How the Strategy came about
At the Political Confederacy (PC) meeting of September 1-2, 2010 a motion was passed stating:
The Political Confederacy direct the Chiefs of Ontario Education Coordination Unit and the First Nations Education Coordination Unit to establish an Ad Hoc working group and invite participation from the Federal and Provincial government to explore and identify potential strategic focuses regarding second level services and support at the First Nations level.
On October 29, 2010, a preliminary meeting including representatives from Chiefs of Ontario, Ministry of Education - Aboriginal Education Office, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada was held to discuss Terms of Reference and priorities.
A Steering Committee of senior representatives from each organization was formed. Also, an all-party Working Group of technicians was created.
Strategy Priorities were identified as:
- Literacy and Numeracy
- Assessment
- Infrastructure
- Family and Community Engagement
Meetings continued with focus on creating a draft work plan to reflect the identified Strategy Priorities.
Implementation is proceeding on a project-by-project basis and will not compete for scarce funding available to First Nations and First Nation education organizations. Moving forward will rely on allocation of additional resourcing by the federal government.
The relationship between First Nation, provincial, and federal governments is to remain one based on collaborative working relationships, unless otherwise directed by leadership.
Projects underway or being planned:
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Literacy and Numeracy
Free First Nation School Access to Ontario Educational Resource Bank : pilot project underway
Free First Nation School Access to Learn360 resources: part of the pilot project
Free First Nation School Access to OSAPAC software licenses: part of the pilot project
Free First Nation School Access to LMS: Pilot Project to be planned and launched in mid-2013
Develop approach to address “Summer Gap” (academic skills loss over summer months): in discussion
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Learning Assessment
Gather First Nation perspectives on content of EQAO: underway
Provide summary back to Ministry of Education to ensure EQAO has some First Nation content and is appropriate for our use
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Infrastructure and Support
Preliminary estimates of technology needs for First Nation classrooms in Ontario: information being gathered
Identify Ontario First Nation schools’ repair and/or replacements costs : completed by Ontario First Nation Technical Services Corporation
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Family and Community Engagement
Access funding for developing a First Nation Family and Community Engagement toolkit: completed
Implement a series of one-day information gathering sessions across Ontario with First Nation parents, guardians, grandparents, educators to include their perspectives and concerns in the toolkit: pending in early 2013
Continue to gather materials for the toolkits: ongoing
Rollup and summarize the information sessions to complete and distribute the toolkits: mid 2013
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(Links below are provided for information only; all were active as of November 2012)
Links and resources for First Nation Educators, Education Administrators, Students, Parent, Guardians:
LITERACY:
For Teachers: http://www.eworkshop.on.ca/edu/core.cfm
http://innoteach.net/
http://www.eworkshop.on.ca/cfmx/edu/core.cfm?p=guides.cfm&navID=resources&L=1
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/WW_Literacy_Tutors.pdf
http://curriculum.org/content/webcasts
Leveled First Nation readers: http://www.eaglecrestbooks.com/home.htm
Improving student writing: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/WW_Improving_Student_Writing.pdf
Handwriting without tears: http://www.hwtears.com/hwt
Games and activities for early readers: http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/literacy/index.htm
Leveled books: http://www.fountasandpinnellleveledbooks.com/aboutLeveledTexts.aspx
Early Literacy research, tips: http://faculty.uoit.ca/hughes/Reading/EarlyLiteracy.html
Check with local First Nation Public Library for possible free access via their portal to: http://www.pebblego.com/login.php or http://www.tumblebooks.com/
NUMERACY:
For Teachers:
Math Stories in English and Cree: http://mathcatcher.irmacs.sfu.ca/stories
http://www.eworkshop.on.ca/edu/core.cfm
http://www.eworkshop.on.ca/cfmx/edu/core.cfm?p=guides.cfm&navID=resources&L=1
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/WW_problem_based_math.pdf
Technology in the math class: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/WW_technology.pdf
Khan Academy: http://www.khanacademy.org/
LANGUAGE AND CULTURE:
Ontario language curriculum:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/nativelang.html
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/nativelang.html
Manitoba language curriculum:
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/abedu/framework/k-12_ab_lang.pdf
http://aboriginalperspectives.uregina.ca/videos.shtml
Fun language site:
http://www.anishinaabemdaa.com/games.htm
Cultural sites and resources:
http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/resources.html
http://www.firstvoices.com/
http://kwayaciiwin.com/units
http://intersectingart.umn.edu/?lessons
http://www.ojibweculture.ca/site/Services/Resources/tabid/65/Default.aspx
http://www.thealgonquinway.ca/English/resources-e.php
http://ningwakwe.on.ca/catalogue_files/page0004.htm
http://www.ohwejagehka.com/cayuga/
http://www.mun.ca/cayuga/cayuga/
http://www.ohwejagehka.com/mohawk/
http://nisto.com/cree/
http://www.giftoflanguageandculture.ca/
http://www.shki.ca/
http://www.onlc.ca/resource.php?ResourceID=8
http://legacy.oise.utoronto.ca/research/ien/community.html
http://www.ldalberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/AboriginalResources_EducationIsOurBuffalo.pdf
OUTDOOR EDUCATION:
Resources below are from Scotland, but information is transferable for program planning and implementation:
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/Images/RSPBoutside_of_classroom_learning_tcm4-597069.pdf
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/OutdoorLearningSupport_tcm4-675958.pdf
Assessment of outdoor education: http://qspace.library.queensu.ca/bitstream/1974/1937/1/Casson_Anne_E_200906_MEd.pdf
ASSESSMENT:
EQAO main site: http://www.eqao.com/categories/home.aspx?Lang=E
EQAO samples of assessments from previous years: http://www.eqao.com/Parents/parents.aspx?Lang=E
Using data to improve Student Outcomes: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/Using_Data.pdf
San Diego reading quick assessment
http://content.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/b/building_fluency_checkup.pdf
Comparing PM, DRA, Guided reading levels:
http://www.eworkshop.on.ca/edu/pdf/LevellingSystemComparisonChart.pdf
For early assessment of literacy (page 20); school readiness (page 31): http://www.hkpr.on.ca/Portals/0/PDF%20Files/PDF%20Files%20-%20Resources/RedFlags.pdf
Aboriginal Reading Assessment: http://www.corelearningresources.com/store/item_display.php?i=3372&f=2925
IDEAS FOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Parents Reaching Out Grant: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/reaching.html
Resource book from Thunder Bay: http://ontariodirectors.ca/UA_Pilot_Project/files/Lakehead%20Resources/Family%20Connections%20-%20Parent%20guide.pdf
Community program: http://www.edu.uwo.ca/essofamilymath/resource.asp
Toolkits from People for Education: http://www.peopleforeducation.ca/how-does-education-work/training-and-resources/helping-children-succeed-the-parent-engagement-toolkit
Starting a community reading circle: http://www.frontiercollege.ca/english/learn/literacy_resources.html
Ways to get books into children’s homes at little or no cost:
http://www.firstbookcanada.org/receive-books
http://ca.imaginationlibrary.com/program_replication.php
Engagement ideas: http://www.saskschoolboards.ca/old/ResearchAndDevelopment/ResearchReports/IndianAndMetisEducation/11-02.pdf
Family Literacy day: http://abclifeliteracy.ca/family-literacy-day
Ministry research: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/WW_MarginParents.pdf
FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS:
Reading and Writing with your child K- Grade 6 http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/parentGuideLit2012.pdf
Doing mathematics with your Child: K-Grade 6
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/parentGuideNum2012.pdf
Choosing books: http://www.bookcentre.ca/resources_parents
For parents of children with special needs:
http://www.ldalberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/AboriginalResource_ParentHandbook.pdf
Guide from Manitoba: http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/docs/parents/ab_guide/ab_guide.pdf
Math-related: http://www.kumon.ca/Resources/Parents.aspx
EDUCATION LEADERSHIP:
http://www.principals.ca/Display.aspx?cid=6157&pid=8073
http://cdnprincipals.org/category/resources/
http://www.bcpvpa.bc.ca/
https://www.principals.ca/Display.aspx?cid=4455
TRANSITIONS:
http://www.oneca.com/transitions/
LOW-COST TECHNOLOGY:
One Laptop per Child- Aboriginal Initiative http://www.olpccanada.com/impact/
Computers for Schools: http://rcto.ca/Program/CFS/default.aspx
ReBOOT: http://rebootpeterborough.ca/
Smartboards: there are number of YouTube videos demonstrating how to use a Wii wand to create a cheap Smartboards; have a look, but NO PROMISES! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgKCrGvShZs&feature=plcp
GENERAL:
Resources for teachers: http://www.etfo.ca/resources/forteachers/pages/default.aspx
Building resilience: http://www.thelearningpartnership.ca/resiliencestrategy
Improving Outcomes resource from Australia: http://www.whatworks.edu.au/upload/1269678468869_file_WorkbookEd3.pdf
Alberta resource book: https://education.alberta.ca/media/307199/words.pdf
(Please forward suggestions for additional links to Mary.Lynch-Taylor@coo.org)
