From Richard:
Each year, 14,000 researchers meet for the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Conference. This is the largest gathering of scholars in the field of education research. AERA is a showcase for ground-breaking, innovative studies in an array of areas – from early education through higher education, from digital learning to second language literacy. It is where to encounter ideas and data that will shape tomorrow’s education practices and policies, and where to connect with leading thinkers from around the world.
This year, for the first time in AERA history, the conference will take place in Toronto, April 5-9, 2019 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and downtown hotels. AERA members and scholars from aligned fields and disciplines, policymakers, and practitioners will choose sessions featuring high-quality and timely education research. Although thousands of research paper applications are submitted, only a fraction are accepted to the conference.
The JICS Lab School faculty have a long history of presenting at AERA. Last year, I presented a research paper at AERA 2018 with Dr. Clare Kosnik in New York entitled: Reconceptualizing Space in Teacher Education: Moving Beyond Bricks and Walls. The research reported on a study of our MA teacher education program, an unusual program because the teacher education program shares the same space as the JICS elementary school and a research centre. Graduates of the program (between 2000-2016) were surveyed with over 93% reporting they would choose this program again. The program is highly consistent with constructivist principles. “Space” – both physical and intangible - was essential: shared space with a school; space in courses for discussion; and the space to build community. Space became a pedagogical tool to support student teacher learning.
This year, JICS Lab School is taking full advantage of the “convenient” location of the AERA Conference. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the JICS Lab School’s valuable contributions to education to an international community.
I am proud to share the following information about our involvement with AERA this year:
AERA Site Visit #1: The Laboratory School at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study at the University of Toronto Fri, April 5, 9:15 to 11:00am Session Type: Off-Site Visit. The tour will be followed by a Q and A session with Director of the Institute and the Principal of the Lab School. (This session is completely booked!)
Designing Interdisciplinary Knowledge-Building in a Grade 5 Community - In Poster Session: Research in Science Teaching and Learning Poster Session 2 Fri, April 5, 4:20 to 5:50pm, Metro Toronto Convention Centre Authors: Derya Kici, University of Toronto; Tanya Demjanenko, (JICS Grade 5 Teacher 2017-2018), University of Toronto; Jianwei Zhang, University at Albany – SUNY
Dialogic Literacy Enabled by Cross-Community Interactions in Scientific Knowledge-Building- In Event: Science Teaching and Learning SIG Paper Session: Literacy and Discourse Sat, April 6, 4:10 to 5:40pm, Metro Toronto Convention Centre (The data for this study was collected in JICS Lab School classrooms) Authors: Barbara Maria Vokatis, Oneonta – SUNY; Jianwei Zhang, University at Albany – SUNY
Decolonizing Teaching Practice and Creating a Space for the Spirit - In Event: Liberating Oppressed Ontologies and Cosmologies as Transformative Educational Praxis Sun, April 7, 9:55 to 11:25am, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel Author: Thelma Akyea, (JICS Grade 3 teacher), Toronto District School Board
Knowledge Building and Knowledge-Building Technology: Natural and Not-So-Natural Curiosity in Action Mon, April 8, 1:00 to 5:00pm, University of Toronto, SIG-Research in Reading and Literacy Off-Site Visit Session Type: Off-Site Visit Abstract: The Jackman Institute for Child Study (JICS) has for decades been a source of innovation and research in Knowledge Building, a high-profile research program whose emphasis on community knowledge creation has spread globally as pressure grows for education to promote innovation. A visit to JICS K-6 classrooms will provide opportunities to observe Knowledge Building-and Knowledge Forum software that helps sustain it-in action, supporting reading, writing, transliterate practices, meta-discourse and collective responsibility for idea improvement. The visit will end with a student panel; teachers and administrators will also be available to respond to audience questions.
Lesson Study Workshop – Open only to Lesson Study SIG members. Tuesday, April 9, 9:00-12:00 Session Type: Off-Site Visit. JICS Lab School will be conducting a Lesson Study Demonstration with students. Participants will view a lesson with Grade 4 students designed and taught by JICS teachers and they be invited to take part in debrief of the lesson.
Emotional and Cognitive Engagement in Knowledge-Building: A Case Study of Grade 1 - In Poster Session: Student Engagement and Academic Success Tues, April 9, 2:15 to 3:45pm, Metro Toronto Convention Centre Authors: Gaoxia Zhu, University of Toronto; Zoe Donoahue, (JICS Grade 1 teacher), University of Toronto; Mingming Fan, University of Toronto; Marlene Scardamalia, University of Toronto
OTHER SCHOOL NEWS AND REMINDERS:
Read-a-thon ends Friday. Please visit our website for all the info you need regarding Read-a-Thon
Tuition Support Gala’s Early Bird Deadline approaching quickly! Buy your tickets today. (I bought mine!)
Early Bird Tickets Until April 1: $145
Regular Tickets: $165
In support of the Diana Rankin Muncaster Family Tuition Support Fund (more info here)
Date: Wednesday, May 8th, 2019
Time: 7:00pm – Late
Location: The Fifth, 225 Richmond Street West
Parent Education Event – Dr. Greg Wells: The Ripple Effect: Sleep, Eat, Move and Think Better. Imagine if school was a place where you went to get healthier and perform to your potential...
April 9, 7:00 pm
JICS Auditorium
Tickets are going fast! RSVP
We are so fortunate to have Dr. Wells at JICS! Here’s why:
For Dr. Greg Wells, health and performance, particularly under extreme conditions, are personal and professional obsessions. As a scientist and physiologist, he has dedicated his career to making the science of human limits understandable and actionable. Dr. Wells has spoken to audiences all over the world at events such as TEDx and The Titan Summit, where he has shared the stage with Robin Sharma, Richard Branson, Steve Wozniak and Deepak Chopra.
For over 25 years, Dr. Wells has worked with some of the highest-performing individuals on the planet, including Olympic and World champions. He is also committed to inspiring children and young adults through his close working relationship with school boards and independent schools.
A veteran endurance athlete, Dr. Wells has participated in the grueling Nanisivik Marathon 600 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Ironman Canada and the Tour D’Afrique, an 11,000 km cycling race that is the longest in the world.
Dr. Wells is author of three best-selling books – Superbodies, The Ripple Effect, and The Focus Effect.
Dr. Wells has a PhD in Physiology, served as an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Toronto and is an exercise medicine researcher at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Thank you, to the PA Parent Ed team for making this event possible!
Daycare June Camp
The ICS Daycare will run their “June Camp” at JICS, June 17 – June 28. This two-week camp, following the end of the school year, is a highlight for children. With the whole yard and school building at their disposal, many fun activities are being planned by the daycare staff. The cost is $325 per week. Please see Anne Marie for more details.
Upcoming Dates to Note
April 9, 7:00pm, JICS Auditorium – Parent Education Event: Dr. Greg Wells: The Ripple Effect: Sleep, Eat, Move and Think Better.
April 12 – Final Day of Winter Internship
April 17 and April 24: Parent-Teacher Interviews (Nurs/JK/SK, Gr 4/5/6) * At the Lab School, parent-teacher interviews may include, in addition to the classroom teacher, a teacher from the Special Education department, a member of the JICS administration and/or an MA Student.
April 19 & April 22 – Good Friday & Easter Monday (School and Daycare closed)
May 1-3 – Grade 5 & 6 class trip to Montreal
May 8 – Tuition Support Gala! Please support economic diversity at JICS.
May 20 – Victoria Day (School and Daycare closed)
May 23, 7:00pm - Music Night in JICS auditorium
May 24, 9:30am – Grandpals Day (more details coming soon)
May 28, 6:00pm – Hot Dog Night (Family Fun Night) in JICS school yard
June 5 am – Games Day
June 13 – Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony and Reception
June 14 – Final day of school. School closes at noon.
June 17 – June 28 – Daycare “June Camp”
For more important dates, please refer to our School Calendar
The volleyball team is practicing hard for their upcoming tournament:
