This Valentines Day while we were handing out our Valentine Day cards and our teacher Mrs. Smith handed out compliment mats. A compliment mat stayed on our desks, and our classmates went around and wrote compliments for each other. Before we began the activity we discussed as a class what a compliment is and what it is not.  The main lesson we learned is to always be kind and respect one another.

Written By: F.G

Yesterday we had guest speaker come to our school to talk with us about growth mindset.  The main character Ned went on an important mission to find his mindset.  Throughout his mission he taught us to never give up, encourage others, and always our best.  He also helped us understand the power of yet, how to spark courage in others, and how to keep learning and growing.  Throughout the presentation we also got to see a number of really cool yo-yo tricks.  Yo-yo’s  can also be purchased online today and tomorrow through school cash and picked up on Thursday and Friday at lunch.  If you would like to learn some of these tricks from yesterdays presentation please visit: http://www.mindsetmission.com/yoyos

By: L.K.

Today we got to watch some of the Grade 6 and 7 students give powerful speeches. They all talked about really important matters including global warming, racism, mental health, boredom, the importance of family, and the benefits of travel. Everyone’s speeches were incredible and very insightful.  Every student who presented did an amazing job educating everyone about their topic. I cannot wait to do a speech of my own in Term 3 and again when I am in Grade 6 or 7 in front of a school audience!

By: C.G.

Last Thursday we had an amazing time watching a World Ringette Championship game at Bill Copeland Arena in Burnaby.  The United States were playing the Czech Republic.  When we left to return to school the United States were clearly defeating the Czech Republic by a long shot.  We all had fun cheering for our favorite teams.  For more information on the championship games visit: https://www.wrc2019.ca/?page_id=298

In case you didn’t know, Ringette is played on ice like hockey with a straight sick and hollow ring.   For more information on the rules of the game visit: https://www.ringette.ca/our-sport/basics-of-ringette/.

Author: F. G. and A. C.

On Friday at Young Peoples Concert we got to see the the Blues Berries perform. Their show was amazing and we all had lots of fun moving to the music.

We  learned about the history of blues music and more about the history of musical instruments. They told us how blues music originated in the deep south and was largely influenced by African American slaves. We learned that drums are very important in African culture and that drums are not only used to entertain people or to give rhythm to a song but are like the heart beat of their culture. However, before slavery was abolished African American slaves were banned from using or having drums. But this didn’t stop the slaves. They created their own instruments using wash boards, wash tubs, broom sticks and strings to create their music bringing with it some of the earliest blues music.  During their performance the Blues Berries performed a song using a bass guitar they created using a wash tub, long broom stick and string, tambourines, a wash board and a banjo and it sounded incredible.

We all learned about people who sang blues music and what their names were. We also learned about things that they did before singing and playing blues music.

DIY  make your own tambourine:

~Bottle Caps

~Two pieces of ribbon

~Two firm paper plates

~Hole puncher

~paint

Pick a bright, fun color for your tambourine. Turn the plates over to the backside and add a coat or two of paint. Continue adding more with a brush until the whole thing is covered evenly. Set aside to dry.

Place approximately 20 bottle caps inside one of the paper plates. After adding bottle caps, place the other plate on top. Hole punch roughly six to eight times around the edge of the two plates. Buy an interesting ribbon that matches or complements the previously chosen paint color. Cut a piece of ribbon for each hole made. Weave the ribbon through the holes, pull tight and tie a bow for added flair.

For more information on The Blues Berries visit: https://www.blues-berries.com/

Author: G. K.

For Remembrance Day this year students from Division 4 wove their own wreath from ivy and made poppies from maple leaves to honour those who have served or made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

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.

“I participate in conversations for a variety of purposes (to connect, help, be friendly, learn  and share”

“I listen and respond to others and can communicate clearly modelling reading strategies I have practiced”