Month: October 2021

What a great week it has been with so many fun things! But I think we should just narrow it down to the three favorite highlights:

Our first favorite highlight was the design challenge, which we now do every week: we made stylish shoes out of paper. We were able to use other materials, for example, tape, glue, markers, etc. We learned a lot about teamwork in this project because we randomly picked groups, so we had no idea who we were working with. People worked together very well considering it was almost their first time doing it. We shared our projects in a circle of all the shoes. People used lots of different techniques to make the shoes stylish, for example wrapping the shoes with string/yarn. This project was fun.

Our second highlight would be the gym, especially for the kids who play soccer. We played four corner soccer, which, if you don’t know how to play is just like soccer but with four teams, the goals are benches flat on the corners, and you must hit the goal to score which means you can’t shoot too high. That is a bit of a problem for the people who shoot with power. This was fun even for the people who are new to soccer. I know that we all enjoy gym.

Our final highlight was probably the Writers’ Workshop because it is a very calming and peaceful time for people. We have very creative writers in this class. I love that everybody is so focused during this period.

Overall, this has been an amazing week for div 6!

by Zia Walji

Dear Parents and guardians,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and give you some information about your child’s class this year.  I am looking forward to a year of learning, personal growth and creativity with this group of students.

This is my 15^th year teaching in Burnaby, and 7^th at Brentwood Park.  I have taught a range of grades, from one to twelve, but most of my experience is at the intermediate level.  My background is in Art Education, Curriculum development, Assessment and Differentiation.  I have recently completed a Masters of Arts in Expressive Arts Therapy and Psychology, and I am very interested in using the arts for both social/emotional and academic development.

I hope that you will see I strive to create a classroom that is safe and inclusive of all learners. Building a strong sense of community is important to me, and I want everyone to feel that they are a valued member of that community.  Division 6 is a classroom of diverse learners and I want every student to receive the instruction they need at their level, but are also being challenged to push forward in their own learning journey.  I also want my students to pursue their curiosities, ask questions about the world around them, and be inspired in their creativity. This year will require your child to play an integral part in their own learning and our classroom climate will be one of growth, not perfection.

I am excited for the year ahead, and I’m looking forward to getting to know all about this wonderful group of kids!  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ms. Willis