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The Historical Thinking Project
The Historical Thinking Project: Re-engaging Students with History
The Historical Thinking Project was designed to foster a new approach to history education — with the potential to shift how teachers teach and how students learn, in line with recent international research on history learning. It revolves around the proposition that historical thinking — like scientific thinking in science instruction and mathematical thinking in math instruction — is central to history instruction and that students should become more competent as historical thinkers as they progress through their schooling.
For more information go to http://historicalthinking.ca
The Six Historical Thinking Concepts focuses on concepts rather than the content. Covering less content and spending more time on conceptual ideas may assist in making history more meaningful to students.
Six Historical Thinking Concepts:
1. Historical Significance: What's worth studying? How do we decide whose stories to tell? Whose voice is dominant and whose is silenced?
2. Evidence: How do we know what we know?
3. Continuity and Change: How are historical changes interwoven with continuities? How do we think about change?
4. Cause and Consequence: Why do things happen and then what happens after that? It's multi-layered.
5. Historical Perspectives: How can we ever understand the past? What are the similarities and differences?
6. The Ethical Dimension: Consider how the past still impacts us today.
Jill Colyer, the National Coordinator for the project states it is "Working Better with Historical Sources".
*Lessons are available: http://historicalthinking.ca *Detailed instructions *Handouts are linked to the lessons *Assessment terms used *Concept pages and templates to be used with students
Check out a few Online Sites:
http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/education/008-1000-e.html
http://www.saskarchives.com/sasksettlement
http://www.portageandmainpress.com
Other Resources:
Shaping Canada (McGraw –Hill Ryerson) www.shapingcanada.ca
All 4 Each – grade 8 Social Studies: Teacher resource (tied to SLO's)
The Historical Thinking Project posters are available. See the website.
The release of the new Canadian history text:
The Big Six: Historical Thinking Concepts from Nelson
Just a Thought:
Dr. Joel Westheimer believes, "Justice oriented citizens critically assess social, political, and economic structures and consider collective strategies for change that challenge injustice and, when possible, address root causes of problems." His article reinforces how educators can prepare students to improve society by critically examining and speaking to social issues and injustices. The Historical Thinking Concepts may compliment the "Justice- Oriented Citizen".
www.civicsurvey.org/what_kind_of_citizen.pdf
Vivian Gauvin
First Nations and Metis Consultant
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CUPE Agreement
I am pleased to announce that a new collective agreement for the term September 1 2009 to August 31st 2012 was signed Friday March 30th. A number of items are now in effect. The new agreement will be posted to both the Prairie South and the CUPE websites. Here are some of the highlights:
* Return of Service (ROS) – is effective September 1 2011. The ability to earn up to 4 paid days in recognition of service outside of employees' regular working hours directly involving students (e.g. sports, drama, choir, yearbook). Previous maximum was 3 paid days after 180 hours of service. Employees can now access 3 paid days after 150 hours of service.
* Seniority – The accumulation, maintenance and loss are now all in one place in the agreement.
* Layoff process was made simpler and easier to administer
* Posting - the employer can use previous applicants to competitions rather than having to repost
* Project work – we now can participate in government programs.
* Discipline – new language on progressive discipline was agreed to.
* Workplace flexibility (e.g. job sharing, administrative assistant flex time)
* Boiler checks – we eliminated the need for boiler checks except those required by legislation.
* Overpayments – underpayments – language and time limits now in the agreement.
* Immediate Family definition – made crystal clear.
* Employees required to use their personal phone or cell phone for employer business will be reimbursed for long-distance charges (as is the current practice).
* Administrative Assistants in rural areas provided an additional $400 per year (up from $200) if required to travel using their own vehicle effective September 1st - 2011
* New provision providing a top-up for employees on maternity leave up to 95% of normal weekly earnings for a period of 12 weeks commencing the date of delivery.
* 10-month Administrative Assistants can earn up to three days off for voluntary administrative time worked outside of their assigned days in a school year. Days off can be taken in full or half days and a substitute employee provided, if required.
* New language allowing for job sharing of permanent positions.
* Flex-time can accumulate up to one full day at a time, an increase from one-half day and, in exceptional circumstances, a substitute may be provided for a minimum of one-half day.
* New provision allowing the employee to bump into another position within their classification with a similar work schedule when the employer proposes a significant change (more than two hours) in a shift of an employee's work schedule.
* New language allowing employees to retain union status for up to a 90-day trial period in an out-of-scope position provided they pay union dues.
If anyone has any questions please contact myself or the other bargaining committee members Ryan Boughen or Aline Kirk.
Rory Griffith, MHRM
Manager of Human Resources
Prairie South School Division
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Download the full agreement here: CUPE Agreement
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National Early Years Conference
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 - Friday, May 11, 2012.
The Moose Jaw Early Childhood Coalition is very excited to be hosting Saskatchewan's premier Early Childhood Conference.
Come and hear our impressive line-up of the most notable names in the field of early human development: Professor James Heckman, Nobel Prize recipient; Dr. Stuart Shanker, Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy and Psychology at York University; Dr. Clyde Hertzman, Professor, UBC, Jim Grieve, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ontario ELD and Dr. Jean Clinton, McMaster University.
We know that the first five years of life are critical. These years lay a foundation that impacts learning, health and behavior throughout a lifetime.
When we invest in young children and their families, we are investing in our future.
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And Now For Something Completely Different...
In response to some requests, the Learning Department will facilitate a series of lunch hour webinars for teachers. There are 100 spaces open for each session, which we expect will be plenty, and these are available to anyone who wishes to take part. Each session is 30 minutes or less and may involve some time for questions. If you wish to request a new topic, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
For each session, please log on a few minutes ahead of time and set up your audio (Tools--> Audio--> Audio Set Up Wizard) and make sure that your computer has loaded all the files needed for your participation. There might be some technical glitches for the first two tries, but we'll get past them. The following plans have been made so far...please click on the links to join each session
Here are the easy steps on How to Join a Webinar.
The 4 Level Rubric archived link David Hall RAZ Kids: How to Use It archived link Rayleen Eberl Discovery Education archived link Dean Shareski F & P: How To Use It archived link Rayleen Eberl WCRA: How To Use It archived link Heather Hobbs Sk Common Math Assessments archived link Tim Eirich Mathletics archived link Tim Eirich Core French Survival archived link Yasmina Lemieux Learning Improvement Teams archived link David Hall & Chad Burkholder
RAZ Kids/Reading AZ Learning A-Z Science Probeware
Vernier PPP vs SSP vs ROA archived link Joyleen Podgursky Adaptations & Modifications archived link Jan Stewart Buffalo Kits archived link Vivian Gauvin Interventions archived link Joyleen Podgursky IPad Apps TBA Joyleen Podgursky Circle of Courage archived link Krista Seip Differentiated Instruction Pt I archived link Rayleen Eberl & Michelle Michaluk Authentic Assessment archived link David Hall Digital Portfolios archived link Rayleen Eberl & Shelley Wright Discovery Education training webinars Classroom Management archived link Heather Hobbs & Katie Letnes The Referral Process archived link Joyleen Podgursky Treaty Education archived link Kate Carlisle The DI Mindset archived link Michelle Michaluk & Rayleeen Eberl Reading with Self Regulation archived link Shelley Wright & Jenni Kilgour Questioning and SQ3R archived link Heather Hobbs Project of Heart June 5 3:30 pm Vivian Gauvin link If you have trouble viewing an archived webinar, follow these steps:
- Verify these settings... before opening your browser.
- Open your Control Panel
- Open the "Java" ("Java 32-bit") - May have to switch to View-> Small Icons (Top Right)
- Click "Advanced" tab
- Click + beside "JNLP File/MIME Association"
- Select "Always Allow"
- Sometimes the site will not load, so use Ctrl + F5 to force a reload
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Learning Support Teams
Looking for feedback on how our Learning Support Teams impact schools? Posted in the Read More section are two videos: the first is a conversation with administrator Gord Taylor regarding the support his teachers have experienced from the LST. In the second interview, teacher Tana Arnott explains how the LST assisted in planning a unit through technology integration.
Read more... -
Educational Research Webinars
Educational Research is a company that contracts current experts in a wide variety of topics. Some of these include RTI, instructional coaching and strategies to improve Math, Reading and Writing. Each webinar costs about $200.00 and can be viewed either live or after the fact through the CD that is provided. For more information, please click this link.
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Yoga and Storytelling Professional Development Workshop - Friday Jan. 27
The Moose Jaw Reading Council, a special council of the STF, is holding a Yoga and Storytelling Professional Development Workshop for teachers in both Prairie South and Holy Trinity School Divisions.Date: Friday, January 27
Time: 4:00 to 5:00pm
Location: St. Margaret's Library
Join us for an hour of yoga and storytelling. Get ideas to use in your classroom/home and enjoy a 20-minute personal yoga session with Jaime Ackerman, member of the Moose Jaw Reading Council and RYT. Cost is $10 for non-members and $5 for members.
Register with Jaime at:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or : 631-2037Comfortable clothing is recommended.
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Blind Spot
Blind Spot: What Happened to Canada's Aboriginal Fathers? is a CBC documentary which airs on Saturday, January 14th during the 9:00 pm and midnight CBC news broadcasts. There is a potential to use this video for a variety of lesson topics. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information. View the trailer here.
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Project of Heart
According to the "Project of Heart" (P.O.H.) mission statement, P.O.H. is a hands-on, collaborative, inter-generational, inter-institutional artistic endeavour. Its purpose is to commemorate the lives of the thousands of Indigenous children who died as a result of the residential school experience. Read more.
Students at Central Collegiate will soon be starting their own Project of Heart to learn about the Indian Residential Schools (IRS). They will research to learn about the IRS, and use the information to create a painting on a wooden tile representing the death of one Aboriginal child due to the IRS experience.
The project is being showcased in the second episode of the CBC's "8th Fire" – a four-part series on Aboriginal Issues in Canada called "It's Time" – on Thursday, January 19th (EST) at 9:00 pm.
For more information please contact Vivian Gauvin at Central Collegiate, 693-4691, or go to projectofheart.ca
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National Early Years Conference - Save the date
Moose Jaw is hosting the National Early Years Conference May 9-11, 2012. You can check out the amazing line-up of Keynote Speakers at the following links:Nobel Prize Recipient, Professor James J. Heckman:
Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at The University of Chicago
Nobel Memorial Prize winner in Economics, expert in the economics of human developmentDr. Clyde Hertzman:
Professor, School of Population and Public Health, UBC
Director, Human Early Learning Partnership, British ColumbiaDr. Stuart Shanker:
York University Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology and Philosophy
Member of the York Graduate ProgramMr. Jim Grieve, ADM Ontario Early Learning Division
Dr. Jean Clinton, McMaster University
For more information contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Registration opens January 10, 2012 at www.imagineourfuture.ca
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New documents for the referral process
Prairie South Schools has launched the new documents for the referral process. There are 6 steps in the process, beginning with the in school supports. You can access the overview and documentation for the process on connect.
Thanks to Michelle Grove at Caronport Elementary for sharing the process with her teachers by creating this display. -
McDowell Grants
Once again the McDowell Foundation is inviting teachers, administrators, and others involved in public education to apply for funding for teacher-led research projects that enhance publicly funded PreK-12 schools. You'll find more information at the McDowell website. -
Movember Mo Bros need your support
November is Movember and it's time to raise awareness for men's health – more specifically prostate cancer. We have some bare upper lips at Prairie South who have signed up to grow the best mustache they possilby can.To make a donation and watch the progress check in on the following teams:
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