Rolling back sex-ed curriculum ‘irresponsible, reckless,’ teachers union president says

https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2018/08/10/rolling-back-sex-ed-curriculum-irresponsible-reckless-teachers-union-president-says.html

Looking at gun violence as a Public Health issue

City urged to consider new approach to address gun violence https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/board-report-says-gun-violence-needs-public-health-approach-1.4748026 Shared via the CBC News Android App

CBC's Mic Drop: A podcast "...into the secret world of the Canadian teenager"

http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/mic-drop






On the way to my Dad's house on Saturday afternoon, my Partner cued up the first episode of the first episode of this new CBC podcast geared to giving Canada's teens a voice to express how they are feeling.  As you may have guessed, the podcast is called Mic Drop.

 The first episode, Who am I, was geared to the fundamental question that all humans should grapple with.  I think the earlier and younger this is explored, the better.  The Adolescent mind is primed for this sort of exploration and this is who this podcast is geared towards.  I also think there is a lot of value in adults listening to it.

So far, there seem to be 7 episodes.  I am not sure if any more are planned but it might serve as some interesting listening during the last month and a half of the school break.  Enjoy.

Confronting Math Anxiety

https://hechingerreport.org/how-to-help-children-overcome-math-anxiety/

Making something invisible doesn't make it go away, Mr. Ford: Rehtaeh Parsons' legacy and the repeal of the 2015 Human Sexuality section

Father of bullying victim Rehtaeh Parsons calls Ford's sex-ed repeal 'infuriating' https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ontario-sex-ed-rehtaeh-parsons-1.4745887
Shared via the CBC News Android App

The new provincial government, "Sex Ed" and The Truth and Reconciliation Commission curriculum writing cancellation

I have found it very annoying that the discourse around the Health and Physical Education curriculum has been reduced to the simplistic misnomer of the Sex Ed Curriculum.   If you look at the most recent curriculum, created in 2015, you will not find that in the table of contents or in the Healthy Living section of the document.  Here are two examples of how it is framed from Grade 1 and Grade 8:

 The section is called Human Development and Sexual Health.  I think the PC government fanned the flames of bigotry by suggesting that this was Kathleen Wynn's document.  Most people are aware of the fact that she is a Lesbian and for many social conservatives, she is somehow immoral and, by association, the curriculum is immoral and needs to be eradicated.  It felt that the attacks on the document were also homophobic and misogynistic attacks on the former Premier. 

 I am biased.  I have worked with this curriculum and think it is brilliant and developmentally appropriate.  Many critics of the document have never read it and I think you should check it out before it is gone:  http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/health1to8.pdf

There is so much more to this document than "sex." One of the reasons I think it is a brilliant document is that it  begins conversations about how we should relate to one another and how we understand the idea of difference.  In my recent Grade 7 and 8 class, we had a lot of great discussions around Gender and how we defined it and are sometimes trapped by our narrow definitions. In my Grade 6 class, two years ago, we looked at how Stereotyping and the danger of "the single story" can create a lot of misunderstanding among groups of people.   

Unfortunately, it seems the Progressive Conservative (PC) party would rather sensationalize a few items discussed in the document and ignore the other elements which all students, in this pluralistic society, should be aware of.  The PC's approach to the Human Development and Sexual Health topic feels regressive and ignorant.  It reminds me of Dicken's warning about the dangers of ignorance and it seems to me that this government's view of education is quite narrow.

http://welchwrite.com/blog/2014/12/10/my-favorite-quotes-from-a-christmas-carol-33-the-boy-is-ignorance-the-girl-is-want/

If the definition of doom is something seen as being adverse or unfavourable, then I believe this move is.  It feels like a backward move to a time period where we pretended like issues did not exist; I suppose that is one way of understanding ignorance.

On the Global News website, there are two interviews that should be viewed.  One is from Andrea Horwath and the new Education Minister, Lisa Thompson:
https://globalnews.ca/video/4330070/sex-ed-curriculum-repeal-will-drag-ontario-back-into-another-century

In June, Toronto educator, Nadine Thornhill created a YouTube video, based on her fears of the change that she anticipated was coming to the curriculum:

Links to these stories are here:
Andrea Horwath's response:  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/519-sex-ed-opposition-campaign-1.4745403
Nadine Thornhill:  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-educator-to-create-online-video-lessons-teaching-scrapped-sex-ed-curriculum-1.4745141

curriculum writing erased

The cancellation of this project is unfavourable, especially when we are speaking about the matters of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.  From a teaching perspective, this feels very similar to the reversion to the 1998 Health curriculum; it is a dialing back of valuable knowledge which is meant to be shared.  In 1998, there was no mention of Residential Schools or talk of a student questioning his or her identity in schools.

Both issues feel regressive and conservative in a time when we know so much more and have a responsibility to introduce ideas, as challenging and difficult as they may be, to our students, who are the future citizens of this nation.  Some of you may not be familiar with this story and will provide a link from CBC's The Current which will offer up a more nuanced look at this issue relating to Truth and Reconciliation:  https://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/the-current/episode/15556383

As I try to pull this entry to a close, I am feeling a little stuck.  Based on the construction of this blog, it seems easy to suggest that "the people" Doug Ford champions are likely not those who have personal connections to the content or experiences found in the 2015 Health curriculum or with the teachers who are looking to be more inclusive and complete in their teaching of Canadian history.  But this sounds naive and powerless.  

Everyone.  EVERYONE has some connection to the lived realities and experiences explored in the topics deemed controversial in the "Sex-Ed" curriculum.  Also, for all non-Indigenous Canadians, we are on Colonized land and need to be aware of this and how our stories have been contingent on the history of Indigenous people and the evolution of Canada.

In other words, we "the people" are truly connected.  A leader who smiles while playing the fear and doom card is not a part of any progressive party.  I know that progressive voices, like those linked in the stories posted on this entry, will continue to offer up ideas, resistance, and teachings to counter the ignorance trickling into the rhetoric and policies at Queen's Park.

annual end of year photo(s)

For the past number of years, I always end off with a photo of the chairs or desks being stacked up.  This year, I did not close up the room.  Mr. Stokic finished off the balance of the year but I did manage to snap a couple.

Be safe, read, rest, think, relax, and smile.

Citizenship Education in action & People for Education 2018 annual report

Grade 8 students deliver feminine hygiene products to Indigenous women in northern Ontario https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/pink-project-care-boxes-park-dale-school-1.4720764 

Although the headline is quite catchy, there is a lot to be said about this.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontatrio-education-report-mental-health-special-1.4720766

In my Principal Qualification Part 1 course, which I am still working on completing, you often hear that the Principal is the curriculum leader for the school.  Advocacy group People for Education agree with this but have found that Principals are often bogged down with other tasks that take them away from ensuring that the best learning, and fostering a greater sense of wellness, is taking place in the school.  The report can be found at this website:  https://peopleforeducation.ca/reports/

I have not read the 83-page report and taking my cues from the Canadian Press article (posted on the  CBC page) article that highlighted the report.  The report is called "the new basics for public education," were summarized in the last section of the article involving the development of "skills in creativity, in citizenship, in social-emotional learning...[which need to be] embedded in curriculum and available for all kids."

Congratulations, Class of 2018

The Plug: a program taking aim at Anti-Black Racism in schools

Globe and Mail reporter Dakshana Bascuramurty explored a program that works to combat the Systemic Racism and Anti-Black racism that exists in our school systems.  It sounds like an excellent advocacy group assisting parents and students who are often pathologized.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-programs-aimed-at-helping-black-students-facing-disciplinary-issues/

Adverse Childhood Experiences: What they are, how they effect children and what we can do

In 2012, I had the pleasure of listening to author Paul Tough discuss aspects of his new book, How Children Succeed, to an engaged and packed auditorium at The University of Toronto Schools.  There are longer videos of Paul discussing his book but this is a nice summary of it.



In the book he introduced the idea of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE).  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in Atlanta Georgia, ACE are "events in childhood, like abuse and neglect, that can increase risk for future problems, but they don't have to" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gm-lNpzU4g).

Here is a visual representation of how ACE can work.  This image comes from the CDC-Kaiser Permanente-Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study:

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/about.html

I am providing this background information to introduce a segment from the CBC program, Quirks and Quarks.  Host Bob McDonald spoke to a couple of guests about the recent practice of the US government of separating children from their parents at the border with Mexico.  A lot of people may have seen the horrific scenes of the children being housed in temporary "homes."

The discussion explores the concept of ACE and how it relates to brain development and how it may influence DNA.  I only listened to the show once and will have to go back to process it on another level.  Here is a link to the story:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/june-23-lasting-effects-of-trauma-in-children-s-brains-and-catching-criminals-with-bacterial-fingerprints-1.4715604

The CDC video, along with the Quirks and Quarks episode, offer up some suggestions for countering the effects of ACE.  I would not want to leave this post on an entirely pessimistic note:

Geography & History, The Ward and remembering Judge George Carter

Close to 2 weeks ago, my friend's father, Judge George Carter, passed away at the age of 96.

from http://www.crestwood.on.ca/ohp/carter-george/

In History class, we looked at The Ward neighbourhood.  During the teaching, I learned and shared with the classes that Judge Carter grew up there.







Here is a modern map with the boundaries sketched in by me (sorry for the shaky hand):

from https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.6560195,-79.3852103,16z

Most of you would recognize Old City Hall and see the community bumping up on it.

from http://heritagetoronto.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ser372_ss0032_s0372_ss0032_.img_assist_custom.gif

Judge George Carter was the son of immigrants from Barbados, who arrived after the First World War, and are pictured in this wedding photo, from 1926.  This church, the British Methodist Episcopal Church was in The Ward on Chestnut Street.  He was born in 1921 and noted as an avid reader when he first attended school at Hester How PS.  He would later go on to Harbord Collegiate, Trinity College at UofT and Osgoode Hall Law School, where he graduated in 1948. 

from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/block-by-block-exhibit-celebrates-untold-history-of-the-ward-1.4349332

Hester Howe PS was the school of The Ward opened in 1912 and closed in 1953.  Although a few year old, here is an image of the original school and the site, which is now occupied by The Hospital for Sick Kids.

from http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2013/01/then-and-now-hester-how-public-school more information on the school can be obtained here:  http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/edu/ViewLoitDa.do;jsessionid=2A2C9F983A816CBE0F819CDEB826262B?method=preview&lang=EN&id=26328

Judge George Carter was a pioneer of Black Lawyers in Toronto and in Canada.  He was called to the bench (to serve as a judge) in 1979 and only retired at the age of 75.  Some of the information for this post came from John Lornic's Obituary from The Globe and Mail from June 18, 2018 (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-trailblazing-judge-george-ethelbert-carter-embodied-ethics/).

It seems fitting that in a community where he spent some of his time growing up, a new courthouse is being built in downtown Toronto.  As we learned -- hopefully -- in class, this community really reflected the diversity of the city:

I forgot to mention that he was a wonderful man, always with a smile, with a lot of positivity.  You will be missed but your legacy continues to inspire countless people in this great city.

from http://www.crestwood.on.ca/ohp/carter-george/

Audio and video files of Justice Carter, including some memories from growing up in The Ward, can be heard at this website:  http://www.crestwood.on.ca/ohp/carter-george/.

Bloor and Dufferin development (some new items in the news) & the discussion around "Discovery Math"

The future of Dufferin and Bloor?

This was a topic of discussion -- and a possible example for a Geographic Inquiry -- in the early part of 2018.  Recently, in the Toronto Star an article raised a series of questions from Build a Better Bloor Dufferin (BBBD https://www.buildbloordufferin.ca/), a community group who want to make sure the area remains affordable for all residents in the neighbourhood.  The article can be found here:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2018/06/15/residents-push-for-more-public-space-in-private-development.html

3/4 of the concepts of Geographic Thinking can be found in the article and in the photo I posted from the article:  spatial significance, who will be able to afford to live in this space; geographic perspective, looks at the positions of the residents and what the developer has to say; interrelationships, how will the issue of space be negotiated, given the population increase in the community?

Over the past week, there was a great discussion on Ontario Today on the debate over the best method to teach Mathematics.  This YouTube method comes from CTV in Winnipeg from 2016.  The 51 minute show on CBC radio is worth a listen; it does not suggest that any one method is correct.  In my opinion, there should be a mix of both methods but the foundational skills really should be developed so students feel confident and competent.  I think this will make the exploring that much more exciting!  

Here is the link to the show, hosted by Rita Celli:  http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/ontario-today/episode/15550737

Douglas Coupland's Vortex installation takes a look at plastics in our oceans

Original article can be seen here:  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-dear-canadians-your-addiction-to-plastic-needs-a-cure/

Personal statement and some notes on Recycling & Geographic Thinking

It has been a couple of months since I have posted consistently on my blog.  I have been on a Medical Leave and benefiting from the time I have been away from the classroom.  I haven't stopped thinking about school and have often thought about posting items but have shied away from doing so.  My teaching and thinking mind is hardly ever at rest.

I appreciate the support.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In terms of Geographic Thinking, the issue of recycling and plastics touches on all of the concepts in our chart.

Working from the top left and moving in a clockwise direction:

spatial significance- plastic waste being dumped in oceans and not being recycled and taking up space in landfills and storage spaces

interrelationships- human impact on the natural world with the careless disposal and overuse of plastics

geographic perspectives- this issue looks at the issue of recycling from environmental and social perspectives (there are more)

patterns and trends- sadly, this issue of problems associated with recycling and plastics are on an upward trend; apparently, there are multiple collections of plastic waste (forming "islands" found in the ocean that are held together by ocean currents)

related articles:

Why 'recyclable' packaging sometimes isn't http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/recycling-labelling-confusion-1.4614975 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/10-kinds-of-packaging-that-are-a-pain-in-the-blue-box-1.4658988

Geography in our Hood

Bloor-Dufferin developer goes back to the drawing board after complaints from residents http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bloor-dufferin-developer-goes-back-to-the-drawing-board-after-complaints-from-residents-1.4624129 Shared via the CBC News Android App

Recycling and Geography

Canadian cities losing revenue and scrambling to find new markets for recyclables http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/garbage-recycling-china-plastics-canada-1.4586602 Shared via the CBC News Android App

I am certain that you will see major policy changes in the city, as they relate to the recycling of plastics.  Gone are the days, I am sure, when every item of plastic can be tossed in our blue bins.  This is an example of how Interrelationships work when when we think Geographically.

Geographic Thinking: space, interrelationships, patterns & trends, and perspectives

China looks to turn ban on foreign trash into growth opportunity http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pollution-recycling-china-petricic-1.4593078 Shared via the CBC News Android App

Water, Volume and Surface Area: something new and some review!

Cape Town, South Africa & water

from the 2017/2018, Issue 6 What in the World

review before last Friday's test (to be returned later on in the week)

We are now going to move from looking at 2D shapes to understanding the Volume of a cylinder (Grade 8) and the volume of a right prism (Grade 7).  

http://www.assignmentpoint.com/science/mathematic/volume-cylinder.html

http://slideplayer.com/slide/264549/

Here is our helpful friend:

on circles:

something a little more challenging (for later on in the week):

Grade 7 Review (sorry about the Imperial measurements):

DPA during the Dance X workshop in the Gym

Another Gritzner idea: Galleria Mall's redevelopment, IDERD, & "Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys & Girls"

https://www.toronto.com/news-story/7960930-meeting-planned-for-revised-galleria-mall-development-proposal/

There was a question about the recent Charles Gritzner project, so I went looking for another example.  Actually, Saya brought up the redevelopment of Galleria Mall.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galleria_Shopping_Centre_(Toronto)
http://www.galleriashoppingcentre.ca/
http://reimaginegalleria.com/

The what is where answer could be given by pointing out the Mall's location.  The why there section would look at some of the information about the mall and the planned ideas relating to the redevelopment.  This section involves some research on your part.  The why care section is where you share your ideas about your topic and should involve you using your geographic perspective and looking at the issue -- in this case the redevelopment -- from different points of view.

I was looking for some issue relating to this on YouTube.  Instead, I found an offensive video.  At least I thought it was, as someone who shops at Galleria Mall from time to time.  It referred to the mall as a Ghetto Mall.  Oftentimes, this word is thrown about and few people understand it and it is usually used in a negative way.

I point this out since it is important to think about the language we use.  As my Partner points out to me, language structures thought and we should cautious about making judgments about who frequents a particular place.  If I shop at Galleria Mall, instead of Dufferin Mall or Yorkdale, am I not as cool or less than a person? If I am struggling with a lower income, is my value in the community less?  These are difficult questions that GEOGRAPHIC THINKING contemplates.

Remember the issue around this?

https://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2017/07/food-basics-toronto-junction-triangle/

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

http://www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/

I am going to mention this but return to it as a future Geography topic and connect it to a news story about the water crisis in Cape Town, South Africa.  I posted a link to this story here:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cape-town-water-day-zero-1.4518226

The origins of this important day are rooted in the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960.

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Sharpeville,+Vereeniging,+1928,+South+Africa/@-26.6858739,27.8594167,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x1e94582d96928b13:0xcef265eecbc7fbaa!8m2!3d-26.6864257!4d27.8750976

THURSDAY'S PLAY:  

http://app.roseneath.ca/show/ladies-and-gentlemen-boys-and-girls?education_level=2

Usually, I spend a lot of time plowing through the teaching material but I am not going to do this.  We are going to use the STUDENT section of the play's guide and use this YouTube video, provided by Ms. Brougham, to help us through this discussion.

We will also look at this:

http://culturalorganizing.org/the-problem-with-that-equity-vs-equality-graphic/

for Leve:

http://www.slice.ca/travel/photos/interesting-historical-photographs-of-toronto/#!16-CN-Tower-2-resized

Patterns and Trends: Geographic Thinking and Gender

Are scientists male or female? See how kids draw them http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/northwestern-children-gender-science-research-david-miller-1.4580221 Shared via the CBC News Android App

image from the story:

I posted this story because it reminded me of the interesting video we watched from International Women's Day a couple of weeks ago.  This is an example of a trend and a disruption to the pattern of how children see Scientists.  Still, a pattern seems to still exist, especially when older kids draw Scientists.

Historical Significance: Larry Kwong

NHL trailblazer Larry Kwong dies at 94 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/larry-kwong-calgary-nhl-1.4582793 Shared via the CBC News Android App

https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2018/03/19/larry-kwong-nhls-first-player-of-asian-descent-dies-at-94.html

A couple of items worthy of some Geographic Thinking: 2 items related to Water and an I of I (Item of Interest)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/bottled-water-microplastics-1.4575045

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/nobody-knows-what-s-next-for-cape-town-s-water-supply-so-some-are-preparing-for-the-worst-1.4576576

Also see:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cape-town-water-day-zero-1.4518226

Item of Interest (I of I)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/driveher-launch-1.4578541

to be continued...

Last goodbye, for now

It's here!

https://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/vertical10/

Ascending to Wakanda:  Scotia Bank Theatre, March 9

See you in a week!

International Women's Day, Malala Yousafzai, some notes on Black Panther, and Pi

This lesson coincided our recognition of International Women's Day.  As a teacher, I work hard to try to have a program that is inclusive and representative of the voices in our classroom.

video link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE2VhzSGiSU
This is an interesting story, which highlights some of the ideas we have looked at in Media Literacy.  In this case, all media are constructions and sometimes these constructions can be both sexist,  racist and exclusionary.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/obituaries/overlooked.html

The next story, which many of you are familiar with, relates to a short, in-class writing response for Geography.  The exercise relates to 2 of the concepts of Geographic thinking on this chart:  Patterns and Trends, Geographic Perspectives.

Today (Friday) will be our Black Panther screening!  Here is the last set of notes from a class discussion on the film and its link to our key concepts of Media Literacy:

Finally, some Math.

Pi, the third letter of the Greek alphabet is the relationship/ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.  However, the number is infinite.  Here is the list of 10 000 digits which follow the 3.14 that we are so used to seeing.

https://www.math.utah.edu/~pa/math/pi.html

Have a restful March Break.