Alternative Education: Thinking Outside the Box

Presenter: Amy Briggs, Nelson House First Nation
Audience: special education teachers, resource teachers, principals, education directors

Come and learn about how Nelson House First Nation’s schools are using land-based education to help those students with extreme behavioural issues.

 

Retiring in 5 Years – Sources of Income

Presenter: Andrew Clarke, CFP
Audience: ages 55-65

This workshop will explore the following questions: When do I retire from teaching? Age 55, 60, 65 or later? What are the rules for each source of retirement income? Am I taxable? What happens if I retire early? How much income do I need for retirement? Will my financial future be secure in my retirement? It will also examine sources of retirement income such as workplace pension plans, CPP, OAS and personal savings plans (i.e. TFSA).

 

Teaching Empathy Through Animated Stories

Presenter: Alberto Mansilla, MFNERC
Audience: all

As an intervention and multi-sensory tool, the use of Animation (drag and drop coding platform), allows students to SEE their favourite characters in tough situations, HEAR them responding respectfully to other characters and TALK about the viewing experience with peers and teachers. It is an effective platform in instilling both empathy and critical thinking in students. Come and learn more about it in this workshop.

 

Holding Culture, Language & Tradition in First Nations

Presenters: Eugene Ross, Sioux Valley First Nation; Andy Thomas and Olga MacIvor, MFNERC
Audience: all

Eugene Ross has been collecting and gathering historical items, pictures, and traditional knowledge for many years. He has preserved Dakota historical artifacts and embraced the rich heritage of the Dakota Nation. This workshop will showcase his collection and include discussion and hands-on activities. Participants will have the opportunity to make a traditional Dakota pouch.

 

Make Your (Power) Point with Self-publishing

Presenter: Brian Harrison, Red River College
Audience: classroom teachers, educational assistants, those interested in developing homemade print resources

Many people think of PowerPoint merely as a tool to project text and images on a screen, lulling audiences to sleep. But, did you know that PowerPoint is a powerful and easy-to-use tool that can be used for creating print resources such as posters, magazines, booklets, and books? Honor your culture, language, and traditions by developing your own teaching resources that reflect your unique community. This presentation will show you what can be done with PowerPoint, from modifying slide size to exporting your files for printing.

 

SENA (Schedule for Early Number Assessment) Using Assessment to Build a Strong Foundation in Number

Presenters: Bonnie Monias, Brenda Delorme and Ardel Smith, MFNERC
Audience: grades K-3 teachers

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to SENA and the importance of understanding where students are at in their numerical thinking. We will discuss how to incorporate both assessment and the teaching of numeracy strategies on a daily basis, as well as how to advance students knowledge in number to more sophisticated strategies that will become the foundation for all further learning in mathematics.

 

Changing the Way We Teach with AR/VR in the Classroom

Presenters: Michael Brown and Bill Stewart, Office Solutions Inc.
Audience: teachers, education technologists, education directors, principals

Inspire curiosity and engage your students. Office Solutions Inc. is excited to introduce zSpace – a revolution in AR and VR in the classroom. zSpace combines AR and VR to create the ultimate learning experience. The zSpace Learning Lab includes a suite of educational software, hundreds of learning activities ready for integration into your curriculum and zSpace all-in-one PCs. Come and discover the zSpace learning experience that creates engagement through exploration and experiential learning in a student-centered environment.

 

STEAM Outreach and Education at the University of Manitoba: Building Connections and Opening Opportunities

Presenters: Darja Barr, University of Manitoba; Alberto Mansilla, MFNERC
Audience: STEAM teachers and administrators

This workshop will highlight several of the initiatives that are currently in motion, and two that are upcoming, for the summer of 2018 that bring together faculty and students from the University of Manitoba with K-12 students and teachers from First Nations. These opportunities include Math Mania (for K-8 students), a summer Path2Math Workshop being launched this summer (for students going from grade 12 to University), and a Summer Workshop in Mathematics for in-service teachers. Opportunities for working together and building connections in these STEAM oriented outreach and education projects will be discussed in detail, and participants will interact with some of the Math Mania games.

 

Breaking Down Activities to Build Student Success

Presenters: Debrah Macdonald, Alexa Kovacs and Carrie Shynkaryk, MFNERC
Audience: teacher, educational assistants, resource teachers, special education staff

Help your students succeed by learning more about breaking down complex activities into manageable, distinct skills. Discover information about how to use a task analysis to modify, grade and adapt skills to promote learning, success and confidence in your students. Presenters will elaborate on meeting the developmental and learning levels of students, and help you identify deficits in a specific skill that are leading to decreased performance in a task. Some of the activities used as examples for analysis during this presentation will include: catching a ball, handwriting, putting on snow pants, climbing stairs, and more!

 

Language, Culture & Identity: Honouring Indigenous, Personal and Relational Knowledge in Literacy Learning

Presenter: Dr. Trudy Cardinal, University of Alberta
Audience: elementary educators

In this workshop participants will have the opportunity to take part in experiences designed to deepen understanding of the potential of Indigenous knowledge, relational pedagogies, and autobiographical narrative inquiry for transforming understandings of literacy, and how it is that we inspire and nurture literacy learners in our classrooms. Particular attention will be paid to deepening understanding of the ways that language, culture, place/land, and identity are interwoven. The experience will help participants to see, in their own lives, the ways they are honouring language, culture and traditions, and how they can use their personal practical knowledge to manifest in school projects, initiatives, curricula and school planning.

 

Poplar River’s Jordan’s Principle Program: A Model of Inter-agency Cooperation

Presenters: Emile Mason, Mike Bear and Debbie Bittern, Poplar River First Nation
Audience: all

Poplar River First Nation chose to run the Jordan’s Principle program through education, and has developed a resource-based program that works well within the current school system. A multi-disciplinary working group that consists of representatives from all of Poplar River social programs oversees the program. The group continues to collaborate to serve the interests of all Poplar River children and their families. We would like to share with workshop participants the positive relationship that has evolved between Jordan’s Principle and the school. This unique approach works in Poplar River and there is a great opportunity for all communities to benefit from developing a relationship with their Jordan’s Principle program.

 

SOAR – Using Digital Assessment in Your Classrooms

Presenters: Ian McGowan, Scholastic Canada; Gloria D. Sinclair, MFNERC
Audience: grades 6-12 teachers

SOAR (Scholastic Online Assessment of Reading) is a unique online comprehension literacy assessment tool. Using adaptive technology, administrators, teachers and schools can have all of their students comprehension levels at their finger tips in as little as 20 min! In this workshop, participants will learn about SOAR and how they can use this data to complement their school assessment system. The data can be used to highlight professional development needs, address grade specific literacy practices and elements, and most importantly, meet individual student needs to inform instruction of student strengths, challenges and differentiate instruction. As an additional component, this tool can support teachers and students in selecting texts from the book lists that are generated for each student. Each participant will receive a free trial for their class.

 

Self-Management for the Culturally Responsive Educator

Presenter: Dr. Jessica Houston
Audience: teachers, administrators

In this interactive workshop attendees will learn how to effectively engage students from diverse backgrounds. They will also understand how to disarm anger by listening and responding reflectively. We will examine common barriers to effective communication. Finally, we will reveal how educators can avoid burnout and energize their inner helper. As a result of attending this training, participants will receive practical tools and strategies that they can begin using immediately.

 

Share, Honour and Learn Through the Spirit of Playfulness!

Presenters: Mindy Sinclair and Jessica Chisholm, MFNERC
Audience: grades N-3 teachers and support staff

As educators how do we support the spirit of the child with culture and language, and encourage this through play? In this workshop participants will have the opportunity to network and share language, culture and traditions of their own. Educators will work in groups using a range of hands-on materials to create positive play experiences for children that will build and encourage the reclaiming of language, culture and identity.

 

Introduction to Robotics with Dash & Dot

Presenters: John McLean and Michael Li, MFNERC
Audience: grades 1-6 teachers, educational assistants

Come and learn an introduction to basic terminology and functionality of simple robots. Participants will also be introduced to “DASH” via the Make Wonder Apps (Go, Path, Wonder, Xylo and Blockly). We will discuss coding as a computer language, as well as using robots to teach coding and other digital skills.

 

Building Post-Secondary Partnerships with the MFNERC Training Institute

Presenters: June Montour and Paula Parisien, MFNERC; Eduardo Vergolino, PhD student, University of Manitoba
Audience: current and former trainees of the MFNERC Training Initiatives cohort programs

The MFNERC Training Institute (formerly Training Initiatives) has offered accredited post-secondary training in areas of Special Education for the past 15 years. These include: the Educational Assistant program, Indigenous Counselling Skills Certificate, Resource Inclusive Special Education (RISE) Post Baccalaureate Diploma, Masters in Language and Literacy, Masters in Occupational Therapy, Masters in Speech Language Pathology and Masters in School Psychology. Former and current trainees of these programs will participate in round table discussions on what worked in the cohorts, delivery methods, First Nations perspectives, and recommendations on how to improve the programs.

 

Honouring the Culture of Community: Partnering to Empower and Educate Students with Dyslexia

Presenters: Dr. Jen Watt, University of Manitoba; Cheryl Hoffmann, KC Dyslexic Learning Centre
Audience: literacy educators, teachers, educational assistants, and parents who may work with children with dyslexia

There is a common but powerful piece of wisdom that reminds us, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” This is particularly the case when it comes to educating and empowering children with dyslexia. In this workshop we will explore what dyslexia is (and is not), how to recognize dyslexia, and ways to responsively, effectively, collaboratively, and compassionately educate and empower children with dyslexia and their families. We will explore why it is important to acknowledge and identify both the challenges and strengths of dyslexia within First Nations cultures in order to more effectively put into place inclusive practices for language revitalization.

 

History of Dance: Peguis First Nation

Presenter: Karen Olson, Peguis First Nation
Audience: Elders, teachers, youth

When colonization interrupted the teachings and practices of traditional dance, First Nations people incorporated Scottish dances into the community. Traditional dance was blended with jigging to form a unique style. Today, Peguis is a powerhouse in square dance and jigging, and this year the annual pow wow will celebrate 36 years. Reclaiming culture through dance is a powerful and exciting way to assist youth and adults develop a sense of pride of self and heritage. Through this workshop participants will learn how schools and communities can help heal historical trauma through traditional and modern dance and music.

 

Make it Visual, Make it Real: Using Visual Schedules for Students’ Success

Presenters: Crystal Kowalchuk and Kelly Ring-Whiklo, MFNERC
Audience: classroom teachers, resource teachers, educational assistants, principals

Join us as we honour culture through inclusion by using visual supports to facilitate understanding, learning, and participation for all children. In this workshop participants will learn about types of visual schedules, learn why and how to use visual schedules, make a visual schedule to keep, and practice using the visual schedule during roleplaying activities.

 

The Impact of Geometry on Arts and Crafts

Presenter: Liz Barrett, JUMP Math
Audience: grades 3-6 teachers

In this workshop we will explore geometric concepts and examine how this influences art around us, with a special focus on First Nations art. Participants will learn how to create their own symmetry name badge.
Resources from the Canadian Math Charity JUMP Math (http://www.jumpmath.org/) will be shared and teachers can download these lessons and use them to teach geometry concepts with understanding and joy. You can also get a head start on Christmas decorations in your classroom by using the JUMP Math blackline masters found online.

 

Indigenous Humour

Presenters: Lyle Wood, MFNERC; Nelson Mayer
Audience: Elders, teachers, students, directors, leadership

In the oral traditions of the First Peoples, humour was used to teach history, legends and family relations. In the more modern era, humour can be used to create awareness about the First Nations reality of today. Indigenous humour has evolved because of loss of language and more people moving to urban areas. The effects of colonization and other assimilation efforts have touched every realm of First Nations culture, and Indigenous humour is not immune. Join us in this workshop for a look at how humour is used in Indigenous culture throughout history and modern times.

 

Manitoba First Nations School System – Conceptual Understanding in Mathematics

Presenters: Margaret Hart, Devon Waite, Jannita Perez, Tobias Chipule, Jenny Bone, Gerald Anderson and Caroline Hall
Audience: grades 3-8 teachers

Join the Manitoba First Nations School System’s classroom teachers, each representing their community, as we come together to share ideas, strategies and games in mathematics. Participants will walk away with knowledge about the importance of conceptual teaching and understanding.

 

Digital Citizenship: Helping our Children Understand their Digital Footprint

Presenters: Melissa Granovsky and Sabrina Hochman, MFNERC
Audience: teachers, principals, educational assistants

This presentation will unpack a working definition of digital citizenship. We will explore what it is, why it’s important, and delve into how our digital footprint impacts the personal and professional lives of our students and ourselves. This will be an interactive workshop where the ultimate goal is for participants to leave with a thorough understanding of digital citizenship. Participants will leave with a digital package of resources that can be used in the classroom. We will be using interactive technology, so please bring a SMART device.

 

Using Technology to Support Math Curriculum Implementation

Presenters: Numeracy Facilitators, MFNERC
Audience: grades K-6 teachers (1^st session), grades 7-12 teachers (2^nd session)

In today’s classrooms there is an increasing trend in technology towards the use of smartboards, iPads, and online internet programs to support student learning across subject areas. This session will focus on the use of iPads and applications that can help support student learning across K – 12 math curriculum outcomes. Participants will be guided through the use of iPads, what to look for in an app and engage in activities designed to support outcomes from the mathematics curriculum. (Please note: due to the number of iPads available, participant numbers in this workshop are strictly limited.)

 

Mathletics Advantage

Presenter: Payal Agarwal
Audience: grades K-12 teachers

Over 5 million students across the world love learning with Mathletics. Discover how this worldwide online math program can ignite learning in your classroom. This workshop will introduce Mathletics for K-high school and highlight the program’s many resourceful rich tools for learning and teaching. Mathletics can inspire and motivate students to achieve better results and empower teachers in the classroom. Get a sneak peek into the future of Mathletics and take a look at the successes of MFNERC’s schools using Mathletics.

 

Exploring Mathematics Support Documents for Teachers (Grades K-4)

Presenters: Sherry Perih, Manitoba Education and Training
Audience: grades K-4 teachers

The Mathematics Support Documents for Teachers are intended to be used by educators to support their work with students in achieving the learning outcomes and achievement indicators identified in Kindergarten to Grade 8 Mathematics: Manitoba Curriculum Framework of Outcomes (2013). Participants will explore the structure of the documents as well as investigate some of the various suggestions for instruction, assessment strategies, and learning resources within the support documents that promote the meaningful engagement of mathematics learners.

 

Exploring Mathematics Support Documents for Teachers (Grades 5-8)

Presenters: Peter Andres and Ian Donnelly, Manitoba Education and Training
Audience: grades 5-8 teachers

The Mathematics Support Documents for Teachers are intended to be used by educators to support their work with students in achieving the learning outcomes and achievement indicators identified in Kindergarten to Grade 8 Mathematics: Manitoba Curriculum Framework of Outcomes (2013). Participants will explore the structure of the documents as well as investigate some of the various suggestions for instruction, assessment strategies, and learning resources within the support documents that promote the meaningful engagement of mathematics learners.

 

Ojibway Language Immersion and Culture Camp – Ebb and Flow First Nation

Presenters: Phyllis Racette and Gladys Malcolm
Audience: all

The workshop will present how revitalization of language is crucial in First Nations in order to prevent the complete loss of the language. We will show how language and immersion camps proved to have a positive impact on children, youth, adults and Elders in the First Nation of Ebb and Flow and other communities. We intend this presentation to be a practical tool for camp organizers, staff, Elders, community members, teachers and anyone else involved in language and culture immersion camps. We will outline key points and details for each step of the process of planning and carrying out a language and culture immersion camp.

 

Managing Challenging Behaviour

Presenters: Ryan Heckert, Daniel Foidart and Tammy Mestdagh, St. Amant
Audience: all

This presentation will provide an introduction to challenging behaviour, why it occurs, and how it can be identified and classified. General strategies for managing challenging behaviour while promoting inclusion and improving quality of life, will also be presented.

 

Using Puppets and iPads to Measure and Support Oral Language Learning in the Early Years

Presenters: Jarrett Laughlin and Blaire Gould, Sprig Learning
Audience: teachers, principals, early years educators, speech language pathologists, assessment leads

This program was developed in partnership between Sprig Learning and Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey in Nova Scotia to revitalize and promote the Mi’kmaw language, and includes classroom material such as puppets, storybooks and iPad applications. Participants will experience a live demonstration of Antle Discovers His Voice – an oral language-learning program. The program uses a holistic approach to learning and assessment to measure and support oral language learning for students aged 3-6 years old. It promotes and measures Indigenous language learning in the home, school, and community.

 

*Workshop list is tentative and subject to change.