GETCA 2020

This timeline activity connects educators to the history of Canada through the lens of diverse communities to reflect on colonization and its impacts and legacy today. This activity fosters a deeper understanding of the diverse stories that make up Canadian history and encourages dialogue on the evolution of citizenship and inclusion. It helps to shed light on some of the lesser-known histories of marginalized communities in the formation of Canada and facilitates conversations that help to lay the groundwork for understanding issues of discrimination and exclusion today.

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 104)

Speakers

Chelsea Burke

Education Coordinator, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights

Chelsea Burke is the Education Lead with John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights. She has a degree in Education from the University of Alberta with a minor in Social Studies. She has a great passion for pursuing social justice through education and community building that... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2020 9:00am - 10:00am MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 104)

9:00am MST

Congo for the Taking - PART 1: Leopold’s Free Congo State to ‘Independence’

This session examines the history of Congo as a case study of Imperialism… from Leopold’s Congo to ‘Independence’. It focuses on the roles of foreign actors, including Canada, and their motives. Were they truly motivated by the enlightened Idealism they professed or the dark Realism described by Joseph Conrad, “The conquest of the earth is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much”? This session quotes from "Heart of Darkness" to illustrate the continuity of Imperial policy from Leopold's Congo to ‘Independence’. For a free paperback of Conrad’s novella and other references click: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t002GqSLqS8W06POxG-Fky16GfBnMlQCgQFIhqDULn0/edit

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Success Centre)

Speakers

Greg Hunter

Social Studies

Greg Hunter taught Science in Alberta for 30 years. His talks promote an understanding and teaching of History based on Evidence and Reason and a vigilance against Dogma and Bias. Adam Hochschild, Professor at UC Berkeley and author of 'King Leopold's Ghost' said, “Greg's talks... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2020 9:00am - 10:00am MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Success Centre)

10:30am MST

Congo for the Taking - PART 2: ‘Independence’ to The Congo Wars

This session examines the history of Congo as a case study of Imperialism… from ‘Independence’ to the ongoing Congo Wars (5 million deaths). Topics include - Lumumba’s assassination, Hammarkjold’s death, Katangan succession, Cuban/CIA/Mercenary Intervention, Mobutu’s rise and The Rwandan Genocide (which led to the Congo Wars). It focuses on the roles of foreign actors, including Canada, and their motives. Were they truly motivated by the enlightened Idealism they professed or by the dark Realism described by Joseph Conrad, “It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale”? This session quotes from "Heart of Darkness" to illustrate the continuity of Imperial policy from Leopold to the present. For a free paperback of his novella and other references click https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t002GqSLqS8W06POxG-Fky16GfBnMlQCgQFIhqDULn0/edit

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Success Centre)

Speakers

Greg Hunter

Social Studies

Thursday February 27, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Success Centre)

10:30am MST

Where in the World - Incorporating Global Voices in Your Classroom

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the Centre for Global Education’s educational approach through hands-on learning experiences. Educators will explore integration of Global Connections, and the importance of global conversations in the classroom, school, and society. The approach used by the Centre for Global Education (CGE) is an inquiry-based and collaboratively-focused process for building background knowledge on significant global issues. Through online activities and expert-led video conference connections, CGE uses a knowledge-to-action approach to learning and student engagement to arrive at understandings of and solutions to local, national, and global issues. CGE’s suite of resources will be shared with participants, as they frame student learning experiences. Opportunities for reflection, debrief, and open exchange of ideas and practices will occur.

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 106)

Speakers

Sarah Flynn

Sarah Flynn is a social scientist and educator that focuses on global issues by promoting awareness and engagement in primary and secondary classrooms. By using interactive technologies to facilitate project-based, higher-level learning opportunities, our organization breaks down... Read More →

Terry Godwaldt

Thursday February 27, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 106)

Social Studies, Div 2, Div 3, Div 4 | Science, Div 2, Div 3, Div 4

12:30pm MST

June 7, 1944 - The Start Of Canada's Longest Month in World War 2

The history of D-Day, June the 6th 1944, has been well documented in film and literature and after years of neglect Canada's contribution on that important day is beginning to get the recognition it justly deserves. However, perhaps more significant than the actual landings on Juno Beach were the battles the Canadians fought over the 3 days following their initial successes. Those tough battles with fanatic teenagers, led by Eastern Front veterans, would witness courage, perseverance and also tremendous war crimes against Canadian prisoners. These battles were essential to holding the allied beaches, but they came at a high cost. Ultimately, Canada would prevail and would later hold Germany's leadership to account for their war crimes during those early days in Normandy, while recognizing the need to reintegrate the teenage participants in these activities back into society.

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Success Centre)

Speakers

Thomas Bradley

Born in Iserlohn Germany, Thomas Bradley grew up in a household that alternated living between Canada and Germany over the next 18 years. Privileged to personally meet many veterans of World Wars 1 and 2 during that time, he joined the Canadian Forces in 1986. Graduating from Royal... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2020 12:30pm - 1:30pm MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Success Centre)

12:30pm MST

Scaffolding for Social Studies Source Based Writing

Students have a hard time writing their source based essays - and teachers can have a hard time helping them. We will be going through a scaffolding process (that you will get for free!) that has been proven to give students more confidence and better results when writing their high school social studies essays.

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 103)

Speakers

Matthew Chute

Matthew Chute is a teacher with Edmonton Public that has had the opportunity to work with many teachers and students across the city. He has always had a great interest in technology, development of teachers and seeing how we as teachers can best support students in their learnin... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2020 12:30pm - 1:30pm MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 103)

12:30pm MST

Social Studies Resources and Tools for High School

Teacher-led professional development is the new byword in Edmonton Public. Teachers have been given the opportunity to work in areas that they chose as most important to the student success in their own classrooms. Come and see what the teachers in six city high schools collaborated on and produced over the past two years. Two of the organizers of the south-side social studies collaboration group, Will Robertson and Wayne Lavold, will lead you through a discussion of the collaboration itself, alongside the presentation of a variety of resources produced by the collective efforts of dozens of social studies classroom teachers. There will be plenty for you to take home with you!

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 104)

Speakers

Will Robertson

Department Head, Edmonton Public Schools

Will Robertson is the Social Studies Department Head at Lillian Osborne High School. With 15 year of teaching experience in various areas including CTS, PE, ELA, Social Studies, History and Global Politics. This is Will’s second career with his first being focused on several different... Read More →

Wayne Lavold

Wayne Lavold is the Department Head of Social Studies at Harry Ainlay High School. He has taught social studies in Edmonton Public Schools for the past 24 years and was co-author of the Social 10-1 textbook, 'Exploring Globalization'.

Thursday February 27, 2020 12:30pm - 1:30pm MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 104)

12:30pm MST

Goal Up - Activating the SDGs in Your Classroom

In September 2015, the world came together in New York to adopt the 2030 Agenda, which seeks to end extreme poverty, inequality, and combat climate change by 2030. Here, the Centre for Global Education will provide resources to help you understand the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), so that you can engage them within your classrooms. In this session, through hands-on learning, educators will explore how the SDGs offer teachers a framework for their students to better understand global issues and to engage as problem solvers in a knowledge-to-action framework. We will offer teachers the opportunity to learn from and dialogue with experts in the field and explore resources to enhance and support teaching the Sustainable Development Goals. During the session, teachers will have the opportunity to engage with colleagues and begin building meaningful student learning experiences.

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 106)

Speakers

Sarah Flynn

Terry Godwaldt

Thursday February 27, 2020 12:30pm - 1:30pm MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 106)

Social Studies, Div 3, Div 4 | Science, Div 3, Div 4

12:30pm MST

Action Begets Hope! Unpacking AND Tackling the Climate Change Issue with Secondary Students

Climate change is part of the Alberta curriculum and is one of the most pressing issues we face. Yet, many teachers are reluctant to ‘go there’ with their students - citing a lack of support from colleagues, administrators or parents, the challenge of deciphering fact from misinformation, and most importantly, concern over adding more angst to students who may already be anxious or even depressed about their future. Research shows, however, that engaging with this challenging topic - rather than avoiding it - is the best way to replace fear with curiosity and instill hope and positive attitudes in our students. Whether you teach junior or senior high school, understanding what climate change means for you and your students provides a rich, real, and authentic opportunity to practice critical thinking skills as you explore the scientific and social dimensions of this critical topic.

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 105)

Speakers

Marie Tremblay

Alberta Council for Environmental Education / French

Dr. Marie Tremblay joined the Alberta Council for Environmental Education in 2018 as senior education advisor, bringing to her role a dual passion for education and the environment. With university degrees in engineering, education, environmental design (Master's) and ecology (PhD... Read More →

Thursday February 27, 2020 12:30pm - 3:00pm MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 105)

Social Studies, Div 3, Div 4 | Science, Div 3, Div 4

2:00pm MST

Graphic Novels at Literature in High School Social Studies

This proposed session will explore the merits of using literature with Social Studies, including graphic novels, novels, short stories, and historic non-fiction. Literature can help teachers and students alike with difficult topics like genocide, crimes against humanity, war, extremism, and one-sided history. From Maus to The Island, from Thomas King to Thomson Highway, a list of resources will be offered, curated and tested by an EPL staffer and teacher. A free lesson plan for Grade 11 will be provided to all who attend.

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 109)

Speakers

Michaelle Haughian

Secondary teacher with Edmonton Catholic. I came from a museums and heritage background. Have taught all high school grade levels of Social Studies.

Thursday February 27, 2020 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 109)

2:00pm MST

Transitioning from World History to Global Politics

This session will review the process our school has gone through as we have transitioned from IB World History to IB Global Politics for the DP. This session will look at the key elements of the course, from our experience in the IB Training Session, and allow for sharing or ideas and resources. For delegates attending, please have resources prepared to share with the group.

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 104)

Speakers

Will Robertson

Department Head, Edmonton Public Schools

Christie Delano

Thursday February 27, 2020 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 104)

2:00pm MST

Vimy Ridge - Canada's Home In France

2017 marked the 100th anniversary of Canada's critical victory at Vimy Ridge in Northern France. While the events of those days have received justifiable attention, the importance of Vimy Ridge to Canada goes beyond those weeks in early April 1917. This presentation will look at the importance of Vimy in preserving the Canadian military in early 1918. France's decision to offer Canada title for monuments in France and the decision to choose Vimy as the site of Canada's national monument and the difficult process of constructing the monument. It's later role in healing for many of the families and veterans affected by World War 1, and ultimately its importance to people of all nations as one of the Western Front's most visited historic sites because of a 1920s make work project which has today left us with one of the best preserved examples of life on the Western Front.

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Success Centre)

Speakers

Thomas Bradley

Thursday February 27, 2020 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Success Centre)

2:00pm MST

Inclusive Communities through Global Encounters

The Centre for Global Education (CGE) has partnered with United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and UNESCO to create Inclusive Education projects. Aimed at creating supportive and inclusive communities and schools for youth, these partnerships bring together students and educators from across Canada and around the world to learn with and from each other. CGE’s knowledge-to-action model, grounded in project-based, collaborative learning works in the service of creating more inclusive, student-centered learning environments. In this workshop, participants will engage in hands-on learning experiences as they are introduced to the Centre for Global Education’s educational approach, including building background knowledge on a significant global issues and guiding students to understand and propose solutions to local, national, and global issues.

Venue

(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 106)

Speakers

Sarah Flynn

Terry Godwaldt

Thursday February 27, 2020 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
(Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School - Room 106)

Social Studies, Div 3, Div 4 | Science, Div 3, Div 4

9:00am MST

The Thirty Years War (1989-2019)… The First Decade: Bush 1 and Clinton

This session describes the New Cold War (NCW) in Realist terms and rejects the need to invoke Divine Inspiration (see Bush/God) or Humanitarian Intervention (Albright). The NCW continues US policy signed in1950 in NSC-68 (Chomsky), i.e. containment of Russia and China and procurement of resources and wealth. The Panama Invasion set the stage for the NCW, overt aggression with little international condemnation. Clinton enlarged NATO into the former Warsaw Pact (Mearsheimer, Mackinder, Spykman), led NATO in its first war i.e. The Balkans, deposed a too independent France from Rwanda (Boutris Gali), gained access for Anglo/Can/US corporations in the Congo Wars and reduced the economic / political / military power of Iraq and Russia with minimal ground forces and cost. For references () click https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t002GqSLqS8W06POxG-Fky16GfBnMlQCgQFIhqDULn0/edit

Venue

(Westin - Yukon Room)

Speakers

Greg Hunter

Social Studies

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

10:30am MST

The Thirty Years War (1989-2019)… The Second Decade: Bush 2, Obama and Trump

This session describes the New Cold War (NCW) in Realist terms and rejects the need to invoke Divine Inspiration (see Trump/God) or Humanitarian Intervention (Obama/Trump). The NCW continues US policy signed in1950 in NSC-68 (Chomsky), i.e. containment of Russia and China and procurement of resources and wealth. The session examines hybrid warfare in Afghanistan and Iraq (economic cost 3-5 Vietnam Wars), Venezuela, Haiti (BAR), Honduras (Grandin), Libya (Forte), Syria (Hersh) and Ukraine (Mearsheimer). NCW Hybrid Warfare emphasizes The National Endowment for Democracy (Color Revolutions /The Guardian) and containment of Russia and Iran’s Pipelines and China’s New Silk Road. Thirty Years War will be a misnomer by the 2020 Convention; no Peace of Westphalia is in sight. Click Web Link for references (). https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t002GqSLqS8W06POxG-Fky16GfBnMlQCgQFIhqDULn0/edit

Venue

(Westin - Yukon Room)

Speakers

Greg Hunter

Social Studies

Friday February 28, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am MST
(Westin - Yukon Room)

10:30am MST

What a Baby Chimpanzee Taught Me About Making the World a Better Place

An inspiring and uplifting session about one teacher’s eye-opening travels around the world and his relentless efforts to rescue a chimp in danger. As a a teacher Spencer realized he still had much to learn about the world, Spencer set out to explore its most dangerous areas. He traveled to Sierra Leone to volunteer in a local school, followed by trips to the West Bank, Afghanistan, and Haiti. Each time, Spencer returned home a little wiser, a little more emotionally mature, and a little more ready to give back to a world that had given him so much.

Venue

(Westin - Saskatchewan Room)

Speakers

Spencer Sekyer

Spencer Sekyer is an adventurer, philanthropist, and educator who has taught in Sierra Leone, the Dheisheh refugee camp in the West Bank, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Haiti. His passion is assisting children and animals in Canada and in distressed areas around the world, and his travel... Read More →

Friday February 28, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am MST
(Westin - Saskatchewan Room)

12:30pm MST

How to Teach Controversial Energy or Environmental Issues in Your Classroom

Students hear a lot about the issues of our day such as climate change, or getting Alberta oil to tidewater. Teachers know the power of connecting student learning to current events for engaging students and practicing critical thinking skills. But such topics can be daunting as there are often many perspectives to consider. And what to do when the issue you've chosen is controversial and might upset some parents? In this workshop, we'll review and practice ‘safe and effective’ strategies for unpacking with your students the scientific and social dimensions of complex issues like climate change using open-mindedness, curiosity, and respect. We’ll also share with you great teaching resources to help you 'go there' with your students - without becoming part of the controversy.

Venue

(Westin - Manitoba Room)

Speakers

Marie Tremblay

Alberta Council for Environmental Education / French

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

Social Studies, Div 2, Div 3, Div 4

12:30pm MST

Sleight of Hand Sleight of Mind: The Magic Behind War Propaganda

War Propagandists, like magicians, target our Cognitive Biases with Sensory and Psychological misdirection. For example; by playing on our False Consensus Bias propagandists convince us, falsely, that our war leaders share our Idealistic and Humanitarian feelings. Other Biases examined are Framing, Attribution, Availability Cascade, and Illusory Superiority Biases. Check out the link to Free Media (all with permission by academics and authors), then bring your own perspectives for a lively discussion. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t002GqSLqS8W06POxG-Fky16GfBnMlQCgQFIhqDULn0/edit

Venue

(Westin - Centennial Room)

Speakers

Greg Hunter

Social Studies

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