Category: Continuity and Change

This book “Let’s Talk About Race” Written by Julis Lester and Illustrated By Karen Barbour was a springboard for our in-class discussions about race, racism, discrimination, stereotypes, and inequality.  In the book Julius Lester describes how our lives are stories and the differences are merely in the details and that beneath our skin we are all the same.  Questions students were asked to consider and discuss were:

• Does your story begin when you were born? Why or why not?
• What makes up your story? …
• Is skin colour a part of your story?
• How does the color of your skin affect you?
• What is an important part of your story?
• The author says, “race is a story.” What does he mean by this?

Following this activity students then examined the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s and listened to one his his most famous speeches, which he delivered to a quarter of a million people in 1963 in Washington, DC. In his speech Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Students were then asked to discuss whether or not his dream has been fulfilled yet and compose an essay with evidence to support their claims.  Many students agreed that while progress has been made with regards to eliminating racism. discrimination, and inequality more still needs to be done to achieve his dream.

While it is still winter we are starting to see signs that Spring is on its way.  Can you see where the daffodil bulbs are starting to sprout? Before you know it Spring will be here and the daffodils we planted this fall should be in full bloom.

To celebrate Remembrance Day, we made acrostic poems, paintings of poppies and a wreath of poppies for Remembrance Day Ceremony. To make the wreath we cut egg cartons into poppy shapes, painted them red, added red, black and green tissue paper.  Once the poppies were complete we assembled them on to a piece of red card stock to form the wreath. To make the paintings we created a prototype of our design, drew them again on watercolour paper and painted them with watercolour paint.  These pieces of art were then put on display with our Remembrance Day poetry.

Written By: L.C and G.G

June 1st marked the beginning of Indigenous Peoples Month  and Indigenous Peoples Day will be observed and celebrated on June 21st.  Listen and/or read along to this selection of stories and books to learn about Indigenous traditions, culture, and history.

https://vimeo.com/4314398

This video is about the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, whose traditional territory we reside on and touches many shores of the Burrard Inlet.  See how they care for their land and community.  What can you learn from their teachings and ways of knowing?

https://safeYouTube.net/w/glG7

Bean Plant Seeds Sprouting In Our Greenhouses

Planting Our Sprouted Bean Plants Before Spring Break

Look at How Much They’ve Grown (Pic Provided By: C.G)

Throughout our Planting a Promise unit students in division 4 and 12 will be learning that:
✱ Plants are diverse in the way they grow.  They are different in their appearance, in their use and in their life cycle.
✱ Seasonal changes happen in plants as well as animals.
✱ Plants have basic needs (air, water, soil and light) that must be met in order for them to grow.
✱ Air, water and soil have different physical characteristics that can affect the growth of plants.
✱ Personal choices have environmental consequences that can affect living resources, like plants.