The last week of May was filled with a variety of interesting activities for SES students. A highlight for all of the students from kindergarten through grade five was the Bicycle Safety Rodeo. The goal was to encourage students to be active while learning basic bicycle safety, maintenance and some rules of the road. It was an ideal chance for young cyclist to practice their bike skills while riding through a circuit of various stations that simulated the real world of cycling. Students enjoyed riding or bringing their bikes to school and then leaving them in an impromptu bike corral until it was their turn to participate. Thank you to Constable Lewadniuk for spearheading the event and to his fellow RCMP officers for helping with the presentations. In addition, we appreciate the efforts of Ms. Sawula, who helped organize the event, and to Middle School student volunteers who helped the cyclists. Students had fun and learned lots of valuable skills.
Grade 1 students are studying past traditions in Social Studies. In Mrs. Jackson's class, the students made butter to simulate a daily chore that children often helped with years ago. Mrs. Jackson put cream in a jar and explained that the children could each have a turn shaking the jar until the cream turned to butter. The students not only learned that butter is made from cream; they learned that youngsters in the past had to have very strong arms. After a lot of shaking the butter appeared. Once the butter was made, they enjoyed eating the fruits of their labour on crackers. After the butter was all gone, they drank the buttermilk. When asked about the experience, the students unanimously exclaimed, "We want to make butter again!" Several students even planned to ask their moms to make butter at home. What a novel way to learn about past traditions.
Grade 2 students have gone buggy. That is, they are immersed in a bug unit called, "Small Crawling and Flying Animals." Mrs. Starling's and Mrs. Geddes' classes ventured outside with magnifying, bug catching boxes. It was a trap and release project. However, before releasing the insects, the students carefully observe their catch; comparing similarities and differences among various species. The students were amazed to find so many different insects living on their playground. As they returned to the classroom, they had a whole new appreciation for the insect world.
The library is currently featuring a "Debate Bulletin Board." Mrs. Baltimore, SES librarian, is encouraging students to contribute their thoughts. For the past two weeks, students debated the statement: Books are better than TV. Student response was astounding. Two examples of support for the statement included one from Grade 3 student, Julia Dietrich. Julia wrote, "Books are better because you improve your reading and learn new words and I love reading books!" Zoe Norman, a Grade 4 student claimed, "Books are better because you can picture what's going on in your own way." Conversely, "I think TV is better because you get to watch stuff like CTV News and ABC so you know what is going on," suggested Grade 5 student Ethan Klaus. Likewise, "I thing TV can be better because there is lots of educational programming," wrote fellow Grade 5er, Zach Forseth. What great thinking!
For two days last week, Mrs. Fischer and Mrs. Hataley co-taught a professional development workshop: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Several SES staff, that had not yet had the opportunity to participate in the workshop, were pleased to receive training.