A note of support
To Alberta’s teachers: thank you. Strikes are never easy, and the decision to walk out is about the long-term health of public education—class sizes, resources, and the conditions students learn in every day. As of Monday, October 6, 2025, teachers across Alberta began a province-wide strike, and many divisions have suspended classes. Lethbridge News Now+1
This post has two goals:
- to stand with educators advocating for better learning conditions, and
- to help parents keep stress low and learning steady while kids are home.
What to know today (quick facts)
- A province-wide teachers’ strike began October 6, 2025; ~51,000 teachers are participating. Check your division’s updates for local details. Lethbridge News Now+1
- The Government of Alberta has a Parent Supports During School Closure page (learning resources, child-care options, and information about a parent payment program). Use only the official Alberta.ca page; avoid third-party “portals.” Alberta.ca
How to use this guide
You don’t need to recreate school. Aim for 60–120 minutes of focused learning, then movement and creative time. Pick one reading, one math, one inquiry/creative, and movement each day. Younger learners do shorter bursts (10–20 minutes); older students can work in 25–40 minute blocks.
Ages 4–7 (K–2): a playful day
Reading (15–20 min)
- Read aloud; child retells with three quick drawings (beginning/middle/end).
- “Picture walk”: look through illustrations first, predict the story, then read to check.
Writing (10 min)
- “3-Sentence News”: Today I…, I noticed…, I wonder…
Math (15–20 min)
- Dice math: roll two dice and add/subtract; jump answers on a tape number line.
- Shape hunt: find 5 circles, 5 rectangles, 5 triangles around the home.
Science (10–15 min)
- Sink/float: test 8–10 kitchen items; sort and explain why.
Movement (10+ min)
- Pattern hops (clap-clap-jump; stomp-stomp-spin). Child invents the next pattern.
Choice time
- Blocks, puzzles, coloring with a “find 5 shapes” prompt.
Ages 8–11 (Gr 3–5): curious and hands-on
Reading to learn (20–30 min)
- Nonfiction page or short article; create a “5-Fact Bookmark.”
Writing (15 min)
- How-to paragraph (teach a favorite game). Underline the verbs.
Math (20 min)
- Kitchen fractions: halve or double a simple snack recipe.
- Area & perimeter: measure a room with footsteps; sketch and label.
Science/Inquiry (15–20 min)
- Paper airplanes: change one variable (wing length), chart distances.
Civics chat (10 min)
- What is a strike? Why do people advocate? Keep it neutral; focus on fairness and problem-solving.
Ages 12–14 (Gr 6–8): build skills across subjects
Read & react (25 min)
- Article of choice + 1-paragraph RACE response (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain).
Math in the wild (25 min)
- Budget a mini grocery list with unit prices; compute percent discounts from a flyer.
Science/Tech (20 min)
- Tallest paper tower from 10 sheets + tape; reflect on stability (what worked/why).
Writing (15 min)
- Mini-op-ed: “One change that would improve learning conditions.”
Ages 15–18 (High school): independent and relevant
Deep reading (30–40 min)
- Novel chapter or long-form article + Cornell notes.
Applied math (30 min)
- Compare two cell plans: monthly and annual cost including taxes.
Project sprint (30–60 min)
- One-pager: topic, why it matters, two credible sources, next steps.
Community literacy (15 min)
- Read to a younger sibling or record a 3-minute explainer video.
Subject mini-menus (pick two per day)
ELA
- Book-to-movie compare notes.
- Found poetry from a newspaper/ad flyer.
- Character interview: 6 questions in the character’s voice.
Math
- Pantry “price-per-100g” audit.
- Design a mini-golf hole; estimate angles/distances.
- Probability with a deck of cards (red/black, suits, simple combos).
Science
- Habitat walk: list producers/consumers/decomposers.
- Kitchen chemistry: baking soda + vinegar—test different ratios.
- Moon-phase sketch journal (check the sky nightly if clear).
Social Studies
- Family migration map (where people came from/why).
- Intergenerational interview: school then vs. now.
- Analyze a local news story—identify topic, stakeholders, and possible bias.
Arts/PE
- 20-minute movement circuit (walk, stairs, body-weight moves).
- Draw a room to scale (1 square = 0.5 m).
- Create a playlist that matches a poem’s mood; explain the choices.
A routine that lowers stress
- Morning: Reading + one mini-menu activity
- Midday: Movement + math
- Afternoon: Project/creative + outdoor time
Close with a 2-minute “rose/thorn/bud” reflection.
How families can support teachers (constructively)
- Follow official updates from your school division and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA). Ecsd+1
- Use the Government of Alberta’s Parent Supports During School Closure page for learning resources and information; the province warns that any third-party site asking for personal/financial info is not official. Alberta.ca
- Share positive stories about teachers’ impact; if you contact representatives, keep messages respectful and student-centred.
Safety, accessibility, and inclusion notes
- Offer screen-free options when bandwidth or devices are limited.
- Use timers (10–25 minutes) and movement between tasks.
- For sensory/attention needs: audiobooks, fidgets, visual schedules, and shorter task chunks.
- Keep supplies simple: pencils, paper, tape, scissors, a ruler (or string), recyclables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a strike?
According to the ATA, teachers cite classroom overcrowding, resources, and working conditions as key issues. After teachers rejected a tentative agreement (89.5% voting “no”), the strike was set to begin on October 6, 2025. Alberta Teachers’ Association+1
Is this truly province-wide?
Yes. Coverage from multiple outlets and ATA statements describe a province-wide action with approximately 51,000 teachers participating. CityNews Montreal
Where do I find official, non-scam information about supports?
Use Alberta’s Parent Supports During School Closure page on Alberta.ca. The province warns that the “parent payment” portal will appear there when it opens; avoid any site asking for personal or banking details. Alberta.ca
What if my child has diverse learning needs?
ATA’s guidance recommends contacting your school directly for individualized planning and following your division’s daily updates. Alberta Teachers’ Association
Closing
We stand with Alberta’s teachers. Better teaching conditions mean better learning conditions. While we wait for a resolution, small, doable routines can keep skills fresh and the household calm. If you try any of these ideas, share which ones worked best for your family—I’ll keep adding to this post as the situation evolves.
Sources for quick reference
- Alberta Teachers’ Association news hub and strike updates. Alberta Teachers’ Association
- Government of Alberta: Parent supports during school closure. Alberta.ca
- News coverage confirming strike start and scope (e.g., Oct 6–7 reports). Lethbridge News Now+1
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