of the Alberta Teachers’ Association

Education beyond the Classroom:

Teachers as Nation Builders!

Opening Keynote Speakers Dr. Yong Zhao, Françoise Ruban

Father Tony Ricard

Feature Speakers Barry Litun, Peter Lilijedahl

Special Musical Performance HOJA

Closing Keynote Speaker

Murray Banks

Mayfield Inn - 16615 109 Avenue, Edmonton, AB

http://netca.teachers.ab.ca

Three Opening Keynote Presenters

9:00 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. - Group A Aspen View, Fort Vermilion, Greater St. Paul

10:45 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. – Group B Lakeland Catholic, Northland, Northern Lights

Dr. Yong Zhao

Catching up or Leading the Way:

Education in the Age of Globalization

At a time when globalization and technology are dramatically altering the world we live in, is

test-driven education reform headed down the right path? Will standards and accountability

bring significant improvement to our education systems? Are schools emphasizing the knowledge and skills that students need in a global society--or are they actually undermining

their strengths by overemphasizing high-stakes testing and standardization? Are education

systems in China and other countries really as superior as some people claim?

In this presentation, Dr. Yong Zhao addresses these and other questions based on his new book of the same title. Born and raised in China and now a professor at Michigan State

University, Zhao bases many of his observations on extensive research and firsthand

experience as a student in China and as a parent of children attending school in the United

States. His unique perspective leads him to conclude that ―American education is at a

crossroads‖ and ―we need to change course‖ to maintain leadership in a rapidly changing

world. This Opening Keynote session repeats at 10:45.

Dr. Yong Zhao is currently Presidential Chair and Associate Dean for Global Education, College of Education at the University of Oregon. Zhao has extensive international experiences. He has consulted with government and educational

agencies and spoken on educational issues in many countries on six continents. His current work focuses on designing 21st Century Schools in the context of globalization and the digital revolution. Zhao has published over 20 books and 100 articles

Speaker: Dr. Yong Zhao Room: Robson/Rundle 1

st Chairperson: April Koziol, Northern Lights Local

2nd

Chairperson: Rachelle Allen, Lakeland Catholic Local

Father Tony Ricard

Have You Seen Him?

Each day, we are given the chance to encounter the Lord. But, I wonder how

many times has Jesus Christ tried to visit us and we missed seeing Him for who He really was. As the teachers, preachers, staff and administrators in Catholic Schools, it is our common call to search for Christ in the least

expected places.

This exciting and interactive presentation will focus on finding Christ in the great world of Academia! It will also discuss the purpose of Catholic Schools and our role as the recognized ―Elders‖ of Catholic communities.

Fr. Tony is a native of New Orleans. He is a former New Orleans Public School teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from

Loyola University. He also has a master of Theology degree from Xavier University’s Institute for Black Catholic Studies and a Master of Divinity degree

from Notre Dame Seminary.

This Opening Keynote session repeats at 10:45. Delegates may only attend this

session once. Please let other delegates have a chance to attend!heir jobs." We

need people who will pull together to get the job done." -Brenda Robinson

Speaker: Father Tony Richard

Room: Palisades 1

st Chairperson: Kim Barrie, Lakeland Catholic Local

2nd

Chairperson: Yvan Beaudoin, Greater St. Paul Local

Françoise Ruban

The World Has Enough Sheep!

From Mongolia to Malawi, from Ghana to Guyana, Alberta teachers have long served teaching colleagues across many parts of the globe. What we do overseas, where we do it, with whom and how you can become involved is the focus of this session. Specific attention will be focused on the 2011-2012 CTF Project Overseas initiative. This interactive presentation will focus on the current hopes and challenges facing the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s International Assistance Program. A current overview of new and ongoing initiatives will be given and participants will discover how their personal contribution of time and expertise can impact our work with teachers and students internationally.

This session will be presented in French for the first session and in English

during the second session. This session will repeat at 10:45. Professional philosophy: The greatest good you can do for another is not to share your riches but to reveal to him his own. Benjamin Disraeli Françoise Ruban is an Executive Staff Officer in the Professional Development Program Area within the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Her current dossiers include mentorship, French education and international assistance among others. Françoise’s teaching and administrative career spans over 25 years within the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels, urban and rural communities in Alberta as well as overseas where she has taught in

Germany, Ghana and in China. Recipient of a national Excellence in Teaching Award from the Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers (Association Canadienne des Professeurs en Éducation), Françoise is particularly interested in issues pertaining to second language education, social justice as well as issues in international development and teacher education, and women in leadership.

Speaker: Françoise Ruban Room: Logan 1

st Chairperson: Nancy Crosset, Lakeland Catholic Local

2nd

Chairperson: Kimberly Pretty, Fort Vermilion Local

FIRST SMALL GROUP SESSIONS – Thursday morning Pool B - Lakeland Catholic, Northland, Northern Lights Pool A – Other delegates are in one of the opening keynote sessions 9:00 a.m. to 10:10 a.m.

SECOND SMALL GROUP SESSIONS – Thursday morning Pool A – Aspen View, Fort Vermilion, Greater St. Paul Pool B – Other delegates are in one of the opening keynote sessions 10:45 a.m. to 11:55 a.m.

Current Issues in Education - President of the ATA The president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, Carol Henderson, will present a review of

current issues in education. Issues that are likely to affect teachers and schools as a result of government decisions and actions will be discussed. This session repeats at 10:45. Speaker: Carol Henderson Room Emerald 1

st Chairperson: Randy Proskiw, District Representative NE

2nd

Chairperson: Randy Proskiw, District Representative NE

Mental Toughness: A Concept for Our Times

Tough times require tough-minded people. Schools need to focus on turning out resilient,

hardy and mentally tough students who are more likely to stay in school and perform under

pressure. Schools in the United Kingdom train students to use the concept of mental

toughness to help improve classroom performance and lower dropout rates. This concept has

also been used as a bullying intervention because people who are trained to meet challenges and stay in control tend to have increased resistance to the effects of bullying. There is a clear

link between positive behavior and a student’s level of mental toughness. This session will be

an introduction and exploration of this concept and its usefulness as a construct in the

classroom.

This session repeats at 10:45.

Speaker: Jay Hetherington Room: Amethyst 1

st Chairperson: Nav Attewel, Aspen View Local

2nd

Chairperson: Stephanie McKay, Fort Vermilion Local

My Heroes Have Always Been Indians:

My Heroes Have Always Been Indians is unique book because it highlights the often overlooked

contribution that Aboriginal people have made to Alberta society. It has two parts: the first is

an historical, cultural and demographic synopsis of Aboriginal peoples in Alberta. The second

part highlights the contributions of 100 role models in short biographies and photographs.

They contributed to Arts, Literature, Commerce, Community Development, Cultural Identity, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, Justice/Law, Leadership, Military

Service, Politics, Sports, Technology, Traditional Knowledge, Tourism, Volunteerism, and

Women's Issues. This session repeats at 10:45.

Dr. Cora Voyageur is an associate professor in the sociology department at the University of Calgary. She earned a Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Alberta where her dissertation explored Aboriginal people and their involvement

with the Employment Equity Act. Her research focuses on the Aboriginal experience in Canada and includes women’s issues, politics, employment, media, and economic development. She has conducted extensive community-initiated

research with many First Nations and Aboriginal organization. Dr. Voyageur is a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta.

Speaker: Dr. Cora Voyageur Room Maligne 1

st Chairperson: Karen Gamble, Fort Vermilion Local

2nd

Chairperson: Christine Brown, Northland Local

Assessing What’s Hard to Measure While educators are in agreement as to the importance of helping students acquire 21st

century skills, there appears to be less agreement in regard to how such skills could be

assessed. Since we are already well into the 21st century, coming to such an understanding

takes on an increased measure of importance! Through a case study approach, participants

will examine a variety of ways to assess skills that can’t easily be measured using traditional

assessment techniques. Support materials available through the AAC website will be highlighted. This session repeats at 10:45.

Speaker: Pat Lore Room: Morraine 1

st Chairperson: TBA

2nd

Chairperson: Lenore Lamouche, Aspen View Local

The Senses and the Mind

This session is pertinent for anyone interested in constructing a more accurate world view,

creating a better world. Imagine an astronomer receiving data from an orbiting telescope. To

make sense of the data and thus the universe she/he should understand how it was collected,

processed and transmitted. Similarly to understand the universe we need to understand our

senses and our mind. This presentation deals with selectivity, biases, heuristics, assumption and working principles. This session repeats at 10:45.

Speaker: Greg Hunter Room Banff 1

st Chairperson: Timothy Crabbe, Northern Lights Local

2nd

Chairperson: TBA

Teaching Students who Live in Poverty

Educators who teach children from poverty know these students have different needs when

coming to school. Understanding the culture they live in and knowing strategies that work best

for these students is critical to teaching and learning. Many years of experience, reading and

looking at the research have given me important knowledge to help these children be more

successful at school. I would like to share this knowledge so you can empower and enable

these students to be the best they can be. This session repeats at 10:45. Speaker: Anthony Kernaghan Room Jasper 1

st Chairperson: Christine Yurko, Great St. Paul Local

2nd

Chairperson: Karie Becker, Fort Vermilion Local

Numeracy Tasks (Grades 7-9) 9:00 until 10:10 With the latest curriculum revisions numeracy has taken on a more prominent role within the grades 7 to 9 curriculum. But exactly what is this thing that we call numeracy? In this workshop we will examine this notion of numeracy and how it is different than mathematics. Participants will engage in, and leave with, a number of grades 7-9 numeracy tasks for use in meeting the curriculum's demand for attainment of this elusive, yet important, learning outcome. This session does not repeat! Any delegate may attend this session at this time! Dr. Peter Liljedahl is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Faculty of Education and an

associate member in the Department of Mathematics at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. His research interests are focused on the professional growth of mathematics teachers in general, and the role that beliefs play in this growth in particular. He is also interested in creativity, insight, and discovery

in mathematics teaching and learning; mathematical problem solving; and numeracy.

Speaker: Dr. Peter Liljedahl Room: 2201/2203 Chairperson: Marj Farris, Fort Vermilion Local

Numeracy Tasks (Grades 10-12) 10:45 until 11:55 With the latest curriculum revisions numeracy has taken on a more prominent role within the grades 10 to 12 curriculum. But exactly what is this thing that we call numeracy? In this workshop we will examine this notion of numeracy and how it is different than mathematics. Participants will engage in, and leave with, a number of grades 10-12 numeracy tasks for use in meeting the curriculum's demand for attainment of this elusive, yet important, learning outcome. This session does not repeat! Any delegate may attend this session at this time! Dr. Peter Liljedahl is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Faculty of Education and an associate member in the Department of Mathematics at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. His research interests are focused on the professional growth of mathematics teachers in general, and the role that beliefs play in this growth in particular. He is also interested in creativity, insight, and discovery in mathematics teaching and learning; mathematical problem solving; and numeracy.

Speaker: Dr. Peter Liljedahl Room: 2201/2203 Chairperson: Terry Lyn McLeod, Northland Local

Domino Math Games - Connecting the Dots (K- Gr. 3)

Come prepared to play domino games that help teach patterning, counting, place value, the

operations and more. Reproducible game boards provided. These activities are great for

regular and Special Education centers. ALL NEW games and strategies will be introduced in this session. This session repeats at 10:45. Speaker: John Felling Room: 2204/2206 1

st Chairperson: TBA

2nd

Chairperson: Adam Cook, Greater St. Paul Local

Cross Curricular Literacy - Secondary

Secondary teachers of Math, Science, and Social Studies face the same literacy challenges as

their colleagues in the English department. Using the current research on literacy

development J.A. Williams School is implementing a school wide `Word-Learning Initiative'.

This session provides an overview of the literacy challenges secondary teachers face; some

research based practices and instructional strategies, as well as our school-wide implementation plan. This initiative embraces literacy as a responsibility for all subject area

teachers.

Speaker: Conal Donovan Room: 2205 1

st Chairperson: Julie Chorney, Lakeland Catholic Local

2nd Chairperson: TBA

I’m the Boss of Me so that My Teacher Doesn’t Have to Be

Current research suggests that the most effective teachers work with small groups to effectively

meet individual student needs. This session will explore ways and resources that show how to develop each student’s understanding of what being an independent learner looks like, feels

like and sounds like. Session participants will explore how to develop and set criteria and

expectations with students for independent learning activities in Language Arts and

Mathematics using curriculum- based I can statements. Participants will understand how the

use of critical self- reflection and accountability are a large part of becoming an independent learner. This session repeats at 10:45. Speaker: Petronella Bouvier Room 2207 1

st Chairperson: Lorna Kravontka, Aspen View Local

2nd

Chairperson: Leanne Johnson, Lakeland Catholic Local

Linking Art With Literature (This is a half-day session)

Probably the most practical session you will ever attend! Come and make several art projects based on Andrea’s ―Linking Art with Literature (The Third)‖ book of art lessons. All projects are

based on quality children’s literature. The $20 fee (collected at the door) includes a copy of the

30+ lesson plans and resource lists. Come dressed for a mess, ready to paint, draw and have

fun! Please register at april.koziol@nlsd.ab.ca This is a half-day session that is open to

all delegates at this time. There is a registration limit of 30 participants.

Speaker: Andrea Daly Room 2208/2210 1

st Chairperson: Janet Bailey, Northland Local

Explore FMS through Lead-Up Games

Lead-Up Games are low organized activities that focus or mimic various sport skills without

actually playing the sport in its entirety. Lead-Up actives give students the opportunity to

utilize these various sports skills in small settings; therefore, allowing for a better learning experience without the stress of actually playing the ―real‖ game. Come and learn activities

involving modified rules and skills where the focus is on improving fundamental movement

skills, confidence and having fun. This workshop also incorporates two new Physical Literacy

initiatives created by the Be Fit For Life network (Move & Play Through Physical Literacy) and

Special Olympics Canada. (Active Start and FUNdamentals Program Guides) This session

repeats at 10:45. Speaker: Ever Active School Room: Mezzanine Room, Trade Centre 1

st Chairperson: TBA

2nd

Chairperson: Justin Barlow, Lakeland Catholic Local

Personal Pension Interviews – 15 Minute Interviews – Thursday and Friday Personal interviews with a representative of the ATRF will be available. Pension matters of a

personal nature may be discussed. Please bring any recent ATRF communications with you,

such as a Contributor Record and/or a Pension Estimate. If you are planning to retire in the

near future, please bring both the originals and copies of your birth certificate, your marriage

certificate, and your spouse's birth certificate where applicable. Prior to Convention 2011

delegates may register for a pension interview at the ATRF website. www.atrf.com

Speaker: Dana Adams, ATRF Room: Please ask at the registration desk.

SMALL GROUP SESSIONS (Thursday afternoon) Thursday, February 16th, 2012 1:30 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.

If Lady Gaga Can be Useful: The Education We Need

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga, is no doubt one of the most

successful global super stars. She has over 13 million twitter followers and 40 million

Facebook fans. Her YouTube video ―Bad Romance‖ has accrued over 411 million views

and www.celebritynetworth.com estimates her net worth to be about 110 million dollars.

Apparently she has something valuable to offer. But her talents would be of little value in the

Chinese village where Yong Zhao grew up. She would not make a great worker on Henry Ford’s assembly line either. What can we learn from Lady Gaga’s story?

At a time when the world needs more creative and innovative talents to meet the

unprecedented challenges and take advantage of the vast opportunities presented by

technological changes and globalization, school systems around the globe continue to focus on producing good tests takers. At a time when old industries are rapidly replaced by new ones,

schools continue to force students to prepare for jobs that may not even exist when they

graduate. At a time when students need to learn to collaborate globally in this interconnected

and interdependent village, schools continue to push a nationalistic Cold War style curriculum

to make them ―globally competitive.‖ At a time when children have become increasingly disengaged and disinterested with the outdated Industrial Age curriculum and pedagogy,

schools are asked to cram more of the same. At a time when human diversity should be

celebrated and taped into as assets, schools are asked to homogenize the curriculum and

narrow children’s educational experiences.

In this presentation, Dr. Yong Zhao provides a summary of his forthcoming book Students as Global Entrepreneurs. Reflecting on the reasons behind Lady Gaga’s success, Dr. Zhao suggests

a radical new approach to preparing our children for the globalized world. Instead of imposing

on children a prescribed common curriculum derived from past experiences or research about

what today’s employers need, Dr. Zhao proposes that we should prepare children as global

entrepreneurs who are willing and able to create jobs in the global economy, to contribute

positively to the globalized society, and to enjoy the vast cultural diversity of humanity.

Speaker: Dr. Yong Zhao Room: Robson/Rundle Chairperson: Terry Gibson. Fort Vermilion Local

Father Tony Ricard

I Still Believe!

On August 29, 2005, life as I knew it was changed forever. It was on this date that Hurricane

Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. Never could I have imagined the pain and heartache that we, the Katrina Survivors, would have to endure. Yet, somehow, we are surviving. Somehow, we are

making it. And, somehow, We Still Believe!

We know that it is through God’s Grace that we have been able to make it. Our faith is what has strengthened us for the Battle of Recovery. As I look back on my post-Katrina journey, I

realize now, more than ever, how much God loves us. This is my testimony to that faith.

This heartfelt and interactive workshop will focus on keeping the faith in tough times. As the old folks would say, “As long as there is a God in Heaven, I know that I am going to be all right!” This is my testimony of faith after the storm because I Still Believe!

We need people who will pull together to get the job done." -Brenda Robinson Speaker: Father Tony Ricard

Room: Palisades

Chairperson: Julie Reed, Fort Vermilion Local

Numeracy Tasks (Grades 1-3) With the latest curriculum revisions numeracy has taken on a more prominent role within the grades 1 to 3 curriculum. But exactly what is this thing that we call numeracy? In this workshop we will examine this notion of numeracy and how it is different than mathematics. Participants will engage in, and leave with, a number of grades 1-3 numeracy tasks for use in meeting the curriculum's demand for attainment of this elusive, yet important, learning outcome. Dr. Peter Liljedahl is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Faculty of Education and an

associate member in the Department of Mathematics at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada.

His research interests are focused on the professional growth of mathematics teachers in general, and the role that beliefs play in this growth in particular. He is also interested in creativity, insight, and discovery in mathematics teaching and learning; mathematical problem solving; and numeracy.

Speaker: Dr. Peter Liljedahl Room: Logan Chairperson: Lance Gyte, Aspen View Local

“To Investigate or Not to Investigate”

This session looks at how school administrators should address complaints received about

student(s) and teachers (s). Differentiation as to circumstances that need to be investigated by

school administrators as well as those where the investigation should be left with the school district and/or police will be elaborated. The session discusses appropriate protocol s and

elements that must be considered in order to conduct an appropriate investigation. One’s

obligation under the ―rules of natural justice‖ and the Code of Professional Conduct will be

discussed. The session will also discuss the school administrator’s role when police seek the

opportunity to interview students at the school.

Speaker: Marvin Hackman Room: Emerald Chairperson: Dale Hymanyk, Northern Lights Local

Quick Thinking

Thinking matters, especially in the classroom. Knowing a student’s style of thinking is as

important as knowing, that student’s learning style. Come and learn about a simple program of teaching students about thinking that is crafted in such a manner as to provide students

and teachers with a simple lexicon about thinking that allows the users to converse easily with

others in the classroom about the thinking process. There has been a demonstrated use in the

classroom for this procedure as a way of getting students to apply an organized cognitive

approach to essay test questions. Students who are given an awareness of their possible styles of thinking and how to apply particular styles of thinking to the specific requirements of

particular test questions can open up an entirely different approach to teaching students.

Speaker: Jay Hetherington Room: Amethyst

Chairperson: Dawn Cosman, Aspen View Local

Mental Wellness: Part of Your Healthy School Community There is no health without mental health! Positive interactions, adapting to change, coping with

adversity and finding balance in all aspects of life are critical elements of maintaining mental

health. Participants will leave this workshop with an understanding of what mental health

looks like as well as strategies to improve the mental health of the school community.

Speaker: Ever Active Schools Room: Maligne Chairperson: TBA

The Psychology of Knowledge…..Idols of the Cave and the Tribe This session is pertinent for anyone interested in constructing a more accurate world view, creating a better world. In the 17th Century, Sir Francis Bacon recognized biases inherent in human nature which he called ―Idols of the Minds‖, today’s ―cognitive biases‖ - adaptive

psychological processes ―gone wrong‖. Generalizations can be hasty or accurate. Cognitive

dissonance can lead to confirmation bias or honest investigation. Understand the biases we

use to construct our conceptions of reality is vital to understanding reality.

Speaker: Greg Hunter Room: Banff

Chairperson: TBA

Co-operative Games to Develop Story Development

In this session Bruce will run you through various games which aide in developing ideas for storytelling and story development. The activities may be used in language class or drama

class. Bruce MacDonald is the winner of the ―Prime ministers award for Excellence in

Teaching‖ and is also the Alberta High School Drama Festival.

Speaker: Bruce MacDonald Room: Jasper Chairperson: Heather Ebbers, Greater St. Paul Local

Connecting Curriculum and the Metis Settlements of Alberta

Established in 1989 by the Don Getty gov’t the Metis Settlements of Alberta have played a role

in the history of Alberta. This distinct and unique form of government has its jurisdiction

under the Metis Settlements Act. Connecting community and curriculum is one way of providing a foundational relationship with this vibrant and growing community. Strategies for

staff orientation and curriculum connections will be shared.

Speaker: Laurie Thompson Room: 2201/2203 Chairperson: April Koziol, Northern Lights Local

Domino Math Games – Linking the Learning (Gr. 4-6)

Come prepared to play domino games that teacher the operations, fractions, place value,

problem solving and more. Come discover the wide range of uses for the motivating and easy

to use manipulative. Reproducible game boards provided. This session repeats at 2:55. Speaker: John Felling Room 2204/2206 Chairperson: Kelsey Hill, Northern Lights Local

Inclusion: A Student’s Voice

Zachary, born with Spina Bifida, brings unique insights to the discussion of inclusiveness

within the school system. Drawing from personal experience, Zach will share practical

suggestions and prompt open discussion. This will be a very unique discussion from the

student’s perspective on how his education prepared him for his life beyond the classroom. As a teacher, do you ever wonder about what happens to students when they leave the school?

Here is your chance to ask questions and listen to a remarkable story.

Speaker: Zachary Engel Room: 2205 Chairperson: Adrienne Sprecker, North Lights Local

Diggin’ in the Coal: Creating Art with Charcoal – Gr. 4-12 Come and get your hands dirty while experiencing the ancient art form of Chiaroscuro. You will

have the opportunity to experiment with charcoal and leave with ideas to use immediately with

your students or at home relaxing by yourself. This is a hands-on workshop.

Speaker: Karen Draycott/ Lisa Gingras Room: Mezzanine, Trade Centre Upstairs Chairperson: Shirley Fayant, Northland Local

SMALL GROUP SESSIONS – HALF Day Workshops Thursday, February 16th, 2012 1:30 p.m. to 4:05 p.m. Tour the Legislative Building and Witness the Legislative Assembly in Action!

Make democracy come alive! Take a step inside the Alberta Legislature and broaden your

personal knowledge and understanding of Alberta history, parliamentary traditions and

symbols along with the legislative process. Then discover a wealth of program opportunities

and resources to support your classroom teaching. This session includes a comprehensive

guided build tour, observation of the Assembly (25 seats have been reserved in the Legislative

Gallery if government is in session). There will be a presentation as well as a question-and-

answer period geared to teachers’ professional opportunity to view the student program venues.

Transportation from the Mayfield Inn to the Legislative Assembly will be available.

Please contact april.koziol@nlsd.ab.ca to register for this session. This session is open to

the first 25 delegates to sign up. Participants need to pay $10.00 to the chairperson to

cover the cost of the bus. NETCA will pay the admission costs. Meet the bus outside the

front doors of the Mayfield Inn at 1:30 p.m. This session is a half day workshop! Speaker: Diane Brayman/Diana Panizzon Room: Legislature Building Chairperson: Murray Lalonde, Aspen View Local

Tour the Art Gallery of Alberta

A PASSION FOR NATURE: Landscape Paintings from 19th Century France

This exhibition of masterworks from the collection of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington

DC, will trace the development of the landscape in French painting, from the mid-nineteenth to

the early twentieth century. Artists such as Eugène Boudin, Gustave Courbet, Jean Baptiste

Camille Corot, Johan Jongkind, Claude Monet and Théodore Rousseau pioneered this direct

approach to their subject matter. All are represented in this exhibition, and are among the

most important in the history of landscape art. Alongside these are artists who sought to develop the symbolic, emotional, subjective and even expressionistic aspects of landscape

depiction. The exhibition will include examples from key movements, including Realism,

Naturalism, the Barbizon School, Impressionism, Symbolism and Fauvism.

Please contact april.koziol@nlsd.ab.ca to register for this session. This session is open to the first 30 delegates who register. Participants need to pay $10.00 to the chairperson to

cover the cost of the bus. NETCA will pay the admission costs. Meet the bus outside the

front doors of the Mayfield Inn at 1:30 p.m.. This session is a half day workshop!

Speaker: TBA Room: Art Gallery of Alberta Chairperson: Jeanne Smith, Northern Lights Local

Study of Words: A Look at English Orthography

Teaching students to read words and spell can be a difficult task- it is said English doesn’t

make sense. However, research suggests that less than 20% of English words are irregular in

how they are spelled and the difficulty in teaching spelling lies in the lack of knowledge of

English Orthography. This session will explore the layers of English Orthography, the

Language Arts Curriculum and give suggestions on how to teach spelling according to

individual student’s developmental stages. Session participants will engage in word sorting

and classifying activities that can be used in the classroom with students.

Speaker: Petronella Bouvier Room: 2207 Chairperson: Arin Jasmine, Northern Lights Local

Building a Better Rubric

Well-designed rubrics have the potential to not only document the results of student

performance, but to actually facilitate improved student learning. Using excerpts from the AAC publication Building Better Rubrics, this session will provide a framework for recognizing

quality rubrics and provide practical tools to support new and experienced developers.

Speaker: Pat Lore Room: Morraine

Chairperson: Allan Spelrem, Fort Vermilion Local

Linking Art With Literature (This is a half-day session)

Probably the most practical session you will ever attend! Come and make several art projects

based on Andrea’s ―Linking Art with Literature (The Third)‖ book of art lessons. All projects are

based on quality children’s literature. The $20 fee (collected at the door) includes a copy of the

30+ lesson plans and resource lists. Come dressed for a mess, ready to paint, draw and have fun! Please register at april.koziol@nlsd.ab.ca This is a half-day session!

Speaker: Andrea Daly Room 2208/2210 1

st Chairperson: Lori Cox, Fort Vermilion Local

SMALL GROUP SESSIONS (Thursday afternoon) Thursday, February 16th, 2012 2:55 p.m. to 4:05 p.m.

“Never Send a Man to Do a Machines Job”

Sir Winston Churchill once said ―We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.‖

Technologies we have created have also dramatically shaped our world. By reducing distance, enabling mass participation, and expanding human needs and capacities, technology has a

created a new world that presents both new challenges and opportunities for our students—

future residents of this new world. And education must act to prepare our children to

competently meet these challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.

In this presentation, Yong Zhao discusses how we need to reconsider the relationship between

technology and human teachers in schools. In order to harness the power of technology, we

need to realign the capacity of technology and human beings to provide a more healthy

education ecosystem in which children are supported to realize their individual potential and

develop their strengths. Dr. Zhao will provide examples of how technology can be used to

transform education to move from a mass production culture that emphasizes on standardization and narrow nationalism to one that values the individual and cultivates global

competence.

Speaker: Dr. Yong Zhao Room: Robson/Rundle Chairperson: Glen Finney, Aspen View Local

Father Tony Ricard

Don’t Be Stupid

At an early age, Fr. Tony’s Momma taught him that ignorance is when you don’t know something and stupidity is when you know something is wrong but you still do it! How much better our lives would be if the official Church Theologians

would just sum up all that God has been trying to teach us by simply saying, “Remember who you belong to and Don’t Be Stupid.”

This fun-filled and interactive session will focus on how we can all live exciting lives while avoiding the Stupid Traps of this world. Join us as we vow to ―not be

stupid anymore!‖ ." We need people who will pull together to get the job done." -Brenda Robinson Speaker: Father Tony Ricard

Room: Palisades 1

st Chairperson: Rhonda Games, Lakeland Catholic Local

Numeracy Tasks (Grades 4-6)

With the latest curriculum revisions numeracy has taken on a more prominent role within the grades 4 to 6 curriculum. But exactly what is this thing that we call numeracy? In this

workshop we will examine this notion of numeracy and how it is different than mathematics.

Participants will engage in, and leave with, a number of grades 4-6 numeracy tasks for use in

meeting the curriculum's demand for attainment of this elusive, yet important, learning

outcome.

Dr. Peter Liljedahl is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Faculty of Education and an associate member in the Department of Mathematics at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. His research interests are focused on the professional growth of mathematics teachers in general, and the role that beliefs play in this growth in particular. He is also interested in creativity, insight, and discovery in mathematics teaching and learning; mathematical problem solving; and numeracy.

Speaker: Peter Liljedahl Room: Logan Chairperson: TBA

Emotion In Education

The high road to learning is through the heart. Paying attention to Emotional IQ in the

classroom helps translate classroom facts into real world application. A solid grounding in

emotional education is an important part of the educational experience. Today, students need to harness and maximize their emotional energy to better cope with continuous change and

increasing levels of complexity in their world. The practical goal of what has been popularized,

as ―emotional intelligence‖ is to become more aware and skillful at utilizing our emotional

abilities. Attend this session to learn how to include the emotional needs of your student into

the classroom experience.

Speaker: Jay Hetherington Room: Amethyst Chairperson: Helen Hong, Fort Vermilion Local

Health Promoting Schools Research shows that healthier students are better prepared to learn and are more successful in

school. Health Promoting Schools (HPS), also known as Comprehensive School Health, is a

school-wide approach that links health and education and connects the home, school and

community. Come learn about eh EAS Program and the steps to success in creating a healthy

learning environment. This workshop will include essential elements learned from the Alberta

Healthy School Community Wellness Fund and Physical and Health Education Canada. Speaker: Ever Active Schools Room: Maligne Chairperson: Jodie Benning, Greater St. Paul Local

The Sociology of Knowledge…..Idols of the Marketplace and the Theatre In the 17th Century, Sir Francis Bacon recognized sociological influences on knowledge that he categorized as: ―Idols of the Marketplace…ill and unfit choice of words wonderfully obstructs

the understanding. ―Idols of the Theatre……received systems are but stage plays‖ We will look

at how much of our own world view has been passively or consensually received?

Speaker: Greg Hunter Room: Banff Chairperson: Mike Straile, Northern Lights Local

Participating in the Provincial Drama Festival Bruce MacDonald is the winner of the ―Prime ministers award for Excellence in Teaching‖ and

is also the Alberta High School Drama Festival. In this session Bruce will outline the

procedures involved in becoming involved with a zone festival from choosing scripts to

producing your show.

Speaker: Bruce MacDonald Room: Jasper Chairperson: Dick Richards, Aspen View Local

International Field Experience in Kenya This presentation will show the highlights of a faculty initiated and university supported

International Field Experience project in Kenya. This initiative attempted to create an exceptional and life-changing university experience for education students through curricular

and extra –curricular offerings that integrated learning, discovery learning and citizenship to

develop intellect and the imagination, educate leaders and enhance global perspective. Notions

of leadership capacities and development of culturally responsive curriculum led the

participants to educational conversations and pushed us to move beyond educational tourism.

Adventure Learning Experiences was founded in 1996 by Greg Rogers and Robert Lato. Since then, 45 study and service programs have been undertaken and have involved over 300 young

people and over 200 adults to such diverse parts of the world as Central and East Asia, Central

and South Africa, Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central America. These programs are set up for students as well as teachers.

Speaker: Alyre Morin Room: 2201/2203 Chairperson: Lorne Hughes, Fort Vermilion Local

Domino Math Games – Linking the Learning (Gr. 4-6)

Come prepared to play domino games that teacher the operations, fractions, place value,

problem solving and more. Come discover the wide range of uses for the motivating and easy

to use manipulative. Reproducible game boards provided.

Speaker: John Felling Room 2204/2206 Chairperson: Julie Norrie, Lakeland Catholic Local

Let the Music Move You

Take the materials from this session and use it to good effect in your elementary

classroom/music class. Come and play with words, experience rhythm with in lyric poetry and

let the music move you.

Speaker: Udo Mueller

Room: 2205 Chairperson: Apryl Hewlett, Lakeland Catholic Local

“Not Just a Carbon Copy…….Celebrity Me” (Gr. K-12) Come and explore the various sides of your character. Explore your many talents through a

Picasso inspired portrait creation. You are definitely NOT a boring carbon copy. Come let yourself go wild with pastels and take some time for you. This is a hands-on workshop. There is a $10.00 workshop fee to cover the costs of the supplies. This is collected at the workshop! Speaker: Karen Draycott/Lisa Gingras Room: Mezzanine, Trade Centre Upstairs Chairperson: Christie Roche, Greater St. Paul