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A week of smart everything, from learning to reading

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Learning the smart technology – Kim Thorne and her kindergarten class receives a smart learning lesson from Barb Carrier (right) as students are asked to make a prediction on what might happen next in the story.

By AMORE du TOIT

Elementary News

Brrr! Teachers braved the cold on Professional Development Monday, Jan. 31, to learn more about Smart Learning. This approach to learning emphasizes the fact that individuals perceive and process information in very different ways. The learning styles theory implies that how much individuals learn has more to do with whether the educational experience is geared toward their particular style of learning than whether or not they are “smart.”

In fact, educators should not ask, “Is this student smart?” but rather “How is this student smart?”

Susan Close the founder of Smart Learning came all the way from Vancouver to help teachers hone their smart learning and smart reading teaching skills. This is her third visit to our school. Barb Carrier from Invermere, Debby Schmidt and Denise Perry from Drayton Valley also came to Stettler Elementary as Smart Learning trainers. Several teachers from surrounding schools also joined us for the training.

We always love having other teachers here with us to collaborate with.

Students had a wonderful week of doing many smart reading and smart learning activities.

We are also fortunate to have a group of teachers at school that is willing to be trained as smart learning trainers. Sonya Geddes, Rachelle VanRingen, Annette Hunter and Denyse Boyd have undergone several training sessions.

As always, we believe a healthy body contributes to a healthy mind. Basketball is one such sport that helps our students’ bodies to be healthy. The sport of basketball offers many opportunities for our students. Students get to play on a team for a short season, learn basketball and team skills and get coached by some great SMS and Wm. E. Hay basketball players. Registrations are still being accepted for our 13th annual mini basketball program for grades 1-5. Deadline is Feb, 17 so we can order t-shirts and pizza. First session starts April 8. For more information contact Kim Poapst (kpoapst@clearview.ab.ca).

The 15th annual Camp Teckla summer basketball camp July 4-8 in Stettler is now accepting registrations. Google Camp Teckla for registration forms and more information or contact Kim Poapst.

This Friday, Feb 11 is winter walk day at Stettler elementary. We are joining thousands of Albertans by simply walking outside for at least 15 minutes. Walking is great for our health, the environment and building community all year round. This is a program promoted by Alberta Sport and Recreation as well as SHAPE (safe healthy active people everywhere).

Feb. 15 is Canada’s National Flag Day. Our national flag came into being almost 100 years after confederation on Feb 15. 1965. To commemorate this, we are having a Canada Games celebration for each of our grades in the gym for an hour and a half for each grade on Tuesday, Feb. 15 or Wednesday, Feb. 16. Each grade will have fun competing with their grade in different sports like triathlon, basketball, beaver dam building, canoeing, dog sledding, just to name a few.

At the same time, as Stettler elementary celebrates its Canada Games, The Winter Canada Games are being held in Halifax Feb. 11 to 27. So we will walk on the day of the opening ceremonies in Halifax and participate in some of the sports that our Canadian athletes will be competing in Halifax.

Notes should be coming home from teachers for further instructions on what team color your class will be for the Stettler Winter Canada Games. The teachers wait in anticipation for their events following the students’ sports to show their skills and athleticism. Let the games begin.