Get Outdoors: Resource List

We see a lot of outdoor play in K, but exploring and embracing nature is valuable at all levels. Here are some resources and ideas for integrating outdoor play and experiential learning in your class… it is also good information for home time and the importance to get outside.

In our current state of self isolation and quarantine, unless you are symptomatic (in which case stay safely inside as to not infect others) you can and should still get outside, while maintaining the 2 meter social distancing. Fresh air and outdoors is good for mental health.

Great infographic describing the benefits of spending time in nature: https://hopefamilyresources.wordpress.com/2015/06/01/infographic-of-the-day-benefits-of-nature/

10 ways outdoor education benefits kids: https://www.independentschoolparent.com/school/outdoor-learning-benefits/

Surprising benefits of outdoor education: https://www.learningliftoff.com/the-surprising-benefits-of-outdoor-learning/ 

The Institute for Outdoor Learning has a number of resources:
https://www.outdoor-learning.org/

More on outdoor learning:
https://www.parentingscience.com/outdoor-learning.html

Here's a quick read on the benefits of Place-Based learning: https://sierraclub.bc.ca/the-value-of-place-based-education/

Teaching outside the classroom:
https://www.familyeducation.com/fun/nature-activities/10-hands-nature-activities-kids?slide=1#fen-gallery

And, when you can't get outside.... bring some of the benefits of outside - inside....

https://hside.org/plants-improve-mental-physical-health/

Some research around the benefits of plants in schools:
https://www.phsgreenleaf.co.uk/the-benefits-of-plants-in-schools-and-educational-facilities/

Love this idea to bring an “outdoorsy” feel inside the classroom.

https://crafty.diply.com/108504/people-are-turning-glass-tables-into-giant-succulent-gardens?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=mnv&utm_content=mnv002466&fbclid=IwAR1YZQ2uic2tZ-uAWzyfluqY4kBuS4r6KFqtxISB6u2Rx6tehpnCIhV5_9I

Now don't forget cool out door games too:

Outdoor games - https://www.games4youthgroups.com/outdoor-games.html

https://www.instructables.com/id/Manhunt/

https://www.headspace.com/covid-19  - has some free and extra offers right now during the COVID-19 situation

Project Wet - Water Education

I was asking colleagues on facebook about resources for a water cycle / environmental unit I may be teaching in Science. A friend suggested I check out http://www.projectwet.org/ and I suggest you do as well!

There are publications, interactive online activities, lesson plans, printables, information on workshop and training, maps, posters, books, events and so much more.

It is appropriate for a variety of grade levels and looks at the importance of water and how we use it and how we can protect it.

Connectivity and School Culture

Came across another great article I wanted to share, How Transparency Can Transform School Culture.

It talks about how leadership in a school can create connectivity and a culture of sharing of both successes and struggles. With social media, sharing becomes easier and more

“The culture offline or online has to say we care about being open minded to the rest of our learning community whether that’s local or global.”

Many educators have found connecting through social media and other online platforms is valuable for sharing resources and inspire one another. But some teachers are still wary of social media after a few high-profile incidents of teachers being accused of wrong-doing on the web, Mazza said. “Once teachers understand that the leadership is taking a risk, then they feel a lot more comfortable doing so,” he said

I encourage you to check out the article as it has some great points surrounding transparency and school culture, along with social media and how the connectivity is growing from it.



“When you’re using digital tools and other social media it’s like you’re yelling out the front door of your school because you are so proud of something.”

Read more here

Earth Day - Free downloadable resource

It's Earth Day. Yesterday I posted a blog that had some pretty cool Earth Day activities you can try.

Here is a cool writing pack you could to today if you haven't planned anything and/or are TTOCing in a classroom today.



You can get the free download here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fun-Earth-Day-Writing-Activities

From: http://www.thesciencepenguin.com/2013/03/earth-day-freebie-fun.html

Google Drive and Docs for Teachers

Google Drive and Docs for Teachers 2012

Action Schools! BC Resources for TTOCs

Action Schools! BC has a lot to offer teachers and some great things for TTOCs who wish to include some Daily Physical Activity or healthy lessons into their days with different classes.

The first cool thing I discovered was that they have established really cool activity Circuits for most schools in BC here. You can click your district, find a school, and load the map of the schools playground/field area for suggested activities/circuits to do with classes.

Besides that, they offer many FREE workshops. At the BCTF New Teacher's Conference, a rep told me they could do one for TTOCs and everyone gets some super handy supplies and lessons they can take with them into the classroom!
Their website has Tons of Resources including downloadable worksheets, handouts, posters, and activities about healthy eating, excersize, and more.

I always love the resources the schools have from Action Schools! BC - but was thrilled to see all the online resources and workshops available for teachers not attached to a school. I hope to book a workshop for our TTOCs next year!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Some Background Info

St. Patrick: The patron saint of Ireland and the Irish, St. Patrick was born about 385 A.D. in Northern Wales. He studied religion in Europe to become a priest and bishop. He then brought Christianity to the Irish by teaching in Ireland for 29 years. According to early Irish tradition, he died on March 17, 461 AD. The anniversary of his death is celebrated as Saint Patrick's Day. St. Patrick is most known around the world as driving all the snakes out of Ireland through trickery.

The symbol of shamrocks: An Irish tale tells of how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

Art
Shamrock: Cut a shamrock from construction paper. Glue pieces of green variegated tissue paper or scraps of green paper on shamrock.
Variations: Decorate with crayons, felt-tipped pens, or paint. Cover shamrock with glue. Sprinkle with green glitter then remove excess.

Hearty Shamrock: Cut three hearts from green construction paper. Form shamrock by gluing points of hearts together on a piece of paper. Draw stem.

Shamrock Prints: Cut green bell peppers in half, clean out the seeds, dip the cut side into some paint, and press onto a piece of paper. Voila, shamrock prints!

Recipes
Green Veggie/Fruit Snack: Prepare a snack using slices of fresh green vegetables. Use cabbage, cucumber, avocado, zucchini squash, green bell peppers, and lettuce. How many green fruits can your class name? Think: kiwi, honeydew melon, green apples, green grapes, papayas - bananas start out green!

Shamrock Shake: Blend 1 banana, 2 cups lime sherbet, and 2 cups milk.

Pot o' Gold Rainbows: Materials needed: (per student) 1 graham cracker, 1 portion blue frosting, 1 mini Reese cup, 1 pack Skittles. Directions: Students spread frosting over graham cracker and place Skittles in the shape of a rainbow. Then place the Reese cup at the end of the rainbow

Science
Growing "Shamrocks": Cut shamrock from terry cloth. Moisten shamrock. Sprinkle with alfalfa seed. Keep moist. Set in dark place. Allow several days for shamrock to grow. Set in sunlight for shamrock to turn green.

Leprechaun traps: Collect junk from home (paper towel rolls, empty containers, tin foil, little boxes various shapes and sizes, cans, scrap paper, string, sandwich bags, etc.) Have students dig through all the junk and decide what they will need for their leprechaun trap. Students build their traps. (I'd give them a half a day to do this, and be prepared for a giant mess). Permit students to look through the junk as they need more items. About half way through the time that you give your students, gather back as a class and discuss the strategies that some students are using, ie: If the leprechaun comes in here...this will happen... Point out and try to encourage the use of force and motion. Ask students to set their traps right before they go home. Lock the doors when all of them have left, set each trap off and deposit a chocolate gold coin under it!

Social Studies
Display a map of Ireland and discuss: Ireland is an island. People who come from Ireland or whose ancestors came from Ireland are called Irish. An emerald is a precious stone which is green. Ireland is often called the "Emerald Isle" because it is so green with vegetation. The color green symbolizes Ireland and the Irish.

Math
Distribute handfuls of Lucky Charms cereal to students and have them count, sort out, and identify the different shapes.

Books
Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato, by Tomie dePaola
Saint Patrick and the Peddler, by Margaret Hodges
St. Patrick's Day, by Gail Gibbons
St. Patrick's Day In the Morning, by Eve Bunting
St. Patricks Day Shamrock Mystery, by Marion Markham
Story Of Saint Patrick, by James A. Janda
Tales Of St Patrick, by Eileen Dunlop
The Definitive St. Patrick's Day Festivity Book, by Michael James Fallon, Michele Anne Murphy
Irish Night Before Christmas and A Leprechaun's St. Patrick's Day, by Sarah Kirwan Blazek
Jeremy Bean's St. Patrick's Day, by Alice Schertle


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Some new resources

I try not to spend a lot of money on resources. As a TTOC I don't know what grade level or subject area I will eventually end up in, so I try not to spend a lot of money on resources, but today at the BCTF New Teachers Conference there were some items I had to have.

At Artel's table, I bought some new smelly stickers. Smelly stickers are "My thing" I love them and give them out, usually in students agenda books, when I go into TTOC. Students love them and I often hear from their classroom teachers how much they love my smelly stickers. I am stocked up for after Spring Break with some cool new scents such as banana, bubblegum, apple, popcorn, blueberry, peach, tutti frutti and even DIRT!!

Barefoot Books had a table and I got a new book with cd Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush".

This book is amazing. It has a c.d. done by Fred Penner and the book explores how children from Mali, Europe, India and China do their morning routines. It's a great way to explore other cultures, morning routines, and music. They had some other great books, but again, on a TTOC budget I probably over spent... but there were a lot of free resources I got too... but I will get to that.

Lastly, bought yoga pretzel cards. I am so excited to use these in the classroom as well as at home.

My daughter loves yoga and as a TTOC I have done chair aerobics with classes, but think these fun yoga cards will be very useful. I am also ways looking for new DPA activities that I can do when I go in for a day with a new class.

Speaking of DPA acticvities, Action Schools BC was there and had a ton of amazing resources. This is the bag, books and bean bags they gave me:

They also did a workshop and everyone got an amazing kit with even more resources. I plan to book them for TTOCs in my local. Everyone gets a bag of stuff and leaves with a ton of ideas to use in the classroom - it is so great for TTOCs. I can't wait!

Some other free resources I got include:

From BC Art Teachers' Association - Collections of Lesson Ideas in spiral bound books.

From the BC Socials Studies Teachers' Association - a large map, a ton of handouts and lesson plan ideas.

From FAST (Fighting Antisemitism Together) - 'Choose Your Voice' Teacher's Guide and dvd

From Parks Canada - a number of resources and pamphlets for field trips and class games and projects.


From Poetry in Voice - 'Recitation Contest' Teacher's Guide with some absolutely amazing lesson plans and examples as well as details on preparing for the poetry competition. I strongly encourage you to check out their website: Poetry in Voice.

From CPF (Canadian Parents for French) - posters and pamphlets, which I especially enjoyed as my daughter is in French Immersion.

From the BCSCA (BC School Counsellors' Association) - stress relief squeeze "hearts" and 'Friends for Life' workbooks which I have used before and absolutely love using with students.

There was a lot more but I don't recall which tables and I don't have the items close enough at the moment to look through but a usb flash drive, pens, pencils, and a lot of lesson plan one-pagers. So useful!

I honestly hope more new teachers and TTOCs consider going to the BCTF New Teachers' Conference again next year - It was absolutely amazing!

Read more about the conference here.

New Teacher Conference 2012

I spent yesterday and today at the BCTF New Teacher Conference.

I attend a lot of conferences and I have to say this one is one of the most enjoyable. The conference is attended by a lot of Student Teachers as well as new teachers and TTOCs. There are a number of workshops to choose from and exhibitors tables to browse. Although some TTOCs complained the workshops seemed overly tailored to Student Teachers, others thought they were just perfect for any new teacher.

There was a diversity of workshops offered and tons of freebies and resources.

I was one of the reps manning the TTOC AC Table and we had an acronym sheet to help new teachers understand what all the letters being thrown around meant. We also had "Proud to be a Teacher" buttons and information for TTOCs in BC.

Today we had a spin wheel where teachers could spin and get a prize. We would ask a trivia question related to TTOCs and then they would get some BCTF Swag (touque, ruler, t-shirt, bag, etc.)

Even if they got the question wrong, they seemed appreciative if the knowledge and eager to learn more.

There were lot's of awesome free resources as well as some for sale. I came home with a ton of new resources, which I talk about here.

It was nice to see so many optimistic, energetic, new teachers and
student teachers. I really encourage new teachers and TTOCs to check out the BCTF New Teachers' Conference next year!