President’s Message Rachel CollishawFor many social studies teachers, February marks a new semester. The sun is returning to all of us across Canada and we also recognize the new year in the Asian calendar. This issue of Salon includes inspiration for a new start and the practical resources that...

Classroom conversations begin by overtly and intentionally speaking about how we communicate. Before starting any dialogue or deliberation, take time to establish group norms.

Do you really know what economists do? Or even wondered how the global economy works? In an effort to clarify the economy — and to dispel the myth that economics is mostly “math and boring work” — the Bank of Canada Museum has launched The Central Bank in Your Classroom, a new speaker series that brings an economist or data analyst into high school and university classrooms.

Recently, I attended an event in Calgary reminiscent of the French Revolutionary salons—small gatherings fostering spirited discussion. Our small group met in a private home to reflect upon the future of democracy in Canada.

On Friday October 24th, the BCSSTA held its annual conference at Simon Fraser University for the second time in four years. 500+ educators from across the province took part in both online as well as in-person workshops and speaker sessions delivered by teachers, professors, non-profit organizations, and experts on a variety of topics related to primarily secondary level Social Studies courses. We also hosted 30 exhibitors and vendors providing opportunities from educational travel and museum experiences to government and non-governmental civic interest groups.

On Friday October 24th, MSSTA held our annual MTS PD event at Chief Peguis Middle School in Winnipeg. Over 300 educators from across the province took part in over 50 concurrent sessions delivered by teachers, non-profit organizations and experts on a variety of topics related to teaching all levels of Social Sciences courses. Additionally, over 40 organizations provided displays to help educators engage and support students in the Social Sciences.

In early December, the Quebec Association for Social Studies Education (AQEUS) held its annual conference in Rivière-du-Loup. The event brought together nearly 200 participants in person, with about ten more joining online. In an educational context marked by numerous organizational and budgetary challenges, this gathering nevertheless allowed the social studies community to come together, exchange ideas, and reflect collectively on teaching practices.

In a context where social, economic, and environmental issues are becoming increasingly complex, it is essential to equip young people with the tools to understand how public decisions are made — and how they can take part in them. This is precisely the goal of the Politics 101 program, developed by Action Canada for Youth Engagement.

Each year, the Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust (CCLET) presents a nation-wide high school essay/video contest to commemorate the work of Bernard Chernos. Student entries address pressing and timely civil liberties issues in Canada. Entries can be submitted either as essays or as videos for a chance to win cash prizes of up to $750!