Blog Posts

The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) is a research-based instructional model designed to enhance the education of multilingual learners by integrating language development with content instruction. SIOP provides a comprehensive framework that helps teachers create inclusive and effective classrooms.

We are thrilled to share some of the exciting learning opportunities and resources we have developed for the 2024-2025 school year. Our Curriculum Team is dedicated to supporting educators in delivering high-quality instruction that positively impacts student learning across all grade levels.

Since Spring 2023, our Digital Learning department has been diligently keeping abreast of all new developments in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its impact on teaching and learning in K-12 education. We have been participating in various professional learning events, collaborating with Districts across the province and the country, and researching AI tools that could be responsibly and ethically leveraged by Abbotsford educators to enhance the learning experience for our K-12 students.

The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) is a powerful instructional model designed to support English learners (ELs) in their academic journey. Developed by Jana Echevarría, MaryEllen Vogt, and Deborah J. Short, SIOP provides educators with a comprehensive framework for creating inclusive and effective classrooms.

In my role as the Numeracy Helping Teacher, students and teachers alike often tell me that they are not a “math person” when we’re working together. I’ve learned that this means they likely haven’t had many opportunities to experience math with a focus on numeracy. But what is numeracy? Isn’t it the same thing as mathematics? Not quite…

Recently the helping teachers and administrators from the Curriculum, LSS and Indigenous departments came together to experience and discuss the assets within our community. When we view diversity and culture through an asset-based lens, we work toward ensuring equity for all. Asset-based mindsets focus on the background, skills and knowledge that individuals and communities bring to each other. You may ask, why does an asset-based approach matter? Our district is becoming more and more diverse.

In today's digital world, network security is a top priority for school districts to consider. With cyber-attacks becoming more sophisticated and prevalent, it is essential to have a robust security system in place.  The Abbotsford School District already has such a system for our wireless networks and the ITC department has begun working on a project to leverage the same system for our wired network.

Language instruction helps build the cultural competence of individual cultures and those worldwide. When educators foster culturally sustaining inclusive environments, it creates opportunities for students of all cultures to thrive. When students see themselves within texts, language, and materials, this helps build engagement, trust, and a sense of belonging.

Did you know that we have a whole team of people here at the Curriculum Department ready to support you in learning more about Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction?

There has been much news around the latest AI Chat Bot called ChatGPT. Some people call it a game changer; others have concerns about society’s reliance on technology to do our thinking for us.

At the Information Technology (IT) Department, we have been playing around with the platform and have even successfully used it to create, modify and troubleshoot some of the scripts we use for basic automation tasks.

For fun, I wondered how well ChatGBT might know the K-12 system. So I asked it a few questions. Here are its answers, which took approximately 2 seconds to create: