Make a difference in literacy and beyond—practical ways parents can boost learning

Make a difference in literacy and beyond

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Rick Hansen Secondary School

1150 Dream Crest. Rd., Mississauga

Don't miss this free conference for Peel board parents presented by the Peel District School Board with MDG Computers.

Conference at a glance

Register in three steps!

Step 1: Choose two workshops to attend from the more than 50 workshops offered

Step 2: Choose to attend one of three afternoon general sessions

Step 3: When you have made your selections, click 'Register Now' and fill in the registration form

To choose your workshops, read the session descriptions below or download a PDF copy of the brochure.

Keynote

How to raise confident and motivated kids

With Monique Howat

This keynote presentation is a combination of powerful strategies that are woven into enlightening and often humorous anecdotes. It begins by taking parents back to the first time they held their baby with the kind of adoring pride that is only seen in new parents. This is a time when parents will boast to anyone who will listen: “My child’s smile could light up the world from space! See how their fantastic personality is showing already! Look at their wise eyes... it’s as if they understand everything!”

 If your early vision has blurred somewhat over the years, this presentation will help you find clarity again and show you how to keep the spotlight on what’s right about your child, instead of what is not.

Workshops

Read the workshop descriptions below. You will be able to attend two workshops at the conference. When you fill in the registration form, you will have to pick your top two choices and then one alternate choice in case either of your top choices are full.

You will also be asked to choose which afternoon session you'd like to attend. On the form you will have to enter your top choice and one alternate. The afternoon sessions are listed at the bottom of this page below the workshops.

Each workshop is designed for a certain age group:
A - all
P - primary elementary (K-3)
J - junior elementary (4-5)
M - middle (6-8)
S - secondary (9-12)

1 - Build your child's reading skills (P)

Presenter: Angela Marshall, Teacher
Find out about the stages young children go through when learning to read. Gain practical strategies to help your child's reading at every stage.

2 - Developing literacy and numeracy through play (P)

Presenter:

Play is how young children learn best. This very interactive session is packed full of suggestions to support your child's development of strong literacy and numeracy through play.

7- How schools teach literacy – a look at the balanced literacy model (P, J)

Presenter: Durri Ahmed

Have you ever looked at your child's homework and wondered why it seems so different from what you did in school? Find out how Peel teachers deliver a literacy program that supports student success. Learn ways to boost your child's learning at home.

8 -Motivate the reluctant reader (P, J)
Presenters: Paula da Silva, Krista Harris and Fatma Faraj, Teachers
Is reading a struggle for your child? Many parents are looking for ways to help their child become an engaged reader. Discover how you can help your child develop a love of reading that will last a lifetime.

9 -Storytelling builds literacy skills (P, J, M)
Presenter: Leslie Holwerda, Teacher-Librarian
Explore the art of storytelling and learn how it impacts the development of communication skills that are critical to your child's success at school.

10 - Use your culture and traditions to help your child learn to read (P, J)

Presenters: Zarina Khan & Parul Patel, Teachers

Use dual-language books, stories from your culture and your family's traditions to help your child develop reading strategies and boost comprehension.

11 - Prepare your teen for success on the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) (S)

Presenter: Lynn Filliter, Teacher

In Ontario, all grade 10 students must write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy test as a graduation requirement. The test evaluates students on reading and writing skills using a variety of texts and forms such as news articles and supported opinion paragraphs. This session will provide you with a working understanding of the test as well as practical strategies for preparing your teen to be successful on the OSSLT.

Find out how to help your child develop math skills

12 - ABC, 123 - literacy matters in math (A)

Presenter:

One of the best ways to help your child improve in math actually has nothing to do with numbers—it's all about reading and writing. Find out how and why literacy matters in math too, and gain proven strategies to support your child's math achievement by boosting literacy skills.

Learn fun activities that your family can do together to boost your child's interest and success in math.

19 - Literacy in mathematics (S)

Presenter:

Math and literacy go hand and hand. This workshop will show parents how they can help students build their literacy skills through mathematic problem solving. Parents will be provided with concrete examples that can be used at home. The workshop will incorporate resources from EQAO, Think Literacy and Math that Matters.

Learn ways to help your boost your child's literacy skills in science

From how to read a science textbook to how to use science in every day life, this popular workshop will give you practical tips for helping your teen succeed in science class.

21 -"I make a difference!" Environmental education and student success (J, M, S)

Presenter: Tracy Appleton, EcoSchools Program Leader

Help your child become a better problem-solver, critical thinker and gain the skills necessary to make informed decisions.

22. Turn science into family fun (P, J)
Presenter: Donald Campbell, Teacher
Learn fun activities that your family can do together at home to boost your child’s interest and success in science.

Special education workshops provide tips to help your child succeed in school

23 - Effective strategies for families and educators to help build language, communication and reading skills for individuals with autism and/or developmental disabilities (A)

Presenter: Pawanjit Mahal, Special Needs Itinerant Teacher

Learn strategies to assist your child in developing language skills, and discover how to use sight vocabulary to involve your child in everyday activities.  You will receive a communication kit and a reading sample to take away with you.

24 - Help your child with a learning disability succeed in school (P, J, M)

Presenters: Shanta Antoine and Leah Bucko, Teachers
Many students with a learning disability find they need extra support from teachers and parents. Learn practical tips to help your child succeed in school.

25 - Help your child with ADHD succeed in school (P, J, M)
Presenter: Jack Kamrad, Cheif Psychologist
Many students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder find they need extra support from teachers and parents. Learn practical tips to help your child succeed in school.

26 - Help your child develop social skills (P, J)
Presenter: Cheryl Woolnough, Teacher
Parents will hear how social skills are taught at school to children as young as 4 and 5. Learn how to help your children develop social skills that will improve their success at school and beyond.

27 - Help your child with autism and developmental disabilities cope with routines and transitions (A)

Presenters: Valerie Adamkowski and Oriana Reynaud, Teachers

Find out how to help your child with routines and transitions. During this session you will receive helpful tips, strategies and a visual tool to take away. 

28 - Activities to develop language, math and computer literacy skills outside of the classroom for children with Autism Spectrum (P, J)

Presenters: Kathy Brouse and Maribel Monteagudo, Teachers

This workshop will demonstrate to parents of students with autism how they can work with their kids at home to develop language, math, social interaction skills and independence using literacy and numeracy activities, card games, computer activities and Rainy Day Binders.

Presenter: Barbara Cyr, SEAC rep

Learn how community organizations and the Peel board work together to help children with special education needs.

Learn more ways to help your child succeed in school

Presenter: Terry Milligan, Mississauga Public Library

All students do online research for homework and projects, but did you know that through the public library, your teen can access a wealth of databases? Learn how to help your teen with research, writing and homework by accessing library e-resources.

33 - Developing our own digital literacy: Parenting 21st century children (J, M)

Presenter: Laurie Letourneau, Teacher

Today's children are more likely to play on the internet than in the sandbox.  While surfing, gaming, viewing, texting and social networking offer rich possibilities for the development of critical thinking and social awareness, they can be a minefield  without effective supervision and navigation. In this session, we will grapple with issues, examine resources, and explore ways to partner with our own children to protect and empower them in an ever-changing digital world. 

34 - Digital citizenship (A)

Presenter: Jim Cash, Resource Teacher

Your child is already, or is quickly becoming, a digital citizen.  What does that mean?  What is a digital footprint?  How do keep your child safe when using the Internet?  How can you help your child examine online information critically?  Should I be worried if my child is using Wikipedia? YouTube?  Twitter?  This session will examine the nine elements of digital citizenship.

35 - Discover Premier, assistive software that helps boost literacy (J, M, S)
Presenters: Gaye Gemmell, Special Education Resource Teacher
Premier Assistive Technology software is designed to help struggling readers and writers succeed in literacy and beyond. The software, which is available in all Peel schools, is now available free to all Peel students for their use at home. Discover how you can help your child use the software to support reading, writing and homework on your home computer.

Presenter: Rose Burton Spohn, Ministry of Education

Increase your child's interest in reading and writing with resources from the Ontario Educational Resource Bank, an online, searchable database of games, videos, exercises, worksheets, and tutorials that are free to students in Ontario public schools. During this hands-on session, you will learn about the resources available and discover how to access them.

37 - Fostering your child's critical thinking skills (M)

Presenter: Shelly Vohra, Teacher

This workshop will clearly define critical thinking and ways in which teachers incorporate and develop critical thinking skills in the classroom—and how you can help at home. During this workshop, parents will have the opportunity to work through examples of critical thinking exercises. Handouts and tips for parents will be distributed to take home

38 - Help your child develop good study skills (M)

Presenter: Craig Cooper, Teacher
Good study habits are an important part of any student's success. Learn practical ways to help your child handle homework with ease.

39 - Help your teen develop good study skills (S)
Presenters: Yvonne Howard, Teacher & Tamer Kamel, Vice-Principal
Good study habits are an important part of any student's success. Learn practical ways to help your teen handle homework with ease.

41 - Help your child with homework (P, J)

Presenter: Christine Roy, Teacher

Homework isn't about re-teaching what was taught during the day. Learn new, creative ways to help your child at home that don't require you to open a text book.

42 - Help your child excel in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program (A)

Presenter: Zaiba Beg, Instructional Coordinator and Jill Robinson, Resource Teacher

Many students in Peel classrooms are learning the English language at the same time as they are meeting the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum. Learn about the many benefits of the English as a Second Language Program (ESL) and how you can support your child's higher level thinking and overall academic success.

43 -Help your family cope with separation and divorce (A)

Presenter: Triena McGuirk, Social Worker

Discover resources to help you navigate your family through a separation. Learn strategies for reducing conflict to minimize emotional harm for children.

45 - Help your teen make a successful transition to high school (M)
Presenter: Laura Aldridge & Yannis Tjanetis, Teachers
It’s normal for you and your teen to be nervous about starting high school. Gain proven strategies to help make the transition as smooth as possible—for both you and your teen.

46 - Reluctant learners can be successful in school (J)

Presenter: Emily Hastings-Speck, Teacher

Is your child a reluctant learner or a late bloomer? Learn how you can help your child enjoy school and learning more.

47 - The essentials: Skills for secondary school and post-secondary academic success (S)

Presenter: Janice Lewis, Teacher

This workshop will educate parents of secondary school students on what  they need to know in order to effectively guide, advise and assist their children in developing basic academic skills to ensure academic success. 

48 - The world needs your kid (M, S)

Presenter: Vinita Bijur, Free the Children

In a passionate, informative and interactive workshop, representatives from Free the Children will work with you to discover how to unlock your child’s leadership potential through inspirational and practical reading.

49 - Understanding the school system (A)

Presenter: Ted Byers, School Services Officer and Beth Veale, School Services Officer

Whether you're new to Canada, or have been out of school for a while, there is a lot about the school system in Ontario you may not know about. Find out more about Ontario's school system and get your questions answered.

50 -Use fun and games to boost your child's success  (P,J)

Presenter: Carol Scaini, Teacher

Learning can be a lot of fun—especially when it's disguised as play! Discover how to support literacy through physical activity in this upbeat and interactive workshop.

Learning is fun—seriously! Discover strategies to boost learning through family activities like board games.

52 - Use the internet to boost learning (P, J, M)
Presenters: Julia Allen & Maxine Richards, Teachers
Worried that your child is spending too much time on the computer? Learn how to turn that computer craze into fun ways to boost your child's motivation and academic skills.

Afternoon general sessions

PM1 –   Plan for success—tools and strategies for career life planning  

Presenter: Ross Newhook, acting instructional co-ordinator – gudance and career education

Want to help your teen plan for success? Learn about the Peel board's Making My Way – success for all students initiative and the MyBlueprint course planner, course selection, career planning and community-based learning options that will help you support your teen's future direction and career choices. This workshop is designed for parents of middle and secondary school students.

Presenter: Monique Howat, Youth motivator

If your methods of discipline are not working as well as you had hoped, this humour-filled workshop is brimming with great ideas that are %100 scream free! This workshop is packed with creative tools for implementing consequences that are so highly effective, your kids will ‘get it’ the first time. Creative consequences is uncomplicated and best of all, your child will learn their lessons quickly, fit in with others and continually grow forward—just like they’re supposed to.

PM3 - A great head start—preparing your child to read and write

Presenter: Sarah Frost Hunter, Elementary Instructional Resource Teacher

Literacy begins at home and it’s never too early or late to read, rhyme, sing and play with your child to boost literacy skills. Parents are invited to attend an information session focused on activities that encourage interactive reading and writing to build literacy skills. This presentation will examine a wide range of activities and interactive websites that can be accessed to engage and motivate children of all ages to read and write.