Week 5 Reflection – FocusEd Resources

This week was very interesting, and I really appreciated hearing from Mike about all the amazing resources that FocusEd has to offer. I’m looking forward to Friday when I get to attend the zoom workshops to delve even deeper. One of the main practical concerns I have for teaching is how to come up with what content to discuss. The BC curriculum is amazing and open, but that comes with its own challenges for new teachers. I really appreciate FocusEd creating and compiling all these amazing resources, and Mike encouraging everyone to use them as much as possible. It is reassuring to know that there is information out there that is created to help teachers, and in this case, specifically BC elementary teachers.

The main resource that I am excited to learn about and explore is the Live IT! Bilingual Place-based Learning K-7. These modules look fantastic, and I was getting excited during Mike’s brief overview about all the different things I wanted to do in my future classroom. This is how I know FocusEd is a really important resource, because it takes away some of the stress and anxiety for new teachers (and I’m sure experienced ones) and allows us to feel excited. There is so much to take in, I have found the amount of new information overwhelming in this whole teacher-ed program. So to have something like Live IT! shared with us makes a huge difference. I really like how each lesson follows a different animal, and talks about many different subjects and topics through the lens of learning about that animal. During Link2Practice last semester, the whole of Grade 6 at one of the schools did an entire Salish Sea unit for the first term. I thought it was a fantastic idea and I loved how deep the students got to delve into the Salish Sea. They finished off with a field trip to solidify their term with experiential learning. I am drawn to longer term lessons as they create more cross curricular opportunities and allow a more wholistic understanding of the topic. I think this is doable with the resources offered from FocusEd, and that is only one module!

Here is an education program offered through Eagle Wing Tours – this is what the teachers used to help enhance their Salish Sea unit. I love the idea and think its so meaningful for students to learn about their local environment and the people and critters that live in it. Also, having the experiential learning portion is extremely engaging and memorable for students.

Similar are courses that the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) offers. These are for older students, but it is another example of place-based, experiential learning. Facilitating a culminating activity like this for students would be such a great way to wrap up the Live IT! lessons.

I can’t wait to learn more about the FocusEd resources on Friday. I am hoping I can try out some of the activities and/or lessons during my practicum in April.