Treaties Recognition Week 2020 – First Week of November
#TDSB celebrates Treaties Recognition Week which falls in the first week of November.
This annual event honours the importance of treaties and helps students and residents of Ontario learn more about treaty rights and relationships. By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture these relationships. Government of Ontario
Here are select Online Resources to support your lessons and activities on Treaties Recognition Week:
Internet
- The Canadian Encyclopedia. (2017). Treaties with Indigenous Peoples in Canada
- EFTO. (2019). An Introduction to Treaties: Compilation of Online Resources.
- Government of Canada. Library of Congress. (2020). Treaties, Surrenders and Agreements.
- Government of Ontario. (2020). Backgrounder on Treaties in Ontario (incl, Treaties Recognition Week); The First Nations and Treaties Map; The First Nations and Treaties Map of Ontario: Information for Educators
- Historica Canada. (n.d.). Treaties in Canada: Education guide.
Videos (TDSB Virtual Library Passwords)
- CBC Curio. First Nations Land Disputes. (2015). 18 min. Gr 6-8.
- CBC Curio. Treaties, Reconciliation and Indigenous History in Canada. (2016). 54:04 min. Gr 6-8.
- McIntyre Media. The history of treaties in Canada. (2016). 14 min. Gr 9-12.
- McIntyre Media. Learning about treaties in Canada. (2016). 18 min. Gr 6-8.
eBooks via TDSB Virtual Library (TDSB Virtual Library Passwords)
- Big Timber Media. (2018). Treaties.
- TabVue. (2011). Aboriginal Treaties.
Check out all the resources in PL Resource Guide: Treaties Recognition Week (First Week of November)
TDSB Professional Library is here to serve you online, and we have started to circulating our books to TDSB locations. Please don’t hesitate to Contact Us to help you with your information needs.
Orange Shirt Day 2020 -September 30

Orange Shirt Day is observed on September 30 this year to provide an “opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind.”
The following sites contain classroom lesson ideas and activities to mark the day:
- British Columbia Teachers’ Federation. Gladys we never knew: The life of a child in a BC Indian Residential School.
- ETFO. Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters.
- The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. (2016). Orange Shirt Day Lesson Plans. (lessons in English and French)
- The Orange Shirt Day Society. Teacher Resources. (lessons in English and French)
- Toronto District School Board. (2019). Orange Shirt Day Resource Package.
eBooks on Residential Schools:
Passwords are found in http://bit.ly/VLpasswords
Resource guides to check out:
Includes books and eBooks, articles, streamed media and internet resources
- Indigenous Education Month Guide (November)
- Residential Schools
- Treaties Recognition Week (First Week of November)
Mediagraphy on Residential Schools: https://bit.ly/3c0VsE2
Includes streaming media, ebooks, DVD, novel sets in English and French covering all age levels
TDSB Professional Library is here to serve you online, and we are planning to resume print circulation shortly. Please don’t hesitate to Contact Us to help you with your information needs.
Self-Care for Teachers

This September is not just another start to the school year. It’s starting the most unprecedented and challenging school year most of us have ever known, due to the pandemic.
Now, more than ever, teachers need self-care strategies to stay strong physically, mentally and socially. Here are some strategies and tips, drawn from the links below, for teachers to enhance their self-care during this unusual school year.
We can’t control the situation. But we can control how we respond.
If we take control, plan our days and our time and our actions, then we can
feel more powerful. We can do something. We grow stronger.
– Mindful Teachers
Physical Self-Care
- Exercise regularly
- Eat healthy with more home cooked meals and mindfully
- Sleep well with a regular sleep routine as well as regular exercise and healthy diet
- Take breaks from tasks and screen to move and stretch your body and rest your eyes
Mental Self-Care
- Set aside some personal time to decompress, reflect and recharge your mental energy
- Go for a refreshing walk to appreciate nature and shift your focus away from your anxious thoughts
- Be grateful and appreciate what’s good around you to focus on the positive
- Seek opportunities to learn new skills to improve your pedagogical skills
- Celebrate your accomplishments with your colleagues, and your students
- Accept that things are always changing – adapt as best as you can
Social Self-Care
- Take care of important relationships in your life
- Stay connected to your family and friends via social media or even phone
- Have a confidant at school with whom you can share or unload your week’s trials, tribulations, and small or large student academic or behavior victories
Sources
- Classroom Educator Mental Health and Well-Being Resources. TDSB
- Don’t Forget About Yourself Words of Wisdom on Special Education Teacher Self-Care. Teaching Exceptional Children (TDSB Ebsco Password)
- Prioritizing Self-Care While Working From Home. Edutopia
- Self-Care amongst First-Year Teachers. Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research (TDSB Ebsco Password)
- Teachers Self Care. Mindful Teachers.
TDSB Professional Library serves the TDSB education community. Please contact professionallibrary@tdsb.on.ca if you have an information request.
TDSB Professional Library
Contact Us
New eBooks from TDSB Professional Library

Check out our newest eBooks for TDSB Staff: bit.ly/PLNeweBooksSummer2020
We hope to be re-starting our print lending service via school courier shortly, but in the meantime we have been investing in our growing collection of hundreds of eBooks that you can read anywhere, anytime.
Watch our 3-minute video on Professional Library eBooks to learn more, or read the instructions below.
eBooks can be accessed via our Ebooks Pinterest Board (Pinterest account required) or directly from a search of the Library Catalogue (always use your Catalogue Login at top right of screen using the padlock icon before you begin).
Simple steps to access EBooks on our Pinterest Board:
- Tip: it’s easiest if you Login to the Library Catalogue in your browser before you go to Pinterest.
- Select an eBook from the Ebooks Pinterest Board by clicking on the image of the eBook.
- Click on the image again which takes you to the book record in the Library Catalogue .
- Click on the Click here to access link in the Catalogue. If you are prompted for a password it can be found at: bit.ly/PLpasswords NOTE: If you’re not already logged into the Library Catalogue within your browser before you start, you will need to backtrack a bit — Login at top right of screen using the padlock icon and then go back again to the Pinterest board and click on the image for the book you want to read.
- Read the eBook online (PDF, EPUB or HTML format).
NOTE: Some of our eBooks have limited numbers of copies available, and we do not yet have a PLACE HOLD function, if all the copies of the title you want are currently in use please try again later.
Please contact us (professionallibrary@tdsb.on.ca) if you have any trouble accessing our eBooks or want to learn more about download options.
The TDSB Professional Library continues to serve the TDSB education community throughout the school closure – online!
Contact professionallibrary@tdsb.on.ca if you need any help.
Contact Us
International Day of Families – May 15, 2020 @tdsb
#InternationalDayofFamilies is observed on May 15 each year, but this year under the unique situation of the pandemic, people all over the world are embracing their families in new ways.
This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families. United Nations
We all know how important our families are to us, but find out what experts are saying about how families and caring relationships at school impact student learning and well being – through the resource guides below.
Check out the online resources under articles, eBooks and internet resources.
Caring Relationships (resource guide)
Parent and Community Engagement (resource guide)
TDSB Professional Library is continuing to serve the TDSB education community through the school closure – online! Contact professionallibrary@tdsb.on.ca if you have any information request.
Please note that Reserved Print Books will not be sent during the School Closure.
TDSB Professional Library
Contact Us
eBooks for Educators – Always Available!
Even though we can’t get our print books to you right now, the TDSB Professional Library has a growing collection of hundreds of eBooks that you can read anywhere, anytime.
Watch our 3-minute video on Professional Library eBooks to learn more, or read the instructions below.
eBooks can be accessed via our Ebooks Pinterest Board (Pinterest account required) or directly from a search of the Library Catalogue (always use your Catalogue Login at top right of screen using the Key icon before you begin).
Simple steps to access EBooks on our Pinterest Board:
- Tip: it’s easiest if you Login to the Library Catalogue in your browser before you go to Pinterest.
- Select an eBook from the Ebooks Pinterest Board by clicking on the image of the eBook.
- Click on the image again which takes you to the book record in the Library Catalogue .
- Click on the Click here to access link in the Catalogue. If you are prompted for a password it can be found at: bit.ly/PLpasswords NOTE: If you’re not already logged into the Library Catalogue within your browser before you start, you will need to backtrack a bit — Login at top right of screen using the Key icon and then go back again to the Pinterest board and click on the image for the book you want to read.
- Read the eBook online (PDF, EPUB or HTML format).
NOTE: Some of our eBooks have limited numbers of copies available, and we do not yet have a PLACE HOLD function, if all the copies of the title you want are currently in use please try again later.
Please contact us (professionallibrary@tdsb.on.ca) if you have any trouble accessing our eBooks or want to learn more about download options.
The TDSB Professional Library continues to serve the TDSB education community throughout the school closure – online!
Contact professionallibrary@tdsb.on.ca if you need any help.
Contact Us
Pride Month – June 2020 @tdsb #PrideTDSB
June is Pride Month when the LGBTQ community celebrates – but this year is different! Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures Pride Toronto has issued the following: PRESS RELEASE: PRIDE TORONTO TO HOST VIRTUAL PRIDE MONTH AND ONLINE PRIDE PARADE ON JUNE 28, 2020
The TDSB Professional Library has curated an LGBTQ Resource Guide for Educators, including many online resources you can access immediately.
Also check out this current article on supporting LGBTQ students during social distancing:
Collins, C. (2020, April 8). Supporting LGBTQ Students During Social Distancing Experts at The Trevor Project offered their recommendations for ways educators can support LGBTQ students through coronavirus school closures. Teaching Tolerance.
TDSB Professional Library is continuing to serve the TDSB education community through the school closure – online! Contact professionallibrary@tdsb.on.ca if you have need any help.
Please note that Reserved Print Books will not be sent during the School Closure.
TDSB Professional Library
Contact Us
Earth Day – April 22, 2020 #tdsb
Earth Day 2020 is observed on Wednesday, April 22. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Climate Action – taking action to turn the tides of climate change to save our environment.
The enormous challenges — but also the vast opportunities — of acting on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable. Earth Day 2020
More information on Climate Change can be found in the resource guides below:
Climate Change – Educator (Google site)
Climate Change – Parent/Guardian (Google site)
Environmental Sustainability/Climate Change
TDSB Professional Library is continuing to serve the TDSB education community through the school closure – online! Contact professionallibrary@tdsb.on.ca if you have any information request.
Please note that Reserved Print Books will not be sent during the School Closure.
TDSB Professional Library
Contact Us
Taking a AQ course or Want to catch up on Professional Reading?
TDSB Professional Library is here to support your information needs during the school closure.
Contact us with your requests and we’ll respond with relevant online resources.
Email us at professionallibrary@tdsb.on.ca for custom searching
Check out our Online Resources 24/7:
Resource Guides: bit.ly/DirectoryResourceListsPL (over 120 guides listing Articles, eBooks and internet resources)
Ebooks: Pinterest eBooks (Use login info found in bit.ly/PLAccessArticlesEbooks)
Click on the book image to access the eBooks via the Catalogue
Journals and Articles: bit.ly/PLAccessArticlesEbooks
Click on the links to the online journal databases and enter usernames and passwords to search for articles.
Social Media Sites: twitter@ProfLibraryTDSB, pinterest.com/proflib, bit.ly/TDSBPLblog
Keep current on new books/eBooks, resource guides and more.
We are here for you!
Earth Hour – Saturday, March 28, 2020 (8:30 – 9:30 pm) #tdsb
#Earth Hour will be observed this Saturday at 8:30 pm. Started in 2007 by WWF, it’s celebrated on the last Saturday of March by switching off the lights for an hour to call attention to climate change. It’s one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment that everyone around the globe can participate.
Protecting nature is one of the most immediate, powerful, and cost-effective solutions to the climate crisis – Earth Hour
Learn more about how to stop the climate change from the information found in the following websites and resource guide developed by TDSB Library Learning Resources, TDSB Global Competencies & STEM, and TDSB Professional Library.
- Climate Change – Educator (Google site)
- Climate Change – Parent/Guardian (Google site)
- Environmental Sustainability/Climate Change (Resource guide)
TDSB educators can reserve Professional Library books and read eBooks online through the catalogue. To access eBooks, please use the TDSB passwords found in bit.ly/PLAccessArticlesEbooks.
Please note that TDSB Professional Library is here to support you online during the school closure!
TDSB Professional Library
Contact Us About Us