School begins early for Rainbow educators participating in Summer Institute

The school year will get off to an early start for educators participating in the Rainbow District School Board’s Summer Institute, which begins on Monday, August 23rd and continues throughout the week. A variety of professional learning sessions will be offered, including a special presentation by Douglas Reeves, the founder of an international organization dedicated to improving student achievement and educational equity.

“The Summer Institute provides teachers in Rainbow Schools with a wonderful opportunity to expand their knowledge as they prepare for the start of another exciting school year,” said Norm Blaseg, Director of Education for Rainbow District School Board. “With a focus on literacy, differentiated instruction, assessment for learning, eLearning and First Nations education, our professional learning sessions have one thing in common – student success.”

Summer Institute Presentations

Grade 4 to 6: Regular Program and French Immersion

Connecting Oral, Reading, Writing and Media

Monday, August 23 and Tuesday, August 24, 2010

9 am to 3 pm

Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel on Brady Street

Presenters: Nicole Czaja and Tammy Dixon

This two-day engaging workshop for regular classroom and French Immersion teachers will explore the links between oral, reading, writing and media literacy through robust thinking tasks. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to explore the application of formative assessment strategies and practical ways to assess student work in order to inform next steps for learning.

Grade 7 to 12: Differentiated Instruction and Assessment for Learning

Monday, August 23 and Tuesday, August 24, 2010

9 am to 3 pm

Gord Ewin Centre for Education, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

Presenters: Tiffany Roberts and Michele Henschel

This interactive two-day session will support teachers in using the Ministry of Education Differentiated Instruction Educator’s Package (Enhancements 2010) and the recently released Growing Success assessment document. Educators will have the opportunity to work collaboratively to develop lessons and activities using the Ministry identified resources that support differentiation. As well, participants will use the Ministry of Education subject specific teaching and learning examples to enhance their understanding of differentiation. On day two, participants will be able to apply the principles of assessment for, of, and as learning to the lessons and activities created on day one.

So You Think You’d Like to Teach Online?

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

9 am to 3 pm

Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel on Brady Street

Presenter: Martha Walli, Regional eLearning Contact

This one-day hands-on workshop will put teachers into an eLearning Ontario course where they will manipulate the tools of the eLearning environment in a meaningful way. Participants will discover what a day in the life of an e-teacher looks like.

Keynote:

Supporting Assessment for Learning in Your Classroom, K to 12

Thursday, August 26, 2010

8 am to Noon

Radisson Hotel, 85 St. Anne Road

Presenter: Douglas Reeves

Educators will learn how to integrate the use of feedback, conferencing, goal-setting and evidence-based decision-making in their classrooms during this dynamic session. Douglas Reeves is the founder of The Leadership and Learning Centre, an international organization dedicated to improving student achievement and educational equity. He works with governments, businesses and school systems to help educators and school leaders improve student achievement. He uses practical and constructive approaches to standards, assessments and accountability and reaches Ontario educators through his collaboration with the Ministry of Education to support School Effectiveness Framework implementation.




Kindergarten to Grade 5: Oral Language and First Nations Students

Thursday, August 26, 2010

1 pm to 3:30 pm

Radisson Hotel, St. Anne Road

Presenter: Sharla Peltier

This session will increase teachers’ awareness of First Nation student program needs and application of teaching/learning strategies. The power of oral storytelling circles will be explored to support First Nations student engagement in elementary classrooms.

Kindergarten to Grade 3 Regular Program

Connecting Oral, Reading, Writing and Media

Wednesday, August 25 and Friday, August 27, 2010

Gord Ewin Centre for Education, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

Presenters: Tammy Dixon and Tricia Dixon-Van Mierlo

This engaging two-day workshop for regular classroom teachers will explore the links between oral, reading, writing and media literacy through robust thinking tasks. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to explore the application of formative assessment strategies and practical ways to assess student work in order to inform next steps for learning.

Rainbow District School Board provides quality programs and character development to close to 15,000 students in Sudbury, Espanola, Manitoulin Island and Shining Tree. 

Schools re-open for registrations on Monday, August 23, 2010. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 7, 2010. Please note that there will be no early dismissal on the first day.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,

Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,

Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.