CATCA 2025: Full Schedule

9:00am MST

The ‘Not So Happily Ever After’ Storytelling Workshop

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

This workshop takes attendees on a magical journey through the origins of classic fairy tales, showing how storytelling principles as told through the lens of centuries old tales can inform modern writing techniques. Before two Grimm brothers compiled a collection of 'happily ever after' fairy tales, there existed the 'not so happy ever after' fairy tales. This interactive session is designed to empower teachers to inspire students through purely silly fun with a dark twist and a singular writing lesson: all stories must teach a lesson.

Speakers

Andrew Buckley

Author/Speaker/Creator

Today, he’s a traditional and self-published novelist of rather silly, yet enjoyable speculative fiction for all ages, a comic book writer, screenwriter, podcaster, creator, and speaker. For over 20 years, he’s worked in the dreaded world of marketing as a content creator, copywriter... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 1503

Language Arts (TQS 3), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9) | Drama & Dance (TQS 3), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9) | English Additional Language [EAL/ESL](TQS/LQS 4), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9)

10:20am MST

From Concept to Script - Screenwriting Workshop

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST

RDP Room 1437

Speakers

Andrew Buckley

Author/Speaker/Creator

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 1437

1:00pm MST

Unlocking Potential: Top Strategies for Empowering Language Learners in Your Classroom

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

RDP Room 2503

This engaging and informative session is designed to provide educators with effective strategies to support and empower additional language learners in their classrooms. Drawing from the latest research and best practices, we will explore practical approaches to enhance language development and academic success for multilingual students.

Speakers

Angela Skene

I am an educator based in Alberta with a Master's degree in English Language Learners, which I earned in 2019 from the University of North Dakota. My goal is to make learning exciting and to tailor my teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each student. I am deeply passionate... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 2503

English Additional Language [EAL/ESL](TQS/LQS 4), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12)

1:00pm MST

The ‘Trick or Treat’ Horror Writing Workshop

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

RDP Room 1503

It's time to get creepy! This genre-bending workshop will take attendees through the horrors of . . . well . . . writing a horror. Highlighting the psychology of fear, we'll explore common horror tropes in storytelling, the formula for building a chilling tale, and put together a complete story outline for a horror movie (featuring workshop attendees). This interactive session provides teachers with the necessary tools to plan and break a discussion-based story plan. Touching upon principles of storytelling and genre writing, with a horror-infused twist, this interactive workshop is not for the faint of heart!

Speakers

Andrew Buckley

Author/Speaker/Creator

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 1503

Language Arts (TQS 3), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12) | English Additional Language [EAL/ESL](TQS/LQS 4), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12)

2:20pm MST

Artificial Intelligence - The Creative World of Our Robot Overlords

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST

RDP Room 1503

AI has emerged as a tool that school-aged children have embraced, and consequently, has become a headache for teachers everywhere. This workshop offers an open discussion forum to teach the pros and cons of AI while laughing about how we’ll all eventually be replaced by talking toasters. Most importantly, it also provides useful tools and advice on how to use AI as a creative tool for writing projects.

Speakers

Andrew Buckley

Author/Speaker/Creator

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
RDP Room 1503

Technology (TQS/LQS 2), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9) | Language Arts (TQS 3), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9) | Educational Research (TQS/LQS 2), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9) | English Additional Language [EAL/ESL](TQS/LQS 4), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9)

9:00am MST

EdCamp-EAL/ESL

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

RDP Room AC142 (Arts Centre)

EdCamp - EAL/ESL

With the increased number of English Language Learners across central Alberta, more and more teachers are working with English Language Learners. This collaborative session will provide educators the opportunity to discuss best practices in supporting EAL/ESL students and to ask questions about this area. Here is the document you will work from: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lGbYXhyt0rBrRRKdk3uZQqCXXYL9FMa9LxiYoi5LzI8/edit?usp=sharing

Speakers

Gaylene Mackay

Gaylene has been working in the field of EAL for the past 21 years. She currently works as EAL Lead Teacher for Red Deer Public Schools and has taught and supported English Language Learners at the high school and middle school level. Additionally, Gaylene serves as president of the... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room AC142 (Arts Centre)

English Additional Language [EAL/ESL](TQS/LQS 4), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12) | Reflection/Collaboration (TQS/LQS 2), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12)

Collaboration-EdCamp Edcamp-EAL/ESL

1:00pm MST

Vocabulary Development Across Disciplines

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

RDP Room 1408

This session will focus on the essential need for academic vocabulary development to build a strong foundation for academic success for EAL (and all) students. During this session, we will look at key terminology, theories, and frameworks that underpin vocabulary acquisition. Additionally, we will examine practical strategies to enhance vocabulary development in all subject areas.

Speakers