Monthly Archives: January 2017

Carson Band

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We had a wonderful afternoon today. The Carson Graham Senior Band visited us this afternoon to perform. It took some time, but we got everyone into the gym to listen to them play.

They started off with the soundtrack from Aladdin (Disney version), and continued with a number of other songs and some musical demos (the flute, the clarinet, etc.).

“I always loved music; whoso has skill in this art is of good temperament, fitted for all things. We must teach music in schools; a schoolmaster ought to have skill in music, or I would not regard him.” ~ Martin Luther

Thank you Carson Graham, for sharing your gift of music with us.

Take care

Recently on Twitter

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I am a fan of Twitter and I make use of Twitter to get news and professional readings. The following links are just some of the finds on Twitter that I enjoyed reading:

These ‘Bouncy Bands’ Are Helping Kids Focus In The Classroom – We have a couple of classrooms trying these out this year. Not all bands are create equal, as we have discovered (much to our dismay) that some break at the wrong times.

How To Be A Global Thinker – an article from Educational Leadership

How To Ensure Students Are Actively Engaged and Not Just Compliant – great article from a great education web site, Mindshift.

Screen Time Reality Check — For Kids And Parents – A good read.

Tragedy Made Steve Kerr See the World Beyond the Court – Not everything I read is about school.

Take care

Lit Circles

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I have been asked this month to work with grade 7’s and take a couple of groups for their literature circles. All the grade 7’s were given an opportunity to select one of 13 books that they could read and were then put small groups. My groups are reading Touching Spirit Bear (by Ben Mikaelsen) and 33 Minutes (by Todd Hasak-Lowy). The novels all connect to the current unit of inquiry in grade 7 (central idea: being conscious of the influences on our identity affects our choices).

Each time we meet, the students come prepared to discuss a passage or quote in the story that spoke to them. All the students came today ready to talk, and we were able to ensure that everyone had a chance to share their connections and express themselves to their peers. After our meeting, the students take time to individually reflect on the group discussion through writing, where they are encouraged to share their personal thoughts about the discussion, the characters and/or the story.

I look forward to hearing more from each of the grade 7’s. Their thoughts and opinions are worth waiting for.

Take care

 

Medical Discoveries

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Today the grade 5 students invited me in to the library to observe their Reader’s Theatre presentations on medical discoveries. The students collaborated to develop their scripts based on the work they were doing in their latest Unit of Inquiry (central idea: Our understanding of the human body has evolved through the process of scientific discovery). During this unit, students in both grade 5 classes examined the human body as a series of systems, making informed choices about our bodies and medical discoveries.

The topics presented today included: polio vaccine, child safety caps, the iron lung, anesthesiology, pablum, x-rays, and penicillin.

It was wonderful to see the students present their scripts and the effort they made to project their voices, vary their expressions, and demonstrate appreciation for the work done by other students.

Thank you to the grade 5 students for sharing your learning with me this afternoon.

Take care

Buddy Time

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Our kindergarten students are spending some time this afternoon with their grade 7 buddies. I love buddy time, when students in different grades work together.

Today, the “Big Buddies” (grade 7’s) are asking their “Little Buddies” (kindies) a series of guessing questions related to an object the little buddies have selected from their classroom.

  • What colour is it?
  • Is it long or short?
  • Is it rough or smooth?

There are a lot of smiles when these buddies get together. I think the grade 7’s also gain a bit of appreciation for the challenges of being a teacher, as sometimes their buddies don’t pay close attention to directions.

At Capilano, I see a number of different grades working as buddies. Last week some grade 3 students were reading with kindergarten students, as some grade 4’s were helping some grade 2’s with their writing. Teachers provide many opportunities over the course of the year for students to work with different ages. It is a wonderful part of a school culture.

I look forward to seeing it throughout the rest of the year.

Take care