Since September 2010, Ontario teachers have been working under the guidelines laid out by the document Growing Success. That document underlies all of our assessment and evaluation practices, among a number of other different topics. A lot has changed in the past decade, and while some talk about “mark inflation”, that might not actually be the case. It’s not so much that marks have been inflated, but rather that levels (and as such, grades) have been reframed. But where do grades come from? And what guides our professional judgement when determining it?
Category: Helpful Hints
One Warm Coat: A Practical Guide to Universal Design for Learning
For those looking to learn a little more about teaching, those who want to learn 95% of what it takes to be an excellent educator, I recommend you take a look at these three short articles. Once you understand and internalize these three concepts, you will be prepared to take on any challenge that is … Continue reading One Warm Coat: A Practical Guide to Universal Design for Learning
Free Online Learning with Manga Classics [Romeo and Juliet]
Experience the joys of Romeo and Juliet through a fully automated online experience, complete with the full-text version of Shakespeare's Play in Manga Classics format! Manga Classics Learning is perfect for remote teaching, in class teaching, and homeschooling alike.
Ontario Teachers: Suggestions for your Time Away from the Classroom
Due to COVID-19, schools across Ontario have closed. Teachers have been offered limited direction as to how their time should best be spent. The four suggestions offered here will aid educators in streamlining their time away from the building, with the aim of suiting educator and student needs both in-class and online. Education workers following … Continue reading Ontario Teachers: Suggestions for your Time Away from the Classroom
Free Access to Digital and Physical Teacher Books for Ontario Teachers through the OCT (Ontario College of Teachers) Professional Library
Did you know that Ontario College of Teachers members have access to thousands of free eBooks delivered right to their door, or ready for instant download through their web browser? This helpful guide, including visual gifs, will have you accessing your professional texts in no time!
Understanding and Succeeding on the OSSLT Major Writing Pieces
When writing the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) there are a number of unspoken requirements for success. This article will teach you the specific things you need to accomplish to succeed in the OSSLT.Remember, that while there may be a number of multiple-choice and short writing pieces on the OSSLT, Ontario students often find … Continue reading Understanding and Succeeding on the OSSLT Major Writing Pieces
Digital PD: Professional Development on Your Time
A curated list of online Professional Development opportunities for engaged and engaging educators.
Student Learning Through Digital Essay Editing and Revision Using Google Docs
Revising a rough copy is one of the most important aspects of writing a strong essay. It's not enough to know how to GO FROM OUTLINE TO ESSAY, one must be ready to revise, revise, and then revise some more. Often times students find themselves struggling to add a paragraph or two to meet the … Continue reading Student Learning Through Digital Essay Editing and Revision Using Google Docs
SUPER Strategies
S.U.P.E.R. Strategies are quick ideas that both new and experienced teachers can use to increase student success while also simplifying classroom workload. These are the secrets we'd all wished we'd known years ago. It has been said that teachers loves their acronyms. There's definitely some truth to that. The Toronto District School Board has an … Continue reading SUPER Strategies
Embedding Quotations as Supporting Evidence
Learning how to fully embed quotations into your essay is a skill that needs to be explicitly taught. Teaching students how to embed quotations into their essay must be explained from the ground up. Without a solid foundation to build on your students will continue to struggle with the concept. We will look at the … Continue reading Embedding Quotations as Supporting Evidence