"First Steps": A Powerful Resource for All Teachers!

At the Education Centre, expert Literacy Resource Teachers, Robin, Christine, and Ingrid, navigate fellow Literacy Coaches through the "First Steps" resource. The resource is a powerful tool to help teachers plan their units and scaffold students' learning processes. The main gist of this resource is to use diagnostic data to identify students' current literacy skills, using a map of development (called phases), in order to move students forward; thus improving their literacy skills.

Generally, this tool is used in the Primary and Intermediate/Junior areas, but it could, and should, be used at the Secondary level too. The "First Steps" resource is worth investigating as it improves student achievment and teachers' practices. Moreover, the resource assists teachers in engaging students in a variety of differentiated activities, while improving their literacy skills and their confidence.

The only drawback of this resource is that it is overwhelming at first; as with anything new. As a result, it helps to be trained or guided through it the first time. Check out the SCDSB website to see when there are available workshops. However, if you want to dig into this resource now, scan through the "Writing: Map of Development" continuum (on the first page of the text) and then take a look through the "Writing: Resource Book", to see some innovative activities that could move your students forward.

It would be time well spent to take a "First Steps" workshop or guide yourself through these resources.

Grade 12 Student's Share Their Opinions About Mike Sciso: Aids Victim or Threat?

Students discuss a hot topic where a man with aids is driven out of his town for having aids.

York Region Roger's "The Day Show" Interviews Bear Creek Students

Two Bear Creek students were selected to be interviewed for the books they read in class. The books they reviewed were, "20 Something in the 20 Something's" and "The World Is Yours".

Grade 12 University English Reads "The Alchemist"

Grade 12 University English students read aloud "The Alchemist". A novel about finding one's personal legend or personal dream, and making it become a reality.

Bear Creek Students Have Heart

Ms. Windsor's grade 12 students and the "Free Help" team have heart! The students in my grade 12 Literacy class were so inspired by Ms. Bickley's "My Hero" project, that they held a charity car wash this weekend. We raised $300.00 for kids in Africa, whom we met through the "My Hero" global project. Bear Creek students never cease to amaze me!

If anyone wants to do a collaborative global project with schools in different parts of the world, email Ms. Windsor for help.

Students Act Out Character Traits

Leah and her friends create a script to demonstrate honesty. It was a script that could be used at elementary and secondary schools to show the hurtful impact of dishonesty.

WALL OF COURAGE AT BEAR CREEK

Pink was the colour of the day at Bear Creek Secondary. Kaitlynn Foien's anti-bullying campaign starts with an incredible turn out. There were about 400 students who showed up for the photo, but there were many more students who were supporting the cause. Students wore pink to show their support for the anti-bullying campaign. It was a success as students took a stand against bullying by wearing pink shirts or pink hearts (see previous blog for the full story).

Grade 12 English Students Present Character Trait Videos

Grade 12 University English students created character education story boards and videos for their final project. Students presented videos about diversity, respect and inclusiveness. Terrific job by all involved!

Bear Creek Students to Air on York TV Show

Three grade 12 students have been selected to be on a TV show to share their responses to Jeff Moore's new book, "The World Is Yours". Students wrote their responses in one night in order to be chosen as a guest book reviewer. Congrats to all!

Action Research Report Inspires Bear Creek Students

Kailynne Foien wrote an action research report about the problem of bullying. She turned her facts into a "live" anti-bullying campaign. She encouraged students to wear pink this Tuesday to support the anti-bullying campaign. Why pink you ask? Well, a student in Nova Scotia was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. When grade 12 students found out, they all decided to wear pink the next day, in order to protest bullying. In this way, Bear students are encouraged to do the same. Let's see what happens.