Professional Development for English Language Arts
Thompson Teachers’ Association Professional Development Day
Thompson, Manitoba
Friday 7 February 2025
On the invitation of the Thompson Teachers’ Association, Dr. Jen Reid facilitated a full-morning session on Manitoba’s current English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Framework for K-12 Teachers at R. D. Parker Collegiate on Friday 7 February 2025.
This PD event evolved out of a province-wide teacher call for more clarity on the Framework, particularly how to read it, interpret it, and use it as a practical support for instruction and assessment needs, as well as its relevance to provincial standardized testing at the Senior level.
The session featured an introductory tour of the challenges and opportunities afforded by the ELA Curriculum Framework, and ways that teachers could leverage their knowledge and experience for powerful, learner-centred practice in the classroom.
In focus were the key features of the Framework, including the Four Practices and their Elements, Grade Bands, and the ways Instruction, Assessment, and Reporting come together in relation to its emphasis on the Dimensions of Learning Growth and the Learning Continuum.
Engaging discussion inspired by inquiry into the Four Practices revolved around the importance of phonics and the “Science of Reading” (SoR) on student success throughout the K-12 system and beyond.
Jen has further professional development planned for Manitoba teachers, with in-depth, hands-on workshops for each of the Four Practices (Language as System, Sense Making, Power and Agency, Exploration and Design) and more.