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One resource I would add to my Professional Learning Network is TeacherFuel, a Canadian education blog focused on practical teaching strategies and classroom ideas. I would find this resource useful as a Junior educator because it includes content related to student engagement, differentiation, inclusive education, classroom community, social-emotional learning, and student well-being.

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Bryn

I ended up here when I was looking further into Text Structure Instruction discussed in the "The Science of Reading Comprehension Instruction" reading.

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Explore reading basics as well as the key role of background knowledge and motivation in becoming a lifelong reader and learner. Watch our PBS Launching Young Readers series and try our self-paced Reading 101 course to deepen your understanding.

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Articles about instructional strategies and building Professional Learning Networks

This project-based learning (PBL) unit invites students to explore one of the most influential forces in their lives—social media. Through the lens of mental health, identity, and digital citizenship, students investigate the complex relationship between social media and how we see ourselves and others. Grounded in design thinking, students move through empathy, research, ideation, prototyping, and testing to create real-world solutions that raise awareness, inspire change, or support healthy digital habits. Along the way, they practice essential skills for the future like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity—preparing them for success beyond the classroom.

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Open resources for K-12 educators on virtual teaching and STEM

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Bryn likes this.

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Power up your Edutopia experience with our Homeroom feed! This is our most personalized offering ever, designed to deliver you an endlessly useful experience every time you visit.

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Soooo many links to teacher support material etc... Including to Class Dojo which I have been talking a lot about in my posts and will be using myself this year.

Enjoy! :)

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PSST: Professional Support and Strategies for Teachers

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Empowering new educators through community, resources and mentorship.

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The First 20 Days of Math - Bryn Raymond

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The First 20 Days of Math - Bryn Raymond

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I have been integrating The First 20 Days of Math program into my math teaching Practice at the start of the school year for years. It gets kids ready for math but focuses entirely on SEL and overcoming the fear of math and the "I'm just not a math person" mindset. I would recommend it to anyone to help softly immerse their students into math at the beginning of the school year.

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First 20 Days of Math - SCDSB - Google Slides

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Simcoe County District School Board's Math Team has created this informative document. Click the relevant grade to access the resources.

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Bryn Raymond - I love the simple suggestions in both of these.

Self-Regulation Strategies for Students in Preschool and Elementary School | Edutopia

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How Teachers Can Reinforce to Students That They Matter

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Small classroom changes and gestures that emphasize relationships, growth, and well-being can have a big impact on students.

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Bryn Raymond -

I Love the videos on Edutopia! I was first introduced at a PD session where the presenter was using videos she had found there but never actually told us about Edutopia.

I did a little research and found a plethora of excellent teaching strategies and ideas etc....anything you need help with; ideas are just a search away.

I found a great video about Class Norms where the students in the class explained their choices and how they used them.

From that moment I was hooked on Edutopia ...and class norms.

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Mental Health Supports & Curriculum Planning 

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Mental Health Supports & Curriculum Planning 

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Meagan Bergeron

School Mental Health Ontario is another resource that I believe every educator should have bookmarked. As students enter the Junior grades, many begin navigating significant social, emotional, developmental, and hormonal changes. Having access to practical strategies and classroom resources to support their mental health and well-being is just as important as supporting their academic achievement. I appreciate that the resources are designed specifically for Ontario educators and can be implemented in the classroom immediately.

Additionally, TVO Learn has become one of my favourite resources for planning lessons in the Junior division. I have used it many times because it offers complete, Ontario curriculum-aligned lesson plans for Grades 4–6 that include the Minds On, Action, and Consolidation components across a wide variety of subject areas. Even when I do not use an entire lesson, I often adapt the activities to meet the needs of my students. I hope this resource is helpful to other Junior educators who are looking for engaging, ready-to-use lessons while still having the flexibility to differentiate instruction.

https://tvolearn.com/

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The evidence and answers you need when you need them
Download the Leading Mentally Healthy Schools ebook, our comprehensive leadership guide packed with actionable ideas based on the latest evidence.

Find evidence-informed information and resources relevant to your role

Educators and student support staff

Latest news

Last fall SMH-ON introduced the Identity-Affirming School Mental Health Frame for Reflection and Action. The ...

Though the holiday season is often equated with warmth, joy, festivity and happy moments with ...

What can we help you find?

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Find evidence-informed resources and information to support student mental health

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Hi all, I posted above about Pam Harris. She has really revolutionized my teaching practice and I strongly suggest checking out her facebook page. Elizabeth :)

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Edutopia https://www.edutopia.org/
A great source for practical teaching strategies, classroom management, project-based learning, student well-being, and equity.

Cult of Pedagogy https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/
Offers podcasts, articles, and teaching tips on assessment, classroom management, inclusive teaching, and professional growth.

Instagram: @theteachermindset
Posts classroom management ideas, teaching strategies, and resources that support student well-being and positive classroom culture.

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https://www.edutopia.org/article/integrating-sel-curriculum/

To enhance my professional learning, I tend to gravitate to Edutopia. This particular article discusses practical strategies for integrating social-emotional learning into reading, writing, mathematics, and collaborative activities. This resource would be valuable because it supports both student achievement and student well-being while offering ideas that can be applied in a Junior classroom.

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Integrating SEL Throughout the Day in Elementary School

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These strategies can help elementary students build social and emotional learning skills while maintaining academic standards.

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One blog that supports my interest in visibly random grouping is The Heart and Art of Teaching and Learning. In the post “Building Thinking Classrooms: The Ice Cream Problem,” the author explains that students often recognize when groups have been arranged according to ability, behaviour, or another teacher-selected criterion. Making the process visibly random through cards, popsicle sticks, or a digital randomizer helps students trust that the groups have not been socially or academically engineered. I would follow this blog because it connects Peter Liljedahl’s research to practical experiences in Ontario elementary classrooms and offers ideas that could be applied with Junior learners.

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As educators, we know how important strong home school partnerships are. When families feel connected to what is happening in the classroom, they are often able to better able to support their child’s learning and engage in meaningful conversations. The challenge, of course, is finding the time to communicate while balancing everything else we do each day.

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Scholastic resource helps me during Numeracy and Literacy Blocks :- Swati Bhardwaj

1. Scholastic is an amazing resource to add to your professional learning plan as it provides quality resources for teaching curriculum.

Format: Website, teaching resources, articles, books, professional learning

Official Website:

http://www.scholastic.com

Description:

Scholastic offers classroom resources that focus on lesson planning, literacy, books, articles, classroom magazines, and professional learning resources. They provide reading writing, inquiry based learning, social emotional learning, culturally responsive, and offer seasonal activities as well as advice to get to know your students and help engage them in all learning areas.

Why I am recommending this resource:

I am recommending this resource because it offers quality and easy to use resources that can be implemented into the classroom for Junior learners easily. I love how they have so many options for engaging books to spark any student's interest while also learning in a way that suits their needs. All of their professional articles and teaching ideas allow me to see what is currently engaging students while also providing me with helpful tips to learn to adapt to suit my students' needs.

2. School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON)

Format: Website, professional learning, webinars, classroom resources, lesson supports

Official Website: School Mental Health Ontario

Description:

School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) is the Ontario Government’s ministry-led school mental health partnership. It is focused on providing resources, professional learning, classroom tools, webinars, and evidence-based resources that will support school boards in fostering student mental health, wellbeing, and positive school climates. Resources are organized to support educators, administrators, students, and family members. Additionally, there is a range of tools to address mental health topics like anxiety, managing stress, bullying, and cultural competence.

Why I recommend this resource:

I would like to recommend School Mental Health Ontario because resources are developed for Ontario teachers and align with Ontario curriculum and ministry priorities. This portal offers relevant, evidence-based strategies and tools that can be used right away. As a Junior teacher, I will use the materials to support student social-emotional learning, develop positive classroom culture and climate, and respond to student mental health needs in the classroom. Finally, it is a great place to continue my professional learning in education, especially to gain knowledge about students’ wellbeing and social-emotional learning.

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Scholastic | 442,510 followers on LinkedIn. The global children's publishing, education and media company | Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, a leading provider of core literacy curriculum and professional services, and a producer of educational and entertaining children's media. The Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12, classroom magazines and other products and services that support children's learning both in school and at home. With operations in 14 international offices and exports to 165 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom collections, school and public libraries, retail and online.

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It is website, it is specially given by my host teacher where we can make good lessons. It is main focused is to make good lessons according to Ontario curriculum. Provides free lessons, activities, and videos for Grades K–12.

https://www.otffeo.on.ca/en/

It is Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF). It is main task is professional learning, teacher leadership, advocacy, equity.

OTF provides professional development, webinars, learning resources, and educational research for Ontario teachers. It also advocates for quality public education and supports teachers throughout their careers. Following OTF will help me stay informed about current educational practices, curriculum updates, and professional learning opportunities that support student achievement, equity, and well-being.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/professional-learning-networks-teachers/

I selected this resource because it highlights the value of connecting with educators beyond my own school. The article emphasizes that a Professional Learning Network helps teachers exchange ideas, collaborate on best practices, and stay current with new teaching strategies. As a future Junior teacher, I can use a PLN to learn from experienced educators, discover innovative instructional approaches, and access resources that support student achievement, equity, inclusion, and mental health. Building a strong PLN will also encourage continuous reflection and lifelong professional growth.

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Stay Connected

Sign up for the TVO Learn Newsletter. Discover engaging ways to support learning. Connects families to the Ontario K-12 curriculum.

Active Body, Healthy Mind

Check out these health and wellness resources to foster and support your child's health and wellness during the pandemic. A healthy, active child means a child ready to learn.

Help Your Child Stay on Track with TVO

These free online learning resources make it easier for you to support your child in progressing through the Ontario Curriculum: Math, Language, Science, Social Studies, and more. Understand what your child needs to learn and get started.

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Learn at Home Resources for K to Grade 12 Students

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Support your child's learning with straightforward, engaging and free resources that align with the Ontario curriculum, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

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Muddying the Waters between Personal and Professional: Extending Our Learning 

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Muddying the Waters between Personal and Professional: Extending Our Learning 

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Meagan Troop

(1) https://dschool.stanford.edu/innovate

The D-School: Open access to evidence-based resources and toolkits for teaching and learning, strategies to promote creative and critical thinking at programmatic and course levels for K-12 and higher education, and interdisciplinary professional development opportunities.

(2) https://hybridpedagogy.org/tag/digital-pedagogy-lab/

An online journal that highlights educator reflections and literature-informed posts on a variety of topics that centre on critical pedagogy at the intersections of assessment, teaching, scholarship and research, accessibility, and open practices, with primers on digital pedagogy and online learning.

(3) https://educart.ca/en/

A website developed by the Montreal museum of fine arts that offers open access resources, activities and professional development for educators interested in including fine arts and/or interdisciplinary lessons that integrate arts-based approaches

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Innovate - Design Tools & Learning for Change

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Explore Stanford d.school’s Innovate resources to learn design thinking, access creative tools, and apply practical methods for real-world impact.

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Extending your Professional learning Community- Brodey Goodhue

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Extending your Professional learning Community- Brodey Goodhue

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1.       Junior Teachers Ontario. Facebook Group. URL: https://www.facebook.com/groups/545448295906443/

I came across this in my research and it is a designated Facebook group for Junior teachers in Ontario that allows teachers teaching this division to share lesson plans, resources, or any additional ideas for their classroom. I think this would be a good resource to follow as it would give many ideas to create engaging content for our classes.

2.       Ontario Association for Junior Educators. URL: https://sites.google.com/site/oajeducators/about-us?authuser=0

Another resource I found. This also relates to Junior education, and it ensures a designated area where the focus is on the junior years, with discussions and information on current initiatives and issues to junior education, as well as linking Ministry of Education and Training and access to materials and publications. It also acts as an advocacy body where teachers can voice their concerns or promote the interests of the students.

3.       Benjamin Shaw (@brofessorshaw) on Instagram. URL: https://www.instagram.com/brofessorshaw/

I came across his Instagram page earlier in the year. He is an elementary school teacher in Texas and gives advice on classroom management, daily routines being an elementary teacher, and resource ideas for teachers. While he mainly teaches Grade 3, I think the content and classroom management strategies can be developed in the Junior years in our provincial curriculum and the information he provides can be a fun way to get junior students engaged.

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This is a resource I have been following on social media. This resources helps teachers refine their craft, understand learning theories and connect with the raw emotions of teaching.

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I came across this wonderful resource that has free lesson plans, classroom management strategies, and great activities tailored for elementary school teachers. Tons of great ideas!

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We Are Teachers - Ideas and inspiration for reaching the next generation

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We Are Teachers is a proud community of K-12 educators, sharing ideas, resources, and awesome freebies and giveaways.

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Extending your Professional Learning Community

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My Junior Education Professional Learning Network (PLN) Finds

1. Social Media Group: Fourth and Fifth Grade Teachers (Facebook Group) Having seen how language gaps and busy schedules isolate families during my past teaching practice, I value this group for its instant peer support. It is a great space to grab visual graphic organizers and diverse resources shared by real teachers facing the exact same daily classroom barriers.

2. Website / Blog: Edutopia (Junior & Middle Years Section)

This platform is perfect because it translates heavy academic theory into quick, actionable classroom strategies. I can easily find proven ideas focused directly on Junior student achievement, mental health, and equity without filtering through irrelevant content.

3. Professional Blog: Cult of Pedagogy by Jennifer Gonzalez

I appreciate honesty and simplicity in professional growth. This blog cuts right through corporate jargon to deliver straight, practical advice on classroom management and low-stakes assessments, helping me keep student anxiety low and engagement high.

4. Social Media / Media Channel: EdCan Network (Canada)

Since I am building my career here, I need resources that align perfectly with Canadian educational frameworks. This network is ideal because its specific focus on equity, indigenous perspectives, and student well-being initiatives directly matches the goals of our local curriculum.

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EXTENDING YOUR PERSONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY

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EXTENDING YOUR PERSONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY

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Christina Bosco

1. Edutopia

A rich source of research‑informed strategies for Grades 3–8, including SEL, literacy, equity, and classroom management.

Link: https://www.edutopia.org

Focus areas: student engagement, well‑being, culturally responsive teaching

2. Ontario Teachers’ Federation – Teaching Resources

Supports Ontario educators with curriculum‑aligned resources, mental health supports, and professional learning.

Link: https://www.otffeo.on.ca

Focus areas: equity, assessment, mental health

3. Cult of Pedagogy (Jennifer Gonzalez)

One of the most respected education blogs and podcasts. Strong focus on instructional design, classroom culture, and teacher well‑being.

Link: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com

Focus areas: pedagogy, classroom management, teacher growth

4. The Learning Network (The New York Times)

Provides writing prompts, current events resources, and discussion‑ready materials for junior learners.

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/section/learning

Focus areas: literacy, critical thinking, global awareness

5. School Mental Health Ontario

Ontario‑specific, evidence‑based mental health resources for educators.

Link: https://smho-smso.ca

Focus areas: mental health, well‑being, trauma‑informed practice

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Edutopia shares evidence-based teaching strategies, classroom management ideas, social-emotional learning (SEL) resources, project-based learning, and technology integration. It is a great source for improving student engagement and achievement.

https://www.instagram.com/sylviaduckworth/?hl=en

Sylvia Duckworth is an amazing educator and visual thinker whose sketchnotes make complex educational ideas easy to understand and remember. She regularly shares practical teaching strategies, professional learning resources, and inspiring visuals on topics such as growth mindset, student well-being, inclusion, etc. Following her is a great way to stay connected with creative ideas and ongoing professional learning.

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Your goal is to enhance your professional learning in support of student achievement, equity, mental health and well-being and to connect with other Junior educators. Add your websites, blogs and social media finds to this collaborative document. DON'T FORGET TO ADD YOUR NAME!

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https://www.facebook.com/MathIsFigureOutAble. I would highly suggest following Pam Harris on Social Media and taking part of her free "Math Challenges" that she hosts live 2 or 3 times a year. She is excellent at making junior math topics accessible to students through problem strings.