom, understanding, and hope through the visual art works they create.               

The Visual Arts Teacher Leaders - Teacher Leaders Renuka DeSilva, Kim Evans-Milak, Wendy Janes, JoAnne Newland and Rina Singh have come together to create the unit, One Earth Many Voices, that has a focus on the environment and social justice.  Through a process of collaborative inquiry the team was looking at the connection between the creative process, differentiated instruction and improved student thinking and learning.

6:05 to 6:40: Dinner - Rooms 102/103     

Workshop 2: 6:40 to 7:15

World on Fire by Sarah McLachlan                  

Mathematics, Music - Authentic tasks for math are all around us.  See how one teacher uses a music video to inspire student’s learning of mathematical concepts.              

Christine Mainguy and Andrea Rye-Brown are Curriculum Consultants for the York Region District School Board.

Nadia MacKinnon is a Literacy@School classroom teacher and a Region Math Coach for the York Region District School Board.

A variety of selected books                      

Be Inspired by Books! Come and learn about inspiring books to engage and motivate Junior learners. Explore cross-curricular applications of fantastic picture books and junior-level novels.  Learn how to find these books and more in your school library!                                          

Melissa Murray is a Curriculum Consultant for YRDSB supporting K-12 school libraries, ICT and junior teachers.  She is inspired by great books every day – and loves suggestions!           

Sherri Coulter is a Literacy@School Drama Demonstration Class teacher, and member of the Arts Drama Leadership Team.  She always has time to explore a great new book!

Words are Worse than Sticks and Stones By Alye Pollack                          

Literacy, Media Literacy, The Arts, Physical and Health Education - Is bullying an issue in your classroom? This workshop illustrates the effects of bullying in schools and how the discovery of self-esteem, self-worth and awareness of others can be a positive solution to this problem. Participants will become aware of tools and resources they already possess and take away ideas and materials to inspire students to “Make a Difference”.       

Jennifer Low is an elementary teacher with experience in all divisions.  She has been a Junior Lead teacher and a member of the Literacy Lead team.  Jennifer is currently involved in the Assessment for Learning in Mathematics Network and is the Healthy Schools Network Representative for her school.

7:15 to 7:30: Final Thoughts of the Evening Publisher Prizes, Closing Remarks