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August 2015                                                          News for Teachers


Sharing 'Awesomeness'- Classroom Learning Stories
    
We've worked with a number of teachers this past year to capture their environmental inquiry or project-based learning stories. These stories have inspired us and we wanted to share the "awesomeness" to hopefully inspire you. Each learning story enhances students' environmental and/or energy literacy, builds on curriculum connections, delivers on the cross-curricular competencies and creates community connections.
 
The Weed Lake Project is the first in our series. Enjoy! 

We'll share more stories over the coming weeks. Let's continue to work together to help ALL students engage in this type of learning - learning that gives students hope and helps them create a sustainable future.
 
                     Thanks to Suncor for supporting this project!

                                              
 
Inspired- Now What?
    
Do you want to add more authentic environmental education to help you develop cross-curricular competencies and prepare students to create a sustainable future? For those that are considering this, adding goals to your Teacher Professional Growth Plan may be a helpful step. We've developed some ideas and resources to help you add environmental inquiry or project-based learning to your TPGP.


 

We Are Getting Excited! Will You Be There?

     

The Earth Matters conference is less than 2 months away! This will be the largest all-Canadian EE conference in many years. We can't wait to learn, share and collaborate with teachers from across Canada!


Still not sure if Earth Matters is right for you? Take a look at our fabulous program and workshops. We have over 70 sessions to choose from! There truly is something for everyone.

  • Interested in what is going on in classrooms? Hear firsthand about innovative projects and practices from classroom teachers.
  • Interested in community engagement and outreach? Learn techniques and hear about programs from across the country.
  • Want to get outside and enjoy fall in the Rockies? Join the outdoor sessions and learn by doing.

Come and connect with other educators for an amazing two days of learning this October! Full details at www.abcee.org/conference

 
Fall Professional Learning Opportunities
Social Media Workshop 2010      
We are working with a variety of organizations and promoting numerous professional learning opportunities. Bookmark the web page so you can check-in regularly to learn of new opportunities. 

Here are some great upcoming workshops (for all details and registration links):
  • Green School Summit-  September 25th - 8:30am to 5:30pm - Calgary
  • Inside Education - Boreal Education Program, October 1 to 3 and Western Canada Oil Sands Careers Education Program, October 18 to 21

  • Pre-conference Summit to Advance Energy and Environmental Literacy in Alberta - October 15th - 9:00am to 4:00pm - Canmore 

  • Environmental Inquiry- these are offered through the Calgary Regional Consortium and the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium.
    •   October 7 - 4:30 to 7:30pm - Calgary
    •   October 28 - 9:30am to 3:30pm - Edmonton
Please share any upcoming professional learning events with Kathy Worobec so we can promote them.

There is still time to submit proposals for some ATA Conventions. 
 
           Thanks to our valued partners for supporting these events!
                  
                            
 
Online Curriculum Fosters Global Citizenship & Action!
     
Starting this fall, the CAWST Wavemakers 
program will be offering an online course, free for students across Canada! The VirtualWavemakers Summit is an exciting opportunity for educators and youth to explore local and global water and sanitation issues. The Summit provides educators with an easy-to-follow, action-based curriculum that is designed to develop critical thinking, innovation, effective communication skills and global awareness.  
 
Participating teams will be challenged to respond to real-world water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) issues by designing and implementing a solutions-based action project. This hands-on, service learning opportunity provides an authentic experience that reaches beyond the classroom. The Summit provides flexibility for groups to stagger their learning over several weeks while giving them the opportunity to connect online with CAWST staff, local water organizations, and other Wavemakers teams across the country.
 
Visit the website to learn more about the Wavemakers Summit, or email wavemakers@cawst.org.

 
Book Your Fall Education Program 

Looking for an experiential program to complete a unit in your life science curriculum?  Outdoors In offers a variety of life science curriculum based programs that connect open minds to nature. These K to Grade 6 programs include Bees, Rocks, Seasons, Wolves, Wetlands, Flight and lots more! These captivating hands-on sensory programs include games, activities and props that will leave your students with a sense of wonder and respect for the animals in Alberta's backyard. Presentations are in class or at a park of your choice.


Visit www.outdoorsin.ca for more information.

 
 
Student Video Contest-Deadline Extended to Sept.18th
    
The 2015 Student Video Contest has been extended!

New deadline is September 18, 2015.
  • Do you go to school in Canada?
  • Are you a student in grades K-12?
  • Do you like exploring outside and finding adventures, whether they be in your backyard or visiting other great places in Canada?
Prove it! Create a short video to let us know how you are exploring and finding adventures outside in Canada's backyard. Then submit your video for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Banff as well as some some great prizes from Mountain Equipment Co-op - tents, sleeping bags, and packs! If your video is chosen as a finalist, you could have it screened at the 2015 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, alongside some of the best mountain, adventure and exploration films in the world!

View to contest details at: www.takemeoutside.ca/contest

 
Quick Links
Here are some great tips from our friends at EduTopia to help make your first back-to-school night a success.
Classroom Management Tips for New Teachers
New to the classroom? Fear not! Here are some tried and true teaching tips for novices. 
For more information visit:  
www.abcee.org
Questions or comments? Please contact rosemarie@abcee.org.