Poverty, gender issues, social, justice, and equality for all peoples are issues that have been prevalent in the world we live in for ages. As a whole, we have grown and changed immensely; however, people all over the world still live below the poverty line, are unable to go to school, are stuck in menial jobs, and are oppressed. It is important that our students are aware of these issues in the classroom, and that they do not give these issues just a passing glance. We must integrate global awareness in our teaching and have students participate in critical thinking about the way our world functions.
The Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) is an organization, headquartered in Winnipeg, MB that is dedicated to the awareness and development of global issues. They offer many great resources for purchase, and coordinate workshops every year for students to participate in fun activities. Two of their learning activites struck me as valuable to implement in the classroom because they illustrate their message so clearly. The first activity was entitled: Slicing the Banana, in which students are given $1.00 to distribute among all the parties invloved in the harvest and distribution of bananas. Assuming the price of one banana is $1.00, students must decide how much money will go to pickers, land owners, shippers, importers, wholesalers, processors, distirbutors, and the retailer. After students have made their choices, the real figures are revelaed. Students will learn that roughly 10% of the price of bananas remain in the country they are harvested from, with the rest is invested in the USA or Canada. Students will learn about how fair trade does not always occur, and why the system disadvantages the producers of these commodoties.
Secondly, a game entitled Penies for Wealth symbolizes the advantages and disadvatnages in terms of wealth. Students are given a rule before picking up as many pennies as possible off the the floor. Some students may pick up as many as they want, others may have to give every third one away, others may have to close their eyes, and others may have to only use one hand. Students will view that some people are stuck in a a vicious circle of poverty, others are able to just get by, and some are born into wealth.
By utilizing these hands on games, I believe that the message will resonate with students and it makes such a serious and sensitive issue lighter to teach. I plan to use these resources in my classroom if I were to teach grade 4 or higher. These games are great teaching tools and I believe that MCIC is doing an excellent job spreading their knowledge and awareness to the young minds of today.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
WESTCAST Sessions
WESTCAST (the Western Canadian Association for Student Teaching Conference) occurred at Brandon University from February 24 - 26, 2011. Many students attended from many other Western Canadian Universities and it was a great learning experience. Many sessions were offered from a variety of different subject areas, specialties, and faculties. I had a phenomenal experience and hope to attend WESTCAST 2012 in Calgary next year.
My two favourite sessions that I attended were "Internationally Educated Teachers" and "Team Work will Get it Done! Hands on Kindergarten Thematic Units from Three Perspectives". The first session, "Internationally Educated Teachers", was presented by four education students attending the bridging program at the University of Manitoba. This program gives teachers from other countries, a Canadian teaching certificate. The four different students were from South Africa, the Philippines, urban India, and rural India. Their teaching background varied from 10 to 25 years teaching experience in middle years, high school, and university professor in their home countries. They sat at a panel, and discussed their prior teaching experiences and the educational system in their home countries. Additionally, they discussed the differences they see within the Canadian education system, addressing the positive and negative aspects. I found it interesting to hear their perspectives and how they discussed their practicums in Canada. The main positive points they discussed about education in their home countries remained student work ethic, passion for learning, behaviour, and obedience. Overall, they embraced the Canadian education system, boasting about the abundant resources, small class sizes, and parental involvement in schools.
Secondly, the "Team Work will Get it Done! Hands on Kindergarten Thematic Units from Three Perspectives", workshop was presented by Brenda Margetts, a teacher from rural Manitoba, her two student teachers, and a faculty advisor. The students discussed their Author studies they implemented during student teaching, which revolved around author Eric Carle and Mo Williams. Brenda Margetts, played an integral role in the student teacher's lessons for their benefit and for the kindergartens benefit. The thematic units were interesting, colourful, hands-on, and students loved them. I enjoyed learning about author Mo Williams, because I had not heard of him previously. Lastly, I found hearing the perspective of the faculty advisor insightful because they were a fresh perspective on the situation.
WESTCAST was an excellent experience. I feel as though I have grown as a student and know that this will be evident in my teaching!
My two favourite sessions that I attended were "Internationally Educated Teachers" and "Team Work will Get it Done! Hands on Kindergarten Thematic Units from Three Perspectives". The first session, "Internationally Educated Teachers", was presented by four education students attending the bridging program at the University of Manitoba. This program gives teachers from other countries, a Canadian teaching certificate. The four different students were from South Africa, the Philippines, urban India, and rural India. Their teaching background varied from 10 to 25 years teaching experience in middle years, high school, and university professor in their home countries. They sat at a panel, and discussed their prior teaching experiences and the educational system in their home countries. Additionally, they discussed the differences they see within the Canadian education system, addressing the positive and negative aspects. I found it interesting to hear their perspectives and how they discussed their practicums in Canada. The main positive points they discussed about education in their home countries remained student work ethic, passion for learning, behaviour, and obedience. Overall, they embraced the Canadian education system, boasting about the abundant resources, small class sizes, and parental involvement in schools.
Secondly, the "Team Work will Get it Done! Hands on Kindergarten Thematic Units from Three Perspectives", workshop was presented by Brenda Margetts, a teacher from rural Manitoba, her two student teachers, and a faculty advisor. The students discussed their Author studies they implemented during student teaching, which revolved around author Eric Carle and Mo Williams. Brenda Margetts, played an integral role in the student teacher's lessons for their benefit and for the kindergartens benefit. The thematic units were interesting, colourful, hands-on, and students loved them. I enjoyed learning about author Mo Williams, because I had not heard of him previously. Lastly, I found hearing the perspective of the faculty advisor insightful because they were a fresh perspective on the situation.
WESTCAST was an excellent experience. I feel as though I have grown as a student and know that this will be evident in my teaching!
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