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.
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.