We have just completed our second week of school, and learning is already in full swing. Our students have shared many of their summer memoirs and have become fully engaged in the adventures of the new curriculum of their current grade. Some of our Grade 1 students were surprised and enthralled to learn that the sun stays still, and it is actually the earth that does the moving; giving us day and night and the seasons. This ingenious bunch of youngsters then began to questions sayings such as the sun is coming up and the sun is going down, when it is actually us that is doing the moving.
At the other end of the grade spectrum, our Grade 6EP class has begun their project-based learning activity. The students are "change engineers" and are tackling the centre school courtyard. They have evaluated the area, taken photos and picked, and composted weeds. The next step will require the class to construct a blueprint (taking measurements and drawing the area to scale) as well as pricing out various surface options (pea gravel, artificial grass, patio stones...). They will then be discussing the pros and cons of each selection before making their decision.
In art, 6EP took a page out of the works from famous artist, Wassily Kandinsky, and attempted to hear colour and see sound while they created Kandinsky Circles. They are proudly displayed in the classroom and will be available for viewing at the Open House on Thursday. In social studies, Fred (a gummy worm) was rescued when his boat capsized in the middle of the Pacific Ocean during his travels around the world. The class was only able to use four paperclips and their outstanding brains to save him. And, of course, they prevailed.
Other excitement this week includes the fact that swimming lessons have now begun for our Grade 4 students and for many of our Grade 5 students. Swimming is not only a part of the phys. ed. curriculum, but it is also an important life-long skill for all children to have. We have also started work on Habit #1 (of our Leader in Me Program) this week. We are now in our third year of this program and are thrilled to see the continued development of leadership and community service mindedness in our students. This, and project-based learning, will be enhanced by the arrival of our Chromebooks later in the week. Every student in grades 4 to 6 will be assigned their own Chromebook for school use, and our Grade 3 students will have a 2:1 ratio. Those, combined with our current computer labs, laptop computers, and iPads, will ensure that all of our students have ample opportunity to be connected technologically.
And finally, our school open house is being held this Thursday, Sept. 17, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.. We typically have an extremely high percentage of our parents attend this evening, and this year we will be showcasing our brand new video wall and sound system. As well, our parents have an exciting debut to share with everyone, as a part of the school council kickoff. Teachers have also prepared activities in their classrooms, and this is an excellent opportunity for our families to meet the staff, see their child's classroom, and to get a sense of the wonderful learning that is happening in each of the rooms. We hope that you will be able to join us for this exciting and interesting evening.