Social Studies – Div 3 Class Blog
 

Category: Social Studies


This past week, our classroom took a deep dive into the fascinating world of government! The students engaged in a series of three virtual presentations from the Parliament of British Columbia, each designed to illuminate the intricacies of our political system.

The presenters kicked off our learning journey by introducing students to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The presentation included a rich history of the Parliament Buildings, igniting students’ curiosity about the significance of these structures in our democracy.

Next, students explored the Levels of Government. This session provided students with a comprehensive comparison of the roles and responsibilities of Canada’s various levels of government, with a particular focus on provincial responsibilities. Students learned about the distinctions between federal, provincial, and local governments. Students also learned about key positions such as the head of state, the Governor General, and the Lieutenant Governor. They also discovered the important roles played by local Indigenous governments, enhancing their understanding of the diverse political landscape in Canada.

The highlight however was undoubtedly today’s lesson on How a Bill Becomes a Law. This presentation delved into the legislative process, of how laws are made and ammended. The excitement reached a peak during the interactive mock parliament, where students participated in a lively debate on a proposed bill to ban homework. This hands-on activity not only reinforced their understanding of how a bill is presented, discussed, and voted on, but also encouraged them to consider the implications of such a law.

During this mock parliament students took on different roles within the mock parliament, learning about the various positions held by elected officials and the number of seats in the legislature. They discussed the differences between the House and the Senate and how each contributes to the law-making process. This immersive experience fostered critical thinking and collaboration as students articulated their viewpoints, negotiated with peers, and practiced their public speaking skills.

This combination of virtual presentations and interactive activities not only made learning enjoyable but also empowered students with knowledge about the political processes that shape their lives. These lessons also have them excited to learn more about the electoral process and our local candidates ahead of their Student Vote on Friday October 18th.

In an effort to honor the memory of children lost to the residential school system, students at Aubrey will be participating in an Origami Reconciliation Project. This initiative will draw inspiration from the Japanese tradition of folding paper cranes to symbolize our collective hopes for healing and reconciliation.

The artwork will feature black hearts in the background, representing the profound truths and emotions we will carry regarding this painful history. Central to the piece will be orange ravens, shaped into a heart, symbolizing hope and our collective commitment to fostering a better future. Each raven will hold messages of hope for healing and reconciliation contributed by students from various divisions.

Once completed, this mural will be unveiled and displayed as a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to truth, understanding, and justice. It will serve as a call to action for our community to engage in ongoing dialogue and initiatives that support reconciliation and healing.

(The image above is our prototype. Photos are still to come of the completed project)

Students in Division 1, 2 and 3 at Aubrey Elementary have been learning about Ancient Civilizations and the use of soapstone. Soapstone is a soft metamorphic rock found over the globe that has been used through history by various groups to create art and tools.

Soapstone’s use dates back to antiquity: early Egyptians carved it into scarabs and seals; in China and India it was used for ornaments, implements and domestic utensils. It was similarly used at various times over the past 7,500 years by First Nations, Inuit and Norse in Canada to create qullic, and oil lamps.

Indigenous Artist Connect to Nature with Soapstone Carving

The Art of Soapstone Carving-A Tabeka Gem Documentary

Inuit Soapstone Carvings

 

Last week students got to see the Pier 21 Musical, which reviewed the history of immigration during World War 2. It was a rich heartfelt musical featuring celtic and swing music. Students got to experience the adventures, heartaches and hopes of refugees, immigrants, orphans, and war brides, as they came through the gateway to Canada to make a new life in a new land. They also learned how Canadian soldiers left the Pier to free Europe from Nazi bullies, and entertained soldiers on CBC radio. The play was broken down into three parts:

PART ONE Summer 1939 Arriving at the Pier
The Immigration Officer Immigrants, Refugees, Home Children

PART TWO Canada at War A Soldier departs Canadian Women Army Corps The Army Show
Letter from Holland

PART THREE Post war War Brides
Red Cross and Sisters of Service The Fallen and the Free
The Return

Background Knowledge

PIER 21, located in Halifax on the Eastern edge of Canada, was a place of dramatic comings and goings: risky arrivals and bold departures, culture and language challenges, farewells and reunions, disappointment, heartache, and tearful relief. This old warehouse profoundly shaped what Canada became dur- ing the decades it was in operation.

Steamships, docking at the Pier, brought over a million immigrants hoping to settle in Canada. Among the immigrants were refugees, home children, and War-brides who made their first steps down a ramp into the drafty warehouse that was Pier 21. As luggage and trunks were unloaded, hundreds of people milled about or waited on benches. They were greeted by Immigration officers, volunteer organizations, nurses and aid societies, and long missed relatives.

Our play begins at the outbreak of World War 2 just as Canada is about to join England in the war effort. People are fleeing Europe to escape the coming dan- gers. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Nazi U-boats (subma- rines) prowl outside the Halifax harbour as half a million soldiers sail away from the Pier to fight the Nazi scourge in Europe. For some Canadian soldiers, the Pier was the last place in Canada they would set foot on.

Were it not for the selfless actions of valiant soldiers, compassionate volunteers, or staff and military personnel working under extreme conditions, the experience of immigrants, refugees, and displaced people arriving in Halifax would have been a memory rather forgotten. Instead, as the Pier 21 museum amply attests to, there is an overwhelming level of gratitude for the gifts Canadians gave to storm-tossed souls reaching for a promising future.

Recently in class students participated in a climate justice and climate change simulation.  In this simulation students learned about the consequences of climate change, the injustice, and effects of climate change often experienced by vulnerable populations around the world.
Students work in groups to build communities and attempt to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies while experiencing the impacts of climate change (droughts, tropical storms, rising sea levels, and other impacts of climate change).

Some of the takeaways were:

Climate change is affecting those who are often contributing the least. The people hit the hardest are those already living in poverty and at higher risk.

The simulation also highlighted the affects that climate change is going to have on people.

– Climate change is affecting our ability to grow food. Growing seasons are disrupted or shortened and storms, droughts, and floods all
affect harvest outcomes.

– Climate change is affecting where and how we live making people relocate and find new homes after generations of living in one area. It is also causing extreme storms, rising sea level, melting permafrost, etc.

-Climate change directly affects human health and safety and can lead to the spread of diseases (like malaria), heat waves, wild fires, air pollution.

This lesson is going to be one of many climate change lessons as we explore more sustainable ways of being and doing in our world in an attempt to protect the planet.

After Spring Break students will also be participating in Indigo’s Read for the Planet Program and as a classroom we will be exploring ways we can take action in our school and the broader community to combat climate change and keep our planet healthy for more years to come

Students are naturally curious about the world in which they live. They want to know more about their planet and are concerned with the challenges we face. Reading and learning together with your child is a safe and supportive way to develop awareness and ideas for ways to care for the planet. Reading about how to care for the planet can also help deepen connections to other people and the planet—connections critical for understanding the challenges and opportunities being faced in communities around our planet.

The attached resource was designed by the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation in partnership with our curriculum partner, The Critical Thinking Consortium (TC2) as an extension of our school-based Read For The Planet learning modules. We know that schools are just one place students learn and that home is a critical space for expanding on and practicing what happens in the classroom. This guide provides parents and caregivers with book suggestions, worksheets, discussion prompts and a template for a home-based action project all to help you and your little changemaker to get inspired through reading and have fun while learning about the environment together.

http://This lesson will invite students to examine the qualities of people or actions intended to address climate change or other environmental issues. The focus will be on helping students explore and decide what actions they might take.

Lesson Retrieved From: http://www.mcic.ca/uploads/documents/Climate%20Justice-Final%20PDF%202022.pdf

Black History Month

By: Ashley

Black History Month

By: Ashley lyske

Black History is an important part of our history that we must

Learn about, and

Acknowledge.

Carter G. Woodson started Black History in 1996

King (Martin Luther) was a well-known leader of nonviolent resistance to equal rights for all.

Hariet Tubman escaped slavery and played an important role in helping others through the underground railway

I have a dream was a famous and powerful speech by Martin Luther King.

Stop violence against all people

Treat

Others

Respectfully, kindly and how you would like to be treated

You are the change

Our Differences

By: Arielle

We are a community of varieties
But some were treated unfairly
People were tortured and blamed in our society
We couldn’t speak for ourselves clearly

Some were sold as slaves and maids
As a result, our numbers decreased
They were bruised and used in the trades
Wanting to be released

Racial Injustice/Inequality

By: Andrea

Slavery started in 1619
Back then people were controlled
Now this has changed, they are finally seen
And history has been told

We all have our differences
And that’s what makes us unique
We should stop ignorance
We have a voice, we’re not weak

Modern Day Slavery
Slavery began in 1619
It’s not completely over
It’s just a different scene*
Since 1834
Many have fought for equality and peace
But modern slavery exists today
The rates continue to increase
Slavery is wrong
Speak up
Protect the vulnerable
Defend our rights
Which should be shared by all of humanity
Facts:
* Fifty million people were living in modern slavery in 2021, according to the latest Global Estimates of Modern Slavery. Of these people, 28 million were in forced labour and 22 million were trapped in forced marriage. Women and children are the most vulnerable and in the past 5 years rates of modern day slavery around the world have risen (International Labour Organization, 2022).
Questions For Further Thought:
How as a society can we put an end to slavery once and for all? How can we create a society where people’s rights are protected and respected?

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https://sd41-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/r/personal/1445002_edu_burnabyschools_ca/Documents/undreground%20rauleosad.pptx?d=wd7c12e04dd634ee0aeca555f96736ba4&csf=1&web=1&e=Q0RP7h

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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.

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.

It was a wet day but we had so much fun at Britannia Mines today learning more about the rock cycle, types of rocks and minerals and the mining process.

Students, teachers, EA’s and parent volunteers participated in a one hour underground tour where they learned about how copper was mined and extracted from the earth when Britannia was a working mine.

After the underground tour we participated in a lab where we learned how every rock has a story. We learned more about how rocks tell us about the history of our planet, both distant and more recent. We also learned how rocks move through the rock cycle transforming from one type of rock to another.

To wrap up our visit we ended with an international award winning presentation called Boom where we were able to discover the thrilling light, sound, and special effects experience inside the historic mill.  We experienced all 20-storeys coming back to life with a thunderous roar and even saw some Britannia ghosts 👻

Here are some pictures and videos from today. Enjoy!

Video Links:

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