News
Earth Day is April 22nd, 2021
Earth Day is a great opportunity to reflect on all of the ways the earth supports our health and well-being, and to think of actions we can take to protect it. Need some inspiration? Earth Day Canada has a list of practical, creative and fun ideas for all ages. Although developed as actions to do at home, they can easily be translated for use at school and in the classroom. Find out more.
Climate Change and Infectious Disease Poster Contest
Engage your class in learning about climate change and infectious disease through a poster contest hosted by the Canadian Public Health Association. Download the teacher’s toolkit for five lesson plans that support rich, cross-curricular learning. The contest is only open to grade 6 students and the deadline is April 9th, 2021, but the lesson plans can be used for a range of grades. Consider sharing student posters with the community in celebration of Earth Day. Find out more.
Articles
Using Art to Boost Mood Among Youth
Research indicates that art-making can lead to many benefits including improved mood, enhanced well-being, and an increase in self-expression. Therefore, it can be a valuable tool for supporting youth mental health both at home and at school. Heart-Mind Online outlines five project ideas to help youth explore their feelings through art, as well as useful tips for teachers and caregivers. Find out more.
Stories
Student-led ‘Cellphone Detox’ at Eagle River Secondary School
Cody Hutchinson, a grade 9 student at Eagle River Secondary School, in Sicamous B.C., challenged his classmates to a 9-day cellphone detox challenge where students left their phones in the office during the school day. Hutchinson said that during the challenge he was more engaged in conversations and could focus better in class. The school received a $500 Youth Action Grant from McCreary Centre Society for the initiative that they will be putting towards prizes and a lunch to celebrate those that completed the challenge. Find out more.
Resources
Gender Equity Resource for Physical and Health Education
Physical Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) worked with researchers from the University of Saskatchewan to identify best practices for engaging girls and young women in school physical education. Their findings have been condensed into seven key practices, including incorporating student voice, choice and leadership into the classroom, and using authentic assessment. Read the full list with helpful hints in their guidebook or access a summarized version of the list in poster form. Find out more.
Virtual Farm Q & A Sessions
The B.C. Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation is now offering virtual farm Q & A sessions. Register your class to have a local farmer answer students’ questions during a 30-60-minute Zoom call at no cost. The program’s passionate and knowledgeable farmers can speak to a variety of different topics and provide deeper learning about our food systems. Find out more.
Announcements
President’s Choice School Nutrition Grant
Applications are now open for the School Nutrition Grant from President’s Choice Children’s Charity. This nutrition grant is intended for schools who operate a daily meal program and can be used towards the costs associated with purchasing food or supplies. Eligible schools can apply between April 1st and May 14th, 2021.Find out more.
April is World Autism Month
World Autism Month is celebrated in an effort to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism. If you are looking for a tool to help children on the autism spectrum understand and learn about social and emotional concepts, check out "The Incredible 5-Point Scale" tool. It was developed to help educators, administrators and parents ensure every child’s behavioural goals can be addressed. Find out more.
