Institutes

Summer Institutes

Please check back frequently. More information will be added as it becomes available.

(Last update: July 19, 2:30pm)

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OTF strives to ensure a safe atmosphere at all venues for its events. However, OTF cannot guarantee that all events will be completely free from allergens and peanut products.

Thanks to a high volume of interest, all summer institutes are now at capacity!

All waiting lists are also closed.

Please note that if you need to cancel, or make any changes to your workshop selections, please contact us at summerinstitutes@otffeo.on.ca.

WEEK 1 INSTITUTES

Ontario School Library Association (OSLA)

July 9-11, Brock University

Unity in Diversity: Culturally Responsive and Relevant Teaching and Learning (Grades 9-12)

This Summer Institute will focus on supporting classroom teachers and teacher-librarians in fostering equitable and inclusive environments, including strategies on leveraging the library learning commons as a resource and safe space accessible to all. We will explore current issues in equity education including poverty, racism, diversity, gender discrimination and mental health. Multiple entry points for bridging challenging conversations will be discussed. A broad variety of curriculum connections, online resources, and provincial initiatives including Responding to Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, 21^st Century Global Competencies, and Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan will be explored. You will investigate, co-create and take away strategies and resources to use daily. Join us to meet new people, appreciate the experiences and expertise of others and share their personal learning journey.

The Association for Media Literacy (AML)

July 9-11, Brock University

Media Literacy for the Fun of It (Grades 1-12)

Teaching media literacy is fun! Learn to integrate critical thinking about technology and digital media into all grades across all curricula. Explore how media production and a variety of tools (including wikis, social media and GAFE) can support development and retention of global competencies. A team of veteran media teachers will provide hands-on experiences, including inquiry, creativity, media production, self-directed learning, assessment tools and strategies, collaboration, team-teaching and global citizenship.

TC2, Laura Gini-Newman

July 9-11, Brock University

“What were you thinking?”: How to Create Great Mathematical Thinkers (Grades 4-10)

This Summer Institute will focus on how to teach and asses the key thinking competencies of successful mathematics students through an inquiry approach. Explicit links and extensions to the Ontario mathematical processes will be made. The session will explore connections between thinking competencies and various forms of content reasoning including financial, algebraic, proportional, and computational reasoning. By the end of this institute, teachers will create grade-specific classroom materials that focus on the most powerful learning question, “What were you thinking?”

Tracy Sims & Cheryl Emrich

July 9-11, Brock University

Planning for Play in Kindergarten (Kindergarten)

This Summer Institute will focus on practical strategies for educators to support their planning for play and learning. We will reflect on the educator's role in setting up and engaging in play-based learning. Educators will reflect on how to plan for small group instruction, large group instruction, learning centres and provocations, and transitions. We will learn about how effective questioning can support and deepen play based learning for children and how to extend provocations based on students’ needs and interests.

First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario (FNMIEAO)

July 9-11, Five Oaks Retreat Centre

Revitalizing our Classrooms with Indigenous Knowledge - Introductory Level (K-12)

This Summer Institute will support educators who are just beginning to explore how to effectively embed Indigenous education into a variety of subject areas. With a focus on the implementation of the revised Social Studies and History curriculum, this workshop will also touch on multiple curricular areas in both elementary and secondary classrooms. In response to the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it is now mandatory for all students to be learning about the histories, perspectives and contributions of Indigenous Peoples. Supported by community Elders, you will have the opportunity to experience customary practices and land-based teachings in a traditional round house in Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Participants will have the opportunity to visit a sweat lodge nearby, but offsite. If you participated in our 2017 workshop, we recommend you consider the advanced level institute, July 23 – 25.

WEEK 2 INSTITUTES

Ontario Association of Junior Educators (OAJE)

July 18-20, Western University

Project-Based Learning in the Elementary Classroom (Grades 2-8)

Ready to engage your students with authentic, real-world problems, that showcase global competencies? Join two dynamic educators as we discover and engage in design-based thinking and the project launch process. Each day will be broken down into manageable sections where you can play, build, and ask questions to deepen your understanding and confidently bring these projects to your students!

Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators (CODE)

July 18-20, Western University

Embedding Process Drama into Integrated Inquiry: Exploring Social Justice Perspectives (Grades 4-8)

This Summer Institute will focus on modeling the use of powerful drama structures in shared, guided and independent inquiry experiences. Process drama is a powerful tool for activating communication, critical thinking and problem solving in a STEAM inquiry. This workshop will apply to both the English and French Immersion curricula. The following questions will be addressed: How can process drama be used to build foundational knowledge in an integrated inquiry and make deeper connections? How can we use powerful provocations? What is a framework for developing inquiry and drama? What are the entry points? How does role and process drama lend itself to exploring many perspectives and missing voices? How can we use these processes in a respectful way?

Jennifer Evans & Erin Cleasby

July 18-20, Western University

STEAM Learning in the Early Years (Kindergarten)

This three-day hands-on Institute is for early years educators who are interested in using STEAM learning to support inquiry in their play-based classroom. We will focus on how using science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics will broaden students’ interests and deepen students’ understanding about things they wonder about and wish to investigate. Participants will have time daily to explore STEAM ideas that are fun, engaging, practical, and easy to implement in the classroom.

WEEK 3 INSTITUTES

First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario (FNMIEAO)

July 23-25, Five Oaks Retreat Centre

Revitalizing our Classrooms with Indigenous Knowledge - Advanced Level (K-12)

This Summer Institute will support educators who have had some experience teaching about the histories, perspectives and contributions of Indigenous Peoples. With a focus on the implementation of the revised Social Studies and History curriculum, this workshop will dig deeper into understanding the historical and contemporary policies that continue to impact Indigenous Peoples. We will touch on multiple curricular areas in both elementary and secondary classrooms.

Supported by community Elders, you will have the opportunity to experience customary practices and land-based teachings in a traditional round house in Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Participants will have the opportunity to visit a sweat lodge nearby, but offsite.

Ontario Association of Junior Educators (OAJE)

July 23-25, Laurentian University

Engage, Inspire, Learn: Using Technology to Empower Your Students (Grades 1-8)

Join two dynamic leaders on a fully immersive, hands-on learning adventure! Over three days, you will have a chance to deepen knowledge and comfort level on a variety of technology tools and ideas. We will explore iPads and Chromebooks, the Google suite of products, as well web-based tools, apps, and extensions! Get met wherever you are on your technology integration journey and guide your own learning with specific focuses on building your personal capacity.

Ontario History and Social Sciences Teachers' Association (OHASSTA)

July 23-25, Laurentian University

Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action: Revised History Curriculum (Grades 7-10)

This Summer Institute will focus on learning more about the revisions to the History curriculum that focus on integrating the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. You will create classroom-ready activities that support both Indigenous pedagogies and historical thinking. We will work with First Nation, Metis, and Inuit partners in the local community to learn together about both historical truth and reconciliation, both for ourselves and our students.

ESL/ELD Resource Group of Ontario (ERGO)

July 23-25, Laurentian University

Supporting English Language Learners in Mainstream Classrooms (Grades 1-12)

Understanding the needs of ELL students from diverse backgrounds can be challenging. This Summer Institute will focus on successfully integrating English Language Learners into regular classrooms by using the STEP tool for ongoing program planning and assessment. You will learn how the Steps to English Proficiency Observable Behaviours Continua can be applied to content learning. You will explore ways to modify expectations for students with limited prior schooling, low literacy, and who are new to Canada. Methods and tools to help these students access materials and communicate their learning successfully will be offered.

Ontario Association of Physics Teachers (OAPT)

July 24-26, St. Lawrence College

Exploring Inquiry in Science and Physics (Grades 9-12)

The driving force behind science is inquiry – a mode of thinking and learning that is second nature to scientists, but often challenging for students and teachers. Roberta and James will lead an invigorating series of workshops to help you expand the use of inquiry in your science and physics classrooms. Explore how students learn science and how the role of inquiry in motivating students and helping them develop deep understanding.

Ontario Elementary Social Studies Teachers' Association (OESSTA)

July 24-26, St. Lawrence College

Supporting the TRC Calls to Action through Critical Inquiry (Grades 4-10)

This Summer Institute will focus on the design and assessment of student inquiries that incorporate the enhanced content of the Social Studies, History and Geography curriculum. You will develop strategies for providing culturally-sensitive instruction regarding Indigenous history(ies) and themes that support the TRC Calls to Action. Attention will also be paid to fostering critical inquiry through the application of the Disciplinary Thinking Concepts, and exploring global and digital citizenship through the use of technologies.

Ontario Modern Language Teachers' Association (OMLTA)

July 24-26, St. Lawrence College

Increasing Autonomy and Confidence in FSL Learners with Authentic Learning (Grades 7-12)

This Summer Institute will allow you to create rich authentic tasks for your FSL classes using a holistic approach. What is a rich authentic task? How can I efficiently link the FSL curriculum and the CEFR when planning a task? How can I engage my students to be learning partners? What strategies are engaging? How do I make sure the assessment process is transparent for my students? How can I efficiently use technology? What does a learning cycle look like? These questions will be addressed. You are invited to bring tasks you would like to discuss and improve upon.

WEEK 4 INSTITUTES

Ontario Modern Language Teachers' Association (OMLTA)

July 30 - Aug 1, Brock University

Principles of the CEFR: A Pathway Towards Proficiency (Grades 1-12)

This Summer Institute will focus on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) as a professional resource that can assist teachers in describing linguistic features and assessing and providing feedback on second language proficiency with greater clarity and precision. You will gain a deeper understanding of how to use the CEFR as a teaching and assessment tool to develop student confidence, proficiency and achievement in FSL. You will analyze the listening, speaking, reading and writing competences of an A1 to B2 learner. Explore the curriculum links to CEFR and authentic, action-oriented tasks. The process of moderation and an exploration of assessment tools will be introduced to inform instruction and support student learning.

Science Teachers' Association of Ontario (STAO)

July 30 - Aug 1, Brock University

Science & Innovation in the Kindergarten Classroom (Kindergarten)

Join members of the STAO Kindergarten writing team to explore inquiry and technological design, as well as coding and robotics to see how they might unfold in the classroom and connect to the four frames. Participants will experience interactive, hands-on invitations for learning that support and extend student thinking. We will use different picture books, tools, and materials to spark innovation. This will be an inspiring way to prepare for September!

Educational Computing Organization of Ontario (ECOO)

July 30 - Aug 1, Brock University

Using Microsoft Digital Tools to Build Global Competencies (Grades 9-12)

This Summer Institute will focus on ways to use the Microsoft education suite and other digital creation tools to empower students to build global competencies. Explore recent applications such as Class Notebook, Sway, and Forms as well as updates to popular programs such as Word and PowerPoint. We will discuss ways to use these tools successfully to create a cohesive and powerful digital learning experience for your students. You will leave this session with practical materials and examples that you can use to innovate your own digital classroom.

Ontario Music Educator's Association (OMEA)

July 31 - Aug 2, George Brown College

Engage, Create, Excite! Music in the Classroom (K-6)

This Summer Institute will focus on creativity and collaboration in the primary/junior music classroom. Literacy and numeracy prompts, along with culturally relevant materials, will be used to make soundscapes and performance pieces using the voice, body percussion and other instruments.

You will actively engage in play-based activities that will teach students musical concepts through exploration and ‘banding together.’ Through the use of Orff instruments, recorders, and other manipulatives, participants will learn how to engage students in the creative process. Specific materials will be used to include a variety of cultural backgrounds; e.g., Hindu, Muslim, and Indigenous. Come dressed in comfortable clothing for movement!

TC2, Garfield Gini-Newman

July 31 - Aug 2, George Brown College

Developing Sustained Inquiry Units for Deep Learning (Grades 1-12)

This Summer Institute will focus on exploring how to frame learning around a cascading model in which the learning flows from a rich, provocative question and task. Cascading from the central questions, you will explore how your students, through related lines of inquiry, can build their understanding, revise their thinking and uncover the big ideas. You will also explore how the use of effective launches can increase engagement and contribute to deep thinking about important curriculum issues. The use of structures such as dashboards, ranking ladders and Venn diagrams will be explored as effective learning launches that encourage risk taking, open-mindedness and persistence. You will apply six ways to frame activities that invite critical inquiry and the use of five intellectual tools for quality thought.

Facing History and Ourselves (FHO)

July 31 - Aug 2, George Brown College

Canada’s Past and Present Through a Facing History and Ourselves Lens (Grades 10-12)

This Summer Institute will equip teachers with a unique approach, strategies and content that will engage students in learning about Canada’s past, making connections to their own lives and examining what it means to be Canadian today. Using student-centred strategies that reinforce historical thinking and inquiry skills, we will explore our nation’s universe of obligation, Canada’s eugenic history, Canada’s response to the Holocaust, Canada’s Indian Residential Schools, and the call for reconciliation.

WEEK 5 INSTITUTES

Ontario Art Education Association (OAEA)

Aug 7-9, St. Lawrence College

Visual/Media Arts: A workshop in Technology, Equity, Global Competencies, Assessment (Grades 1-12)

Experience a Global Competency Framework lesson addressing inquiry-based learning and social justice/environmental education. Explore animation, green screen video, photography and audio recording combined with traditional Visual Arts. Look at equity and inclusive practices as you explore how bias impacts an art program. Examine connections between media/traditional art-making and experiential learning. You will create a media/visual arts inquiry project that will include DI, assessments and links to arts history

and literacy.

Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF)

Aug 7-9, St. Lawrence College

Finding Curriculum in Nature, the Local Community and Student "I Wonders" (Grades 1-12)

How can educators link the benefits that nature provides to learners to the curriculum? This Institute will provide you with resources, skills, tools and strategies by focusing and modelling transformative pedagogies; e.g., inquiry, acting on learning and others; and capitalizing on student engagement with the natural world. We will show you how to help your students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Learn how to take advantage of the flora, fauna and climate events outlined in our Step Outside nature guides. We will explore the possibilities of organizing learning-based on experiences in nature that go beyond the classroom.

Ontario History and Social Sciences Teachers' Association (OHASSTA)

Aug 7-9, St. Lawrence College

Just Blend it! Blended Learning and Inquiry in the History and Social Science Classroom (Grades 7-12)

In this Summer Institute, you will have time to deepen your understanding of disciplinary thinking concepts in History, Economics, Law, Politics/Civics and the social sciences through the inquiry lens. You will explore blended learning pedagogy and technology options through a series of practical, hands-on, and collaborative activities. All strategies will be geared to support inquiry and critical thinking and to increase your strategies to assess for/as learning. You will have the opportunity to construct tasks, lessons and/or assessments that can be used immediately. You are asked to bring your own laptop/device.

TC2, Maria Vamvalis

Aug 7-9, St. Lawrence College

Sparking Global Citizenship (Grades 5-10)

This Summer Institute focuses on engaging students in critical inquiries that are designed to inspire and deepen their commitment to becoming globally-minded citizens capable of tackling complex challenges. You will explore various transformative pedagogies that support students in recognizing their rights and responsibilities as citizens. You will deepen your own understanding of current global issues while developing practical, creative and inspiring strategies for nurturing and assessing student thinking and engagement around key curricular expectations in Social Studies, History, Geography and Civics.

You will come away with new and rich approaches to bringing the Ontario Citizenship Framework to life in ways that connect the classroom to the global commons with the explicit purpose of supporting student capacity to create preferred futures.

Multiple Subject Associations

Aug 8-10, Western University

Full STEAM Ahead! (K-8)

It is time to pick up some STEAM in your classroom! This workshop will bring together subject association specialists and K to Grade 8 teachers to explore strategies to integrate Science & Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics in the classroom. Art, nature and technology go hand in hand. Discover various elements of STEAM using local environments with consideration of an Indigenous perspective. Experiment with a variety of applications including nature art, financial literacy, wearable technologies and design, and

build activities.

First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario (FNMIEAO) & Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators (CODE)

Aug 8-10, Western University

“Tekatkwa” (to dance) with Indigenous Knowledge (K-12)

This Summer Institute will support educators who are interested in exploring the narratives of Indigenous peoples through experiential and embodied learning. We will provide examples on how to use the Arts; e.g., dance; to critically explore challenging topics such as residential schools, child apprehension and colonialism while creating culturally safe spaces for learning. Supported by community Elders, you will have the opportunity to experience customary practices and be supported by traditional knowledge. Implementation of the revised Social Studies and History curriculum in response to the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be supported as it is now mandatory for all students to be learning about the histories, perspectives and contributions of Indigenous Peoples.

Educational Computing Organization of Ontario (ECOO)

Aug 8-10, Western University

Connecting Your Classroom to the World (Grades 4-12)

This Summer Institute will focus on applying great pedagogy to educational technology. You will learn the whys and hows of connecting through tools and initiatives including G-suite, Twitter, class websites, book Snaps, blogs, vlogs, flipGrid, Thinglink, online portfolios, The Global Read Aloud, UN Sustainability Goals and much more. This workshop is geared to tech beginners and those ready to get more connected. You are asked to bring your own devices – Chromebook or laptop preferred. If using an iPad, you will need to download various apps prior to the workshop.