Archive for month: February, 2021

No matter where you are in your physical activity and physical literacy journey, the School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project workshops are a great opportunity to learn with and alongside fellow B.C. educators. 

Since the School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project hosted its first workshop in August 2020, we’ve seen a steady wave of active participation and engagement from educators throughout the province. 

So far, we have hosted 31 workshops with over 400 participants across the province; this includes six school-based workshops, 15 district-wide workshops, and 10 regional workshops, spanning all four of our currently available workshops: 

Getting Started with Physical Literacy

If you are wondering what physical literacy is and how you can incorporate it into your K-7 instruction, this workshop is for you! Gain an understanding of the theory behind this approach and learn some practical ways that you can develop your students’ physical literacy, starting with your next class. 

Making Physical Literacy Work for your Class

Learn fun activities based on the principles of physical literacy and see how easy it is to include these in the gym, classroom or playground. Learn the “how to” and find out how to include this approach in your K-7 physical education planning.

Holistic Model for Educators

Presented by I·SPARC, this Holistic Model for Educators online professional development workshop is for Indigenous Educators and Educators working in B.C. schools with high populations of Indigenous learners. The Holistic Model was developed in consultation with Indigenous communities across Canada and is based on the medicine wheel’s core values and teachings.

Physical Activity and Physical Literacy for All (Diverse Abilities)

Wondering how to adapt your K-7 physical literacy instruction to meet the needs of all your students? Learn how to modify activities for students with diverse physical and intellectual abilities. Get great hands-on tips and ideas to include all your students in activity and physical literacy.

With another 10 workshops currently scheduled for the coming months, the School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project team looks forward to engaging with even more educators as they build their capacity, knowledge and confidence in delivering the B.C. Physical and Health Education curriculum in the areas of physical activity and physical literacy, and their links to mental well-being. 

Are you next?

Learn more about our available workshops, and schedule one for your school, district or region on our website

Have you attended a workshop with us? The School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project is a prototype, and all participants are welcome, and encouraged, to provide feedback.

From classroom to classroom, the abilities of students vary. How can you adapt your K-7 physical literacy instruction to meet the needs of all your students? 

On March 2, 2021 from 16:30 to 17:30 PT, join us for “Physical Activity and Physical Literacy for All (Diverse Abilities),” the second presentation in our free webinar series for B.C. educators, to learn how to modify activities for students with diverse physical and intellectual abilities. Get great hands-on tips and ideas to include all your students in activity and the development of physical literacy from physical literacy expert and leader in the diverse ability space,  Karen Natho.

Register today >>

Working for seven years at the Niagara Children’s Centre, Karen Natho (BPHE, BSc, MSc) led the creation of the service of Recreational Therapy for children with special needs in Niagara. She worked directly with the four school boards to support access for students with disabilities within the classroom, and  taught physical education classes, running various activities at the Niagara Children’s Centre School. Her research and activities in this area have been funded by the Ronald McDonald House Charities, United Way and Canadian Paralympic Committee.

“Karen’s experience working with various schools and school boards is a unique opportunity for B.C. educators to learn about accessibility and its implementation directly in their field,” said Drew Mitchell, School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project lead and Senior Director of Physical Literacy with Sport for Life. “She is one of Canada’s leading experts on adapted physical activity, and I look forward to hearing her thoughts on how we can make physical activity and physical literacy more accessible in B.C. schools.”

Karen is the Founder of the Brock Niagara Penguins, the leading ParaSport program in Niagara. Throughout Karen’s career, she has worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities, ensuring all children are provided with equal and equitable opportunities. Karen spent six years directing Easter Seals Camp Merrywood into a leading residential camp for children and youth with physical disabilities. She was the regions lead presenter for the Canadian Paralympic Committee – Changing Minds, Changing Lives workshops, and has conducted multiple seminars with educators and practitioners locally and around the world pertaining to topics such as disability sport awareness, adapted physical activity and accessibility program design. 

Find out more about this webinar >>

This webinar will be held virtually on the GoToWebinar platform on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 from 16:30 to 17:30 PT.

A recording will be available on the School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project website following the event for those who are unable to attend.