Healthy Relationships in CSH Cohort 2013
By Andrew Sanger
Healthy relationships are a central pillar of the Comprehensive School of Health. The professors at the University of Ottawa emphasize the importance of learning communities. As a member of the CSH cohort, the learning communities are built around healthy relationships. Group learning projects, lunch ‘n’ learn workshops, excursions, assignment/subject support groups, and genuine care for the success of every member became a part of the culture of CSH.
As a team we overcome obstacles, build a larger community based on healthy relationships, learning with and from one another. During classes we take time to celebrate and recognize team and individual success, share stories, and even healthy snacks. The healthy relationships become the scaffolding to a successful career and life-long health, through human resources, community, and ultimately friendships. The healthy relationships from the CSH will ripple into each of our classroom environments and future careers as educators in a web of sectors.
What friendships can achieve.
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Fun & Learn Workshop : Craving the elements February 12th, 2013
By Jordan Venne
This workshop focused on reminding educators of all divisions that exist in winter. The outdoors provides an excellent environment for cross-curricular learning opportunities. Amanda Dandy and Selena Leblond shared a number of great active games that students play outside. They emphasized how with some creativity, the winter weather lends itself to fun, cost effective and cross curricular activities.
Following this segment was Jordan Venne’s lesson on safety and preparation for taking a class outdoors. This lesson varied from the basics of outdoor education to the dangers involved with prolonged exposure to the elements that one may experience during a field trip.
Derek Carpenter followed up with a display and explanation of traditional winter sport activities that could arouse interest in students and lead them towards active lifestyles. He also shared a video of the “super cat” improvised stove and suggested that its construction could be interesting for a Senior/Intermediate project.
The last segment was centered on the construction of improvised snow shelters. Together we discussed how this activity is physically demanding, engaging and contextualizes concepts in science and technology and Physical Education.
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Healthy Education by Pursuit – Healthy Lifestyle by Practice
Collective Vision of CSH from the 2011-2012 Cohort
The 2011-2012 CSH cohort consists of future educators who promote and encourage a holistic view of healthy mind, body and a personal connection with the world around us. We advocate for healthy environments, lifestyles and relationships with the intention to inspire students to be future agents of change.
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Mindfulness
by Heather Peace
Under the direction of Professor Jessica Whitley, a group of teacher candidates from the Comprehensive School Health Cohort have been implementing a mindfulness-based intervention for students at a local elementary school.
This pilot project involves introducing various games and activities that help students to focus on paying attention to the present moment without judgement. Over the course of eight weeks, students have been exposed to breathing, thinking, observing, listening, eating, and moving using the principles of mindfulness. Overall, the students have been responding well to the intervention and have started the process of generalizing aspects of mindfulness to their lives
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Crystal Bay Centre for Special Education
by Kevin Hazzard
Our CSH Cohort had the chance back in October `to visit Crystal Bay Centre for Special Education. A group of us went for the day to experience the school and its many features. From the snozelen room, to the sensory room, to living skills Crystal Bay is truly an amazing facility. The school is comprised of approximately 96 students aged 4-21 with class sizes of around 8 students based on age.
Since that day I’ve had the chance to volunteer in a variety of classrooms. It certainly makes a ‘regular’ classroom seem quite boring. Students take trips for hiking, to restaurants and for swimming amongst others. The program is really geared around providing the students with life skills necessary for post graduation. Having the chance to volunteer at Crystal Bay and engage with both the students and staff has certainly been one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had this year. The school really is unique and something I’d recommend any future teacher to experience.