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Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 3

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4 From the Editor his issue of Canadian Teacher Magazine is another celebration of 5 Ghost and Goodbye the energy and passion of educators across our country. We are very ~ Michael Ernest Sweet happy to share with you the ideas and accomplishments of your Tcolleagues and to focus on the good stuff that is happening in Canadian reflections schools. This is a good time to thank our contributors who generously 6 Exit the Fast Lane take the time to write about what is on their minds, what they are learning, ~ Gu Zhenzhen successes in their classrooms, and the enthusiasm they feel for their features vocation. We also celebrate the talents of Canadians who contribute to the 8 Minor League Events Can Cause education of our children in other ways—the amazing authors and illustrators of Canadian children’s Major League Trauma literature who help to reflect and define what it means to be Canadian. ~ Scott Coleman Michael Sweet, one of our frequent contributors, leaves us because he needs to make time to pursue his 10 Can Write: Iain Lawrence interest in photography, and Gu Zhenshen embraces the time she now has to spend with her family because ~ Margriet Ruurs work opportunities are fewer. This “taking care of yourself” concept is a great resolution to carry forward 12 Meeting Joe Fafard in 2013. I am reminded of one of my favourite quotes from Robert Louis Stevenson: There is no duty we ~ Irv Osterer so much underrate as the duty to be happy. Note that Stevenson doesn’t mention a duty to be busy. I hope that as you plan for the rest of this school year, you will be sure to take care of yourself and make happiness a from the classroom priority. Sift through the many demands of modern life and choose to do what is important to you and what 14 The Clay Game brings you joy or satisfaction. ~ Agnieszka Chalas With warm wishes for a wonderful year ahead, 15 Creative Arts for High School Students ~ Terry Ann Carter 17 Goofy Groundhogs - Activity Insert Canadian Teacher Magazine 19 Names Will Never Hurt Me - Activity Insert Canadian Teacher Magazine is sent to all English speaking schools across Canada as a FREE 21 Happy Valentine’s Day, Planet Earth ~ Larraine Roulston subscription. If your school does not wish to receive a free copy of the magazine please contact us at: 22 Making Predictions with [email protected] Creative Non-fiction ~ Brenda Boreham We welcome your reaction to the ideas presented in Canadian Teacher Magazine and your 23 The Activity Shoe thoughts about education today. Share your ideas and class projects with your colleagues ~ Brent D. Bradford across Canada in the magazine. Visit our Submissions page on the CTM website. 25 book reviews retirement CanadianTeacherMagazine.com 28 Retirement Information Today ~ Enise Olding and Carol Baird-Krul Want to be the first to see the latest issue of Canadian Teacher Magazine? healthy living Follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/#!/canteachmag 29 Maple Syrup travel 30 A Town Like Alice Subscribe to receive your own copy or multiple copies for your school! ~ Alan Boreham 1 Year Individual Subscription (5 issues): $20 (Outside Canada – $40) 32 news 2 Year Individual Subscription (10 issues): $35 (Outside Canada – $60) 34 events 10 Copy School Subscription (5 issues): $75 35 the bulletin board Subscribe online at CanadianTeacherMagazine.com

Canadian teacher magazine Canadian Teacher Magazine is an independent publication, Jan/Feb 2013 Issue, Volume 9, Number 3, Copyright 2013 published by Pacific Edge Publishing Ltd. Postal Agreement #40010049 • Postage paid Vancouver, BC One free copy is sent to schools and universities in Canada.

Editor Diana Mumford Printed in Canada on recycled paper using vegetable based inks. Publisher Ron Mumford Yearly issues: Sept / Nov / Jan / Mar / May Contributing Editor Brenda Boreham Copy Editing Jenni Gehlbach Canadian Teacher magazine Advertising Manager Cheryl Diels 1773 El Verano Drive, Gabriola, BC Cover: iStock photo Canada V0R 1X6 Writing not otherwise credited is by CTM staff. Email: [email protected] The opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the publishers. Website: CanadianTeacherMagazine.com

4 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine Early Chapter Books At-level fi ction for ages 7 to 9 Ghost and Goodbye $6.95 each Eric Walters Illustrated by David Parkins When Christina and her family adopt Prince, a by Michael Ernest Sweet retired greyhound, they discover that Prince has a lot to learn about being ear Colleagues and Friends, Before I sign off one last time, I’d like to take part of a family. I write this, my last column, with a this opportunity to reach out to you, my colleagues. heavy heart. I am of two minds about my I’d like to encourage you to write for this maga- 9781459802001 Ddecision, but, alas, I know that the time is right for zine. Whether you write one essay or reflection, or me to leave. When I began writing for Canadian whether you become a regular, just do it—write. Sara Cassidy Illustrated by Amy Meissner Teacher Magazine a few years ago, I was in the midst It’s a wonderful experience and you will form many Leland just needs a little of expanding my career as an educator. I wanted new contacts, friends even, from coast to coast encouragement when it comes to his artistic gifts to offer workshops, speak at conferences, write for to coast. Share what works for you in your teach- so that he can fi nd the trade publications and reach out to other teachers ing practice or comment on what doesn’t. Both confi dence he needs to better communicate with to collaborate and grow. I did. It has been a fabulous are useful for others to experience through your his grade two teacher. few years. Canadian Teacher Magazine stands out insights. Teaching can be a very isolating career and among all these experiences as one of the very best. writing for CTM can help bring you out into the 9781554699919 But the time has come for me to admit to myself collegial world. Canada has thousands and thou- that I have too many fingers in too many pies. sands of teachers. Get to know some of them. Get Sigmund Brouwer Although I have been a photographer for most yourself out of your comfortable little shell and Illustrated by Dave of my life—I began clicking away around the age challenge yourself to pick up the quill or dust off Whamond of ten—it has become somewhat serious in the the typewriter. Or, if you must, use an iPad. Just get Justine and her pooper- scooper crew try to get past couple of years. With my hard work and ded- writing! I’m counting on you and so is CTM. their school librarian back where they need her— ication, success has followed. With success has in the library. come interviews, photo essays in magazines, travel, Michael Ernest Sweet is a Canadian *The third book in the series and even a book deal. In other words, photography award-winning educator, writer about the Queen of Green! is taking up all of my “out of the classroom” time. It and photographer. He is a recent recipient of the Prime Minister’s 9781554699315 is this passion to which I must now commit myself Award and the Queen Elizabeth wholeheartedly. As a result, I have decided to “retire” II Diamond Jubilee Medal for from all the peripheral educational activities that significant contributions to Canada. have dominated my life over the past decade. No View more of his photography at more conference talks, no more leading workshops michaelsweetphotography.com. and, more regrettably, no more CTM articles. I’ve always believed that life is but a book and all books Editor’s Note: Michael have chapters. As I close this chapter, another one understood exactly our aim when we launched Canadian Teacher is beginning to develop. That’s exciting. We all magazine—to link teachers throughout Canada with a publication need to grow and experience change and this is not that provides a venue in which you can speak to one another no matter what region of the country you are living and working in. He always easy to do. I’ve come to depend on my pages embraced that opportunity and wrote of his dreams, his projects, his here. They are a place for me to rant and rave, for me hopes for education in Canada. We will miss Michael’s enthusiasm to reach out. Without them I will surely be at a loss and passion for teaching that has shone through his contributions for some time. But, in the end, I will have moved to CTM over the past few years, but wish him every success as he on and so will have CTM. Again, change is good. explores his interest in photography. And we welcome your ideas if I embrace it. you feel inclined to share them! 

Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 5 reflections Exit the Fast Lane by Gu Zhenzhen

am a teacher on call, but my phone is quiet visit to sew a pillow case for each of my children. It to prepare the two high school Mandarin credit these days. We substitute teachers had a was a labour of love and a small pleasure in life. As courses I teach on the side. I also have time to do rough start this school year due to cutbacks I appreciated my creation and imagined that my recreational activities I enjoy—running, reading Iby the Ontario government. Since regular teach- children would lay their heads on those brand new and writing. I can even take a nap in the comfort ers’ banked sick days are reduced to 10 days pillow cases with a smile on their faces, I was quietly of my own bed. What a luxury! I used to catch up from 20 days, they take fewer sick leaves. They pleased with myself. on sleep on a subway train, a bus or a streetcar. My soldier on in their classrooms, even when they I met a teacher’s assistant at a Toronto school. schedule is no longer that hectic, so I have some are not feeling well. It means there are fewer jobs She, too, has experienced a drastic loss of work. lovely breaks. When the weather is warm and the available for occasional teachers like me. Now she works part time instead of full time, but sun is shining, I hang freshly washed laundry on I should feel gloomy, considering the fact that she also looks on the bright side. She can visit her the clothesline. Then I sit back in my rocking chair I have to help support a family of six. But strangely, 78-year-old widowed father more often. She cooks and admire the colourful laundry in the bright sun- I am not in a sad mood. Life is too short and pre- chicken noodle soup for him and looks after him shine as if it were a work of art. cious for that. The other night my second son dis- when he is sick. Her father needs her and she is there Don’t get me wrong. I would love to have more covered a sheet of crisp new fabric in a suitcase my for him. supply teaching jobs. Wherever I go, I give my husband used during a trip to China last year. It was It is true that our lives have slowed down, but employment number and phone number to regular a gift from my father-in-law. I was pleasantly sur- we are able to take better care of our loved ones and teachers and hope they will book me later. At home, prised. It felt like finding a hidden treasure. I looked ourselves. whenever the phone rings, I rush to pick it up. I don’t at the white and pale blue fabric and decided to I have energy and patience now to help my want to miss any assignment. I simply like a balance transform it into pillow cases for my children. The four school age children. I help my 17-year-old son between working and home life. next day, I didn’t get a teaching assignment. The with his Grade 12 physics and advanced functions. Gu Zhenzhen is a mother of four, a substitute teacher and an international feeling that this was not going to be a good school I discuss math problems with my 15-year-old son. I languages instructor, who lives in Toronto with her family. year sank in. But I didn’t let it bother me. Instead of edit my 13-year-old son’s English essays. I teach my going to school, I worked at home. I used a needle 11-year-old daughter Mandarin—the most popular  and thread my mother-in-law left behind after a language on Earth. In addition, I have more time

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Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 7 features Minor League Events Can Cause Major League Trauma by Scott Coleman

ecently I was reminded of how what Zoom forward three years, and into my office unusual or out of character behaviour beginning look like minor events to adults have the walks this grade three student paralyzed by the shortly after a severely frightening event (based potential to cause a considerable trau- same fearful response I had observed in the grade on the student’s interpretation of it). Also be aware Rmatic stress response in sensitive students. The six student. Christmas concerts are not meant to of students avoiding situations or having strong latest quagmire: a grade three student referred create traumatic responses in kids; quite the oppo- emotional reactions to events that once caused no to me because of sheer terror of returning to site, they are meant to be a special and memora- issues for them. Peter Levine comments that some school, paralyzed by an event that for most of ble event. Unfortunately, this Christmas concert common reactions to look for are extreme clingi- us might seem inconsequential—performing would be memorable for all the wrong reasons for ness or shyness, emotional outbursts, fearfulness, in the school Christmas assembly. The school, this student. Like her classmates, she’d been faith- irritability, reenactment of the event, aggression and the student’s mother, confused about fully practising her lines and songs and was excited towards other children, and a list of physical symp- this radical shift in her daughter’s behaviour, about performing for friends and family. The toms with tummy aches, nausea, restlessness and referred her to counseling. Thankfully I had morning of the Christmas concert something hap- headaches being very common. been introduced to a similar phenomenon early pened and she became scared—really scared. She Teachers play a huge role in supporting and in my school-counseling career: an honour roll could not articulate or pinpoint what or exactly helping students with mitigating the impact of student, who went from being when it happened, but some- deeply frightening events, here’s how you can help: one of the strongest speakers Don’t overlook that even time that morning she became • Get acquainted with your own emotional in her grade six class to being small mishaps during a riddled with fear, and conse- responses. Learning about your own internal unable to perform even the quently was unable to perform dialogue helps you recognize when you are simplest activity in front of school day can equal major later that day. She also suddenly stressed and not calm. Be aware of the feelings the class. Her teacher was per- trauma for some students. became afraid of returning to and sensations you are experiencing so that plexed; here was a student with school—really afraid. In fact, you can make the necessary corrections no previous difficulty with her return to school next day to return you to calm. Knowing your own school, a star pupil who was now paralyzed with resulted in violent illness. Subsequent attempts to emotions also provides you with a very useful fear, incapable of uttering a sound in the pres- return to school caused a myriad of somatic com- tool; it allows you to articulate to students ence of her classmates. Attempts were made plaints: racing heart, feeling nauseous, dry mouth what you are feeling and help them with to help the student: regular speech therapy, and phantom headaches. Her body had, like the identifying their own sensations and feelings. anti-anxiety medication, a modified school previous student’s, hijacked her; she was the victim Levine and Kline’s book, Trauma Through a routine. Doing activities in front of the class was of a traumatic stress response. Child’s Eyes, offers many wonderful ideas to dropped while the school raced to find some Trauma is often misunderstood and sensation- help both you and your students with getting type of solution. During our initial meeting, the alized by images and stories in the media. Many of in touch with feelings and body sensations. student expressed being perplexed and feeling us visualize tsunamis, plane crashes and violent acts Focus on your own responses to the distressed defeated; despite on-going speech therapy and against others when we think about trauma, and student. More than anything, says prominent religious adherence to her medication, she was certainly these things are traumatic. But trauma attachment and family therapist Bryan Post, acutely aware that her body hijacked her every can also be caused by minor events such as a child children learn to regulate and contain strong attempt to speak in front of the class. I was falling off a bicycle or getting lost in a mall, accord- emotional states through the support of a calm, curious to know what great event, or series of ing to Peter Levin and Maggie Kline (see references self-regulated adult. Peter Levine suggests that events caused such a devastating effect. She below). They comment that trauma can be caused allowing your own body to settle down allows told me, somewhat sheepishly, that the previous by any event or situation that stretches a child’s you to be fully present and available for your year while delivering a speech in the classroom normal “elastic limit” causing them to remain dis- students, and you do not “infect” them with she stuttered slightly, every so slightly, barely tressed after the event is over. Elastic limit is defined your own emotional baggage. noticeable by her own account, which led to a as the child’s normal resiliency; genetic predisposi- • Allow children time, space and the few thoughtless students snickering. The result tion to stress; and the intensity, duration and speed opportunity to go at their own pace. Working for this student—complete and utter embar- at which the situation causing stress happens. at a pace that is comfortable for them gives rassment. She wanted to run away, hide, never How does a teacher recognize that a child’s them a feeling of control and minimizes the set foot in that class again, but couldn’t; she was elastic limit has been stretched too far and is in need chance that they will go into overwhelm. stuck in place, her body frozen with fear. of repair? You need to be on the lookout for any Give students permission to work through

8 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine strong feelings, reassuring them it is okay ficulties they faced and are moving forward in to feel strong reactions such as rage, anger their educational careers and life. or shame during or after something frightening has occurred. Whenever References Levine, Peter. Even a Minor Accident can Cause Childhood Trauma. possible, ask students to tap into what Web article. http://www.traumahealing.com/somatic-experiencing/ they are feeling inside (butterflies in the childhood-trauma-prevention-steps-after-event.html tummy, cold hands, fidgety feet) as they Levine, Peter. Helping Children Recover from Accidents, Grief, or work through the strong feelings they Trauma. Web article. http://www.traumahealing.com/somatic- are experiencing. If a child says they feel experiencing/steps-for-parents-to-help-children-with-trauma- enraged, ask where in the body they feel grief-stress.html the rage: in their tummy? head? Ask them Levine, Peter & Kline, Maggie. (2008) Trauma Proofing your Kids. North what the rage feels like (hot, hard, twisting, Atlantic Books, Berkley, California. etc.). Levin. Peter & Kline, Maggie. (2007). Trauma Through a Child’s Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing. North Atlantic Books, give the giFt • Put together a trauma support team that Berkley, California. can assist in supporting students. Working Post, Bryan. (2010). From Fear to Love: Parenting Difficult Adopted oF a LiFetime through trauma and stressful events often Children. Post Publishing, Virginia. takes time, a precious resource that teachers Leave a Legacy in your WiLL Rothschild, Babette. (2000). The Body Remembers: The do not have enough of. Having a support Psychophysiology of Trauma and Trauma Treatment. W.W. Norton and By remembering Variety - The Children’s team composed of school counselors, Company, New York, NY. Charity in your will, you can help children who have special needs in educational assistants, other teachers and Siegel, Dan. (2008). The Neurobiology of We: How Relationships, the the province. Your generosity will school administrators allows students Mind, and the Brain Interact and Shape Who We Are. Sounds True Publishing, Boulder, Colorado. provide hope, enrich lives, and build a experiencing tough situations to be fully better future for children like Xander. supported. ≈ Scott Coleman (B.A., M.A.P.P.C) works as an employee family Just a footnote: both students I told For more inFormation on assistance clinician providing counseling to adults, couples, families hoW to Leave a Legacy: you about at the beginning of this article are and children. In his previous life, he worked as a school counselor Call 604.320.0505 or doing wonderfully. With specific counseling with Living Sky School Division in Saskatchewan. He has a passion for Toll-free 1.800.381.2040 to address the traumatic incidents they expe- working with and writing about stress, anxiety and trauma and has supported both adults and children in healing. or visit our website at rienced combined with school, parental and www.variety.bc.ca/legacy.htm external support, they have overcome the dif- 

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Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 9 can write Meeting Canadian writers and illustrators of children’s books.

What inspires the writers of the books your students read? How does an illustrator decide what to draw? Is it true that most authors and illustrators don’t know each Margriet Ruurs is the author of 28 books for children. other? This column will feature a different Canadian children’s book creator in each She conducts school presentations across Canada. issue and show you the story beyond the covers. www.margrietruurs.com

Iain Lawrence – The Influence of Teachers on a Writer by Margriet Ruurs

y YA book club read the I wouldn’t be surprised if all children want to be writers at some novel The Winter Pony by point. But I think it’s the lonely ones who are drawn toward it. My Canadian author Iain closest friends in journalism school had all been outcasts in high MLawrence. I wanted to learn more school. We had all lived in imaginary worlds. about this author who writes his- Margriet: Do you work in schools as an author? torical adventures with amazing Iain: detail. Who is Iain Lawrence and I just started visiting schools. I like talking about historical fiction. what motivates him? With one class, I showed a video from the polio wards that feature in The Giant-Slayer. I’ll be talking to another Iain Lawrence class soon about the history behind The Winter Pony, showing old photographs Margriet: You have been writing for along time. On your website it says: from Captain Scott’s fatal expedition to “My Grade Three teacher told my parents that I would grow up to the South Pole a hundred years ago. be a writer.” What made her say that? Margriet: Tell us about your first book,The Wreckers. Iain: I still have a class picture and when I look at the teacher—Mrs. Iain: Lowe—I can imagine that I remember her. But I’m sure I don’t. Its earliest version was not very good. Even my parents can’t say what prompted her to predict my The protagonist spent most of the story writing future! locked in a little shed while things went on around him. I put it aside and went Margriet: Your books are aimed at ages 10 and up. When did you realize you on with other stories aimed at adults. enjoyed writing for young people? Years later, after many rejections, I went back to The Wreckers and Iain: When I started to write novels, adventure stories for boys were rewrote it completely. My agent asked for revisions, and then sold among the first things I tried. But reaction to them was disap- it very quickly. pointing, so I plugged away at adult stories, not realizing it was Margriet: It has won many awards and accolades, including ALA Best Book my own writing that needed improvement, not the ideas. Years for Young Adults; Geoffrey Bilson Award Winner for Historical later, I rewrote one of the early stories about a lad who survived a Fiction for Young People; Nominee, Edgar Allan Poe Award for shipwreck. I felt that I’d found my niche. I liked the shorter length, Best Children’s Mystery; School Library Journal Best Book of the the faster pacing, and the excitement of the story that became The Year. You couldn’t have hoped for more praise! Has all this recog- Wreckers. nition influenced your subsequent writing? Margriet: When you finished high school you knew you wanted to be a Iain: The success ofThe Wreckers ended my plan to write adult novels. writer. Why? What motivated you? I think it steered me in the proper direction. Ghost Boy and The Iain: I read little fiction in high school, beyond the books I was assigned. Lightkeeper’s Daughter both began as adult novels that didn’t really It was torturous to dissect a novel line by line, and I remember work out until they were rewritten for younger writers. I felt some- hating some of those stories. But I wish I could thank the teach- times that The Wreckers’ success set the bar quite high for me. ers who introduced me to such novels as The Great Gatsby, To Margriet: Your latest book is The Winter Pony, told in the voice of the pony. Kill a Mockingbird, On the Beach, and Great Expectations. Much Why did you choose to do this? Did it make it harder to write? more than I realized then, they made me see how stories were Iain: written. I remember the characters in those novels more clearly The Winter Pony tells the true story of James Pigg, one of the than I remember my classmates, and the stories never left my ponies taken to Antarctica by Captain Scott in his expedition mind. Those teachers inspired me—more than they would have to the South Pole a hundred years ago. All the ponies, including thought. I wish I could tell my Grade 9 teacher that I still remem- James Pigg, died before Scott was even halfway to the Pole. The ber, almost word for word, her lesson on characterization. I think story had to continue beyond the hero’s death, which seemed of it nearly every day. a bit troublesome. I decided that James Pigg would tell his own

10 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine account of his adventures so that an unnamed narrator could tell the rest of the story more concisely. That created minor problems, because James Pigg hadn’t really witnessed all the events that I wanted to include. All the events in the story are true, but, in a few cases, James Pigg was somewhere else when they happened. It was sometimes hard to remember that everything was being seen through the mind of a pony. He couldn’t be expected to understand anything technical, or to know what only the men would know. But there was advantage as well, because it allowed explanations that might have sounded clumsy in a third-person narration. His views, I think, make him seem like a child, very much at the mercy of the men. I think he turned out to be quite believable. I certainly enjoyed trying to see things through a pony’s eyes, and James Pigg became one of my favourite charac- ters of any story. Writing his death had me in tears. Random House has created teacher’s guides for many of Iain Lawrence’s books: http://iainlawrence.com/lawrence-guides.htm 

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Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 11 Meeting Joe Fafard One of My Art Heroes

by Irv Osterer Joe Fafard and Irv Osterer at the Cube Gallery in Ottawa.

was first introduced to the ceramics of Joe Fafard while attending the endeavour. His impressive pieces filled the walls of the gallery. Fafard had the Ontario College of Art in the early 1970s. He was part of a group of floor. His horses and cows are infused with vitality and have to be seen to be sculptors working with clay in western Canada that had captured the believed. Three large wolf bronzes acted as guardians of the exhibit, and their Iattention of the media. eyes seemed to follow you through the gallery space. Even though renowned New York art critic Clement Greenberg dismissed I congratulated gallery owner Don Monet for making this opportunity his work as being “…a little bit too ‘mignon,’” Fafard was determined to follow possible, and judging by the number of red “sold” stickers, the people in Ottawa his own artistic path. Instead of submitting to modern abstract painting and were eager to see more of Joe and Russel’s work. minimalist sculpture trends, Fafard decided that his ceramic subjects should emanate from his own experience, and would include the people and farm animals that populated his hometown. His work was featured in Arts Canada, and his seated portraits, infused with a variety of fun props, expanded to authors, artists, prime ministers and priests. “I Don’t Have to Work that Big” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=4To- RyoYO8g) by the National Film Board documented the evolution of this process and showed a number of prominent Canadians admiring their portraits. What is wonderful about Fafard’s oeuvre is that it is accessible to a wide audience. I don’t know of anyone who has not been impressed by his work. Fafard’s famous cows, now life size and cast in bronze, can be seen grazing in front of the Toronto Dominion Centre, adding a bit of pastoral charm to the urban landscape. Some of his current works, a series of intricately die cut, care- fully enameled, steel wild horses, give the impression of a herd of these majestic animals in motion. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1981 for his monu- mental contribution to the arts in this country. Theresa Reilly and Queen Elizabeth. Whenever I begin a ceramics unit, I always make sure that the class has a chance to get acquainted with Joe’s work. Several impressive exhibition cat- When I discovered that Fafard would be at the gallery later in the week, I alogues are presented and I even bring in the small bronze piece that I own, to was determined to make a second visit and encouraged the fine arts teachers in make sure the students have an understanding of how the artist has created my department to come along. seemingly life like sculpture by distorting our notions of reality. Meeting one’s heroes can be daunting and even somewhat disappointing It is one thing to discuss the elements and principles of design in a class- when the experience does not live up to personal expectations. Nothing could room—but nothing eclipses the experience of seeing the work and interacting have been farther from the truth with Joe. I had a chance to tell the artist some- with it. Queen Elizabeth is in the National Gallery’s permanent collection and thing I had always wanted to tell him—that beyond my personal admiration for has always been popular with my students. One can see first hand the non-tra- all he has created, his work has had a profound influence on all my students, and ditional colouring techniques the artist has used, and the slightly disproportion- he has really made a difference in their lives. ately larger hands and feet. The fact that the monarch’s purse is resting carefully We talked for about fifteen minutes. I confessed that I loved an early seated behind her infuses the work with a note of humour—a quality that is evident in figure he had created of Henri Richard and asked who owned the piece today. much of Fafard’s work. A large equestrian installation is now part of the Gallery’s He smiled warmly as kindred hockey fans often do, and said it was in his own outdoor sculpture garden. personal collection and that he had always admired the “Pocket Rocket’s” tenac- I received a late autumn notice announcing “Prairie Companions” a joint ity and skill on the ice in spite of his small stature. show involving Fafard and lifelong friend Russel Yuristy at the Cube Gallery Joe was kind enough to pose for a few pictures and took the trouble to sign in Ottawa’s trendy Westboro Village. I called colleague Evelyn Michaud and my first day covers of the Canada Post stamps depicting his work. He confided together we viewed the breathtaking work at the opening reception. That that his father was a postmaster, and that the special commemorative postmark so many of Fafard’s pieces were being shown together in a local independent on the envelopes bore the name of his Sainte-Marthe, Saskatchewan post office. gallery was simply beyond belief. It was an afternoon I will always remember. The show did not disappoint. Irv Osterer is the Department Head of Fine Arts and Technology at Merivale High School in Ottawa, ON. Yuristy is a fine painter and printmaker whose art also focuses on personal experience with nature and local wildlife and was the perfect partner for this 

12 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine Make the theoretical realistic

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Teachanywhere -Teach Overseas in International Schools - The Herald - Dec 2012.indd 1 21/12/2012 13:42:43 Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 13 from the classroom The Clay Game A Clay Exploration Activity Plan

by Agnieszka Chalas

his game is a fun and interactive way to by the medium or try reading a book about popsicle sticks, bark, lace, etc. introduce even the youngest learners clay such as When Clay Sings by Baylor Byrd When finished, gather students together to to clay properties and techniques. They for inspiration. Twill love following along! Demonstrate for students how to manipu- late clay in a variety of ways and ask them Objectives to name what the clay is doing as you dem- Students will understand: onstrate, using your hands as tools, the clay • What clay is and where it comes from. getting longer, flatter, taller, wetter, stand- • That clay can be manipulated into many ing up, etc. Then, give each student a ball forms. of clay, about the size of a tangerine, and • That clay is used for many things in every- guide them through the following exer- day life such as dishes, tiles, electrical com- cises, reminding students to add water to ponents, synthetic teeth, bricks, etc. their clay at any point when they observe Students will be able to: it drying out, by dipping their fingers into • Use their hands as tools to manipulate clay water and smoothing them over the clay. in a variety of ways to create a clay sculp- 1. rolling and patting and turning the clay ture. into a round ball • Use clay art vocabulary when describing 2. squeezing and turning the ball into a share and discuss their work and reflect on their clay pieces and to articulate how their potato shape the art-making process. Encourage students clay object was made. 3. rolling the potato shape into a coil on to use clay related vocabulary to respond a flat surface (have children stand for to their work and the work of their others. Materials greater mobility) Suggested questions: • Self-hardening clay – a ball the size of a 4. curling the coil into a spiral • What is clay? tangerine for each participant 5. smoothing out the lines in the coil to • How can you build with clay? • Newspaper make a pancake • How can we make clay stand? • Water containers 6. poking as many holes in it as they can • Tell me about your clay sculpture. • Clay items as examples: mug, figurine, etc. 7. twisting and turning pieces off • How did you make your sculpture? • Paper towels 8. pinching and pulling the clay pieces into • What did you have to do to attach two different forms pieces of clay together? Vocabulary 9. turning their clay back into a ball • How are the sculptures different or the attach, clay, coil, join, mold, overlap, pat, pile, same? pinch, poke, press, pull, push, roll, sculpture, Having guided students through these shaping, slippery, smooth, stack, squeeze, exercises, further demonstrate various ways Tips and Extensions technique, texture. to make shapes, coils and forms stand up Students can decide to paint their clay by either making them thick and strong or sculptures after they dry or leave them in Prepare for the Activity by stacking and piling them. Show students their natural state. Painting students’ cre- 1. Purchase or gather the materials listed how to attach two pieces of clay together ations with a thin coat of white glue diluted above. by overlapping them and rubbing in the with water is recommended to help them 2. Cover tables with newspaper and set up join and how to secure attachments and stay together. materials. test their strength. Agnieszka Chalas is currently the Manager of Community Engagement at After practising with a variety of clay procedure ArtsSmarts. She holds an MA in Art Education from Concordia University, molding techniques, students can make a BEd from the University of British Columbia, and a BFA from NSCAD Begin by engaging students in a discussion an object of their choosing. Clay creations University. She has a broad base of experience in art education has pub- about clay (what it is, where it comes from can be imaginative or explorative and can lished curriculum, resource materials and articles on topics related to the and what you can make from it). Show stu- depict people, places or things. Texture teaching of art. dents examples of objects or reproductions can be added to objects using a variety of  of objects made of clay to examine how household objects such as forks, spoons, other artists and potters have been inspired

14 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine Creative Arts for High School Students Haiku, Small Books and Prayer Flags by Terry Ann Carter

aiku is a Japanese literary form that has In this haiku, the first line gives the “setting.” switches to a normal lens in the second line, been around for centuries. A haiku is The poet is watching, listening, waiting and zooms in for a close up in the third line. trying to capture a wonderful moment, for some “signs of spring.” Have your stu- in the meadow Ha moment that is crafted by juxtaposing images dents use this first line, and add their own the cow’s lips through comparison, contrast or association. It memory in the following two lines. There wet with grass is a short poem that uses imagistic language to should be a pause at the end of either the Penny Harter convey the essence of an experience. It tells what first line or the second line, but not both. is happening “now.” Who better to write about Sometimes a comma, a colon, a dash or inside the box the “now” than adolescents. With their preoccu- ellipsis is used to separate the two parts of sits a doll pation with the present, teens are positioned to the haiku. However, it is not absolutely nec- shoeless write some of the best haiku on the planet! essary to use punctuation. Some three- Noelle Egan lined haiku contain no punctuation at all. The opposite of this approach also renders HAIKU TECHNIQUES This is a student’s choice. an interesting poem. Start with a small In Japanese, haiku consists of seventeen The haiku’s close cousin is the senryu: image, go wider in the second line and full morae (or on) written on one line. English writing about human nature. Again, the jux- out in the third. language haiku are written on three lines or taposition of images; again, comparison or tattooed neck less, and are usually less than seventeen syl- contrast of images. of the stranger next to me — lables. A haiku attempts to capture the aha! gelled hair bridge graffiti moment. The moment, not the syllables, is perfectly in place — Terry Ann Carter what matters most. his anarchy t-shirt a face Angela Leuck USING HAIKU AS TEXT FOR SMALL BOOKS in the darkness — In this senryu, the poet is making a wry Some of my most rewarding experiences cell phone glow comment on the gelled hair and the theme with teaching haiku in a classroom setting Melanie Noll of the t-shirt. The haiku poet is constantly were followed up by extending the haiku as In this haiku, the poet is juxtaposing the surprised by street signs, t-shirt logos, res- text for small books. There are many styles face in the darkness and the glow from taurant misspellings, movie ads, the whole of small books: flutter books (made with the cell phone, a moment that could nine yards. Ask students to contrast two one page of paper and some witty origami have come from an outdoor concert, a images that result in a humourous glimpse folding (mountain folds and valley folds walk in the park or waiting for a ride. The of the human condition. are all you need), accordion books, match poet is transfixed by a moment that cap- A few more examples for contemplation, box books, fan books, origami books. Later, tures humanity and technology. Ask your discussion and then modeling. Borrow a with more practice, there are pop-up books, students to think of such a moment: the first line and have students compose their spiral books, and books using all kinds of human and the technical. Think of images own two lines, or borrow two lines and architectural designs. The opportunities are that represent these two worlds. Try the have students add one. endless—I once made a small book from juxtaposition with two lines and then an the two halves of a walnut shell that I drilled added one line, or one line and then the first date — and wired together. Recycled materials can added two lines. her dog also be used for interesting books. Hand likes me sewn folio books (3” x 5” and 4” x 6”) need The language of haiku is concrete. Avoid Scott Splinter words that are judgmental such as won- waxed thread for binding, while more intri- derful or gorgeous. Avoid words that are unmelted cate Japanese “stab binding” may be used abstract: love, courage, loyalty. Haiku is in the dead fox’s fur … for larger books. Bindings can appear on written in the present tense. Some haiku first snow the left side of the book (Western design) have no verbs. There are no capital letters. Grant Savage or the right side (Asian design), or in the Another technique for composing haiku middle, creating a diagonal design that signs of spring: allows pages to “open” from the top and tanktop revealing and senryu is called “narrowing the focus.” Basically the student starts with a wide the bottom. Tibetan books have no binding her butterfly tattoo at all: sheaves of papers are simply tied with Dani De Caro angled lens on the world in the first line,

Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 15 raffia, ribbon, or wire; scroll books roll their way across a table top. Small scroll books can be made from rolls of paper used for adding machines (inexpensive and available 7 at office supply stores). The easiest book to make is the Japanese flutter book which uses only one sheet of GENERATIONS paper. A Plains Cree Saga Materials Needed by David Alexander Robertson • one sheet of photocopy paper illustrated by Scott B. Henderson • scissors or craft knife 978-1-55379-355-7 • $32 Procedure for grades 9–12 1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise. 2. Keeping the paper folded, fold in half Edwin is facing an uncertain future. crosswise and then again in half. This will Only by learning about his family’s make eight sections when the paper is past—wars, the smallpox epidemic, unfolded. a residential school—will he be able to face the present and 3. Cut on the fold across the second and third embrace the future. sections with a craft Watch the book trailer and place an knife or scissors. order at www.highwaterpress.com 4. Hold the folded paper Now in or www.pandmpress.com at the ends (fold at Colour the top) and gently push toward the middle to make the shape of a cross. an imprint of Portage & Main Press 5. Fold crosswise to CdnTeacher-ArabThought_Layout 1 1/2/2013 4:54 PM Page 1 make an 8-page book.

USING HAIKU IN PRAYER FLAGS The most delightful follow-up to a lesson on haiku is the prayer flag or “banner.” A WWhhoo KKnneeww?? roll of adding machine paper is unfurled for about a foot and then torn in a diag- THE ARAB WORLD onal line. The paper is flattened under a heavy book or ironed flat. After writing one, THOUGHT OF IT two, or three haiku (usually on a related Inventions, Innovations and Amazing Facts theme) on the paper, pierce the top with a by Saima S. Hussain wooden bamboo skewer. The white paper Discover the rich legacy of the peoples of the Arab world. should be in the middle of the skewer, with Ink-filled pens, mattresses, and bars of soap— these bits of raffia, long narrow strips of tissue are only some of the inventions and innovations that paper, wool, or hand made Japanese papers have been passed down through the millennia from the that “fly” alongside the haiku. These charm- peoples of the Arab lands. ing banners or prayer flags may be hung Ages 9–12 | 48 pgs | 978-155451-476-2 | $11.95 pb| 978-155451-477-9 | $21.95 hc indoors, with a bit of string at the top of the skewer, or outdoors when the weather Read all the books in the series: is suitable. In time the outdoor banners will fade with the sun and rain, and even- tually the haiku itself will disappear. I like to think that the haiku has gone back into the cosmos from where it came. Terry Ann Carter is the president of Haiku Canada and the author of Lighting the Global Lantern: A Teacher’s Guide to Writing Haiku and Related Literary Forms (Wintergreen Studios Press, 2011). She is also the author of five collections of longer poetry. Terry Ann travels the world with a small spiraled bound notebook, just large enough for composing haiku. | annick press | excellence & innovation | www.annickpress.com distributed by Firefly Books | www.fireflybooks.com 

16 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine Activity Insert

o o f y g r o u n d h o g s Goofy Groundhogs by Deborah Gutosky g inteG rateD activities for primary cL assrooms Deborah L. Gutosky Get ready for Groundhog Day with this teacher-friendly unit. You will find easy-to-learn songs; a play for your students to perform; and Language Arts, Math, Writing, Science, Art and Reading activities. The unit can be used as a learning centre or to supplement teacher-led lessons. Each activity is designed for independent work by primary children. Best of all, this unit was written by a primary teacher, Deborah Gutosky, who understands the need for ready-to-use resources! Below are four activities from Goofy Groundhogs to use in your classroom, and on the next page is a poster of Groundhog facts. To support the Groundhog Day theme hang it in your classroom or in the hall. The complete 40 page unit, suitable for grades 1 – 3 can be purchased in hard copy or as a download from classroomresources.com.

Pacific Edge Publishing Ltd

GROW YOUR OWN GROUNDHOG MAKE A SHADOW STICK You will need: The direction from which the sun shines changes during the day. • a hard boiled egg shell (To get the shell ready, boil the egg, cut a small slice off the You will make a shadow stick to show how the sun shines from different directions. side of the egg, spoon the egg out of the shell.) You will need: • grass seed • 1 popsicle stick • piece of plasticine • potting soil • 1 piece of posterboard • pencil • paint • brown plasticine 1. Stick the plasticine in the middle of the posterboard. 1. Paint the egg shell brown. 2. Put the popsicle stick in the plasticine. 2. Paint eyes on the groundhog. 3. Place the shadow stick outside in the morning so that it casts a shadow on the 3. Use the brown plasticine to make a nose and four legs. posterboard. 4. Fill the egg shell half full with potting soil. 4. Use your pencil to trace the shadow on the 5. Sprinkle on the grass seed. posterboard. 6. Add more potting soil. 5. Trace the shadow every hour and write the 7. Keep the egg shell moist in a lighted area. time by the shadow. 8. Measure and record the growth of your groundhog. Questions to answer: 1. Did the shadows change? MAKE A SILHOUETTE 2. Why do you think they changed? 3. At what time was the shadow longest? Every year the groundhog awakens on Groundhog Day to look for his shadow. A 4. At what time was the shadow shortest? shadow is made by blocking light. You will use shadows to make silhouettes. You will need: I THINK ICE IS NICE • piece of black paper • chair • piece of white paper • scissors On Groundhog Day you might see snow and ice on the ground. Ice is a solid. • tape • glue As ice melts it becomes a liquid. In this experiment you will see how fast you can melt • lamp or overhead projector • pencil an ice cube. 1. Tape a piece of white paper on the wall in You will need: front of the light source. • an ice cube for each student 2. Have a child sit on the chair sideways • paper towels between the lamp and the paper so that his/ • a timer her profile is projected onto the paper. 1. Find a way to make your ice cube melt. You may not smash it or break it in any 3. Trace the outline of the silhouette on the way. paper. 2. Have a race with your friends to see who can melt the ice cube fastest. 4. Have the child cut out the silhouette and glue it onto a piece of black paper. Questions to answer: 1. How did you melt your ice cube? Questions to answer: 2. Did you try using the heat of your body? 1. What made the shadow? 3. 2. Is your silhouette the same size as your head? If it is not, why do you think it isn’t? What happens if you rub your hands together before holding the ice cube? 4. Can you use dark clothing or objects to melt the ice?

Goofy Groundhogs — classroomresources.com 17 Groundhog Facts

What is Groundhog Day? Each year, on February 2 the groundhog peeks its head out of its burrow. The groundhog becomes afraid if it sees its shadow and immediately goes back to sleep. That means winter will last six weeks longer. Spring will come early if the groundhog does not see its shadow. Farmers from Germany brought the tradition of Groundhog Day to North America. In Germany the people believed that the badger (a member of the groundhog family) comes out of the ground on February 2 or Candlemas Day to predict the weather. When German farmers moved to North America they substituted the groundhog for the badger in the traditional story.

What Does A Groundhog Look Like? The groundhog is a member of the squirrel family. It is sometimes called a woodchuck. The groundhog is grayish-brown on the upper parts of its body and yellowish- orange underneath. A groundhog is about 60 centimetres long including its bushy tail. It has a broad, flat head with a blunt, stubby nose and rounded ears. Its eyes are set close to the crown of its flat head. Groundhogs have short, powerful legs with claws on their forepaws and hind feet. The claws enable the animal to dig holes. Groundhogs also use their paws to grasp objects and are able to hold food in their “hands” in order to eat.

What Does A Groundhog Do In Winter? The groundhog hibernates during winter. It must prepare for hibernating by eating a great deal of food before it goes to sleep. The groundhog eats alfalfa, clover, grasses and bark. Groundhogs hibernate on bedding that is at the end of their tunnel, below the frost line. To keep out unwanted visitors, the groundhog seals up the entrance to the tunnel with dirt. Once it has done this, the groundhog rolls itself into a ball and goes to sleep.

What Does A Groundhog Sound Like? A groundhog is capable of making different sounds depending on whether it is angry, frightened or curious. When a groundhog is afraid, it grinds its teeth and makes a squealing and snarling sound. If a groundhog becomes annoyed, it makes a chattering bark. Female groundhogs communicate with their young by barking and grunting.

What Are The Groundhog’s Enemies? The groundhog has many enemies. Some of these enemies prey upon the groundhog for food. Other enemies make life difficult for the groundhog. Here is a list of the groundhog’s enemies for you to read. 1. fleas 5. humans 9. black bears 2. mites 6. dogs 10. foxes 3. ticks 7. weasels 11. hawks 4. owls 8. coyotes 12. eagles

Where Do Groundhogs Live? A groundhog’s tunnel may have many different entrances. It can look like an underground maze. The tunnel always has a sleeping chamber and two or three other rooms. One of these other rooms is used for a toilet—groundhogs are very clean animals. If the female groundhog has babies, she will dig nesting chambers in the tunnel for her babies.

How Does A Groundhog Dig Holes? The groundhog is like a digging machine. It digs very quickly. It can bury itself completely in one minute! The groundhog has a special method for digging holes. It digs into the ground using its powerful front claws and throws the dirt backward with its hind feet. The groundhog can dig tunnels two or more metres under the ground.

18 Goofy Groundhogs — classroomresources.com Activity Insert Names Will Never Hurt Me Bully Proofing for Children by Beverly Brookman This resource is intended for use by teachers, counsellors and other care-givers who want to make a difference in teaching children how to get along and treat each other with respect and dignity. Names Will Never Hurt Me presents a guided conversation to have with students about their perceptions in the schoolyard and community as they experience harassment. Below is an activity from Names Will Never Hurt Me to use in your classroom, and on the next page is a poster of “Stoppers,” examples of assertive language to help children avoid being bullied. The complete 80 page resource, suitable for grades K – 9 can be purchased in hard copy or as a download from classroomresources.com.

What is Bullying? 2. Once the page is full, ask the children how the bullying behaviours could be grouped and labelled. This is the time to extend the children’s thinking. Context Gradually elicit from the children generalizations such as those given in the We want to give children a vocabulary to describe what’s happening to them when sample chart below. they are bullied. The first assertiveness strategy that we will teach them is to tell the 3. Give each child two sticky dots (or ask them to use markers) to “vote” for person what they don’t like. Naming what they don’t like is the first step to stop- the two behaviours they feel are the most prevalent or bothersome in their ping the behaviour and declaring what the power dynamics are. We need to have class or school. They can also just give a show of hands and vote twice. Ask: a vocabulary to bring the behaviour out into the open so that we can talk about it. What hurts you the most around our school? Children seem to be very inter- Each age group will have its own descriptors. Generally, we can categorize bullying ested in this part of the lesson. Invariably, they find the verbal harassment behaviours to develop age-appropriate language for students to use. The point is and intimidation to be the worst: at least twice as many votes. Reinforce the to note the types of behaviour and extend children’s awareness of what constitutes reality that the verbal teasing or harassment is by far the most hurtful. bullying. Use the words that the children use. These categories tend to be identified: 4. Refer to the Sticks and Stones song: names do hurt us, and we want to do body bullying – physical words bullying – verbal something to help. taking your things – stealing tricks or dares – embarrassing We can learn to speak up for ourselves and keep some of our power. scaring you – threatening leaving you out – excluding You can see we need verbal self-defence, and that is what we will learn. Verbal bullying is much more prevalent than physical, and it bothers more children. 5. Model a few statements to demonstrate a strong, firm voice and good eye At first, young children and parents tend to think only of physical aggression as bul- contact. lying. They are less aware of verbal bullying and intimidation until we continue the We can learn to use “stoppers.” talk about what feels bad. Gradually they recognize the many other forms and start That’s bullying me. Stop it. to develop the vocabulary needed to describe what is happening. Older children If you are going to play with me, do it without bullying. think first of verbal rather than physical, suggesting how painful the intimidation I know what you are doing. You’re trying to hurt me. Stop it. has already become. In this lesson, children recognize and acknowledge the sig- You’re trying to get a reaction and it’s not going to work. nificant impact that teasing and bullying have on themselves, classmates and the safety in their environment. Children link bullying to emotional reactions, power and helplessness. Learning Outcomes • Children will list different bullying behaviours. • Children will recognize the effect of behaviours such as exclusion and intimi- dation. • Children will assess which type of bullying behaviour hurts them the most. • Children will recognize that the most prevalent kind of bullying behaviour is verbal and understand the need for verbal self defence.

Materials • chart paper • coloured markers Procedure 1. Ask the children to give examples of bullying behaviours. Record their responses on chart paper. Keep asking: How else are people mean to each other? How else do people hurt each other?

Names will never hurt me — classroomresources.com 19 & THINK Use Your Stoppers

1. TELL THEM “That’s bullying and I don’t like it.” 2. GIVE AN ‘I’ MESSAGE “I don’t pay attention to bullies.” “I don’t listen to bullies.” “I know what you are doing, you’re trying to get a reaction, and it won’t work.” 3. SET A LIMIT “If you are going to play with me, do it without bullying me.” “If you want to play here, don’t bully me.” “When you talk to me, don’t insult me.” 4. SAY IT AGAIN “Billy, I don’t like being bullied. Stop it!” 5. LEAVE “I don’t stay around bullies. I’m leaving.” 6. GET HELP “Duty, I need help. I’ve used 3 stoppers and Billy is still bothering me.”

EXTRA CHOICES — You Often Need a Double Header or a Triple Header

7. ASK A QUESTION “Billy, why are you being mean to me?” 8. MAKE A JOKE (BE CAREFUL IT ISN’T A GET EVEN) “Yeah! My mom dresses me funny!” 9. IGNORE Don’t say anything. Talk to someone else or walk away. 10. REPORT Remember that you have a right to be safe. We want you to be safe and free from bullying.

Pacific EdgE Publishing www.pacificedgepublishing.com

20 Names will never hurt me — classroomresources.com HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, PLANET EARTH

by Larraine Roulston

hen it comes to Valentine’s Day bragging rights, the class- room with a worm bin takes the cake. A container in which to Vancouver area citizens are lucky in many ways—one of which compost food scraps is home to hundreds of red wigglers, each is having City Farmer at their fingertips. Established in 1978 Whaving five pairs of hearts, and that is a lot of love! These little worms and nestled in the heart of the big city at 2150 Maple Street, devour their bedding of dampened, shredded paper and unwanted food. Vancouver’s Compost Demonstration Garden is open all year In a few months both bedding and food will become unrecognizable and it long, six days a week from 9 am to 4 pm. Worm workshops will be time to harvest those castings. Together with the students who lov- are offered at the site by executive director Mike Levenston ingly care for their classroom residents, vermicomposting information has and staff. “We have been teaching worm bin classes for over the makings of a great PA announcement. “Roses are red, violets are blue, 20 years,” says Levenston. “We bring worm composting to we’ve got five pairs of hearts beating for you!” Whether children create a classrooms and host outreach events. Our Compost Hotline skit, poem, song or just state the facts, a clever morning announcement can receives thousands of calls from around the world. We answer begin your Valentine’s Day celebrations. up to thirty a day.” Hotline number: 604-736-2250. For details For the love of composting, earthworms in a backyard composter and red about videos and other information, visit wigglers in a worm bin will echo the joys of nutrients in the soil. cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.htm. If you have a worm bin and the castings (worm poo) are ready to harvest, make it a class activity by separating the castings from the worms and making new bedding. Composting offers unique ideas such as displaying your deco- For the love of food, there is often a parent who donates a cake decorated rated composters, sprinkling the castings on school plants, or saving castings for with hearts or a batch of cookies for a classroom party. If you are not so fortunate your nature or roof top garden. to be a recipient of such goodies, perhaps introduce baking, a very useful life skill. For the love of creativity, home-made cards are always a treasure to receive. Be sure to purchase fair trade and organic ingredients whenever possible. They also make good use of scrap paper. For those who wish to purchase cards, For the love of flowers, discuss designing a schoolyard nature garden to remember the love of trees and buy cards with the FSC logo or made from post- attract butterflies. Investigate what grants are available for environmental school consumer recycled paper. Note that to recycle effectively, we put our used paper projects related to seed planting. For a field trip, visit a local botanical garden. into the blue box and also purchase products with recycled content. While If it takes over 25 years to modify society’s thinking, then we are well on nature does not have a lot to offer in colder climates in the way of Valentine’s our way. Earth Day was born in 1970. Municipal recycling along with 3Rs and Day decorations, your 3Rs imagination can be put to the test. Cut out a chain composting education began in the 1980s. The students of those times are now of hearts from newspapers to stretch across a wall that can be recycled or shred- adults interested in a green future. ded and dampened later as bedding in a worm bin. For crafts that require glue, Today there are more environmental graduate programs such as soil and make a paste of flour and water. If red wool or ribbon is used to hang posters, water restoration, energy efficiency, and product stewardship than ever before. it can be reused when the pictures are removed. Decorate a worm bin or the I am optimistic that just about every possible vocation one can imagine will school’s outdoor composter with paper valentine messages from a worm’s point require men and women with a green vision and resource management skills. of view. Have your class design a bulletin board from used wine corks to display Inspire your students; be a part of their green foundation. Give them the oppor- seasonal works of art. tunity to consider the planet in all they encounter in life. For the love of parties, promote your event as waste-free. Place recycling Be my Valentine Mother Earth. You are the only planet with chocolate. boxes and a container to collect food scraps in view and hide any garbage cans. Offer washable plates, cutlery and cloth napkins. If you are low on staffroom Larraine Roulston authors illustrated children’s adventure books that combine composting facts with literature. Each supplies, ask each child to lug-a-mug or bring their own plate. Indeed kids will book has resources and ideas for teachers. Visit castlecompost.com. not forget which glass is theirs. If you use paper napkins, be sure to compost them. Avoid plastic straws, cutlery and balloons as they quickly lose their appeal  sitting in the landfill or being incinerated. It is easy and special to host events with style. At the end of the day, turn off the lights and close your window blinds to conserve energy.

Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 21 the planning department Making Predictions with Creative Non-fiction

Brenda has 35 years of classroom experience. She has presented workshops on literature based themes and literacy strategies, and has written a number of resources Wolf Island for teachers. She remains passionate about matching up kids with books. by Brenda Boreham

olf Island won the Best Information Plot Summary Book Award from the Children’s The story begins on an island where the eco- Literature Roundtable of Canada system is well balanced and healthy. A family of Step One Win 1990. This achievement established Celia wolves leaves the island, drifting to the mainland 1. Display the wolf photographs for the Godkin’s career as an author and illustrator of on a log raft. With the highest link in the food chain students to look at. creative non-fiction for children. (First pub- gone, the deer begin to grow in number. Eventually 2. Have each student talk to a lished in 1989, a new edition of Wolf Island was the deer consume so much of the vegetation that predetermined partner. Ask them to released in 2006 to help celebrate Fitzhenry & the rabbits, mice and squirrels have less to eat. The name what they think are the most Whiteside’s 40th anniversary.) owls and foxes then have fewer animals to hunt. important features of a wolf’s body. Celia had been looking for some examples in Soon, all the creatures face starvation. The wolf 3. Have the students report their nature that would help her to teach children about family was also thin and hungry because they had information to the whole class. List the connections between all living things in an eco- not been able to establish a hunting territory on the their important features on the system. This is how she explains the development of mainland. The following winter when the tempera- chalkboard. The list might look like the Wolf Island story: ture was very cold, ice began to form on the water this: paw, muscles, long legs, jaw, tail, around the island and along the mainland coast. fur (pellage), ears, nose, teeth, etc. I found several examples of places where wolves When the ice stretched all the way from the island had been exterminated by hunters, and the result was to the mainland, the wolf family travelled across it Step Two there were too many deer. That gave me the idea for Wolf to their old home. The wolves found many sick and 1. Distribute a copy of the directed Island. Then I found an example of wolves crossing the weak deer to hunt. By spring the old food chain drawing paper to each student. ice to an island where there were too many moose (Isle had been established and the life on the island had 2. Draw a wolf on the chalkboard. Have Royale in Lake Superior), which gave me the idea for returned to its former balance. the students draw on their papers how to end the story. I wanted to bring the island back following your example. Talk about into balance at the end by returning the wolves. Note: Celia Godkin has provided a teachers’ guide the various features as you go along. for Wolf Island on her website: celiagodkin.com The conversation might sound Note: Isle Royale is the site of the longest continu- something like this: “Now let’s add the ous study of any predator-prey system in the world. ears. Did you know that wolves can For five decades researchers have been following Making Predictions turn their ears from side to side so that the wolf and moose population there. For more A Pre-Reading Lesson they can tell what direction the sound is information go to the Wolves and Moose of Isle coming from without turning around? Royale website: http://isleroyalewolf.org Materials Required They rely on their good sense of hearing • 1 pencil and 1 sheet of drawing paper when they hunt.” When the drawings Wolf Island per student (or a worksheet similar to are finished, use the chalkboard by Celia Godkin the sample at the end of the article) version to model labelling. Label all Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1993 • a selection of wolf photographs the important features from the list ISBN 978-1554550-08-1 (wildlife calendars are a good source) generated earlier in the lesson. $9.95, 32 pp, ages 7 – 9 3. Have the students label their own fitzhenry.ca Goals drawings. • To access the students’ prior 4. Have each student talk to the same knowledge about wolves. partner. Ask them to choose one • To have students predict what the feature of the wolf that they feel is story will be about. the most important to its survival.

22 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine 5. Have the students draw and label their chosen “important feature” The Activity Shoe inside a circle at the bottom of the page. How a Simple Teaching Tool Evolved into an Annual Step Three 1. Have the students stand up and School Community Event move around the classroom to look at a minimum of five of their classmates’ drawings. Ask them to see if they can find someone else who drew the same “most important feature” as they did. by Brent D. Bradford 2. When the students are seated again ask them to share their findings. Have There are teaching tools that help students hours. Once their shoes were fully coloured, they the students discuss why that feature reach prescribed learning outcomes and handed them in to me. is so important to a wolf’s survival. then there are those that help school com- This simple teaching tool was used to gauge Have them justify their opinion “ I munities learn together beyond grade-spe- the amount of physical activity the school children think that … is/are most important to cific curricula. engaged in outside of school time with a parent/ a wolf’s survival because …” guardian. The Activity Shoe worked very well! 3. Have them complete the statement hen I think about my fondest memo- The children were proud to hand them in through- at the bottom of the drawing page. ries of teaching elementary and junior out the school year and to collect their next shoes high school, several recollections to begin colouring. They began to recognize and Reflection Wrace through my mind. Although my first three appreciate the correlation between physical activ- 1. Show the cover of Wolf Island to the years were spent in a busy Special Education ity and health benefits as we discussed them in class. class. classroom with several outstanding elementary Their learning became apparent when they began 2. Ask the students to turn to the same school children, I always tried to find time to discussing the positive effects of physical activity partner and make a prediction as help create an active and healthy environment voluntarily. to what they think the story will be throughout the school. In order to promote about. the importance of physical education, physical The Evolution of the Activity Shoe 3. Have some students share their activity and health education, it seemed impor- predictions with the whole group. After recognizing the Activity Shoe’s success tant to bring the school community (i.e., stu- in the classroom, I put forth an innovative idea to dents, staff members, parents/guardians, com- the school administrators. They decided that the munity members) together so that the children idea had merit and I received permission to move developed an understanding that these subject forward. Date: ______Name: ______areas are not only important during the school Wolf Drawing day; they are critical outside of school hours too. The Idea This article shares an idea that arose from a The idea was to distribute an Activity Shoe to simple teaching tool and evolved into an annual every child in the school. Every time a child walked, school community event that integrated a variety jogged, ran and/or travelled (e.g., wheelchair) of subject areas. It is hoped these ideas help you with his/her parents/guardians outside of school develop similar initiatives to promote your subject time, he/she would write down in a portion of the while including the school community. Activity Shoe how many kilometres he/she covered. After ten outings (i.e., the number of portions), the The “Activity Shoe” Teaching Tool child would colour the full shoe, add up the kilo- Early in my career, I stumbled upon a simple metres, and write the accumulated number on the teaching tool that a colleague shared with me. The coloured shoe. The Activity Shoe would then be cut teaching tool was simply a drawing of a side view I think that ______is/are the most important to a wolf’s survival out, handed in and placed in the school hallway for because ______. of a running shoe which was divided into ten por- display. tions. Above the shoe was a short explanation of In order for parents/guardians to become how to use it throughout the school year. Of course, physically active supporters in their children’s just like any teaching tool, it was easily modified to learning, they would receive Activity Shoes as well. fit specific learning needs. For example, one way I However, instead of writing the number of kilome-  chose to use the newly named Activity Shoe was tres travelled on the shoes, they would colour them, by asking the children to colour in one portion of write “Physically Active Supporter” on them, and the shoe after thirty minutes of physical activity hand them in to be displayed with the children’s was completed with a parent/guardian after school shoes.

Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 23 The Goal ment and curiosity surrounding the Disneyland of-wars and small group activities. It was a reward- For the first Activity Shoe School Community Trip as it took a few months to reach the school- ing experience to observe school children engaged Event, our staff decided to accumulate the kilome- wide goal. The committee continued commu- in physical activity with their parents/guardians, tres it would take to travel from Edmonton, Alberta nicating the status of where we were on the trail teachers and community members. to Disneyland in California. We wrote that number to Disneyland through morning and lunch in large font throughout the hallways along with a announcements, in the monthly newsletters, and The Evolution of an Idea motivational statement: “Everybody … Let’s Go to on the painted map on a wall near the school’s The Disneyland Trip was our first school- Disneyland!” front entrance. The committee also ensured that wide initiative with the Activity Shoe and focused every completed Activity Shoe was displayed in the primarily on the promotion of physical edu- The Organization hallway and that the children and parents/guard- cation, physical activity and health education. The organization of the initiative followed ians who completed their Activity Shoes were pro- However, additional ideas were brought forth by the pattern of any school-wide endeavour—the vided new ones. staff members in subsequent school years that inte- individual with the idea takes on the lead role and grated a variety of subject areas easily. For example, gathers a passionate committee. The Disneyland The Culminating Activity one year we participated in the Cross-Canada Trip. Trip Committee I was able to create included two The culminating activity was exciting, colour- A map of Canada was painted on a school hallway teachers, a teacher assistant, a parent/guardian ful and physically active! The parent/guardian wall and the Grade Five class completed reports council member, and four school children (two council along with the staff decorated the gymna- on the locations we passed through en route from from Grade 5 and two from Grade 6). The commit- sium, school hallways and the playing field for an Eastern Canada to the west (e.g., reports on musi- tee completed the following tasks: afternoon of celebration. Our entire school com- cians, athletes, writers, etc.). The reports were com- • Creating a bulletin board dedicated to the munity travelled the final kilometres together municated to the school community via morning Disneyland Trip around the school block and entered the school and lunch announcements, newsletters and bulle- • Creating a map of North America in a school gymnasium to a roaring applause from those in tin boards. hallway decorating mode. • Displaying pertinent information throughout During the final kilometres, we had some very The Conclusive Evidence the school hallways special guests join us, including several parents/ The Activity Shoe and the Disneyland Trip • Distributing information letters and Activity guardians, the school district’s physical educa- helped jumpstart several school community events. Shoes to all school children and their parents/ tion consultant, the co-ordinator of Ever Active Evidence that the Disneyland Trip was successful guardians Schools, and a local MLA. The culminating activ- included: It was important to maintain a sense of excite- ity included healthy snacks, large group games, tug- • a school community came together • a special school projects committee worked together on other ventures The Canadian Children’s Book Centre • parents/guardians engaged in physical activity and learning with their children • school children were proud of their accomplish- ments • school children asked when the next Activity .ASO Shoe event would be !S=N@O • staff members came up with future ideas—and 2AREASO they volunteered to help out Future Considerations The next time you discover that a simple teach- !QPDKN ing tool works well in the classroom, take a moment to think whether it may assist in the development of )HHQOPN=PKN !J@IKNA a strong school community. The Activity Shoe that $ENA?PKNU I stumbled upon early in my career evolved into a very effective teaching tool for my school, bring- ing students, staff members, parents/guardians and community members together for a common purpose and assisting in the development of active, healthy lifestyles and student learning! If you love Canadian kids’ books, What will your “Activity Shoe” be this school go to the source: year?

Brent D. Bradford has taught at the Elementary and Junior High school levels. After a decade of teaching, he returned to the University of Alberta bookcentre.ca to pursue graduate work. He is currently working towards a Doctor of Philosophy Degree and teaching curriculum methods courses as a Teacher Educator. In 2011, he was recognized as an award-winning Teacher Like us! Facebook.com/KidsBookCentre Follow us! @KidsBookCentre Educator at the University of Alberta. 

24 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine book reviews see CanadianTeacherMagazine.com for more book reviews.

Ontario and Quebec – Facts and Fiction Ice Storm by Penny Draper Located in east-central Canada, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec are as diverse Coteau Books, 2011 in culture as they are in climate (three climatic zones) and geography (arable land in the ISBN 978-1-55050-451-4 south and rocky, sparsely populated areas of the extreme north). The rich history of this $8.95, 198 pp, ages 9 – 14 region is imbedded in many local traditions, stories and songs. In this issue we are pleased coteaubooks.com to highlight a number of fiction and non-fiction titles about these provinces. The books In January 1998, a violent ice storm hit Montreal and surrounding areas. Over five connect to the Social Studies and History curricula in a variety of ways, as well as offering days, the storm dumped ten centimetres of freezing rain. It fell as water and froze on impact, up some tasty recipes! crumpling electrical towers and leaving over 1.4 million homes without power. Ice Storm is Reading Comprehension Strategy: Making Connections the story of two young cousins and their families as they try to survive this violent storm. Alice lives in Montreal in one of the first neighbourhoods to lose power. Her father Both fiction and non-fiction books provide a wealth of opportunity for students to works for Hydro Quebec so he arranges for Alice to go to her uncle’s out of the city. Unfortu- make connections between the text being read and the world around them, their own lives, nately, the storm makes travelling impossible and Alice ends up in a shelter instead of with or another familiar source of information (such as a book, song, article or video they have her cousin, Sophie. Alice’s father works gruelling hours cutting back trees, repairing downed viewed in the past). power lines, and trying to keep ahead of the storm. Sophie lives on a dairy farm near Saint-Hyacinthe. Her family was able to weather the Great Lakes & Rugged Ground: Imagining Ontario first few days of the storm with relatively little change to their schedule, but when the hydro by Sarah N. Harvey and Leslie Buffam went out on their farm, every hour was dedicated to keeping the generator running and keep- illustrated by Kasia Charko ing their cows alive. When the generator could no longer handle the workload and broke, the Orca Book Publishers, 2010 family scrambled to save themselves and their business, but not without cattle casualties. ISBN 978-1-55469-105-0 $19.95 (hc), 32 pp, Historical Notes, ages 5 – 15 Curriculum Connections: Told over eight days, this suspenseful fictional account brings orcabook.com the storm alive for both history lovers and hesitant historians. With its rich, descriptive lan- guage, Ice Storm supports students who are learning to visualize when reading, and provides Great Lakes & Rugged Ground: Imagining On- Timeless, informative and evocative, colourful and engaging imagery to activate their creativity and understanding. tario is a breath-taking and boldly illustrated account of Ontario’s history written within the As the 6th book in the Disaster Strikes series by Penny Draper, this would be a great concise constraints of the haiku poetic form. In merely seventeen syllables per double-page book to use with literature circles, history research, or when examining the effects of Global spread, the authors and illustrator join forces to express both the significant and the subtle Warming in science or social studies. This is also an excellent commentary on the difference elements of Ontario’s identity across a significant stretch of Canadian history. between rural and urban life, where urban areas have a particular dependence on hydro— Maneuvering through the milestones of the province’s past, time progresses in this for television, radio, microwaves, stoves, etc.—and how urban infrastructure is actually picture book from the Haudenonsaunee people speaking dialects of the Iroquoian language quite delicate with a substantial dependence on rural resources. [Review by Amanda Parker.] (1500s), to modern day Ontario (2010). The initial European contact (1668), the War of 1812, the timber trade (1840s), the construction of the railway system (1880s), the Group of Seven (1920s), and the women of the WWII (1940s) are some, but not all, of the people and Secrets of Lake Simcoe: Fascinating Stories from Ontario’s Past events honoured in this Canadian publication. by Andrew Hind & Maria Da Silva Classroom Connections: It is difficult to imagine a person who would not be enam- James Lorimer & Company, 2010 oured by this book’s quiet strength: the few but-potent words juxtapose the endless detail of ISBN 978-1-55277-577-6 the illustrations and result in an ability to meaningfully engage a very wide range of readers $9.95, 128 pp, ages 11 – 14 both in age and intent. It is a text as well-suited to older students’ study of art, poetry, or lorimer.ca history, as it is to delighting kindergarteners stuck inside as a result of inclement Canadian Secrets of Lake Simcoe: Fascinating Stories from Ontario’s Past is part of the non- weather. Almost as if to celebrate this widespread range of readers, the authors include both fiction “Amazing Stories” series aimed at Canadian readers aged 11 to 14. The publisher’s historical notes outlining the scenes of the book, as well as a list of “Seek and Find!” objects stated goal is to “grab the attention of young readers with books that connect to the things to locate in the illustrations. All based on historical Ontario imagery, from the Nonsuch they care about.” Authors Andrew Hind and Maria da Silva have chosen fourteen short tales and Tom Thompson, to Tim Horton and the CN tower. Valiant, visceral and versatile. Highly involving soldiers and settlers, colonies and canals, sailboats and sidewheeler ships, a con- recommended. [Review by Kimberley Siwak.] vent and confidence artists, along with a collection of murder mysteries. Situated in southern Ontario, about an hour’s drive north of Toronto, Lake Simcoe has often been described as the The Maple Syrup Book sixth Great Lake. From the 1800s onward it was the center of a lumbering and farming re- by Janet Eagleson and Rosemary Hasner gion, and its lakeside summer camps and nearby ski hills have represented “cottage country” The Boston Mills Press, 2006 for generations. Certainly it played an important role as a transportation corridor, especially ISBN 1-55046-411-6 (sc) prior to the development of the province’s extensive highway system in the twentieth century. $19.95. 96 pp, ages 10+ Secrets of Lake Simcoe, which boasts a short bibliography and two-page index, also includes fireflybooks.com a dozen black and white illustrations. Some of the stories are better than others—the Who knew that maple sugar not only tastes good but that it is good for you? Accord- importance of ice harvesting and the apparent quadruple murder on board the Mathilda will ing to Janet Eagleson’s book: Maple syrup is a source of iron, potassium, magnesium, likely captivate young readers, but other sections are less compelling or improperly fleshed calcium and phosphorous. Maple syrup has a higher calcium content than milk! It also out. For example, the opening passage notes: “Even a quick look at a map of Ontario reveals contains small amounts of amino acids and proteins, and trace amounts of vitamins [that] … Lake Simcoe dominates the central part of the province.” But readers will look in B2, B5 and niacin. vain for such a guide to help orient themselves, so little-known places like Fort Willow, Fox The Maple Syrup Book gives a little history of the origins of sugar making, a detailed Island or Pefferlaw will surely remain a secret for most. There are other minor historical description of the process and many suggestions for ways to enjoy the various products made slips (Peregrine Maitland considered moving the capital to the area in 1822, not 1882; our from the sweet sap of the maple sugar tree. The author uses the text, colour photographs, Prime Minister Laurier was Wilfrid not Wilfred) that future editions should address. information boxes, charts and captions to give the reader a wealth of detailed information Classroom Connections: Aimed at Canadian middle school students, one suspects this about the topic. Cooking tips and a thoughtful selection of recipes finish off the book. book will resonate most with an audience from the Toronto/Barrie/Orillia area of Ontario. Classroom Connections: This book is an excellent resource for any teacher who is Its content generally matches Ontario’s grade eight history curriculum (which focuses on looking for background information to support the study of the origins of, or the process of Canada from the 1850s to the Great War) and there certainly is an opportunity to meet the making, maple syrup. [Review by Brenda Boreham.] grade eight geography specific expectation to “create and use a variety of maps.” [Review by George Sheppard.]

Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 25 Northern Dancer: King of the Racetrack Gangs: Deal With It Before Wrong Seems Right by Gare Joyce by Jabari Lindsay, illustrated by Bjoern Arthurs Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2012 James Lorimer & Company, 2010 ISBN 978-1-55455-163-7 (hc) ISBN 978-1-55277-920-0 (hc) ISBN 978-55041-496-7 (pb) $24.95, 32 pp, ages 9+ $22.95 (hc) / $9.95 (pb), 72 pp, ages 9+ lorimer.ca fitzhenry.ca The Lorimer “deal with it” series targets youth who may face conflict in their everyday He was short. He was chunky. He was plain. He looked funny when he ran. He life. Written by Jabari Lindsay, who has worked in a variety of gang prevention situations, was all the things that people expect a great athlete not to be. Northern Dancer was and illustrated by Bjoern Arthurs, who has also been employed assisting marginalized youth, a colt born at Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario. As a yearling, in 1962, nobody Gangs: Deal With It Before Wrong Seems Right has the look of a contemporary graphic wanted him. At auction, no one bid on this little horse that did not conform to the classic novel. This short book offers sections on common traps used to ensnare junior members look of a great racehorse. Despite this unlikely beginning, Northern Dancer became the first (you suddenly get asked to start running errands for a group of older kids) and familiar Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. Three weeks later he won the Preakness myths about gangs (including that the only way to leave is by dying). The text is interspersed Stakes in Baltimore and then he went on to win the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine in Toronto. with quiz sections so readers can reflect upon engaging in criminal activities, analyze where At the end of 1964 Northern Dancer was retired from racing and began his career as a stud. they stand at the moment in terms of membership, and consider alternatives to participating. Sports editors voted Northern Dancer into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame—the first Practical options are offered (e.g., gradually begin avoiding old acquaintances while getting equine member of the Hall. He received many other honours, including a stamp with his involved in sports or in other clubs that offer viable excuses). picture on it. Over the years Northern Dancer made more money than any other Canadian Classroom Connections: This basic primer on gang culture—which has also been athlete—even Wayne Gretzky! issued in an electronic format—offers teachers, guidance personnel, or front-line workers a Classroom Connections: Northern Dancer is part of the “Larger Than Life Series” from useful resource for counseling sessions or careers classes. Ultimately it is designed for chil- Fitzhenry & Whiteside. Full of non-fiction text features (photos, captions, newspaper and dren and youth in at risk situations, with an attractive glossy look that should capture the magazine clippings, fact boxes, charts, bold words, timeline, glossary, index, table of contents) attention of the target audience. Its frank portrayal of the sexist, violent and stressful reality this biography would support a study of non-fiction texts as well as being an excellent source of that is street crime, and the practical steps it offers readers on how to escape gangster culture, information for research projects. Comparing Northern Dancer to the horse called Gem in the mean it might actually be a lifesaver. [Review by George Sheppard.] article on Sable Island in the last issue would be a great way to practise making connections (between the two horses, the genres, the history, etc.) [Review by Brenda Boreham.] Creating Caring Classrooms How to encourage students to communicate, create, and be compassionate of others • teachers’ resources • by Kathleen Gould Lundy and Larry Swartz Pembroke Publishers, 2011 The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking ISBN 978-1-55138-270-8 $24.95, 159 pp, adult by Edward B. Burger, Michael Starbird pembrokepublishers.com Princeton University Press, 2012 ISBN 978-0-691-15666-8 It is difficult to imagine a professional textbook that is likely to change the climate $19.95, 136 pp, adult of your classroom. However, that is exactly what is offered in Lundy and Swartz’s Creating press.princeton.edu Caring Classrooms. The authors afford readers deeper thinking in six areas: The Bigger Edward Burger and Michael Starbird have drawn on their many years as mathematics Picture, Building Community, Building Communication, Building Collaboration, Building teachers to share ideas about how to use strategies to become effective thinkers. By relating Compassion, and Confronting the Bully Issue. For any teacher who has ever been frustrated thinking strategies to the four elements—earth, air, fire and water of Greek philosophy— by “kids these days,” this text provides a road map to classroom social change. the authors create an easy metaphor to structure approaches to solving real life and One aspect of any professional resource I appreciate is how soon and how swiftly I can academic problems so that students can become successful. By “understanding deeply,” implement the ideas and inspiration I have gleaned from the author’s advice. Inarguably, “making mistakes,” “raising questions,” and “following the flow of ideas” students can the strength of this book is just that; educators can easily access practical and pragmatic create pathways leading to successful learning. Using this model, classrooms can become activities for everyday use or for school-wide community-building endeavours (Spirit Week, thinking communities which lead to improved performance. Anti-Bullying campaigns, awareness initiatives, etc.). Lundy and Swartz provide easy to locate quick references for everything from games to graphic organizers related to classroom Classroom Connections: Teachers from primary grades to university courses can use or small-group activities on their top five elements of caring (Community, Communica- the model in this book to deliver curriculum in a way that students are forced to develop tion, Collaboration, Compassion,and Confronting the Bully Issue). As such, this text will be thinking skills to successfully understand the material they are being taught and to identify invaluable to resource teachers, counselors, classroom teachers and administrators. their own next steps in learning. Although the authors draw most of their examples from It is rare that I am brought to tears by a textbook; a graduate student myself, I am the learning of mathematics, The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking can be applied in any somewhat immune to even the most touching of text due to the sheer volume of my reading classroom where thinking is emphasized. [Review by Kent Miller.] experience. But I must admit, with both embarrassment and awe, that this professional text managed to make me cry. I am often dumb-founded by the juxtaposition of the accomplish- Reviewers ments and the apathy of my generation. I am inspired by someone my age about as often as Brenda Boreham Helping young students to discover the magic of reading has I am embarrassed. What part of this book made me cry, you must wonder? Should you buy it, been one of the most satisfying aspects of Brenda’s teaching career. please turn to page 98 and think of me. There you will find a reproducible copy ofThe Story of the Hummingbird. Somewhere around 200 words, it boasts meaning and metaphors Amanda Parker is a grade 7 & 8 teacher with the London District Catholic School beyond what can be directly read in its mere thirty lines. I cannot wait to introduce this very Board. She is passionate about nurturing youth excitement for literacy. short story to my Guided Reading groups at school. I teach both a Kindergarten and a 6th Dr. George Sheppard is the Director of the School of Education at Laurentian grade group. I love that I can share this orally with the Kinders, and via photocopy for the University in Sudbury, ON. middle-years students, and that, regardless of age, the impact will be significant.The Story of the Hummingbird sings a song of tenacity, perseverance and work ethic. It reminds us that Kim Siwak is a resource teacher in Winnipeg, as well as a Master of Education the likelihood of success is no excuse for lack of effort. In a world full of instant gratification student in Language & Literacy at the University of Manitoba. and endless opportunities to put oneself first, it is a crisp-and-clear refresher that character is Kent Miller is a music teacher at Dr. Ross Tilley Public School in Bowmanville, ON. still the stuff miracles are made of. Highly recommended. [Review by Kimberley Siwak.] He has 22 years of teaching experience in the public school system.

26 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine BookKids’ Reviews ByPicks Young Readers Our student volunteers are back this month with three more book reviews that highlight some of their favourite book choices. Take a look—there just might be a title that would be a good fit for your students.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier Scholastic Canada, 2012 ISBN 978-0-545-32699-5 $11.99 (pb),240 pp, ages 9 – 13 scholastic.ca My favourite person in this book is Liz because she is a great friend to Callie, who is the main character. I think that it would be fun to be friends with one of the characters named Justin because he’s so enthusiastic about everything! One of my favourite parts in the story is when Callie puts up a poster for the auditions for the play “Moon Over Mississippi,” and then meets Justin and Jessie. I liked this story because it is a full-colour graphic novel and when you are reading, it is just like someone is telling you the story. Anyone who likes to read comic books, or enjoyed the Dork Diaries book series, would probably enjoy this book. [Review by Easten, age 11, grade 6.]

Wings of Fire Book One: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland Scholastic Canada, 2012 ISBN 978-0-545-34918-5 (hc) CANADA’S NO. 1 $18.99, 336 pp, ages 9 –13 scholastic.ca MATH WEBSITE My favourite character in the book is Tsunami because of her bravery, loyalty, determination and true want for freedom. I think that if would be fun to be friends with Starflight because if you have a question to ask he will answer it in full. Sometimes he’s what people call a “goody-two-shoes” but Starflight is someone you can really depend on. Prepare Your Students One of my favourite parts in the story is when Clay has to find a way out of the caves that they were imprisoned to Love Learning! in. The only way out is through a small underground river opening. Once through they have to find the secret open- ing. I liked this story because of how you have to look at it from a different perspective than you would for other Mathletics is an on-line books because the characters are DRAGONS!! Math Program: I would say that this is a boy and girl book for 10 to 20 years of age. [Review by Drew, age 13, grade 8.]

The Paper House Used globally by > by Lois Peterson 10,000 schools Orca Book Publishers, 2012 ISBN 978-1-45980-051-9 $7.95, 120 pp, ages 9 – 11 Aligned to Provincial orcabook.com Curriculum My favourite character in this book is Safiya. She is artistic. After looking at colourful pages from magazines, Safiya decides to put them up on the wall outside of her home so everyone walking by can see and admire her col- Assign concepts lage. The mural is a story, a story of her life. I feel bad for Safiya because she lives a hard life. Her mother and father have both died. Her Grandma, Cucu is sick. If Cucu dies, Safiya will have no one for all they have is each other, a Focus individual board game called mancala and a bracelet that Saffy’s mother made. I think it would be fun to be friends with Safiya because she seems like a really kind and gentle person. learning I liked this story because it is set in another country. It is interesting to know about other people’s lives all over the world. This book is set in Nairobi. Cucu is sick with a bad cough so Saffy searches to find things that she could Assess strengths and sell. She looks in the big mountain of garbage. Many other villagers are poor and look there so they can eat too. Once Safiya found a clock at the dump that was still working. They ate well throughout that week. Another reason I weaknesses liked this book is because Lois Peterson is a great author. She describes everything so well that it makes you feel like you were really there watching what was going on. One of my favourite parts in the story is when Saffy comes home to a house on fire. I loved this part because it www.mathletics.ca was very sad and thrilling. “Cucu! My Cucu...” I cried during this part because it was suspenseful and scary! I think that anybody would love this book, young and old. My mother read it and she loved it. I suggest for ages toll free: 1-877-467-6851 nine and up however, just because it was pretty sad at certain parts. [Review by Nora, age 11, grade 6.] [email protected]

Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 27 retirement

Retirement Information Today Enise Olding Carol Baird-Krul Carol and Enise ([email protected]) are the creators of a series of pre-retirement and post-retirement planning workshops: Transition to Retirement: The Uncharted Course©, Recently Retired: Charting a New Course© and Ideas… Enhanced and Advanced©, and authors of Transition by Enise Olding and Carol Baird-Krul to Retirement: The Uncharted Course. Previous articles on retirement may be viewed in back issues at CanadianTeacherMagazine.com.

n the previous two issues we looked at how to both men and women. The cover stories in each The federal government has a good website that pro- attitudes towards retirement and aging have issue deal with a wide range of topics. One of these vides everything you need to know about its pen- changed since the “46ers,” aka the first baby stories always profiles a celebrity, or as in a recent sions. This includes the Canada Pension Plan, how Iboomers, left the workplace. We also took a look issue, a group of people who have made a differ- to get a Statement of your Contributions to date and at some books on these topics that are specifi- ence either in their particular field of endeavour other information about what you and your family cally targeted at this demographic. We noted or the country at large. There are regular features are entitled to in terms of overall pension benefits. that over the period of the last several years, about travel, health and financial matters; as well as servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/lifeevents/retirement rather than looking at retirement as bring- a section on advocacy issues by CARP (Canadian ing about significant and not always welcome Association of Retired Persons). The Retirement Planners Association of Canada changes, the current cohort of retirees are (On a personal note we can attest that the magazine’s (RPAC) is an association of professionals who work embracing all that the third age offers. writers do in depth research as we have been contacted with mid-life adults on financial and lifestyle plans Not only are there multiple books on the and interviewed at length for articles about the challenges for retirement. This website tells you what particu- subject of this new age, but magazines, local and of retirement and our book Transition to Retirement.) lar area each planners’ practice or service focuses on national, also cater to the over fifty demographic zoomermag.com and helps you locate a retirement planner in your and many websites help the newcomer learn what’s area. retirementplanners.ca out there. In this issue we will look at what other Good Times has been around The Financial Advisors Association of Canada resources are available as you begin to plan your for a number of years and is website provides general information about the retirement adventure. published eleven times a year. Canadian financial planning industry. It also gives There are several magazines specifically for It is a full colour lifestyle maga- good advice about how and where to find a finan- people who are either contemplating retirement or zine specifically aimed at retir- cial advisor in your area. advocis.ca ees, featuring profiles of what are already retired, but most are aimed at a reader- As you leave your primary career, your plans ship in a specific geographic area. . they refer to as retirement role models as well as columns on food, health, finances, for the future might include using your well honed travel and seasonal articles about fashion. While skills to start a new business or service. Or you A particularly good one, might decide to volunteer or continue working in despite its rather off-putting many of its columns are written by regular contrib- utors, this magazine’s travel articles are written by some education oriented field as a way of using your name, is BC’s Senior Living skills to open some interesting doors. Following are Magazine. This free maga- a variety of people from the targeted demographic. The articles are informative and make for an easy, some websites that will give you food for thought as zine is available in libraries and you chart your own unique retirement course. other outlets in the Vancouver enjoyable read. The magazine is intended for the area and on Vancouver Island over 50 market and has an Ontario bias in some of Established over forty years ago, Canadian and is available to a wider audi- its specific lifestyle issues. Executive Services Overseas has evolved into an ence online. seniorlivingmag.com goodtimes.ca organization that provides a broad spectrum of On the national scene there are two that are avail- There are several good websites, including economic and social expertise to developing com- able by subscription or online. those of all the major Canadian banks, that provide munities overseas and aboriginal communities in useful information and contacts for retirement Canada through its volunteers. All volunteers pay Zoomer Magazine is a glossy preparation. an annual fee (currently $100) but their expenses magazine that calls itself are paid for the term of the assignment that gener- the “lifestyle magazine for The Canadian Association of Retired Persons ally do not last for more than a few weeks. boomers with Zip!” Its target (CARP) website gives up-to-the minute informa- ceso-saco.com audience is the 45+ demo- tion on just about every topic related to retirement. graphic, although many of It is worth a perusal and if you join the association The Canadian International Development Agency the articles could appeal to a you will be eligible for discounts on a variety of is a multi-faceted organization whose mandate is to younger reader. The magazine is relatively gender products and services as well as a subscription to aid people living in poverty in various parts of the neutral, printing articles that would be of interest Zoomer Magazine. carp.ca world. There are several windows of opportunity for

28 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine healthy living former educators who are able to commit to a two year assignment to be mentors and advisors. www.cida.gc.ca Maple These recipes are re-printed World University Service of Canada’s slogan is with permission from The “Education changes the world.” It is made up of pro- Syrup Maple Syrup Book by Janet fessionals, institutions and volunteers who bring the Eagleson and Rosemary Hasner knowledge and skills necessary for a marginalized (The Boston Mills Press, 2006). community to solve problems and move forward. We reviewed the book for this issue (page 25) because it is Opportunities to work or volunteer are available such a good fit for our focus on Ontario and Quebec, with lots of information about maple syrup written at a level in Canada and overseas with assignments usually that is accessible for younger readers, but it also includes being for one or two years. delicious recipes that you will enjoy at home. We justi- wusc.ca fied the placement of maple syrup recipes on our “healthy living” page because of its potassium, calcium and phos- aim is to advance the Teachers Without Borders’ phorous content, as well as trace amounts of protein and welfare of people through professional development some vitamins. When you want a sweetener, it’s one of the throughout the global community by providing healthier choices! hands on and virtual help. There are two categories, internship and volunteer. Some of the internships are undertaken in a specific location; but many are Maple Salmon done online. All the volunteer opportunities are short term and often involve helping with transla- Sue Edwards, who owns and operates the Country Caterer tions of curriculum, organizing and/or facilitating in Orangeville, Ontario (519-940-8460), is often asked to training workshops. prepare this delicious dish for the many events she caters. teacherswithoutborders.org Sue’s spontaneous nature is mirrored in the recipe—the ingredients are added in amounts you feel are appropriate International Supply Teachers provides substitute rather than in a restrictive list. Maple salmon has made me teachers for international schools all over the world. a star with dinner guests more than once! This supply list is for educators (K to 12 and spe- cialists) who are willing and able to do short term 1 long filet of salmon Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Wash the salmon and place it, skin side down, in a shallow baking or assignments at short notice. The brainchild of two 1 clove of garlic, minced former colleagues with international teaching expe- roasting pan. Drizzle the salmon with olive oil and Olive oil rub it into the flesh. Next, rub the garlic into the flesh. rience, this service has been successfully providing Maple syrup Grind black pepper over the fish and rub it in, too. international TOCs for over 10 years. Finally, drizzle the salmon with maple syrup and rub it teachersonthemove.com Fresh, cracked black pepper into the flesh. Bake in the center of the oven for 14 minutes. If you are retired, but still wanting to work, although not as an educator, you might want to consider one Variation: Maple salmon can also be barbecued over medium-high heat. Small pieces of salmon can also be of two websites that post various jobs for retired used, but the cooking time must be shortened. people. The sites are intended to help older people find positions that suit their skills and experience. retiredworker.ca Grandma Pym’s Maple simplyhired.ca (put in the keywords: retired people) Nut Crème Pudding

With the huge boomer cohort continuing My maternal grandmother, Olive Pym, made this recipe for to move forward you can be assured that there special occasions only. Feeding hearty and healthy meals to will be more interesting and innovative resources. six young mouths (plus Grandpa) through the hardships However, a word of caution. Everyone’s retirement of the lean years took priority over “ fancy” dishes like this. is unique and only you can chart the course it will 2 cups (500 mL) milk Heat 1 3⁄4 cups (430 mL) milk and maple syrup in follow. Trying to take in all the information avail- 1 cup (250 mL) maple syrup double boiler. Combine remaining milk with corn able can be somewhat daunting and confusing, so starch and salt. Add to hot mixture, stirring constantly. 2 eggs Cook for approximately two minutes. use the resources that we have brought to you as a 2 tbsp (30 mL) corn starch starting point. Be selective—choose a book that Take a little of the milk mixture and beat into eggs. Add Pinch salt eggs to mixture in double boiler and cook for four is easy to read and speaks to you, a website that is minutes. user friendly and answers your questions. Do what 1 cup (250 mL) chopped pecans Pour into individual dishes and sprinkle with nuts. Eat is right for you and your planning, and your retire- 1 cup (250 mL) cream hot or put in fridge to set and serve cold. ment will move forward smoothly. Variation: The original recipe called for walnuts but I prefer pecans. Use walnuts if you like them better. 

Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 29 travel A Town Like Alice

by Alan Boreham

The Ghan waiting to depart the Alice Springs station.

he heroine of the 1950 novel, A Town Like Alice, longs to make her A town grew up around the telegraph station, boosted by the completion fictional town in the Australian outback into a place like booming of the railway from Adelaide in 1929 and the construction of a siding for stock- Alice Springs. This book, and the 1980s television mini-series that yards to ship livestock to market. The gold rush in the nearby East MacDonnell Tfollowed, made me wonder what it was that attracted people to the geo- Range in the 1930s added to its importance, and when the new railway was graphic centre of Australia in the desolate outback. I needed to find out. extended to Darwin in 2004 Alice Springs became an even more important I came to Alice Springs—or Alice, as it is fondly referred to—at the end of hub. a tour of the Red Centre, described in a previous article in the Nov/Dec 2012 issue of Canadian Teacher Magazine. The town was naturally a contrast to my travel through the desert, but I was surprised at just how much the little town had to offer. With a population of over 27,000, Alice Springs is midway between Adelaide in the south and Darwin in the north. It was settled by the British in 1871 as a repeater station for the Overland Telegraph Line, and helped to complete a communications system that linked Adelaide with Britain. Built just a short distance from the original Alice’s Spring (named for the wife of the Postmaster General, Charles Todd), its structures and furniture were modest, due in part to the fact that everything had to be brought by camel 500 kilometres from the end of the railway line at Oodnatta in South Australia.

The original Alice’s Spring.

Over the years, the people who built and depended on Alice Springs were rugged, independent people like railway workers, ranchers and miners. I was interested, then, to find the wide variety of tourist sites in the area. It was no surprise to find the transportation museum that shows the development and history of road and rail travel, the historic site of the original telegraph station that gave the town its start, or the museum that preserves the old gaol, the first permanent stone building in the town. It was not unusual to find the world class Alice Springs Golf Club and the Alice Springs Turf Club in a moneyed town of this size, or the outback-themed restaurants and venues that cater to tourists. What did surprise me was the way that the town’s history, culture and natural environment are represented out of all proportion to the size of the town. Galah cockatoos. And I don’t mean that the town has been made into a theme park. What I found

30 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine was that the people of Alice Springs have embraced their identity and expressed the teacher and two school staff will visit each one. Students also travel to Alice it proudly in all its various forms. Besides the excellent presentation of the old Springs three or four times a year for a week at a time to get together for events telegraph station, there is a cultural precinct that includes a well-designed and like sports and swimming. displayed museum, research centre, aviation museum, arts centre for aboriginal and contemporary arts, and a cinema and live theatre. I did not have the opportunity to see the internationally acclaimed musicians and storytellers at the Sounds of Starlight Theatre or tour the Olive Pink Botanical Garden, but I did spend a morning at the amazing Desert Park located about six kilometres from town. Here I found an engaging movie presentation of the geologic history of Australia, and a guided tour that walked us through examples of the sand, woodland and desert rivers ecosystems of central Australia. Through the stories and interpretative displays I was amazed to learn about the diversity of plants and animals of the outback. And the explanations of how the Aborigines found food and water in these landscapes helped me to understand how they survived in a seemingly barren desert environment. Particularly interesting was the nocturnal house that shows the number of animals that come out at night to avoid the punishing daytime temperatures. I left wishing I had been here before taking my outback tour so that I could have had a better understanding of what I was seeing. Live studio and observation area at the School of the Air. Like the heroine in A Town Like Alice, women played a big part in the history of the outback. Their contribution is recognized in the National Pioneer Alice Springs School of the Air is reported to rank in the top 10% of the Women’s Hall of Fame. There is also a tribute to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, education system in the Northern Territory. Students that choose the board- an Australian icon, at a visitor centre and museum. This service brings aerial ing school option for further education are said to be focused and mature, and medical help to people scattered across the Australian wilderness. do very well. Government funding and the proceeds from the admission fees There was another Australian original that is associated with the Royal to the visitor centre—there were 32,000 visitors in 2011—provide most of the Flying Doctor Service that I wanted to see when I was in Alice Springs. While resources required to operate the school, with small supplemental amounts paid I was on a camel trek in the Uluru area there was a young girl of about twelve by families for maintenance of the computers and technology. years of age who helped her dad, the owner of the company, as a camel wran- There are now sixteen such schools in Australia, with Alice being the largest gler. I asked him how she did her schooling and was interested to hear that they area. They include programs for blind children as well as those with special used a distance learning program centred in Alice Springs called School of the needs. Air. I was happy to find that there was a visitor centre that provided all I wanted Overall, I was impressed by the operation and couldn’t help wonder to know. whether there are applications for other sparsely populated areas, like Canada’s The people at the visitor centre were very helpful. They have a short movie north. In fact, I was told that a delegation of twenty educators from Canada had that explains the school and its students, and good displays to show some of the visited in 2011. school’s history and activities. What I learned was that “the world’s largest class- All of these attractions were interesting, but didn’t really tell me why people room” was started in 1951 by Ms. Adelaide Miethke, a pioneer and former edu- keep moving to Alice Springs. I read that it was due to the continuous sunny cator who recognized that children living in remote locations were often very weather—a theory defeated by two days of cloudy skies and a deluge of rain shy. She thought that this resulted from them not having social contact. while I was exploring the old telegraph station. It had to be more than that. Ms. Miethke envisioned a way for students receiving lessons by mail to Other reasons suggested that the clean air, wide open spaces and relaxed pace have contact with teachers over the radio, and make them part of a community. attract people from the coast. After talking to locals and reading about some of By partnering with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, she was able to use their the events held in Alice, I started to understand the attraction: it’s all about the comprehensive radio system to first broadcast lessons, and later to enable stu- people. dents to participate in question and answer sessions during the broadcasts. To understand, you need to know a little more about what the residents The School of the Air started with “lunchbox” radios, but has evolved over do for fun. The activities range from adventurous, like quad-biking and bush time to use interactive Internet broadcasts. Visitors can watch live sessions from walking, to unusual, a category that includes the annual Henley-on-Todd a viewing area outside a sound-proof, windowed studio, and follow along on Regatta and the Alice Springs Camel Cup. The regatta sees teams running a -bot a television screen overhead. A smaller, second studio is often used for celeb- tomless boat along the dry bed of the Todd River, a zany and popular event. The rity guests, which have included Queen Elizabeth II; Prince Charles and Lady Camel Cup started as a bet between two locals in 1970. It is held in July and Diana; The Wiggles; musician, comedian and environmental activist Rolf people travel from all over Australia to pit their favourite camel against the rest. Harris; and Aussie cricket captain Mark Taylor. One wall bears the signatures of The animals can run at up to fifty kilometres per hour and the competition is these esteemed visitors. keen, but the focus is on fun. It was interesting to see the interaction between some of the students and Both of these activities provide some insight to the irreverent, fun-loving their teacher. These students were about eight years of age, but the program nature of people in Alice. covers children in pre-school, primary and middle school. Students continue Whether it’s a continuation of the pioneering spirit or an amplified version on in their senior years by correspondence programs or by going to boarding of the Aussie love of having a good time, the people of Alice have it. No wonder school. There are about 120 students each year on cattle stations, in aboriginal the town was selected as the setting for the outrageous 1990s movieThe communities or national parks, at road houses and at military installations. Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Each student will spend up to one hour a day in the virtual classroom. The Now I know why there’s no town like Alice, and it seems to be infectious. majority of their time is spent in self-directed study, although each is required to Alan Boreham is a world traveler and co-author of the memoir “Beer in the Bilges, Sailing Adventures in the South have a tutor (often a parent or a hired tutor) for four hours a day. And while the Pacific,” available from Amazon and other booksellers. Blog: alanboreham.wordpress.com students are spread across 1.3 million square kilometres of outback, once a year 

Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 31 news Student Leadership in Sustainability vincial and territorial teacher organization in English elementary schools across Canada. Through this grant, A new Student Leadership In Sustainablility (SLS) Canada is participating in the study. The project survey recipient schools see increased literacy scores and library program that provides a local, solutions-based approach seeks to collect the dispersed knowledge of educators on circulation, and stronger student self-esteem as children to global environmental and social justice issues has LGBTQ-inclusive education and make it widely available become more confident readers. Submissions for this been developed by Be the Change Earth Alliance. The throughout the school system for the benefit of educators year’s grant will be accepted until February 15, 2013. For program was successfully piloted in eighteen public, and school system officials working in diverse contexts. the reactions of schools that received the grant last year, private, alternative and French immersion schools across The survey launched on October 11 and will remain open and to download the application form, visit Metro Vancouver in 2011/12. The curriculum meets until mid-February. Focus groups and interviews will loveofreading.org. various provincial learning outcomes and is currently follow. Francophone teachers are welcome to respond in being integrated into Planning 10, Social Justice, Global French to the English version. Teachers or other educa- The Report on Cyberbullying Issues, Leadership, Ecology, Socials Studies, Home tors wishing to participate may contact their teacher orga- The Senate Human Rights Committee has released Economics – Family & Foods, Science and English in nization or write the research team at everyteacherpro- a report on child and youth cyberbullying entitled BC. SLS offers a flexible, modular approach with a com- [email protected] to receive a web link to participate. Cyberbullying Hurts: Respect for Rights in the prehensive suite of lesson plans, multimedia resources Digital Age. In addition to the report, two compan- and experiential student “Action Packs.” From everyday Kids as Published EBook Authors ion guides were developed—one for youth and one for ways to conserve natural resources to healthy choices Know of a child who aspires to be the next J.K. Rowling parents. The report discusses the role schools can play in that avoid pesticides and toxins; from reconnecting to self, or Robert Munsch? Ripple Digital Publishing has empowering children to know their rights and how to be family and community to recognizing our social justice announced an initiative called Kids Write 4 Kids. positive digital citizens. and environmental impacts as consumers; SLS covers a Children in grades one to six can submit their original sen.parl.gc.ca/portal/home-e.htm full life-style approach to sustainability, bringing students stories for their chance to become a published ebook and teachers a personal connection to the issues and an author. Submissions are divided into three age catego- Spongelab Student Awards empowered way to create a sustainable shared future. ries with stories selected from each level for publication The Spongelab Student Awards presents four ways for Teacher aids and student resources are all available online as an ebook. Winning submissions will then be available high school students to win $500: they can write about for a paperless approach or for downloading and print- for sale globally from the Apple iBookstore and Amazon’s a STEM case study, an educational video game idea or a ing. For more information and to order materials, visit- Kindle store through Ripple Digital Publishing ebooks community project or become the top Spongelab Power bethechangeearthalliance.org/students . with net proceeds donated to First Book Canada—a User. Entries will be accepted until April 15, 2013. Visit charitable organization providing access to books for spongelab.com for details. Wordle children in need. The entry deadline for all submissions Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text is March 31, 2013. Full submission rules area available at Interactive iBooks that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to ripplepublishing.ca. Providence eLearning is developing interactive iBooks words that appear more frequently in the source text. You for the iPad based on “required reading” classics like can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts and Integrated Media Literacy Project Macbeth and Beowulf. Each of the iBooks provides a colour schemes. The images you create with Wordle are The Cinematheque Education Department, with the multi-sensory experience with narration and video lec- yours to use however you like—you can print them or support of Vancouver Foundation and Simon Fraser tures by scholars, interactive glossaries and dictionaries, save them to the Wordle gallery to share with others. Try University’s School of Communication, has developed and quizzes. For more information, visit it at wordle.net. free, downloadable PDF lesson plans to document their providenceelearning.org. recently completed Integrated Media Literacy Project. The Every Teacher Project Developed in partnership with teachers, and test-run in Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program Educators across the country are working to make BC classrooms, these resources offer practical techniques The Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program was estab- schools safer and more respectful of sexual and gender and project ideas to develop students’ critical thinking lished by Earth Day Canada, with financial support from minority students: those who are lesbian, gay, bisex- skills, using cost-free and easy-to-use Web 2.0 technol- Toyota Canada Foundation, to reward and encourage ual, transgender, Two Spirit or questioning (LGBTQ). ogy in the classroom. Visit the Integrated Media Literacy environmental commitment and action among students. The Every Teacher Project is a national study of educa- Project website at: thecinematheque.ca/education/imlp This scholarship is presented to graduating high school tors’ perceptions and experiences of LGBTQ-inclusive and Cégep students entering their first year of post-sec- education led by Dr. Catherine Taylor in partnership Indigo Love of Reading Grant ondary education. Recognizing that environmental with Manitoba Teachers’ Society. Every national, pro- The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation commits $1.5 issues are increasingly being tackled through multidisci- million in library funding each year to twenty high-needs plinary approaches, recipients are selected regardless of

Developed by teachers for teachers, this kit designed for the secondary school is ideal for citizenship education, career preparation, business studies and work experience programs.

Students will learn how to prevent Materials provided: losses due to bank note counterfeiting Teacher’s manual and identity crime, and the role they Worksheets can play in preventing and reducing Fighting Fraud on the Front Lines DVD these crimes. PowerPoint presentations Quiz

32 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine their intended program of study. The deadline to apply history that dates back to Confederation, will no longer at six elementary schools across BC as they embark on to the 2013 Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program is be published after this year. GetCanada Year Book now for a three-year journey to explore and implement arts inte- February 15, 2013. For application information, visit $17.47 (30% off the regular price). Quantities are limited. gration in the classroom. Designed to be an intensive and earthday.ca. Call 1-800-267-6677 to order. Access an overview of sustained professional learning program for both teach- Canada Year Book at statcan.gc.ca ers and artists, Infusion: Arts in Education ultimately New iPad App benefits the students, who will experience an approach A new iPad app called You Are Stardust, based on the New Interactive Projector to teaching in which students construct and demon- book of the same title by Elin Kelsey (Owlkids Books) SMART Technologies has introduced a new SMART strate understanding through an art form. Infusion: Arts challenges kids to think about and explore the ways LightRaise™ 60wi interactive projector—the world’s in Education was created by 2010 Legacies Now, with they’re connected to the natural world. The app aims to first integrated, touch-enabled interactive projector. support from the Province of British Columbia, as a legacy provoke children’s love of reading, art and nature while LightRaise™ 60wi is an innovation of the overhead projec- of the 2010 Winter Games. In 2012, the program was entertaining them. You Are Stardust reveals ties that are tor; it turns virtually any space into an interactive learning taken on and reconceptualized by ArtStarts in Schools, often sensed yet seldom explained. A teaser is available on environment and puts the power of collaboration at the a not-for-profit organization that promotes art and cre- youarestardust.ca. fingertips of teachers and students. Using DViT (Digital ativity among BC’s young people. Educators, artists and Vision Touch) technology, LightRaise™ 60wi interactive others interested in arts integration are encouraged to join Canadian Defenders for Human Rights projector is effortless, providing zero-force touch and the the Infusion Community of Practice at artsinfusion. Leaders of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF), ability to support multiple touches. The projector pro- ca, where participants can share their experiences in the the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR), duces screen sizes up to 100” (254 cm) in either stan- classroom, recommend resources, and learn more about the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Inuit Tapiriit dard or widescreen format, making it a flexible solution arts based practices in education. Kanatami (ITK) and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for designed to fit into nearly any classroom or collaborative Justice and Human Rights have announced their partner- space. For more information visit ExploraVision Science and Technology Competition ship in a national initiative called Canadian Defenders smarttech.com/lightraise. Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision, the world’s largest K-12 for Human Rights, a curriculum tool designed to raise science and technology competition is now accepting awareness of human rights issues with Canadian high Multiplication Tables for iPhone, entries for 2013. Students research scientific principles school students. As the project develops, teachers will myBlee’s edutainment iPad application is now available and current technologies as the basis for designing inven- have access to a selection of K – 4, 5 – 8 and 9 – 12 lesson on iPhone with its Multiplication Tables module. The tions that could exist in 20 years. As the program has plans, links, and background information to teach human module enables young children to practise the multipli- evolved over the past two decades, it continues to encour- rights within a contemporary context; a Canadian adap- cation tables from 0 to 9. Older kids can play against the age excellence and motivate students in STEM disci- tation of Speak Truth to Power, a highly acclaimed inter- clock. The app can be used on both the iPhone and iPad plines. Applications for this year’s competition are avail- national resource developed by the Robert F. Kennedy and is available on the AppStore. able online at ExploraVision.org. The deadline is January Center for Justice and Human Rights; a variety of learn- 31, 2013. ing resources, tools and prescribed curriculum on Infusion Creates Partnerships with Educators and Artists Indigenous peoples to inform non-Indigenous students; Professional artists are working together with teachers  and a digital platform to celebrate student social action at the community level in the pursuit of human rights. EARLY CHILDHOOD ELEMENTARY Healthy Snacks In Schools Initiative Canadian Healthy Vending, a vending machine provider, announced its Healthy Snacks In Schools Initiative in Become a November 2012. Grants will be paid to each Canadian school, university, college or training centre that par- ticipates in the program by hosting a vending machine Montessori Teacher that contains nutritious snacks and healthy cold drinks. ... without missing work Grants will be presented upon installation of each Max! ACCESSIBLE The convenience of distance education Healthy Vending machine in the amount of $500 per AFFORDABLE Montessori Diploma Programs and Curriculum machine, with a maximum total grant of $10,000 per FLEXIBLE Start any time on your own schedule school for 20 machine installations. The company is now accepting requests from schools in all regions of Canada VALUABLE Advance your Montessori Teaching Career and has set aside an initial 200 Max! Machines for the Toll-free: 1.877.531.6665 program launch. To find out how to get a Max! Healthy [email protected] Vending Machine at your school, visit www.montessoritraining.net canadianhealthyvending.com.

KidsMotion – Slideshow Animation Software National Eating Disorder Information Centre KidsMotion—a slideshow animation software—was designed with kids in mind. An easy-to-use interface Presented by lets children create animated presentations using images, videos and music. Watch the following KidsMotion with promo video for additional information: youtube.com/watch?v=qmehTzv80-E&feature=plcp In partnership with Canada Year Book is History Preventing obesity AND eating disorders: common ground Canada Year Book 2012, the final edition, is now avail- Engaging fathers of children with eating disorders able. Canada Year Book has long been used in schools as Developing critical, hands-on media literacy Platinum sponsors a source of facts about current trends and major issues in key areas such as health, environment, transportation Understanding issues of marginalisation and the economy. This edition is the best ever, with more Body-image and intimacy detailed information about Canada, its people and its land Register at: than ever before. But Statistics Canada’s almanac, with a http://conference.nedic.ca

Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 33 events

January 25 – 27, Toronto International Recruitment Fair. Toronto, ON. searchassociates.com January 25 – 27, Teachers’ Overseas Recruiting Fair. Kingston, ON. educ.queensu.ca/services/careers January 27, Family Literacy Day. Canada International Conference on Education (CICE‐2013) abclifeliteracy.ca/fld/family-literacy-day June 24‐26, 2013 University of Toronto, Canada January 30 – February 3, Ontario Library www.ciceducation.org Association Super Conference. Toronto, ON. acessola.com The CICE is an international refereed conference dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practices in education. It is a forum for networking, sharing knowledge and good practices that February 27 – March 2, 5th International give participants the opportunity to critically and creatively engage with new ideas and research. Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The aim of CICE is to provide an opportunity for academicians and professionals from various Vancouver, BC. educational fields with cross‐disciplinary interests to bridge the knowledge gap, promote research esteem and the evolution of pedagogy. interprofessional.ubc.ca/FASD/default.asp February 28 – March 1, CIRR National Early Literacy Learning Conference: Inspiring Excellence in Literacy Instruction. Toronto (Richmond Hill), ON. event-wizard.com/CIRR2013/0/welcome/ April 15 – 17, Ireland International Conference International Conference on Information Society (i‐Society 2013) on Education. Dublin, Ireland. iicedu.org June 24‐26, 2013 April 19 – 22, International Reading Association University of Toronto, Canada Annual Convention. San Antonio, TX. www.i‐society.eu reading.org/convention.aspx The mission of i‐Society 2013 conference is to provide opportunities for collaboration of April 29, YouthCaN Environmental Conference. professionals and researchers to share existing and generate new knowledge in the field of information society. The conference encapsulates the concept of interdisciplinary science that New York, NY. youthcanworld.org studies the societal and technological dimensions of knowledge evolution in digital society. The i‐ May 2 – 4, Ontario Association for Mathematics Society bridges the gap between academia and industry with regards to research collaboration Education 2013 Conference. Toronto, ON. and awareness of current development in secure information management in the digital society. oame2013.ca May 3 – 4, Ontario Society for Environmental Education EcoLinks 2013 Conference. Peterborough, ON. home.osee.ca/ecolinks-2013/ May 4 – 11, TD Canadian Children’s Book Week bookweek.ca May 9 – 10, Body Image and Self Esteem Ireland International Conference on Education (IICE‐2013) Conference. Toronto, ON. nedic.ca April 15‐17, 2013 Dublin, Ireland June 3 – 5, Canadian Association of Applied www.iicedu.org Linguistics Annual Conference. Victoria, BC. aclacaal.org/CongACLAAn.htm The IICE is an international refereed conference dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practices in education. It is a forum for networking, sharing knowledge and good practices that June 24 – 26, Canada International Conference give participants the opportunity to critically and creatively engage with new ideas and research. on Education. University of Toronto, ON. ciceducation.org June 24 – 26, International Conference on Information Society. University of Toronto, ON. i-society.eu July 1 – 6, iEARN Conference and Youth Summit. Doha, Qutar. iearn.org World Congress on Internet Security (WorldCIS‐2013) July 2 – 7, Worldskills Leipzig 2013: The Global August 5‐7, 2013 Vocational Education Event. Leipzig, Germany. Tokyo, Japan worldskillsleipzig2013.com www.worldcis.org

July 4 – 6, 2013 International Conference on The WorldCIS‐2013 is an international forum dedicated to the advancement of the theory and Information Communication Technologies in practical implementation of security on the Internet and Computer Networks. The inability to properly secure the Internet, computer networks, protecting the Internet against emerging Education. Crete, Greece. icicte.org threats and vulnerabilities, and sustaining privacy and trust has been a key focus of research. The August 5 – 7, World Congress on Internet Security. WorldCIS aims to provide a highly professional and comparative academic research forum that promotes collaborative excellence between academia and industry. The objectives of the Tokyo, Japan. i-society.eu WorldCIS are to bridge the knowledge gap between academia and industry, promote research esteem and to fostering discussions on information technologies, information systems and global  security applications. The WorldCIS‐2013 invites speakers and researchers to submit papers that encompass conceptual analysis, design implementation and performance evaluation.

34 January/February 2013 Canadian Teacher magazine the bulletin board • opportunities • • resources •

www.fieldtripfactory.ca 17th AnnuAl SEARCh ASSoCiAtES EDUCATIONAL STRONG NATIONS FIELD TRIPS toronto international FREE hands-on learning in your class & community Recruitment Fair Gila’ Kasla! “Welcome, come with all that you are!” Call: 855-383-0900 Building Strong Nations Together January 25–27, 2013 Teachers’ Tutoring Service is looking for qualified Marriott Courtyard hotel We bring Indigenous books into your lives... high school teachers for one-to-one, in-home tutoring in all areas of Metro Vancouver. We currently toronto require teachers who specialize in the following subjects: Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, French. See: www.searchassociates.com for dates Teachers must be BC Ministry of Education certified. WWW.STRONGNATIONS.COM To apply, please forward your current résumé, a copy of your 50–60 intERnAtionAl 1.888.278.2202 BC Ministry of Education teaching certificate and two letters of RECRuitERS AttEnding, reference. To apply online visit our “Join Our Service” page. • TTS is a non-profit society • REpRESEnting ovER 80 SChoolS woRldwidE. TEACHERS’ TUTORING SERVICE 203-1929 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1Z3 Tel: 604-730-3410 Fax: 604-730-3416 Contact www.tutor.bc.ca • [email protected] [email protected] or go to www.searchassociates.com Click on nEwS for the 2012 FAiR SChEdulE, then click on toronto Fair for additional information. Follow us on Facebook — Search Associates Canada

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Canadian Teacher magazine January/February 2013 35 Fundraising With FloWers can help your organization grow...

If you’re looking to fundraise, look no further. Our Fundraising With Flowers Program makes fundraising so easy and profitable – you keep50% of all your sales!

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Fundraising With Flowers gives you everything you need for easy, profitable fundraising: • 8 page full colour catalogues for each volunteer fundraiser • Order forms • Payment collection envelopes • Detailed and straighforward instructions for managing the program

15 Giant Yellow Daffodils J $15 SELLER’S NAME: 702270 es to the reliable golden blooms Nothing compar fodil of the Dutch Master Daf Make cheques payable to:

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Plant een foliage that would 702910 TOTAL FOR CUSTOMER 6 with golden yellow yellow cup and r ock sturdy dark gr ing addition to any$10 umpet daffodils, in r P FALL BULB GARDEN AIRPERSON make an outstand with taller tr 702190make a beautiful addition in any FALL BULB GARDEN denia-like den with blooms landscape. These gar A dicef gardens or along the edge of any perennial gar $30 50 Bulbs fer den. These exceptional om May into June. $50 $ flowers with their delightfulce fragrantoyour add tolate ent springflower sort ofgarden.ga rtextur esistant.25 Mixedappearing Windflowers fr 100 Bulbs would be an excellent choi fodils are also deer r Always a popular item with our fundraisng customers TOTAL FOR CUSTOMER daf Hardy in zones 3-9 SEE BACK OF ORDER FORM FOR A COMPL any cut flower arrangement. e to add to $10 Q Our Fall Bulb Gar Ball-shaped rHardy in zones 3-8 Bulb size 7/8cm 702430 den consists of the four varieties shown above to give you a range of colour & lasting blooms. 7 Hardy in zones 5-9 supported on Bulba tall size gr 10/12cm A Height 16-22” Spacing 3-4” $ eddish-purple blooms striking combination of delicate to add sparkle to your spring gar LISTING OF ALL PRODUTOTAL FORCTS ALL & CUSTOMERSPRICES. Bulb size 12/14cm plants ar Height 10/12” Spacing 4-6”gr Full Sun, Part Sun A very economical way ound-cover blossoms. 25 Muscari Magic Carpetherald Mix the coming of summer as yourden, theseneighbours proven lo selectionsok on in awe! will TOTAL FOR CUSTOMER 8 Height 14/16” Spacing 5-6”are long lastinge an ideal Fulland cutSun, also eenflower Partcan stem. be Sunas used they These Cut Flower, Deer Resistant Full Sun, Part Sun in any dried flowerCut arrangement. Flower, Deer ResistantHar 25 bulbs in each package $12 Cut Flower, Deer Resistant 15 bulbs in each package dy, daisy-like flowers that will SNOW CROCUS cr G One of our favourite spring $ 10 bulbs in each packageHardy in zones 4-8 eate a colourful carp GIANT DAFFODILS and pink. This mix will start702250 to blooming bulbs due to their longHardy in zones 3-9 $ Bulb size 5/6cm Hardy in zones 3-8 Height 22-28” Spacing 2-3” in early spring and lasting bloom. Bulb size 5/7cm et of blue, white Bulb size 12/14cm Full Sun, Part Sun bor Height 2-4” ETE der along any flower bed6 .Mixed HyacinthsAlso known as grape hyacinth, this Spacing 2-3” Height 14-18” Cut Flower, Deer Resistant makes an excellentbloom blend of beautiful blue & white 35 bulbs in each package Hardy in zones 5-9 $12 Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade Spacing 5-6” Bulb size 4/5cm shades will make a lasting impr 20 bulbs in Single Garden Full/Part Sun, Cut Flower, Deer Res. Height 2-6” Fragrance and inBeauty any spring all in ga orne! 40 bulbs in Double Garden 5 bulbs in Single Garden Spacing 2-3” naturalizing under tr 10 bulbs in Double Garden den or used for Full Sun, Part Sun The bright colours of this bl essionTULIPS RED IMPRESSION 25 bulbs in each package compliment yourHardy spring in zones end 3-8 will be sure to STRIPED SQUILL Bulb size garden. Use theseees or shr Hardy in zones 3-8 long lasting blossoms to edge y ubs. Height 3-6”6/9cmour bed, plant Bulb size 11/12cm Hardy in zones 3-9 along any walkway or use for f Bulb size 5/6cm Spacing 2-3” orcing indoors. Height 18-24” Hardy in zonesFull 4-9 Sun, BulbPart sizeSun, 14/15cm Cut Flower Spacing 4-5” Height 3-4” Height 8-12”25 Spacing bulbs in 4-5”each packageFragrant Full Sun, Part Sun, Cut Flower Spacing 2-3” Full Sun, Part Sun, Cut Flower, Deer 5 bulbs in Single Garden Full/Part Sun, Cut Flower, Deer Res. Resistant 10 bulbs in Double Garden 20 bulbs in Single Garden 6 bulbs in each package 40 bulbs in Double Garden

Help your group get growing, start today! Call Alma at 1-800-363-7333 OR email her at [email protected] OR sign up direct on our website www.veseys.com

Since 1939 Veseys has been providing Canadian gardeners with bountiful harvests, outstanding product selection and excellent customer service. We take pride in your gardening success. Order your FRee Gardening Catalogues today at www.veseys.com or call Toll Free 1-800-363-7333