Tuesday 30 April 2019
Fish Creek Park - Day 1
Hi Families,
What an extraordinary day to be at Fish Creek Park! We had a wonderful day of land-based learning! Thank you to the volunteers who were able to join us!
We started our morning by introducing the ceremonial practice of smudging. Smudging is a tradition, common to many First Nations, which involves the burning of one or more medicines gathered from the earth. There are many ways and variations on how a smudge is done.
Smudging allows people to stop, slow down, become mindful and centered. This allows people to remember, connect and be grounded in the event, task or purpose at hand. Smudging also allows people to let go of something negative. Smudging is always voluntary.
The students then had time for supervised exploration of the Bow Valley area. This part of year is fantastic for observing wildlife, as the trees are still empty of their leaves. Students saw a variety of birds, including Chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers, as well as as a group of White-Tailed Deer. Our most exciting discovery was a Great Horned Owl sitting on her nest! We look forward to checking in on her in the upcoming weeks.
After lunch, we split the students up into the two classes and half the students did a sharing circle with the question, What can we learn from the land? while the other half of students did a walk alongside to learn about different Blackfoot oral stories from the Fish Creek Park area. Then the groups swapped roles.
During the walk-alongside, students were able to identify that Fish Creek Park lays in a valley created by a glacier 30 million years ago. As this glacier receded, it left glacial erratics in its path, one of which was pointed out to students. The most famous of glacial erratics is the Big Rock (okatok) between Okotoks and Black Diamond. Many students have expressed an interest in visiting okatok after hearing the story:
"One hot summer day, Napi, the supernatural trickster of the Blackfoot peoples, rested on the rock because the day was warm and he was tired. He spread his robe on the rock, telling the rock to keep the robe in return for letting Napi rest there. Suddenly, the weather changed and Napi became cold as the wind whistled and the rain fell. Napi asked the rock to return his robe, but the rock refused. Napi got mad and just took the clothing. As he strolled away, he heard a loud noise and turning, he saw the rock was rolling after him. Napi ran for his life. The deer, the bison and the pronghorn sheep were Napi's friends, and they tried to stop the rock by running in front of it. The rock rolled over them. Napi's last chance was to call on the bats for help. Fortunately, they did better than their hoofed neighbours did, and by diving at the rock and colliding with it, one of them finally hit the rock just right and it broke into two pieces." Okotoks Erratic
Afterwards, students walked back to the garden where we visited with Dogwood, and Aspen, and learned about the characteristics of each plant, and their uses by the first nations people. Students were again treated to another Napi story:
"There is a story about Napi and the Quaking Aspen. When Napi walked through the forest, all the trees and plants would bow down in respect. One day, the aspens got together and started to complain about having to bow down for Napi. The aspens decided that the next time he came through the forest that they would stay standing tall and ignore him. Soon after they agreed, Napi came walking through the forest. This time, the aspens did not bow when all the other plants and trees did. Napi got really mad at the aspens. He got so mad that he called on the lightening. The lightening bolts came and went straight for the aspens. The aspens got so scared that their leaves started to tremble. Ever since that time, if the aspens hear someone coming through a clearing, their leaves start to tremble and shake in fear that it might be Napi with lightening bolts." Kainai Plant Index
We finished our day with a 5 minute sit spot, to sit and privately reflect upon and observe the land.
Thank you everyone!
Ms. Thomas
What an extraordinary day to be at Fish Creek Park! We had a wonderful day of land-based learning! Thank you to the volunteers who were able to join us!
We started our morning by introducing the ceremonial practice of smudging. Smudging is a tradition, common to many First Nations, which involves the burning of one or more medicines gathered from the earth. There are many ways and variations on how a smudge is done.
Smudging allows people to stop, slow down, become mindful and centered. This allows people to remember, connect and be grounded in the event, task or purpose at hand. Smudging also allows people to let go of something negative. Smudging is always voluntary.
The students then had time for supervised exploration of the Bow Valley area. This part of year is fantastic for observing wildlife, as the trees are still empty of their leaves. Students saw a variety of birds, including Chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers, as well as as a group of White-Tailed Deer. Our most exciting discovery was a Great Horned Owl sitting on her nest! We look forward to checking in on her in the upcoming weeks.
After lunch, we split the students up into the two classes and half the students did a sharing circle with the question, What can we learn from the land? while the other half of students did a walk alongside to learn about different Blackfoot oral stories from the Fish Creek Park area. Then the groups swapped roles.
During the walk-alongside, students were able to identify that Fish Creek Park lays in a valley created by a glacier 30 million years ago. As this glacier receded, it left glacial erratics in its path, one of which was pointed out to students. The most famous of glacial erratics is the Big Rock (okatok) between Okotoks and Black Diamond. Many students have expressed an interest in visiting okatok after hearing the story:
"One hot summer day, Napi, the supernatural trickster of the Blackfoot peoples, rested on the rock because the day was warm and he was tired. He spread his robe on the rock, telling the rock to keep the robe in return for letting Napi rest there. Suddenly, the weather changed and Napi became cold as the wind whistled and the rain fell. Napi asked the rock to return his robe, but the rock refused. Napi got mad and just took the clothing. As he strolled away, he heard a loud noise and turning, he saw the rock was rolling after him. Napi ran for his life. The deer, the bison and the pronghorn sheep were Napi's friends, and they tried to stop the rock by running in front of it. The rock rolled over them. Napi's last chance was to call on the bats for help. Fortunately, they did better than their hoofed neighbours did, and by diving at the rock and colliding with it, one of them finally hit the rock just right and it broke into two pieces." Okotoks Erratic
Afterwards, students walked back to the garden where we visited with Dogwood, and Aspen, and learned about the characteristics of each plant, and their uses by the first nations people. Students were again treated to another Napi story:
"There is a story about Napi and the Quaking Aspen. When Napi walked through the forest, all the trees and plants would bow down in respect. One day, the aspens got together and started to complain about having to bow down for Napi. The aspens decided that the next time he came through the forest that they would stay standing tall and ignore him. Soon after they agreed, Napi came walking through the forest. This time, the aspens did not bow when all the other plants and trees did. Napi got really mad at the aspens. He got so mad that he called on the lightening. The lightening bolts came and went straight for the aspens. The aspens got so scared that their leaves started to tremble. Ever since that time, if the aspens hear someone coming through a clearing, their leaves start to tremble and shake in fear that it might be Napi with lightening bolts." Kainai Plant Index
We finished our day with a 5 minute sit spot, to sit and privately reflect upon and observe the land.
We are still looking for volunteers to join us for our upcoming field trips to Fish Creek Park:
Monday, May 6th
Monday, May 13th
Wednesday, May 22nd
If you are able to join us for one, two or all of these dates, please contact myself or our Volunteer Coordinator, Kathryn.
Thank you everyone!
Ms. Thomas
Monday 29 April 2019
Volunteer Celebration
LBS Volunteer Celebration
Please join us for tea! We will treat you to delicious treats and student entertainment.
Date: Friday, May 10, 2019
Time: 11:00am
Location: Lake Bonavista School Gymnasium
Please RSVP to lakebonavista@cbe.ab.ca on or before May 8th.
Please indicate the number of adults attending.
Note that we do not have supervision or space for non-school children.
Saturday 27 April 2019
Friday, April 26th, 2018
Hi Families,
Today, we started our day by learning about Arbor Day and exploring all the reasons why trees are important. Being the first day of our 30x30 challenge, we went for a "Meet the Trees" walk around the school environment to observe the various types of trees that call Lake Bonavista School their home. We talked about the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees, and also collected some natural artifacts that the trees have left behind.
Our 30x30 challenge is on-going. We look forward to seeing pictures from your weekend adventures outside!
On Monday, we will be going on our first of four field-trips to Fish Creek Park. We look forward to spending the full day outside learning about the land, and making personal connections to the space. As a reminder, we will be going to Fish Creek Park once a week over four weeks:
Monday, April 29th
Monday, May 6th
Monday, May 13th
Wednesday, May 22nd
We also continue swimming for the next three weeks, on Tuesday and Thursdays. Please see the email sent home regarding the conflict between Fun Lunch orders and swimming.
Thank you to all the volunteers who have been able to support our classroom during this busy and exciting season of learning outside the classroom! We couldn't do it without you!
Save the Date: Our Volunteer Tea is being held on Friday, May 10th.
Students have been working on their 10-strategies for mental mathematics. In addition to developing their automaticity for the basic 10-facts, they have been exploring compensation (pretend it's 10) and decomposition (breaking down numbers) strategies to use 10 as an anchor number for efficient calculations. The game "Dragon Bump" is a great way to practice this with your child at home. Please look for a copy in the Math Games booklet provided at March conferences.
Please continue to send your child's Home Reading books in for exchange at least once a week.
Thank you everyone. Have a wonderful weekend.
Ms. Thomas
Today, we started our day by learning about Arbor Day and exploring all the reasons why trees are important. Being the first day of our 30x30 challenge, we went for a "Meet the Trees" walk around the school environment to observe the various types of trees that call Lake Bonavista School their home. We talked about the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees, and also collected some natural artifacts that the trees have left behind.
Our 30x30 challenge is on-going. We look forward to seeing pictures from your weekend adventures outside!
On Monday, we will be going on our first of four field-trips to Fish Creek Park. We look forward to spending the full day outside learning about the land, and making personal connections to the space. As a reminder, we will be going to Fish Creek Park once a week over four weeks:
Monday, April 29th
Monday, May 6th
Monday, May 13th
Wednesday, May 22nd
We also continue swimming for the next three weeks, on Tuesday and Thursdays. Please see the email sent home regarding the conflict between Fun Lunch orders and swimming.
Thank you to all the volunteers who have been able to support our classroom during this busy and exciting season of learning outside the classroom! We couldn't do it without you!
Save the Date: Our Volunteer Tea is being held on Friday, May 10th.
Students have been working on their 10-strategies for mental mathematics. In addition to developing their automaticity for the basic 10-facts, they have been exploring compensation (pretend it's 10) and decomposition (breaking down numbers) strategies to use 10 as an anchor number for efficient calculations. The game "Dragon Bump" is a great way to practice this with your child at home. Please look for a copy in the Math Games booklet provided at March conferences.
Please continue to send your child's Home Reading books in for exchange at least once a week.
Thank you everyone. Have a wonderful weekend.
Ms. Thomas
Tuesday 23 April 2019
The One Nature Challenge
Hi Everyone,
Starting this week, students in Room 8, along with some of
our friends from other classes, will be participating in The One Nature Challenge (formally the 30x30 Challenge) through the David Suzuki Foundation. The goal of the challenge is to reconnect with nature, by spending 30 minutes outdoors for 30 days.
As we are all well aware, the weather changes day to day, and even hour to hour in Calgary. Unless the weather is hazardous, we will be going outside. We ask for your support with this challenge by sending your child ready for the weather, and the enjoyment of being outside when dressed comfortably.
Some of the challenge days fall on the weekend, PD Days and holidays. Feel free to send in stories and photos from your outdoor experiences through email to share in the classroom. We love being inspired by your adventures!
If you'd like to sign up for the challenge as a family, this is the link for more information: https://davidsuzuki.org/take-action/act-locally/one-nature-challenge/
Thank you everyone!
Ms Thomas
Starting this week, students in Room 8, along with some of our friends from other classes, will be participating in The One Nature Challenge (formally the 30x30 Challenge) through the David Suzuki Foundation. The goal of the challenge is to reconnect with nature, by spending 30 minutes outdoors for 30 days.
As we are all well aware, the weather changes day to day, and even hour to hour in Calgary. Unless the weather is hazardous, we will be going outside. We ask for your support with this challenge by sending your child ready for the weather, and the enjoyment of being outside when dressed comfortably.
Some of the challenge days fall on the weekend, PD Days and holidays. Feel free to send in stories and photos from your outdoor experiences through email to share in the classroom. We love being inspired by your adventures!
If you'd like to sign up for the challenge as a family, this is the link for more information: https://davidsuzuki.org/take-action/act-locally/one-nature-challenge/
Thank you everyone!
Ms Thomas
Saturday 13 April 2019
Friday, April 12th, 2019
Hi Families,
Thank you for supporting your child with participating in our Colour Days this week - we had a great time sorting, comparing and naming the different colours we wore, and created some classroom resources to help with our descriptive writing.
As a reminder, we start our week next week grey. Monday is also Jersey Day throughout the school, so students came up with some creative ways to support BOTH Jersey Day and Grey Day:
- jersey on the top, grey pants on the bottom!
- a grey t-shirt layer underneath!
- grey accessories like socks and headbands!
In your child's mail folder, please find a package of forms for our upcoming swimming lessons. Please read each form carefully and fill in the required information. Acknowledgement of Risk, Trico Swim Ability form, CBE Swim Ability form and payment slip are due back mid-week. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Volunteers are still needed for the days we are swimming. Please contact myself or Kathryn Molcak if you are able to volunteer for even one afternoon.
Some reminders for the upcoming week:
- Friday, April 19th is Good Friday. No school for staff or students.
- Monday, April 22nd is a PD Day. No school for students.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms Thomas
Thank you for supporting your child with participating in our Colour Days this week - we had a great time sorting, comparing and naming the different colours we wore, and created some classroom resources to help with our descriptive writing.
As a reminder, we start our week next week grey. Monday is also Jersey Day throughout the school, so students came up with some creative ways to support BOTH Jersey Day and Grey Day:
- jersey on the top, grey pants on the bottom!
- a grey t-shirt layer underneath!
- grey accessories like socks and headbands!
In your child's mail folder, please find a package of forms for our upcoming swimming lessons. Please read each form carefully and fill in the required information. Acknowledgement of Risk, Trico Swim Ability form, CBE Swim Ability form and payment slip are due back mid-week. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Volunteers are still needed for the days we are swimming. Please contact myself or Kathryn Molcak if you are able to volunteer for even one afternoon.
Some reminders for the upcoming week:
- Friday, April 19th is Good Friday. No school for staff or students.
- Monday, April 22nd is a PD Day. No school for students.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms Thomas
Saturday 6 April 2019
Friday, April 5th, 2019
Hi Families,
I hope everyone had a wonderful Spring break! On Monday, everyone was bursting with stories of what they did and who they saw during their week off. Sounds like lots of family, friends and sunshine!
This week, we worked to get back into routine and start some new learning opportunities.
We started by co-editing a writing sample about my adventures over the break, and then students wrote and edited their own, either 1:1 with my support, using a COPS checklist, or a combination of the two. I'm proud to see that each student is demonstrating a greater awareness of punctuation, capitals and spelling as we continue this practice.
Using our Girl Guide cookie problem from before Spring Break, we looked at how students solved the problem, and also how they communicated that they solved the problem. We realized that even though we all got to the right answer, some important math information was missing from our work. Together, we identified what information was important, and how it could be incorporated into our work for better communication, Students then completed the Car Wash problem, with the intention of improving their communication from the Girl Guide Cookie problem. Everyone did an amazing job!
When we shared our work on the Car Wash problem, we noticed many students chose to use pictures or symbols to communicate their understanding, so I challenged the students to find an alternate way to represent their work using materials in the classroom.
Challenge to model with a material or tool in the classroom. See which ones your child can speak to.
As we continue to develop our number fact fluency, we have started to target our automaticity of 5 and 10 facts in order to use them flexibly as an anchor to solve other facts. We have been using the 10 frames as a visualization strategy for number bonds within 10. The Making 10 game in our Math Game package from Student-Led Conferences helps support developing efficiency, accuracy and flexibility with this skill. Keep the face cards in and challenge your child to use subtraction (counting back) strategies to make new combinations!
As shared previously, students with strong number sense are able to manipulate numbers and understand how to use various strategies to solve problems,. Students develop their number fluency along a continuum of learning that starts with basic counting skills that leads to efficient strategies that may include recall.
We started revisiting colour in order to develop our vocabulary and descriptive writing, as well as connect to our upcoming new Wall Story - In My Heart: A Book of Feelings. Students worked together in a small group to sort the names of different paint colours such as dandelion, mahoghany and slate into common categories. It was exciting to see students reason with their group based on their real world experiences with colour, use terms such as tint and shade and describe how the could see the colour being made. Please watch for an email next week as we encourage students to wear tints and shades of a certain colour over 8 days to connect to our Wall Story, and offer interactive comparing, sorting, grading and naming opportunities.
In your child's mail folder this week, please find the April Scholastic book order. Orders are due by Thursday, April 18th. If you use the code "CLIFFORD" you can pick a free book if you spend $30 or more online.
Please see the email sent out by Kathryn Molcak regarding upcoming opportunities to volunteer for swimming at the Trico Centre in April and May. If you are not currently receiving emails from our Volunteer Coordinator and would like to, please send me an email and I will have you added.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms Thomas
I hope everyone had a wonderful Spring break! On Monday, everyone was bursting with stories of what they did and who they saw during their week off. Sounds like lots of family, friends and sunshine!
This week, we worked to get back into routine and start some new learning opportunities.
We started by co-editing a writing sample about my adventures over the break, and then students wrote and edited their own, either 1:1 with my support, using a COPS checklist, or a combination of the two. I'm proud to see that each student is demonstrating a greater awareness of punctuation, capitals and spelling as we continue this practice.
Using our Girl Guide cookie problem from before Spring Break, we looked at how students solved the problem, and also how they communicated that they solved the problem. We realized that even though we all got to the right answer, some important math information was missing from our work. Together, we identified what information was important, and how it could be incorporated into our work for better communication, Students then completed the Car Wash problem, with the intention of improving their communication from the Girl Guide Cookie problem. Everyone did an amazing job!
When we shared our work on the Car Wash problem, we noticed many students chose to use pictures or symbols to communicate their understanding, so I challenged the students to find an alternate way to represent their work using materials in the classroom.
Challenge to model with a material or tool in the classroom. See which ones your child can speak to.
 |
| Number line |
 |
| Montessori bead bars |
 |
| Hundred board - version 1 |
 |
| Hundred board - version 2 |
As we continue to develop our number fact fluency, we have started to target our automaticity of 5 and 10 facts in order to use them flexibly as an anchor to solve other facts. We have been using the 10 frames as a visualization strategy for number bonds within 10. The Making 10 game in our Math Game package from Student-Led Conferences helps support developing efficiency, accuracy and flexibility with this skill. Keep the face cards in and challenge your child to use subtraction (counting back) strategies to make new combinations!
As shared previously, students with strong number sense are able to manipulate numbers and understand how to use various strategies to solve problems,. Students develop their number fluency along a continuum of learning that starts with basic counting skills that leads to efficient strategies that may include recall.
We started revisiting colour in order to develop our vocabulary and descriptive writing, as well as connect to our upcoming new Wall Story - In My Heart: A Book of Feelings. Students worked together in a small group to sort the names of different paint colours such as dandelion, mahoghany and slate into common categories. It was exciting to see students reason with their group based on their real world experiences with colour, use terms such as tint and shade and describe how the could see the colour being made. Please watch for an email next week as we encourage students to wear tints and shades of a certain colour over 8 days to connect to our Wall Story, and offer interactive comparing, sorting, grading and naming opportunities.
In your child's mail folder this week, please find the April Scholastic book order. Orders are due by Thursday, April 18th. If you use the code "CLIFFORD" you can pick a free book if you spend $30 or more online.
Please see the email sent out by Kathryn Molcak regarding upcoming opportunities to volunteer for swimming at the Trico Centre in April and May. If you are not currently receiving emails from our Volunteer Coordinator and would like to, please send me an email and I will have you added.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms Thomas
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