In my opinion, social studies can mean a lot of things, meaning that it is such a broad subject to teach, as it branches out to history, culture and society (“society” being a broad meaning on its own), politics and government, economics and geography. Social studies teaches us to view society through race, religion, sex, gender, culture, beliefs and values. Teachers can teach this subject using different types of tools and resources, as it is an international teaching. It takes us around the world, into different religions, cultures, beliefs, and the history behind it all. Social studies teaches us about sex and gender. It teaches us equality, love, respect, acceptance, as we understand that society plays a huge role in our lives. Teaching students about diversity and equality creates a better understanding into each other’s lives, which creates an infinite amount of acceptance throughout one’s life. Social studies allows us to dig into politics through different aspects such as: patriarchy, matriarchy, anarchy, monarchy, democracy, and so on.

If understood in the classroom, social studies allows students to seek knowledge about the world, about the society around them, which eventually creates a basic understanding that can lead them into learning about society in a more complex teaching throughout life.

My name is Cresida, I am from Onion Lake Cree Nation. I am a mother to my son, Abel Nicholas. I come from a huge family of either 1) teachers, 2) nurses, 3) tradesmen. I am proud to be a part of the family I am in. Community and place, traditions and values, family and friends are our priorities, and I am blessed to have a loving family. I come from a family where we are all siblings, we raise ALL of the children as our own, we all take our roles as role models seriously, as we know our children are always watching us. What can I say? our children are our family’s pride and joy. They are what make us who we are. Becoming a teacher seems like the right path for me, as I believe children are our future, and with the guidance from teachers and elders, they will succeed with confidence and pride.

My hobbies include: sports, such as hockey, fastball, slo pitch, volleyball, and basketball. I also enjoy releasing stress and tension at the gym. I spend the extra time that I have at the gym, not only to be healthier, but to create positive endorphins which always helps me regenerate energy and helps me concentrate on making better decisions for myself and my son. My academic path has led me into my third year of ITEP. This year is currently the most interesting year of my academic life, as I am learning to step outside of the box, learning how to take risks, understanding the value of creativity, and learning to become the teacher that students need. At the end of it all, digging deep into my values and understanding ideology in education will eventually help me create my own philosophy of teaching. I hope that indulging in lessons, teachings, discussions, and projects will open my heart to becoming the next generation of teachers. I will continue to push boundaries throughout this year in the program, and I will continue to challenge myself in all aspect that create me, personally. I look forward to what this year has in store for me.

Last week, we presented a book talk to our classmates. We all practically did the same thing which is okay, but Judy introduced us to alternative book talks. This was an interesting take on book talks, as small summaries via PowerPoint is usually the most common take on book talks. We were introduced to alternative resources that can help us, not only as students but as instructors/teachers to evaluate ourselves or our students around the topic of assessments. In the article “Teaching Ideas” it explains that students lean towards the same book responses, so it is up to us teachers to show them how to think outside of the box. Out of the 50 strategies introduces in the article, number 7 stuck out to me the most. Having another teacher, or anyone who can have a different point of view discuss their views is interesting. As teachers, we must use other resources to teach our students, even if that means seeing it from another person’s point of view. Having the school’s counselor create a dialogue on a novel or text we are reading lets us see the views of a professional social opinion. I really enjoyed the class on that day, as it helped me think outside the box while completing my unit plan.

If you are reading this, what idea stuck out to you the most and why?? If you weren’t in class, I will link the article below for you to download and read. It is interesting and helpful for creating a unit plan.

http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Resources/Journals/EJ/0871-jan98/EJ0871Ideas.PDF

“I remember thinking: How dare the sun rise, as if it were any other day, after such a gruesome night.” Sandra, being a smart, good head on her shoulders child with goals set for her future, wondered why and how the sun would consider to rise, after witnessing the worst night of her life. This particular night took the life of her youngest sister, Debra. Throughout the blurry night, she believed her mother was dead as well. She prayed and asked God to spare her mother’s life, as she wasn’t ready to be without a mother. She was only ten years old when rebels raided the tents of the refugee camp, killing many people who did not belong to their tribes. Her mother was a strong, smart, willing to help anyone type of woman. She believes that as long as you’re alive, you must do your best to help people.

While reading her story, I have an understanding that Sandra comes from a loving family. Her father did his best to bring their oldest son, Heritage home from war (he was abducted as a young boy and became a war child). He provided for their family the best he could, as well as their mother. She sacrificed a lot for their children as well. Both parents believed that education is important for ALL of their children, as it’s been said that education for girls was not really required as their only goals in life is to wed and to give birth to children. Her surviving family had no money or a home. They struggled to stay alive. Eventually they moved to America, where diversity is essentially welcomed by some, but not all. Sandra faced an ethnic disconnection, starting with middle school in New York. She may have gotten away from the hardships back home but was faced with new dilemmas in her new home.

As an advocate for Diversity, Immigration, War and trauma, introducing “How Dare the Sun Rise” to a classroom is crucial in a students education career, as it opens the door to diverse and ethnic difficulties that people face every day. Students are sometimes unaware of these issues that people face, so bringing a novel of international content will broaden their views on international problems and scenarios. I believe this novel would be a great read for grades 10 to 12. Themes of this novel include: Advocacy, community, cultural differences and diversity, family death and relationships, identity, immigration, survival and trauma, and war. While students are reading and/or listening to the novel, they will have a vivid experience of what its like to be in a refugee camp, as Sandra tells her story well. She leaves no details out, as the more honest and raw it was, the better her story is told.

Attached is my first attempt at creating my own rubric. I have a small understanding of how to create rubrics. Unfortunately, I missed the second day of class, so I feel like I missed out on a LOT that day. I would love to hear any feedback from my fellow classmates about my rubric.

Administrative Procedures Manual AP 141 – Social Media and Online Posting

Saskatoon Public Schools recognizes the value of educational technology towards improving student learning. Social media provides a contemporary learning and teaching environment that facilitates sharing of resources, unprecedented access to information, instant global communication, and continually evolving methods of collaboration and innovation. Saskatoon Public Schools appreciates that education takes place both in and beyond the school. Students and staff must be provided opportunity to access educational resources at a modern, global level, while maintaining the integrity of the division’s core values and policies. These procedures outline the division’s expectations for staff and students who use social media or post online in their work or who choose to use personal social media accounts to comment on division matters.

GUIDELINES:

Division staff and students are expected to model ethical and appropriate conduct at all times. The expectations of our digital conduct, whether online, through texting, or any other technology, does not differ from our expectations of conduct in person. What we post online/send to others speaks to our character and reputation. Given the realities of our modern, connected society, all staff and students must be aware that any material posted online has the potential of becoming permanent and viewable by anyone in the world, despite one’s best intentions to maintain security and privacy. Consult STF Code of Professional Ethics 1 , Saskatoon Public Schools’ Vision and Values 2 , AP 450 Harassment (Employees)3 , and AP 451 Sexual Harassment4 for guiding principles. With respect to posting material online, it is expected that:

PROCEDURES

1. All staff and students will follow division procedures on AP1405 and the Consent Form for Sharing Student Information and Work with the Public

2. Staff and students are responsible for the content of all references made online, and will be held accountable for material that is defamatory to the school or school personnel, students, parents or any other member of the school community using digital media such as: social networking sites, blogs, webpages or email.

1) http://www.skteacherregulation.ca/standards/code-of-professional-ethics/

2) http://www.spsd.sk.ca/division/visionandvalues/Pages/default.aspx

3) http://www.saskatoonpublicschools.ca/division/adminproceduresmanual/Pages/default.aspx

4) http://www.saskatoonpublicschools.ca/division/adminproceduresmanual/Pages/default.aspx

5) http://www.saskatoonpublicschools.ca/division/adminproceduresmanual/Pages/default.aspx

6) http://spslearn.spsd.sk.ca/centraloffice/SA/Staff Documents/FORMS FOR SCHOOLS/

3. In the absence of consent (ex: consent form noted in #1), use of digital media must not reveal confidential information about the school, or personal information about its staff, students, parents or other members of the school community.

4. Staff and student use of digital media must not be used to threaten or publically criticize students, staff, parents, or colleagues. Staff and students must respect the privacy and the feelings of others.

5. Division staff must ensure their online activity does not interfere with their work commitment.

6. Students must ensure their online activity does not adversely affect the learning environment.

7. Division staff and students must show proper respect for the laws governing copyright and fair use of the copyrighted material owned by others.

8. Users in violation of this administrative procedure may be subject to a disciplinary process that could include:

8.1. Discipline 8.2. Suspension 8.3. Expulsion 8.4. Termination

Thanks for joining me!

This is my first EVER blog, so bare with me! Let’s start the show with some inspiration. Feel free to continue the #InspirationTrain

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton