October 31, 2024
KEY RESOURCES IN LANGLEY
- Clickable PDF to Key Resources in Langley
- Instructional Services Website: For all your district-vetted resources K-12! Check it out!
- Aboriginal Resources vetted by the District
- TCS Sites (TCS SS-grade 3, 4-8, Secondary): Key resources are still being placed in these Teams. If you need access to one of these Teams, please email dzurbuchenjonker@sd35.bc.ca
- District Learning Commons is a lending library of classroom and teaching resources available to all school staff in the Langley School District. All of our items are available to view and book online through the Insignia Library system. Find instructions, an area to check out new resources, request new resources and report lost or damages kits here: https://sway.office.com/qbfcZW739otNIwLe?ref=Link
We deliver and pick up all the items you request through district mail twice per week (check with your admin assistant to see which days your deliveries are on).
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Interested in Becoming a Mentor?
We are in great need of experienced teachers with five or more years in the profession to support and guide newer educators as they transition into their roles.
We have many brand-new or early career teachers looking for a mentor. We need mentors at all grade levels but especially primary (K-5) and middle (6-8).
Time Commitment as a mentor: Mentors need to commit to ONE 45-minute learning-focused conversation every 3-5 weeks. There are optional workshops, networking and learning sessions available.
https://langleyteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Mentor-Info-Sheet.pdf
New to the District or a New Role?
If you’re a newer teacher looking for mentorship, please fill out the Mentee Information Sheet here. Once completed, email it to teachermentorship@sd35.bc.ca to join our program!
Upcoming events:
Ongoing: Classroom Library Kits – let us know if you would like one! Fill your classroom library by borrowing books from us – Kits for K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 available!
Mentor Learning Session: Nov. 14, 3:30-5pm, SBO– for those who could not attend Harrison
Mentorship Session – all welcome – Early Literacy Part 1: strategies and programming – Nov. 19 – Wix-Brown Elementary School
HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
UBC MOOC – Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education | More info
Enhance your understanding and knowledge of practices that advance reconciliation in the places where you live, learn, and work. This 6 week course will help you envision how Indigenous histories, perspectives, worldviews, and approaches to learning can be made part of the work done in classrooms, organizations, communities, and in everyday experiences in ways that are thoughtful and respectful. In this course, reconciliation emphasizes changing institutional structures, practices, and policies, as well as personal and professional ideologies to create environments that are committed to strengthening relationships with Indigenous peoples.
Early Learning Pro-D | UBC MOOC – Nurturing Childhoods Through Indigenous Ways of Knowing | More info
Explore teachings, strategies, and resources that guide the inclusion of Indigenous ways of knowing in early learning environments. This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is designed to empower and support educators, service providers and families to engage with Indigenous knowledges in early learning environments. The 6-8 week course offers a transformative learning experience, weaving together Indigenous worldviews and pedagogies with diverse perspectives. Co-created with community, educator and scholarly voices, this free, fully-online course is accessible to participants seeking to explore ways to enhance their practice and care environments through Indigenous ways of knowing. There are no admission prerequisites.
DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
To see our full calendar of offerings, visit www.thinklangley.com
We are having some technical difficulties with On-Demand learning, we are working with the site hosts to fix it as soon as possible. If you have registered for a session and receive an error saying that the workshop is sold out, please contact us at thinklangley@sd35.bc.ca , provide us with the session name and we will provide you with a direct link to the site.
Learning in the Primary Years: A Four Part Series | Nov 4, Dec 3, 2024 and Jan 20, 2025 I Register
Curious educators are invited to learn and think together about the newly released “Learning in the Primary Years” Ministry document with connections to playful practice. Register for one session or all, just select the appropriate pass during registration. Dinner will be provided to those who attend in person.
How to Become a Better Writing Teacher: Supporting Engagement, Composition, and Quality in Students | Oct 28, 2024, Nov 25, 2024, Jan 27, 2025, & Feb 10, 2025 I Register
Join Matt Glover in this incredible Zoom series hosted by the Provincial Outreach Program for the Early Years.
F & P Training – On Demand | Webinar
If you are new to completing F & P Assessments or need a refresher, there are training videos on how to complete the F & P Assessments available On Demand via the Think Langley website. These can be accessed via the link above.
EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
SFU Med/MA in TEAL Info Session | Dec 4, 2024 | Info Session | More info
SFU is offering information sessions for those interested in applying for SFU’s MEd/MA program in Teaching English as an Additional Language for our Fall 2025 intake.
Designed for educators working with English Language Learners, this program provides students opportunities to advance their knowledge of theory, research, and practical issues in teaching ELLs at any level.
This program is well-suited for those already working with English language learners in K-12 school settings in BC, or those with experience and interest teaching English as a second or foreign language in international contexts, as well as those with experience and interest in EAL education in settings like language institutes, colleges, immigrant/refugee settlement services and related organizations. Both domestic and international applicants are welcome. Most applicants should have a minimum of two years of full-time teaching experience or equivalent related experience.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES
Christmas in the Country Field Trip | Dec 5-29, 2024 | More info
Join Thunderbird Show Park this December for Christmas in the Country! This indoor event offers a fun opportunity to learn about agriculture in the Lower Mainland. Get up close with an 800-pound Speckled Park cow and discover the chick hatching process through hands-on exhibits and workshops. Students can enjoy the hobby horse kids’ course and admire dazzling light displays, all while celebrating the holiday spirit!
NFB films to celebrate the French-speaking world | English French
To celebrate the French-speaking world in March, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) joins force every year with the annual event, Rendez-vous de la francophonie (RVF). This will be their 20th participation in March 2025 and are offering six programs this year. Everything is free: films and promotional items. Screenings can take place in cultural organizations, associations, libraries, schools, government offices – in short, during the month of March, any group wishing to organize a screening of NFB films with one of the six programs can participate. Programs 4 and 5 are of interest to primary school students ( program 6 is rated from age 10, but its discussion potential makes it a very interesting program for high school students), and programs 1 and 2 are appropriate for high school and great for adults too.
Amazing STEAM opportunities for BC students | SHAD Canada | More info
Shad is a month-long summer STEAM and entrepreneurship program for grade 10 and 11 students that opens doors to post-secondary pathways. Each year, students from across Canada come together on Shad campuses from coast to coast to explore different parts of the country and make lasting connections. Hear from three alum from different provinces as they share insights from their incredible summer at Shad’s Thompson Rivers University campus exploring STEAM topics, meeting field experts, and immersing themselves in everything Kamloops has to offer.
Fall in Love with Learning: Get inspired With Farm Updates | Stable Harvest Farm | Register
Check out the latest updates from Stable Harvest Farm and get inspired for learning outside the classroom. Spots are filling up for the hands-on, educational farm experiences in Spring 2025. Book now for Grade 4-7 classes. Students will love exploring the stations in the marsh, wetlands, and wet grasslands at the farm, where they can spot frogs, birds, and unique plants while learning how these habitats protect wildlife.
PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL READINGS AND RESOURCES
“Assess THAT” Podcast on “Feedback” with Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso | Podcast
“Assess That” is an excellent ongoing podcast on assessment hosted by Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso. In one of their recent episodes, Tom and Nat explored the topic of feedback. In the podcast, they discuss feedback as both simple and complex and provide some excellent ideas and suggestions for helping teachers use feedback effectively to improve student learning. Without a doubt, this is one of the better podcasts out there when it comes to the topic of how to use feedback effectively in the classroom and definitely worth a listen!
Scary Snapchat AI and Other AI Chatbot Companions | Podcast
The market for AI-based companion platforms, which allow users to build personal, interactive relationships with virtual characters, is growing rapidly, and there are currently around 40 applications available. In today’s blog, Delaney Ruston (Screenagers’ Filmmaker) will break this all down for you. Be prepared to be sad, scared, and mad.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Veteran’s Week and Remembrance Day | More info
Time is growing short but we still have print copies of some of our 2024 Veterans’ Week learning resources in stock. Digital versions are always available on our website but if you order right now, you should receive hardcopies by Remembrance Day. Don’t delay, request yours today!
Looking for help to organize a commemorative event for your school or community? Let the Plan a Remembrance Day Ceremony resource centre come to the rescue! This new webpage offers a wealth of resources, including downloadable videos, music, readings, MC notes and a step-by-step presentation you can play at your event.
PHE Canada Podcast: Reframing the Sex Talk | Podcast
Reframing the Sex Talk: Let’s Talk About Teaching Sexual Health Education – Jessy Wollen
Last year each secondary school was provided with a complete ‘Sex Ed Circuit Kit’ and a formative assessment template to use with students in Grades 8 – 10. The founder, Jessy Wollen (from SHIFT Education) was featured in a PHE Canada Podcast last spring, and she provides some excellent insight and rationale for providing our learners with sexual health education. Have a listen and save the date! SHIFT will be introducing these kits to PHE teachers during a workshop on our Odyssey Professional Development Day in February. More details to follow!
BCTF Classroom Resources Website | Resources
The TeachBC website is your go-to site for free downloadable lesson plans, posters and classroom resources directly from the BCTF. These resources come directly from practicing teachers in BC and teachers are also encouraged to enter their classroom resources, lesson plans and activities to the site as well. To access it, please go to the link above.
TECH TIPS
Microsoft EDGE Browser
If you are not already doing so, we would highly recommend that all District Staff use the Microsoft EDGE browser as their default web browser. Microsoft EDGE is a Microsoft product that is provided to all Langley District staff as part of the Office 365 package that is part of our District system. As a result of it being a Microsoft product, it is therefore most compatible and easiest to use with all of the other Microsoft tools available for staff. It is also the safest and most secure browser to be using from a privacy and protection lens as well.