Cross-curricular Learning: The Possibilities-The Necessity (Picard/van Leenen) - Susan was introduced to cross-curricular work in the humanities during her student teaching experiences in 1990/91 and has spent the last twelve years developing meaningful ways to integrate not only the humanities, but all the core subjects into interdisciplinary projects. While working together in the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program, Susan and Jeff worked on a number of projects together. They will discuss the challenges, rewards and promise of this approach to teaching and learning through sharing some of the projects they have undertaken with students and colleagues over the years.

Authentic Assessment: Rubrics, Self-Evaluation and Interviews (Picard) In completing her thesis work, Susan discovered that one of the biggest sources of tension within the student/teacher relationship revolves around assessment. How do we get beyond the idea that assessment is a necessary evil and recognize the potential for relationship building, risk taking and growth that is possible when we approach it in an authentic way? Susan will also share some of her experiences and practical examples of how to work with rubrics, self evaluations and student interviews.

Exploring the Connection Between Education and the Environment: (Picard) Susan has incorporated environmental  education and global awareness into her humanities classes for years as an important element in her approach to the curriculum. It was her thesis work that made her rethink the best way to teach students about these issues. How do we go about teaching children about preserving the important relationships on the planet? Perhaps it’s not about what we teach but how we teach that is important.

The Virtues Project™: A New Way of Speaking with Children (Ayling) The Virtues Project™ is a global initiative that had its beginnings in 1991 on a paper napkin at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. It presumes that children are "born in potential" and we, as the nurturing adults, must seek ways to help them find and own the virtues they possess. It is through this process that we discover our own virtues. Christine has been trained as a Virtues Project™ facilitator and will provide an introduction to the five elements of this project which has found its way into homes, schools, businesses and governments around the world.

Effective Communication between Educational Partners: (Ayling) Christine has been a parent advocate in the school system at the local, regional, provincial and national level for more than sixteen years. She has often been called upon to provide support to parents and teachers in building relationships that enhance learning for students. She has presented numerous workshops to parents and school councils focusing on the relationships that make school communities work. Christine will share ideas about how productive relationships can be fostered between parents and teachers. Her seven years of experience with the Alberta Home and School Councils Association, two of these as president, have given her an understanding of the unique partnerships that can be formed to provide a nurturing learning community.

Songwriting: Another Way of Knowing: (Picard/Maksymetz) As teachers we are often asked how we provide for the diverse needs of our students in the classroom. Research on multiple intelligences and learning styles have suggested to us that students need to be engaged in different ways to facilitate learning. Over the years Susan has tried to create a learning environment where students have opportunities to utilize their individual talents in representing meaning, yet has always struggled with what constituted measurable outcomes. As a graduate student, instead of researching how this could be done, she decided to do it. Claim personally what she believed was important for her students. And so she proceeded to use her talents as a songwriter to engage in educational research. Susan will share the challenges and rewards of this journey which led her and the university into new landscapes of learning