Month: January 2023

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0d5DTy3Mc_sPIHJYBqvrIhkHA

https://share.icloud.com/photos/076G0pCNZEMcmhOAdIYDbndRA

Students from Division 3 and 5 had a fun filled day at the Vancouver Convention Centre as we wrapped up our MineralsEd Rockhounds program. Throughout the day they learned more about geology, minerals, new technologies, and careers in mineral exploration and mining. They learned more about how Canada’s critical Minerals are used and why they are important to the global economy. They also had the opportunity to pan for gold with Yukon Dan and learned how geologist determine the location of mineral resources based on ice movements.

Thanks again #MineralsEd for this opportunity. We had a great time and learned so much.

Today all the intermediate classes visited Grouse Mountain for an unforgettable learning experience.  We started our day at the base of the mountain before taking the scenic Skyride to the Peak of Vancouver. At the Peak students went snowshoeing, enjoyed a First Nations presentation, and explored how wildlife adapts to their environments. Through hands-on activities, students learned about some of Grouse Mountain’s most fascinating animals and how they adapt to escape predators, find food, and survive the changing seasons. They also learned about the three types of adaptations (structural, behavioural, and physiological) and different forms of camouflage (concealing coloration, disruptive coloration, disguise and mimicry).

During the First Nations presentation Led by a Squamish First Nation Elder, students interactively learned about traditional First Nations customs, legends, dances and the rich history in the hiwus Feasthouse, an authentic Pacific Northwest Coastal Longhouse. The Elder presented:

Chief Dan George Song – a prayer song given to the Coast Salish First Nations people to use.

Snowbird Song – Sung by Willie’s great grandmother, healing song.

Seagull Story – sharing, generosity, doing one’s best, caring for one another.

Cedar Basket Story – learning, listening to one’s elders, patience, friendship, sharing our own special gifts.

Furthermore students were taught about the characteristics of indigenous spirit animals as they learned and practiced traditional dance moves around the fire in the centre of the Feasthouse.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0aceHN7KS6-XMPY1_yp8pJbGw

Students have been learning about the mining process and about different types of mines.  Their work and models of open pit, placer, strip and underground mines along with their oversized visuals outlining the mining process and resources we mine for in Canada will be on display this week at the Vancouver Convention Centre for AME Roundup which is the premier gathering place for thousands of geoscientists, prospectors, financiers, investors, suppliers, governments and Indigenous partners to engage, share knowledge, and look at opportunities and challenges shaping the mining industry.

This term we have also been learning to write our own poetry.  For this lesson students learned about blackout poetry and created their own poems from pages obtained from a novel that was going to be recycled. Blackout poetry is when you take a written piece of text from a book, newspaper, or magazine and redact words, in order to come up with your very own poetry.  Don’t forget to read your child’s blackout poetry in their digital portfolio.

Today in class we learned about the characteristics of relationships and what makes a healthy versus an unhealthy relationship.

Today for Young People’s Concert students had the opportunity to see D.O. Gibson’s show “Black Canadian 365”.

D.O. Gibson is a Guinness World Record setting rapper, published author and University graduate that has been inspiring hundreds of thousands of youth since 2001. He set a Guinness World Record for longest freestyle rap by rapping for 8 hours and 45 minutes. Gibson has performed at over 3000 schools. He’s toured Canada, US, Asia, Europe and had ten videos play on Much Music including one where Drake made a cameo. Gibson’s school program has been featured on CTV’s Etalk, Toronto Star, CBC, and in 2021 he guest co-hosted Entertainment Tonight Online.

The show was excellent and students really enjoyed the performance.