The Hidden Curriculum and the Autistic Student

Andrea Trafford, an ASD consultant from Kinark Child and Family Services, presented a workshop on how to help teachers understand the world of the autistic child. She highlighted how conventional, social rules need to be explicitly taught to autistic students. Moreover, she stressed the importance of how all traditions, rules and rituals that pertain to school, homelife, culture, community, workplace, relationship ettiquette and the legal system -- all need to be defined and directly taught to autistic students. Her workshop was insightful and a powerful reminder on how to help ASD students.

Inspirational and Influential Speaker: Annie Hussey

Annie Hussey, now a York University student, coaches Simcoe teachers about her journey through the Autism Spectrum (A.S.) into the rigid, conventional world.

Her heartfelt story helped me experience (beyond the theory of A.S.)........her Austism Spectrum world and the complexity of feelings and mulitfaceted perceptions that she experienced as she navigated her way through school. Her sheroic story of wrestling with A.S. to become a "normal" citizen reignited my compassion, empathy and hope for any student who has exceptionalities.


Thanks Annie!

To contact or book this insightful speaker email her at annemic_royalty@hotmail.com.

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Anchor Charts in Simcoe County

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New Literacy Role Rocks!

I am learning so much in this role. I haven't had time to post as I am reading, collaborating and hanging on for the breath taking comprehensive literacy ride. I have see teachers's practices soar to heights that I dream of. I am truly thankful to Janet Lee for mentoring me on my journey to this new literacy resource role.

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New Role: Literacy Resource Teacher

My new role this year is an exciting and challenging one. I am a Literacy Resource Teacher for 34 elementary schools and 6 secondary schools. Luckily, this area is divided up with my co-worker, Robin Hiltz.

"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.

A Poem Written from Free Writing

I Will
By: Mona Mreiche
Edited By: Kayla Long



I will be strong because you always told me that I was weak.
I will laugh because you always made me cry.
I will succeed because you always told me that I’d fail.
I never lived down those days when you said the things you said.

I WILL be with you forever, whether you want to believe it or not,
Because I’m the one who gave you everything that I’ve got
I will be the bigger person and just walk away,
Because everything will eventually be okay

One day you’ll be running back saying you’re sorry and I want you back.
I’ll tell you it’s too late to say you’re sorry.
It’s too late to forgive you for the things that you’ve done.
But I will love you forever.

Poems written from Free Writing

Our Earth

I look through the glass window past the human civilization, where I can connect to nature. I feel the earth's water through my veins. I feel the swift wind through my lungs.I see natures animals gallop, running their hardest. I feel the momentum and it makes me follow my determination in my own life.I see that we humans have transformed this beautiful earth into a polluted earth. What have we become?We are greedy for money; this is what many of us live for.When human existence fails us, will all the materialistic things really matter?When will humans look through their own mirror image and believethat we humans are connected to nature?By Ashley Cole, Ms. Windsor's class, Grade 12

I Will
by Ashley Cole

I will be my own person, even though it is not expected.
I will be strong, even if you think I am weak.
I will be someone, when you have gone no where
I will succeed, even if you believe I won’t.
I will be who I am, even though you follow the crowd.
I will be a professional dog trainer, while you will be at home with nothing.
I have a dream, even if you believe that you can break it.
I believe in myself.