At the Connect Charter School we focus on inquiry-based learning, technology-intergration, Collaboration, Education Research, Authentic Learning Experiences and outdoor/environmental education . We believe these pillars come together to provide students with opportunities for authentic, meaningful and relevant learning. At the core of our program is inquiry – an approach to learning and teaching (including teacher… Continue reading Introduction to Inquiry Based Learning
by Amy Park As the school year began, I was excited not only to be teaching at CSS again and teaching a new grade, but to wear the moniker “mentor.” I thought, albeit naively, that I had a great deal to offer my new teaching partner, who with just one year under her belt was… Continue reading Community of Practice
by Deirdre Bailey The start to my day today was hectic at best. Snowy roads, a forgotten laptop and a first class full of glue and tissue paper. I asked the kids if they could do their best to be purposeful and respectful as they shredded piles of paper and painted white glue onto massive… Continue reading This Is How Its Supposed To Feel…
On Nov 7-10, the Calgary Science School sent a team to the ACEE Environmental Leadership Clinic, funded by Cenovus Energy and Environment Canada’s Eco-Action Community Fund. This Clinic provided our team with an opportunity to network with other Environmental Educators and stakeholders in Alberta. As a CSS team, we focused on developing a plan to… Continue reading Focusing on Outdoor and Environmental Education
Last Saturday we kicked off an exciting professional development experience that’s being hosted here at the Calgary Science School. Over the last few years our math team has participated in a type of PD known as lesson study. Basically lesson study is a way to approach PD where teachers slowly examine and improve students’ understanding… Continue reading Sustained and Reflective PD
by Deirdre Bailey I turn around and look at the teacher I was in August and my perspectives have changed so dramatically that I have some difficulty remembering exactly what it felt like ‘before’. I remember sitting down to plan with Amy Park in August and being confused about how to allow for openness in… Continue reading A Permanent State of Re-invention
You’re invited to come learn with us! In the next month we are hosting 2 Professional Development Networking Days. The goal of these days is to bring together teachers of a particular subject to share ideas with time to plan projects for the year. Also, these days are a chance to broaden our PD networks… Continue reading Networking Days: You're Invited!
Due to our school Spring Break – this final blog post for our Inquiry Book Study is a little tardy… This book study has been an enjoyable experience for us – and we plan on running another in the Fall. Thanks so much to all our previous bloggers! February 8th: Introduction and Chapter 1 February… Continue reading Inquiry Book Study: The Final Week!
Thanks to all those who joined us for our first Innovation in Education “Think Tank” discussion event. For those who joined us (either face to face or digitally) you’ll know the content. The resources and ideas presented by Dave Scott and Neil Stephenson were: The 2011 Horizon Report The Future of the Book Video Video… Continue reading Digital Publishing Discussion Follow Up
Today we’re holding our first Innovation and Education “think tank” discussion! This initiative is designed to get a range of educational stakeholders together to discuss emerging ideas and possibilities in education, particularly around different technologies and their implication for the classroom. We have planned our first “Innovation in Education” event for Wednesday, March 23rd, from… Continue reading Digital Publishing Discussion: Today!
