Division 3 learned the skill of isometric drawing, or isometric projection, which is a graphic representation used by engineers, technical illustrators (drafters), and sometimes architects. Isometric drawing is a technical drawing style that makes two-dimensional figures appear three-dimensional. From Greek for “equal measure,” isometric images can illustrate interiors, exteriors, objects, etc, using height, width, and depth to create the illusion of a 3D perspective.
Division 3 is learning to identify and reflect on the habits they have with digital media and devices.
From phones and tablets to streaming movies and YouTube, tech and media are everywhere. Kids love easy access to TV shows, games, and information.
Parents and caregivers love that kids can stay in contact while they explore their independence. But it’s easy to overdo it when the phone never stops pinging and the next episode plays automatically.
Check out these tips from Common Sense Media to keep media and tech use in check.
Division 3 was examining how humans have impacted the Earth, and more specifically how we have contributed to climate change. Students were asked to do some research to define what they thought were the top three human contributions to climate change. They in which format to present the information.
One of the skills we have been focusing on is using evidence to support a claim–whether in our responses to reading, drawing conclusions in social studies, or investigating hypotheses in science. With this assignment, students needed to explain the connection between the harmful human activities they identified, and the impact on the climate.
Humans all over the world define our knowledge, values, culture, and worldviews through the language we use. Today Division 3 looked at Inuktitut syllabics and listened to the language.
Inuktitut includes many different dialects, and is written today using two methods: Qaniujaqpait (syllabics) and Roman orthography. Many Inuit communities are working on revitalizing and continuing to teach/learn Inuktitut to maintain traditional knowledge. Inuit use their language to describe places, phenomena, and relationships unique to them. This is reflective of the deep relationship they have with the land, as well as the complex understandings about nature they have learned from their environment. Like in other languages, Inuktitut ties Inuit to their ancestors, family members, and neighbours. It is a way for them to unite and ensure that their cultures endures for generations to come.
Check out some of these games made for children (and really anyone) to develop some understanding of Inuktitut.
Throughout February, Division 3 celebrated Black History Month by researching various individuals of note and summarizing who they are and what they do/did into one to three PowerPoint slides. Students discovered a wide range of Black Canadians that have contributed to our country through sport, politics, art, activism, education, and more.
Students collaborated on a shared PowerPoint file, each person adding their set of slides to the overall composition. Division 3 has been learning how to communicate information effectively. In their slides, their goal was to use visuals and point form to communicate the main ideas clearly.
Please check out their work with this link: Black Canadian Excellence
Earlier in the school year we talked about how examining artifacts (objects created or modified by humans) can tell us about the society in which they were made and about who used them. Today, students had the opportunity to explore a variety of traditional Inuit artifacts, borrowed from the UBC Museum of Anthropology.
Students made observations and sketched the objects. They were also tasked with hypothesizing what the objects may have been used for and what materials were used. We have have been developing our understanding of how Inuit have traditionally used resources available to them, especially how the Inuit use(d) seal and caribou. This background knowledge helped us when examining the artifacts.
Recently I was chatting with the math department head at Burnaby Mountain Secondary, Ms. Reily, about skills and competencies needed as students transition into secondary learning. The K-12 curriculum has shifted toward building thinking and communicating skills as a problem-solving foundation that is applicable across all areas of learning.
Here is what Ms. Reily shared with me:
In the spirit of community-building, Division 3 built Valentine’s robots for our Grade 1 buddies!
From the beginning of language, humans have told stories to communicate the past and current learnings, to explain the world around us, and to connect and comfort.
They tell others who we are, where we are from, what we believe, and about the experiences that shape us. We learn empathy, lessons about friendships and possible dangers. Our stories teach and inspire.
The secondary schools in Burnaby have been starting their parent information evenings and getting ready to welcome a new crew of grade 8s in September!
Our grade 7s are gearing up to start our visits to our catchment high school, Burnaby Mountain Secondary. Our first visit is on the morning of February 23, where students will get to tour the building, meet some of the staff, and get a sense of the different electives/programs available at BMSS. More information about courses and electives can be found here. School information from the open house night can be found here.
If you are planning on attending a different high school, you will receive course selection information upon acceptance. Until then, we will have all students fill out course selection for BMSS.
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