Instructional Capacity

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Teachers in the Columneetza Math department are using a new resource by Learning Series numeracy expert Peter Liljedahl to fine-tune practices that elevate student thinking, increase the joy of teaching, and eliminate stand and deliver board examples and worksheets cycle that is so prevalent in math classrooms. Teachers are doing professional development together to focus on the practice through the lens of rich math tasks that address specific mathematical learning outcomes.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/81eb478a-016a-4aaf-98f5-b96414c75de8" alt="Math Department Book Study holly zurak" width="310" height="401" style="width:310px;height:401px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ms. Mason rarely stops to capture the creative joy in the studio, as she is too busy living the dream to take pictures... But these were such great moments.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">1st pic - Elio (Quinn) Smith-Hall making a connection with the spirit of this ceramic project. Art 8</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2nd pic - Anna Sofia Gebert repurposing paper removed from a hallway bulletin board to create the next big hit in fashion at the MET Gala. Art Studio 10</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you Ms. Mason for sharing your enthusiasm and creativity with our students!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e916fd21-b572-4a61-a628-78429f3aab9f" alt="Joy in the Studio holly zurak 1" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/cbbfad7b-d553-43c1-b7e2-f4fc3b63ac99" alt="Joy in the Studio holly zurak 2" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Many SD27 educators recently participated in a four-week Outdoor Learning course designed to strengthen Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices. Each 60-minute session offered practical strategies to support student wellbeing through nature-based experiences.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the four weeks, educators explored:</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Mindfulness and self-awareness through sit spots, nature observation, and journaling.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Social awareness and communication through cooperative outdoor play and group activities.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Emotional regulation and perseverance through outdoor challenges that require patience and problem-solving.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Ethics, stewardship, and community-building using Indigenous pedagogies and land-based learning.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This learning series expanded instructional capacity by equipping teachers with simple, powerful routines that connect SEL and the outdoors—strengthening both classroom practice and student engagement.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/8bc725e3-8479-48f0-ba37-56d1d04107f5" alt="Outdoor SEL kimberley ikebuchi" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e2c06472-82a6-4430-bb57-6126fd91a38d" alt="Outdoor SEL 2 kimberley ikebuchi" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Columneetza teacher Shannon McCartney led a hands on workshop on September 26, leading teachers to create a Salish quarter bag. Shannon taught about the Musqueam people and how they wove quarter bags. The quarter bags held quarters that would be given to people who helped during ceremonies and Potlatches. Quarters would be given to people who cooked or sang for the ceremony.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A related numeracy activity for math classrooms can be found here: https://indigenous.mathnetwork.educ.ubc.ca/weaving-a-quarter-bag-instructions-anjeanette-dawson/</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/9dac926d-792d-4baa-834c-60c6fe5fe3e2" alt="IMG 9802 holly zurak" width="480" height="480" style="width:480px;height:480px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Columneetza Junior Secondary was abuzz with many local pro-d offerings on September 26. All of of our new Columneetza teachers engaged with SD57’s Glen Thielman in a session called “Place-Based Learning – Focus</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Group and Sharing”. We are excited to see this learning translate into (and OUTSIDE of) our classrooms! Thanks Glen!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/8f046c92-2e1f-4e68-926b-8bc91e9c65f5" alt="IMG 9801 holly zurak" width="464" height="464" style="width:464px;height:464px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Columneetza teachers Colin O’Keefe and Matt Tyne, supported by new teacher program rep Dustin Hubner, recently led new Columneetza teachers through a workshop they put together using MyEducation tools for start-up success. As “learning alongside” teacher mentors within our school, they recognize the importance of supporting from the sides for both new teacher retention and future success. Thank you for sharing your skill set with our teammates!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/392f92c8-649f-4c51-91c9-6aa46ee30bbb" alt="Learning Alongside 2" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Manveer Kaur led an impactful aspect of the new teacher workshop organized by Nara Riplinger and Dustin Hubner, sharing about her experience last year and important cultural differences for teachers who may be new to Canada. Thank you for sharing with your new colleagues Ms. Kaur!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/1ad3dd45-fade-4ed0-9114-de2b0a2fc973" alt="IMG 8891 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>