PDTCA 2025

This workshop offers a hands-on experience tailored for beginners to learn the ancient craft of hand bound bookbinding. Using materials commonly found in a classroom, you will learn and create a sketchbook or journal from start to finish. This is a fantastic lesson for any age and any class to build their own sketchbooks, journals, field guides, notebooks, collections, and whatever else you can use it for! We will be learning the Coptic Binding method, which allows the books to lay flat and open.
This session has a participant fee of $10.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

Get ready to delve into the world of chalk and oil pastels with an exciting workshop that will elevate your art projects. Unleash your students' creativity as they capture the mesmerizing beauty of the Northern Lights, create stunning Alberta landscape using a 1-point perspective, and bring vibrant watermelon or pumpkin still to life. The difficulty level can be tailored to suit the grade level being taught. By the end, you'll have three completed projects and access to step-by-step instructional PowerPoint presentations and links to the YouTube instructional videos. Get ready to ignite your students' passion for art!
This session has a participant fee of $10.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

Hop aboard the historic Stampede Trolley and join us for an enriching hands-on workshop in the custom-designed Journey 2050 classroom. Educators will have the opportunity to construct their own microgreens growing system to take back to their classroom and gain insights into how such projects can inspire students to become stewards of our planet. Explore how to nurture these microgreens from seed to harvest. Discover the science behind their growth and the environmental benefits they offer. Delve into discussions on sustainability and food systems. Learn about how the Journey 2050 education team can help student-led projects come to life in the classroom! Cap off your experience by enjoying a sustainable snack featuring the very microgreens you've learned to grow—a delicious culmination of your efforts in fostering sustainable practices in education.

This off-site session will occur at Nutrien Western Event Centre; 1800 Stampede Trail SE and has a participant fee of $10.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

"HELP! I'm supposed to teach Fashion but I don't know what I'm doing!" This session is for new (or newer) CTF/CTS Fashion teachers. You will learn sewing basics and leave with a pair of pajama shorts made by you! You will also get ideas and concrete resources that will help you plan your fashion classes so that your students waste less time, gain more valuable skills, and have a great experience.
This session will be held at George McDougall High School; 4112 3rd Ave NE; Airdrie, AB and has a participant fee of $21.00.
Pre-Registration Link

Ecole Secondaire Highwood High School.
High River, Alberta
Carpentry room #139

This session has a participant fee of $21.00. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

A number of the staff and Banded Peak School regularly use the outdoors as a space to engage students and enrich learning. Join a group of our Grade 1-8 teachers in a day of sharing and collaboration with respect to the outdoors. Our full day session will be comprised of smaller sessions aimed at different age levels, but will be applicable to all educators interested in using the outdoors as a place to teach and learn.
Ever wanted to inspire your students by bringing the curriculum to life? This session will show how we created an outdoor garden and learning area at Banded Peak School in Bragg Creek. The learning space, which we call ‘Growing Learners’, includes six raised garden beds with pollinator houses and three huge log picnic tables. We will show you how you can meet various curricular strands by creating an outdoor gardening area, while teaching, learning, and growing outdoors. We will outline how we were applied for and won grants for funding and how we have continued to further develop the space each year. Although this project was a grade 1-2 initiative at Banded Peak School, any grade level could create an outdoor classroom such as this. We look forward to sharing this enriching project with you!
Join us for an active and insightful session on the power of Outdoor Education. Our team of Grade 3/4 educators will share their innovative approach to integrating all curricular strands, while using the outdoors as the classroom. This will include hands-on learning, approaches to physical education and wellness, practical implementation, and reflective practices. Let us show you how a week in the outdoors can enrich students’ academic understanding and overall well-being. Come prepared to spend the day outside! This session is ideal for educators looking to innovate their teaching practices and foster a deeper connection between students and the natural world. The Outdoor Leadership program has been a fundamental part of the grade 7/8 years at Banded Peak School for nearly a decade. Join us for some fun activities outside that you can use to engage your students and start an outdoor leadership program.
This session will be held at Banded Peak School, 230257 Highway 22, Bragg Creek, AB and has a session fee of $10.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

Alberta Parks has teamed up with the Calgary Regional Consortium for the second year to offer multiple outdoor, land-based sessions that will inspire your teaching and support personal wellness. This year, three sessions are available at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, located at 13931 Woodpath Road, SW Calgary. Please note, teachers are encouraged to car pool as parking is limited. The sessions are offered twice (morning and afternoon) as described below:
1. Take the New K-6 Science Curriculum Outside (am and pm)
2. Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Outdoors: A Multisensory Adventure for Grades K-2 (am) / Gr 3-6 (pm)
3. Nature’s Path to Wellness – for you and your students.

Did you join us last year? Come again - there will be new ideas included! Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Simply chose two sessions (morning and afternoon) from the options below.

Morning Sessions (9:00-11:30 am)
Please choose 1 session (Maximum 25/session)
Session 1: Take the New K-6 Science Curriculum Outside
Session 2: Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Outdoors: A Multisensory Adventure for Grades K-2
Session 3: Nature’s Path to Wellness – for you and your students.

Afternoon Sessions (12:30 -3:00 pm)
Please choose 1 session (Maximum 25/session)
Session 1: Take the New K-6 Science Curriculum Outside
Session 2: Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Outdoors: A Multisensory Adventure for Grades 3-6
Session 3: Nature’s Path to Wellness – for you and your students.

Session Descriptions:
Session1: Take the New K-6 Science Curriculum Outside
Did you know that the word “land” shows up 845 times in a search on the new LearnAlberta website of all subjects within the Kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum? It’s true! What better way to learn about and from the land than to spend a day of professional learning being inspired and activated at the Fish Creek Learning Center! This half day session will be offered in the morning from 9:00 – 11:30 and a REPEAT session will take place from 1:00 – 3:30 pm. While at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, we will help answer your curriculum questions through engaging learning experiences that bring the learning to life. We’ll overview the new science curriculum and highlight possible learning outcomes you can take outside for each Organizing Idea. We will explore simple and practical ideas to help you get out of the classroom while promoting physical and mental wellness benefits for your students. Along the way, we’ll also consider opportunities to integrate other subjects like ELAL, Math and Visual Arts to make your outdoor learning experience more engaging, efficient and effective. If you’d like to help your students be more connected to the natural world this school year, then this session is for you.

Objectives for this Session:
• Honor the land on which we are learning and the Indigenous peoples who have cared for the land
• Develop a strong understanding of the K-6 Science Curriculum and consider ways to take the learning outdoors in meaningful, manageable ways
• Share stories and build community to connect us to the land
• Explore, walk and talk about pedagogy, learning outcomes and concepts that bolster our science confidence
• Play some outdoor games that connect to curricular objectives

Session 2 (am): Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Outdoors: A Multisensory Adventure for Grades K-2
Join us for an inspiring journey into the outdoors, where literacy and numeracy come alive under the open sky! In this engaging workshop, we will equip kindergarten through grade 2 teachers with strategies and practical ideas to integrate literacy and numeracy with the curriculum into an outdoor learning environment. Come prepared to be active and involved in the experiences.

Session 2 (pm): Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Outdoors: A Multisensory Adventure for Grades 3-6

Join us for an inspiring journey into the outdoors, where literacy and numeracy come alive under the open sky! In this engaging workshop, we will equip grade 3 through grade 6 teachers with strategies and practical ideas to integrate literacy and numeracy with the curriculum into an outdoor learning environment. Come prepared to be active and involved in the experiences.

Session Highlights:

1. Nature's Classroom: Discover how the great outdoors can become your classroom as we explore the benefits of taking learning beyond the four walls. We will discuss the impact of outdoor learning on student engagement, creativity, and overall well-being.
2. Literacy in the Wild: Dive into strategies for fostering literacy skills outside, including nature-based storytelling, journaling, and vocabulary development. We'll show you how to utilize the natural world to inspire a love for reading and writing.
3. Math in Motion: Explore the endless mathematical possibilities in the outdoor setting. From counting natural objects to solving problems, we'll explore math concepts through hands-on activities that make numbers and shapes truly come alive.

Session 3: Nature’s Path to Wellness- for you and your students
Alberta’s Provincial Park System and the land provides a natural space to rejuvenate and to fuel your teaching practice. This session is dedicated to fostering personal wellness through nature-based activities, which you can also implement with your students to create a balanced, healthy learning environment. During this session, you'll explore:
• Sensory Exploration: Engage in exercises that heighten awareness of your surroundings through all five senses, enhancing mindfulness and presence.
• Reflective Practices: Participate in activities like nature journaling, guided meditation, and quiet contemplation to support mental well-being and emotional balance.
• Interactive Games: Participate in games that foster teamwork, communication, and stress relief, which can be easily adapted for classroom use.
• Storytelling: Experience the use of storytelling to connect more deeply with nature and promote mindfulness, creativity, and reflection.
Immerse yourself in these activities to rejuvenate your own well-being and gather tools to foster a wellness-centered learning environment.

This session has a participant fee of $10.50 for the day.
Pre-Registration Link

Everyone from Indigenous Elders to behavioural psychologists are providing proof that ‘time in nature’ is pivotal to whole health and well-being. As educators, you've been told that everything from creativity to calmness is cultivated by quality time spent amongst the trees, birds, creeks and clouds. But where and how do you best transition kids and curriculum into the great outdoors? What if it's cold? And what if you're cranky?

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) has your back! Join us for a hands-on session of 'tried 'n tenacious' outdoor teaching practices, grasslands gratitude and wide-eyed wonder—inspiration and rejuvenation await!

OFF-SITE LOCATION, ADDRESS & INSTRUCTIONS:
Nose Hill Park – Calgary Winter Club Parking Lot: 4611 14 St NW, Calgary, T2K 1J7

Meet at the Nose Hill Park parking lot located behind the Calgary Winter Club. CPAWS will be on-site 30 minutes ahead of session start time to welcome and gather everyone together. You will need to arrange your own transportation. If you are late, lost, or cannot make it, please text or call Sheri @ 403-921-2314.

WHAT TO BRING:
As detailed in the safety section below, please come prepared to be active outside for 3 hours – i.e., wearing appropriate clothing & footwear, and outfitted with water & snacks.

SAFETY:
Please consult local weather forecasts and come equipped with wind & temperature appropriate clothing and footwear, e.g., comfortable winter boots, ice cleats, gloves, mittens, hats, scarves and instant handwarmers/heat packs.

If there are any medical concerns (allergies/injuries) that CPAWS should be aware of, please be in-touch with Sheri via text @ 403-921-2314 in advance of the program’s start time. This will ensure that she can customize the route and activities for everyone’s needs.

All participants that require medical equipment/medication, such as an EpiPen and/or an inhaler, are expected to have these with them during the program in accordance with our risk management policy.

WAIVERS:
CPAWS has a master agreement with Rocky View Schools. So, if you are a Rocky View Schools teacher you DO NOT need to sign a waiver.

If you are NOT a Rocky View Schools employee, please download from this session's 'handout section' and bring along a completed CPAWS waiver. We will collect them at the start of our session. Extra blank waivers will be available on-site, just in case!

Looking forward to learning on the land with you!
This session has a participant fee of $10.50. Pre-Registration Link

Are you a teacher who's always wanted to learn how to paint like Van Gogh? Well, you're in luck! Join and learn how to paint landscapes in the style of Van Gogh using acrylics, brushes, and palette knives. You will be provided with step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process, ensuring you complete a stunning painting by the end of the session. You will walk away with a beautiful piece of art and gain the skills to implement this technique in your own art classroom. Your students are sure to love it! You'll also receive a link to a YouTube instructional video and a PowerPoint presentation to use in your art classroom. Take advantage of this opportunity to bring new creative skills to your teaching!
This session has a participant fee of $15.75. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

Come, sit down and strain your eyes with your peers as we learn basic painting techniques on 18 mm miniatures. These miniatures can be used in a plethora of board games and role playing games and are yours to take home afterwards.
This session has a participant fee of $5.25. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​