The process of accessing the online resources has been greatly streamlined and simplified from previous years – it now takes less than a minute and there are no confusing codes to worry about.  Go to http://shop.tc2.ca/index.php?main_page=create_account, provide your name, work email and a couple of other details, make up a password, and you’re signed on.  (Note: the website will recognize you as a VSB employee and allow you into all the resources on the site.)

Extras

Visual instructions for the registration process.
Flyer describing the collections.
Slide show that describes the three main online teaching collections that are available.

Helpful videos introducing the collections

• Viewing and accessing Critical Challenges
• Viewing and accessing Source Docs
• Viewing and accessing Tools for Thought
• Tools for Thought: Choosing and finding a tool
• Tools for Thought: A typical lesson

Monthly notice of “The Thinking Teacher” digest, highlighting particular resources
(for all teachers who have registered with TC2)

Tip sheet on suggestions for using the resources

Are you a TTOC who may be working in a VSB school library?

You may be interested in these two after school sessions which will help familiarize you with the basic operations of VSB school libraries.

• The first session will deal with circulation – checking books in and out.
• The second session will briefly review circulation and then deal with other library matters – understanding Dewey, shelving, searching the catalogue, databases, types of classes and teaching, etc. There is a lot to learn!

For more information contact Mary Locke mlocke@vsb.bc.ca or visit the registration page.

Dates:

Thursday November 28th
Thursday December 5th

Note: This workshop offering usually fills up very quickly. If anyone is turned away from this first one, please note there will be another pair of sessions in January or February.

On Tuesday Oct 29th Tobey Steeves, a VSB TTOC and a BCTF Facilitator, led a Classroom Management workshop (one he is leading throughout the province in his BCTF facilitator role).

The workshop had three objectives.  That participants would:

1. Understand the goals of student misbehaviour.
2. Review strategies for effective classroom management from prevention to intervention.
3. Work on a plan of action to deal with challenging behaviours.

Tobey identified that in classroom management the levels of intervention were approximately 80% prevention, 15% action, 5% dealing with challenging behaviours.

Participants were given a “Know what you’re comfortable with” handout which they could use to self-identify their comfort level with:

• Background Noise
• Individual Volume
• Interruptions
• Background Movement
• Ability to multi-task without becoming flustered

The purpose being that “Knowing yourself helps establish what kind of classroom you expect.  Understanding your own comfort levels will assist you in developing classroom expectations.”

Participants also explored several classroom procedures the ways in which a TTOC can address them with the purpose of “creating a safe and positive learning environment”.

The four goals of (student) misbehaviour were introduced and, in groups, participants identified what they would look like and how a TTOC might respond to them.

How do you create that dynamic, engaging, safe and respectful learning environment you want for your classes? On Tuesday October 8th Mary and Jacob hosted a session sharing the fundamental elements of a well-managed classroom. Emphasis was on problem prevention through teachers’ careful planning, instruction using a variety of activities and the cultivation of warm relationships based on respect and high learning expectations. Structures, routines and proactive strategies were also presented.

Workshop Slides
Workshop Handouts

Note: On Tuesday Oct 29th Tobey Steves will be leading a classroom management workshop specific to the needs of teachers teaching on call (TTOCs).

On Tuesday Oct 1 TOCs participated in an after school workshop that focused on preparing them for TOC work and on networking with other TOCs.

Here are some resources from that session:

• Facilitator Slides
• BCTF TOC Handbook (p.9-19)
• More TOC Resources

On Friday Sept 27 high school and elementary teachers met at the Magee library to explore two frameworks for supporting their students learning science through inquiry.

Here are some resources from that session:

• Facilitator slides
• Inquiry Cards
• 8.5″x11″ versions of posters
• Booklet providing the entire Smarter Science framework

Living with Balance is co-sponsored by Vancouver Secondary Teachers Association (VSTA), Vancouver Elementary School Teachers Association (VESTA) and the Vancouver School Board (VSB) and taught by BCTF’s qualified occupational therapists and/or trained consultants in mental health.  Living with Balance will provide the participant with practical skills and strategies to attain goals toward work-life balance.

It is a six (6) week workshop held every Wednesday from 4-6 pm beginning on October 16, 2013 at the VSTA/VESTA offices (2915 Commercial Drive).

Please review the poster for more information and registration details.
Participants must pre-register, (space is limited to 15 Teachers), and commit to attending all six sessions.  There are three ways to register:

1. Online at www.bctf.ca/forms/LWB-registration.aspx
2. Email your registration to lwb@bctf.ca
3. Fax your registration to 604-871-2287

Questions?
Contact Heather Allison at VESTA 604-873-8378 or Sylvia Metzner at VSTA 604-873-5570

The above information was sent by:
Lorelei D. Russell, CHRP, Employee Wellness & Benefits Manager, Human Resources
Vancouver School Board, 1580 West Broadway  Vancouver BC V6J 5K8
phone; 604-713-5131  fax; 604-713-5328