Elementary Cycle Three instills habits for a lifetime

SUPPORTING THE GUIDANCE-ORIENTED APPROACH TO LEARNING FALL 2010 – VOL. 7 NO. 1

Elementary Cycle Three instills habits for a lifetime

This year, the GOAL Network is creating a bank of practical strategies and tools
for implementing GOAL in Elementary Cycle Three.

Elementary Cycle Three marks the point at which essential skills.They then used this information skills assessment exercises.The Sir Wilfrid Laurier
students start to focus on the transition to high and an online tool to identify their personal School Board finds that its students benefit from
school and the many experiences and decisions strengths and how these may—or may not— short DVDs produced by The Futures Channel (see
relate to their dream careers. p. 2) that portray some of the quirkier ways that
Tell us about your best GOAL practices math and science are used in actual job situa-
Students interviewing students tions. Some Riverside School Board high schools
Use the new QEP-based activity template on the hold late-summer orientation days for their
GOAL website to add your initiatives to the bank of Gault’s grade 6 students took another tack.They incoming grade 7 students to demystify the tran-
strategies we’ll be sharing with the entire Anglophone interviewed grade 7 students at Chateauguay sition to high school before classes resume.
sector. For more information, contact Valley Regional High School to find out what
[email protected] surprised them most about the transition to high How about your school? What works for you?
school and how it has affected their study habits. We’d love to hear.
that transition entails. It’s a key time for GOAL A follow-up, half-day Career Carousel planned for
activities.The more this age group discovers the new year will enable the entire Cycle Three Sandra Salesas
about themselves and their future aspirations, to meet with adults in a variety of careers in GOAL (Anglophone Sector), MELS
the better prepared they’ll be to grow in their which the students have shown interest.
job as students.
Elementary schools at Lester B. Pearson School
This fall, grade 5 students at New Frontiers Board routinely participate in career fairs and
School Board’s Gault Institute learned about

Wave if you stand against bullying!

IN S I D E by Patty Arnold, Career Development Consultant, RSB

2 Integrative Project program helps A grade 6 student from the Riverside School Board gave a new twist to GOAL when
students to connect the dots. she rallied her own and four other school communities to denounce bullying.

The Guidance-Oriented Approach to Learning Elementary School, who recruited the help of her

3 Lake of Two Mountains’ POWER encourages schools to build community partner- principal, Deborah Angelus, to get other schools
students show their stuff.
ships, since bringing the community into the class- involved. Fittingly, Emilie launched the wave that

room makes student learning more relevant and travelled a kilometre up and down the street, with a

3 Canadian student leaders gather at immediate. In an interesting twist to this approach, fire truck-escort acting as pace car.
Pierrefonds Comprehensive.
five Saint-Lambert schools brought their classrooms (conrinued on page 2)

PLU S into the community to raise social awareness and

4 Who’s who take a stand against bullying. Students from five school communities join Emilie
in the GOAL (far right) in a kilometre-long symbolic“wave.”
Network
On a November day, over 1 000

students, staff and parents lined

up shoulder-to-shoulder along

Green Street (home to three of

the five schools) to stage a com-

Making Dreams munity “wave” as a symbolic
Come True
pledge to oppose all acts of

emotional, verbal or physical

abuse against their peers. The

event was the brainchild of

Emilie Bortolussi-Courval, a

6th grader at St. Lambert

Check the GOAL website for regular updates: w w w . l e a r n q u e b e c . c a / e n / c o n t e n t / m e l s / g o a l

Integrative Project program ties student learning together

by Lori Rabinovitch, MELS IP Team

GOAL activities are a good preparation for the Secondary V Integrative Project program. The more self-knowledge
students have, the more likely they are to pick a project that will keep them motivated and on track.

As they advance along their academic and career Fall 2011 implementation tions, add depth and real-world relevance to stu-
paths, today’s students will be increasingly dent projects.
expected to carry out projects from start to fin- This two-credit, 50-hour program is scheduled for
ish. The Integrative Project (IP) program exempli- full implementation in the fall of 2011. In prepa- Teacher resources
fies this. Whether it be building a backyard rink ration, 32 schools in the English sector are cur-
or organizing an information session on child rently experimenting with it. As a follow-up to three training sessions offered
trafficking for the entire student body, the IP pro- last year, the MELS presented an introductory
gram obliges students to integrate different ele- [ ]All the competencies students training session in August and plans to offer a
ments of their learning into a project that they have developed become raw joint program/evaluation session during the win-
find personally meaningful. Like GOAL, it helps material for their project. ter semester. IP classrooms at Marymount
them to connect the dots. Students choose their Academy (EMSB) and Laurentian Regional High
own project and articulate how it ties together The IP program does not fall within a subject School (SWLSB) were filmed throughout the
their classroom studies. area nor is it associated with a particular broad 2009-2010 school year resulting in ten English
training videos. (To view this excellent series, register at
area of learning. All http://zoom.animare.org/zoom and click on “Médiathè-
subject-specific and que.” English videos are numbered from 5100 to 5111.)
cross-curricular compe-
tencies developed An interactive, bilingual website (www.projet
throughout a student’s integrateur.qc.ca) forms the core of the IP
school career become community of practice. Administrators, consult-
raw material for the ants, and teachers are invited to visit this site to
project. The broad share ideas, find resources, or keep up-to-date
areas of learning, with on program implementation.
their focus on con-
temporary issues that Wave if you stand
often touch on ethical against bullying
or values-based ques-
(continued from page 1)
These Marymount Academy students discuss their individual projects.
“I just wanted to make our school a better
RESOURCE CENTRAL Save this date! place,” commented Emilie, who says she herself
has never been bullied, but has seen it happen
Free online “How to achieve the to others. “It doesn’t have to take many people
resource makes best GOAL strategies to make change.” Congratulations to her for
math and science initiating this community partnership that
“cool” in your school” required imagination, leadership, teamwork
and commitment to creating an inclusive cli-
Its tag line is “Real Math, Real Science, Real 2011 GOAL Symposium mate for all students.
Careers” and, each week, The Futures Channel April 12, 2011
offers a selection of free, two-to-five minute In addition to St. Lambert Elementary, other
online videos that explore how a fascinating Wyndham Hotel, Dorval participating schools were REACH, PACE,
array of occupations rely on math, science and Chambly Academy and The Alternate School.
technology. At press time, featured videos includ- Discover how school teams from across the
ed interviews with an aquarium maker, a horse province are using GOAL to engage
vet, a rice farmer and a percussionist. Videos are students in their learning.
available for a two-week period. Each short film
is also accompanied by a suggested hands-on Registration begins in January.
activity, designed for specific grade levels. Ask your GOAL rep for information or consult
Teachers and students can sign up for a free www.learnquebec.ca/en/content/mels/goal
weekly newsletter that links to the videos. A
larger selection of DVDs and other resources is
available by subscription. To learn more, visit
http://www.thefutureschannel.com

Need more copies of the GOAL Post? St. Lambert Elementary’s
Emilie Bortolussi-Courval
Contact Doris Kerec at LEARN: 1-888-622-2212
or < [email protected] >. tells a CTV reporter why
she wanted to take action.
2 Fall 2010

G O A L I N A C T I O N More POWER to these students!

by Susan Smith, Supervisor, Cooperative Education, Lake of Two Mountains High School

Lake of Two Mountains High School has a long history of empowering
students with learning difficulties.

For 20 years, we called it our ACE (Alternative new acronym that would project a strong and project (www.artssmarts.ca) with local poet,

Career Education) 16+ program. Then, as peda- positive image, so today it’s known as our Endre Farkas, and graffiti artist, Monk.e.

gogical reform reached the high schools, ACE POWER program (or Pathways of Work and Together, they created a large mural called

was adapted to encompass the two programs Educational Readiness). “Through our Eyes” on what used to be a barren

stretch of cinder-block wall. Located in a high-

Since the WOTP traffic area of the school, the mural incorporates

exposes students to original student poetry that speaks of their desire

the workforce and to break down the walls of hurt and anger that

prepares them for it, have isolated them from their community.

it is already closely Lee Rother is another example of a teacher who
aligned with the has encouraged his students to discover new
Guidance-Oriented skills and forms of expression. He integrated
Approach to film and other media literacy projects into his
Learning. What adds English Language Arts classes long before they
to the POWER pro- became part of the QEP.
gram’s effectiveness

is its focus on inno- Above all, the POWER program gives our stu-
dents new options. Upon its completion, they
vative, project-based have the necessary skills to enter the workforce.
They may also choose to continue their acade-
learning that can re- mic instruction in their home school, at our
Phoenix Alternative High School or through
engage students Adult Education. For kids whose options seemed
very limited in the past, that’s a huge step.
whose previous

experience of school

POWER program students used a mural they created with two local artists to portray their has left them feeling
vision of community. (Photo: Justin Wonnacott)
discouraged and
marginalized.

that make up the Work-Oriented Training Path Breaking down the hurt Empowerment through
(WOTP): the three-year “Pre-Work Training” work placements
and the one-year “Training for a Semiskilled Last year, for instance, teacher Jennifer Abrantes
Trade.” Students and teachers also wanted a and her students embarked on an ArtsSmarts

Pierrefonds Comprehensive hosts student leaders Work placements figure large in the
WOTP and offer another opportu-
nity to put GOAL into practice.

by Nancy Battet, Community and Partnership Liaison, LBPSB l Before sending our POWER students on
a work placement, teachers interview them
The Canadian Student Leadership Conference encourages students to recognize to get a better sense of who they are; stu-
their leadership potential and put it into action.

Over 800 students and advisors attended the 26th Many ways to show leadership dents also work on self-concept material.
annual Canadian Student Leadership Conference
(CSLC) hosted by the Lester B. Pearson School The CSLC encourages young people to develop their l Careful planning goes into matching stu-
Board’s Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School leadership skills and use them for the betterment of dents with employers: interests and avail-
(PCHS) in September. Delegates to the five-day event their schools and communities. “There are many dif- ability are key factors we consider.
represented every Canadian province and territory. ferent ways to show leadership,” notes Hugues
Bertrand, who teaches leadership at PCHS and l Strong community relationships make it
The conference—sponsored by the Canadian Asso- chaired the conference. “Some kids are out in the easier to identify employers who are the
ciation of Student Activity Advisors—originated in forefront, planning and organizing events. Others lead right fit for our students. Our staff sit on
1985 when then Saskatchewan premier Grant Devine by example; they show up on time and do their bit community boards and students assist with
challenged Yorkton Regional High School to mark the towards the common good. Some have good marks; community fundraising events and other
International Year of Youth by transforming its provin- some don’t. But they all have a lot of heart and are small jobs.
cial leadership conference into a national one. very committed to something.”
l In this way, employers get to know our
students and their work ethic first-hand.

l The positive reinforcement our students
receive for the things they can do builds
their trust and motivates them to try new
tasks and explore new environments. - S.S.

These young leaders from Pierrefonds
Comprehensive and other LBPSB high schools par-
ticipated as delegates, animators and conference
volunteers.

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YOUR G OA L NETWORK Update You, too, can join our
mentoring community
GOAL (Anglophone Sector), MELS
Sandra Salesas by Cheryl Pratt, MELS - Program Consultant
Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport
Tel.: (514) 873-3339 ext. 5510 A dynamic and growing Mentoring Community of Practice offers Career Development
[email protected] teachers an alternative form of ongoing professional development.

Association of Jewish Day Schools In partnership with the Anglophone school boards, areas of their teaching that they would like to improve.
Janet Perlis, GOAL Coordinator MELS launched this mentoring community last year as Mentor/mentee teams have planned out their mentor-
[email protected] a pilot project for POP teachers. This year, it encom- ing activities for the year.
passes teachers from three Career Development pro-
Central Québec School Board grams (POP, Explo and Entrepreneurship) and, at last Mentors and mentees also stay in touch through the
Sandra Hughes, Guidance Counsellor count, included seven mentors and 12 mentees from Sakai Learning and Community Portal (accessible via
[email protected] nine school boards. the LEARN website). In Sakai’s password-protected
Career Development room, participants can blog, send
Diane Labbé, Director of Student Services Much of the mentoring takes place one on one, though messages, chat and share each other’s resources. Yet
[email protected] the entire community also meets on occasion or links another resource will soon be available when MELS’
up for virtual workshops using Live Classroom techno- Mentoring Community web content goes public later
Commission scolaire du Littoral logy. These group sessions have covered such topics as this year in the Career Development section of the
Ghislaine Nadeau-Monger, Guidance Counsellor building student competencies; class management; LEARN website.
[email protected] using toolkits; and organizing job shadowing opportu-
nities for students. Mentees have identified specific It’s easy to join!
Cree School Board
André Tremblay, Guidance Counsellor If you’d like to become a mentor or mentee—or
[email protected] simply join our community on an informal basis—
contact <[email protected] >.
Benoit Strasbourg, POP/Vocational Training/GOAL To access our Sakai portal, contact Steve Scallion
[email protected] at [email protected]. Include your name,
school and school board.
Dawson College
Jane Valihora, Advisor Mentors Michael Murphy (CQSB), Lynn Bourdeau (EMSB), Chris
[email protected]
Who’s who in the GOAL Netw?ork? ?Colley(ETSB)andBrentCallahan(LBPSB)gettogethertoshareideas.
Eastern Shores School Board Each issue of the GOAL Post features different members of the Network.
Malcolm MacPhee, Career Orientation, Youth Sector
[email protected] Nancy Battet to them. They explain the different types of jobs
that exist within their industries and the education
Eastern Townships School Board Community & Partnership each one requires. And they engage students in dis-
Chris Colley, Career Development Consultant Liaison & GOAL coordinator, cussions about work ethic and the communication,
[email protected] LBPSB critical thinking and other skills needed to succeed,
no matter which path they ultimately take.
English Montréal School Board The Guidance-Oriented
Marsha Gouett, Career Development Consultant Approach to Learning states “GOAL views community part-
[email protected] that young people’s education- ners as educational resources.”
al success is directly related to
First Nations Education Council their motivation to learn. Part of my job is also dedicated to creating links
Kassandra Churcher, Pedagogical Consultant GOAL also holds that students’ motivation is sus- between our youth and vocational sectors. We’re
[email protected] tained, among other things, by linking curriculum working, too, to expand the concept of entrepre-
with career and life plans. I came to the Lester B. neurship within our schools, given that more than
Lester B. Pearson School Board Pearson School Board after a 20-year career as a 50% of today’s students will be tomorrow’s entre-
Tom Conti, Guidance Counsellor, marketing and communications professional in the preneurs or small business owners.
Adult Education & Vocational Training railway and hotel industries. Now I am drawing on
[email protected] that experience to link teachers to business, educa- By incorporating GOAL into its strategic plan, the
tional and community organizations that can add LBPSB fully supports the notion that we all work as
Nancy Battet, Community and Partnership Liaison relevance to the curriculum. a community to educate our students and inform
[email protected] their future choices. It is very satisfying to be
Starting at the elementary level, our partners expose involved in helping that community to thrive.
New Frontiers School Board students to different career opportunities available
Chantal Bergevin, GOAL/Entrepreneurship/Work Study
[email protected] The GOAL Post is also available in PDF format on the GOAL website The GOAL Post Fall 2010 Vol. 7 No. 1
at www.learnquebec.ca/en/content/mels/goal
Tom Muirhead, GOAL/Entrepreneurship/Work Study
[email protected] The GOAL Post is published three times a year by the GOAL Network, in collaboration with MELS’ Secteur des
services à la communauté anglophone et aux affaires autochtones, Direction des politiques et des projets.* It is
Québec Association of Independent Schools printed and distributed by LEARN. Editing and production coordination: Laurene Bennett, Communications
Amanda Walbert, Teacher, Vanguard High School Arpeggia <[email protected]> Graphic design and online coordination: Sylvie Desrochers, Conception
[email protected] graphique Babill-Art <[email protected]>

Riverside School Board *With financial contributions from the Canada-Québec Agreement for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction.
Patty Arnold, Career Development Consultant
[email protected]

Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
Ingrid Hove Gust, Career Development Consultant
[email protected]

Western Québec School Board
Kelly Butler, Career Development Consultant
[email protected]

Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport
Ivana Colatriano, Supporting Montreal
Schools Program
[email protected]

Nathalie Morin, Education Specialist
[email protected]

Cheryl Pratt, MELS - Program Consultant
[email protected]

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