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{http://fc.tvdsb.on.ca/~macdonald/S068353C7?Action=IBPicture9} Sir John A. Macdonald Public School- A Great Place to Learn
inspire our students..students.

Mac Reflects (post April 24th, 2009)
1)I really enjoyed the "Integrating Visual Art and Balanced Literacy" workshop! I plan to use some of the lessons that were provided and to use picture books to complement my lessons. I would also like to use Write Outloud for some of my struggling writers.

2)I'd like to explore Write Outloud since we didn't get to actually use it during the workshop. Also, I would like to learn more about Smart Ideas.

3)Write Outloud, Smart Ideas, integrating Art and Language more often.

4) I would love to learn more about Smart Ideas. I will also continue to seek assistance from our LST's to support students in the classroom.

5) I would like to see more PD on assistance technology. Also, student and staff wellness.

Mac Reflects (post April 24th, 2009)
1) I am going to try to answer and direct students with more meaningful questions (KOT).

2) I would like to further explore UDL. I find it interesting that although this approach has been around for sometime, it wasn't until this PD Session that I had ever heard of it.

3) The Kids-on-Track concepts, Tumblebooks, Co-writer.

4) I could definately use more training in the use of Assistive Technology and all of the Special Ed. programs that have been developed over the past few years.

5) Assistive technology.

Mac Reflects (post April 24th, 2009)

1)I will apply write-out-loud as an additional tool for stage 1 and 2 ELL’s—

2)I will also explore further Smart Ideas software to accommodate for English language learners. I also see many valuable tools to scaffold instruction on the smart ideas templates through the TVDSB site.I find the classroom resource section useful also.


3)I will try out the art box ideas for drawing prompts. I would love to locate the art kit in our school.

4) In my role, it is necessary I further understand how to best support an English Language Learner who demonstrates additional needs. What has helped me is a change away from the mindset that an English Language Learner needs to wait four years for Special Education intervention. I am looking forward to the TVDSB protocol that is coming out, outlining what to do with ELL’s who demonstrate learning challenges.

Mac Reflects (post April 24th, 2009)
The conceptual framework provided in the Learning Disability workshop provided a greater understanding on how learning disabilities impedes student success in the classroom. Examples of Differentiated Instruction and Adaptive Technology(ies) (including simple tools) presented at this workshop will be incorporated more readily into classroom instruction.

I have implemented “Understanding by Design” into curriculum units. However, I was not aware of the “Universal Design for Learning Guidelines” and how this relates to the theory of “Differentiated Instruction.” Further Professional Development on this components would be welcomed.


Cognitive Enrichment Advantage CEA used inthe “Kids on Track” Program with the emphasis on learning through questioning and discovery was very reminiscent of the “Socratic Method” of questioning which has been effectively used in education for centuries. I will use it with greater frequency in my classroom.

Mac Reflects (post April 24th, 2009)
girly_girl45 PD Day Reflection

1) New learning should be applied. How might you apply something new you learned today?

During the Writing workshop using CEA (cognitive enrichment advantage) it was obvious to me that we all should be integrating more questioning into our teaching instead of just telling students what to change or how to change it etc. I will integrate some of the questions Susan recommended into my writing program. I will also try to further the questions I use in my math program.

I have used Kidspiration in the past but I was very impressed
with the SMART Ideas software. I intend to use it to teach
narrative writing.

2) Is there a topic you would like to explore further? If so, what is it and why?

I was very interested in the CEA approach - the Kids on Track program at Thames Valley Children's Centre. I know that several
schools in the Valley are using this approach and I
would like to integrate it into more of my teaching. To do
this I think it would be beneficial to have more training
in this area and to speak to staff at other schools (such as
Aberdeen) who are using this approach and get their feedback.
I think it is important because I think it is easy as
teachers to "tell" students what to do instead of posing
questions which lead them to think to develop their answers, writing, mathematical understanding etc.

3) What techniques, tips, strategies, ideas or resources will you try out in your own classroom as a result of your new learning?

*I will try to integrate more questioning into my programs.

* I will use SMART ideas software to assist students with

planning and organizing their writing.

4) What additional professional development will you need to support Special Education in your classroom and in our school?

**see question 2

5) What topics would you be interested in exploring at future PD sessions (please relate to Spec. Ed)?

*I would like to explore the new software Comic Life and see how it can support students with special needs in the regular classroom.

*I would also like to look at how we can support friendships and promote self esteem in students who struggle with academics particularly in the late junior/intermediate years as this is often a time of great struggle for students with special needs.