GETCA 2020

In this session I will share resources and activities you can do with your students in the classroom, the gym, or outside. Learning about health and fitness in fun and interactive ways through movement and art activities while integrating different curriculum outcomes into the activities. Get ready to participate in some yoga and exercise moves!

Venue

(Westin - Strathcona Room)

Speakers

Katherine Kluczynski

The passion for teaching has always been part of my life. I received my bachelor of education in secondary education and have been teaching with Edmonton Catholic Schools for the past 12 years; a majority being in Kindergarten. I have completed the MES program through the university... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2020 9:00am - 10:00am MST
(Westin - Strathcona Room)

9:00am MST

Literature, Language and Life-Skills: Oh My!

Although our inclination is to teach the way we were once taught, as times change, so must our strategies. In this fast-paced session, participants will have fun examining how social, emotional, ethical and cognitive skills can be taught through the use of literature and interactive reading strategies.

Venue

(Edmonton Convention Centre - Salon 4)

Speakers

Dan St. Romain

Multiple sessions both days

Dan St. Romain is a independent educational consultant from San Antonio, Texas. He provides staff development and consultative services to educators and parents working with children at all developmental levels. Dan is passionate about helping individuals shift their perspective on... Read More →

Literature Language Life Skills Handout pdf

Thursday February 27, 2020 9:00am - 10:00am MST
(Edmonton Convention Centre - Salon 4)

9:00am MST

Early Numeracy in a Play-Based Environment

Positive early experiences that allow children to develop mathematical ideas are so important to child development! It is in the early years that children will begin to develop problem-solving skills and set the foundations for future learning, in which they will continue to expand and refine throughout their life. Through the authentic practice and real life experiences of 5 teachers, this session will explore and highlight ways that educators can begin to infuse numeracy into the rhythm of the day in play based, early learning programs. Through open discussions and examples, educators will have the opportunity to adopt strategies and ideas on how to introduce numerous mathematical strands into their current and future teaching practices during inquiry and project work, centers, small group work, tasks and transitions.

Venue

(Edmonton Convention Centre - Salon 2)

Speakers

Alessia Poulin

Kindergarten Teacher, Edmonton Catholic Schools

Kailey Pollitt, Cheryl Hogan, Michelle Lee, Alessia Poulin, and Tarra Lawes participated in a study with the University of Alberta called "Early Learning Numeracy" which supported teachers' attention and awareness of mathematical interactions During this time we collaborated in creating... Read More →

Michelle Lee

Kindergarten Teacher, Edmonton Catholic School.Kailey Pollitt, Cheryl Hogan, Michelle Lee, and Alessia Poulin participated in a study with the University of Alberta called \\\\\\"Early Learning Numeracy\\\\\\" which supported teachers\\\\\\' attention and awareness of mathematical... Read More →

Cheryl Hogan

Teacher, Edmonton Catholic Schools

Kailey Pollitt

Kindergarten Programming Consultant

Kailey Pollitt is a Kindergarten Programming Consultant with the Edmonton Catholic School Division. She is passionate about play-based learning and creating inclusive and responsive environments for ALL learners. Kailey is a life-long learner, thrill seeker, and travel enthusiast... Read More →

Tara Lawes

Thursday February 27, 2020 9:00am - 10:00am MST
(Edmonton Convention Centre - Salon 2)

Mathematics & Numeracy, PreK-K | Early Childhood Education, PreK-K

10:30am MST

Literature, Language and Life-Skills: Oh My! (Repeat Session)

Venue

(Edmonton Convention Centre - Salon 4)

Speakers

Dan St. Romain

Multiple sessions both days

Literature Language Life Skills Handout pdf

Thursday February 27, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am MST
(Edmonton Convention Centre - Salon 4)

10:30am MST

Planning for Play

How can we use loose parts and open-ended provocations to engage students in play in our classrooms? This session will explore how loose parts and play in the classroom can develop a sense of problem solving, creativity, critical thinking and emotional regulation. Play is the brains favorite way of learning and when materials are intentionally set up they can enrich your learning environment. We will use loose parts to explore, plan for play and discuss implementation in your classroom. Target- Pre-k to grade 3

Venue

(Edmonton Convention Centre - Salon 2)

Speakers

Carly McAvoy

Laureen Yakemchuk

Thursday February 27, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am MST
(Edmonton Convention Centre - Salon 2)

10:30am MST

The Value of Inquiry and Play

This session focuses on the value of play and inquiry within elementary classrooms. Highlights include findings from my research on cross-curricular inquiry, examples of projects/provocations, and descriptions of what inquiry looks like. The importance of play and the integration of curriculum will be discussed with examples in engaging and motivating students to learn. Participants will be encouraged to share examples of their challenges and successes throughout the session. There will also be time set aside to develop and create ideas and plans together so that teachers have a starting point in beginning an inquiry project. This session is ideal for Pre-K to grade 1 but can include teachers up to grade six.

Venue

(Enterprise Square - Faculty of Extension - Room 2-540C)

Speakers

Katherine Kluczynski

Thursday February 27, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am MST
(Enterprise Square - Faculty of Extension - Room 2-540C)

12:30pm MST

Inspiring Environments

How can classroom environments embody inquiry, reflection and collaboration for both children and teachers? A classroom culture is created in which inquiry, imagination and reflection are interwoven throughout the day. The classroom is a shared space intentionally set up in a way to evoke respect, pride and ownership for all members. When materials are accessible, organized with purpose, and displayed in an inviting way child are motivated to interact with various learning tools, fostering opportunities for deeper learning.

Venue

(Westin - Centennial Room)

Speakers

Jill Morrison

Jill Morrison is a Kindergarten Programming Consultant with the Learning Services Department with Edmonton Catholic Schools. Jill has led numerous professional development series for early learning teachers focused on inquiry and is an exemplary teacher in Pre Kindergarten, Kindergarten... Read More →

Tara Pev

Thursday February 27, 2020 12:30pm - 1:30pm MST
(Westin - Centennial Room)

2:00pm MST

STEAM, STREAM, STEM… Bring It Alive in Early Learning

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

How can we help prepare our youngest learners for a world that is requiring exceptional problem solving, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills? This is session will explore how you can bring learning competencies alive through STEAM (science, technology, art and math). We will actively engage in challenges making connections to both curriculum and competencies. We will explore the components of what makes a successful STEAM challenge and how to implement them in your classroom environments. This is session is co-presented with Caroline Lepps.

Venue

(Edmonton Convention Centre - Salon 3)

Speakers

Camille Roth

Caroline Lepps

Math Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Caroline Lepps is 1/5 of the Elementary Mathematics Consultant team with Edmonton Catholic Schools. When she is not playing with mathematics, she enjoys an ever-changing list of hobbies that currently include experimenting with fun foodie recipes, minimalist art, perplexing puzzles... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2020 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
(Edmonton Convention Centre - Salon 3)

9:00am MST

Storybook STEAM for Pre K-1

While teaching an extended Kindergarten program last year in Fort McMurray Catholic and Fort McMurray Public, Lana and Sam worked together to enhance their literacy instruction by creating STEAM projects. They're excited to share project ideas and plans, templates, and resources to bring Storybook STEAM to your class.

Venue

(Westin - British Columbia Room)

Speakers

Sam Livingstone

Sam Livingstone teaches Kindergarten in Fort McMurray Public School District. She has taught Division 2 along with her current position and was previously an Educational Technology Coordinator with the district focussing on technology use in the classroom.

Friday February 28, 2020 9:00am - 10:00am MST
(Westin - British Columbia Room)

12:30pm MST

Sensational Sensory Bins

The popularity of sensory bins has exploded on social media in the early childhood community over the past few years. In this session, Pre-K and K teachers will learn the importance of sensory play in the classroom, learn how to manage sensory bins with little learners and large groups, take away over 50 examples of different sensory bin ideas, and understand what to look for when purchasing items from stores. Attendees are encouraged to bring a device with the Google Photos app to learn how to curate sensory bin ideas being used in the classroom so they can be recreated for years to come.

Venue

(Westin - Saskatchewan Room)

Speakers

Kathleen Ruff

Kindergarten Programming Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Kathleen Ruff is a Kindergarten Programming Consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools. She enjoys providing professional development to the teachers of the youngest learners in school divisions, focusing on combining play and curricular programming in one. She is a baker, coffee drinkers... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2020 12:30pm - 1:30pm MST
(Westin - Saskatchewan Room)

2:00pm MST

Building Cohesive Kindergarten Classrooms

How can you build deep understanding for students in your Kindergarten classroom? Through a variety of strategies, participants will discover how to plan for success and set up their Kindergarten classrooms for conceptual understanding.

Venue

(Westin - British Columbia Room)

Speakers

Jamie Reilly

Consultant, Edmonton Public Schools

Jamie Reilly is a Kindergarten Consultant in Curriculum and Learning Supports with Edmonton Public Schools. Recognized for her success in developing and implementing student centered, inquiry based learning within Division 1, she continuously aligns her practice with current research... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2020 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
(Westin - British Columbia Room)