Hello, 4A families!
Each morning in “Crew” we aim for some sparkly moments to set the tone for a great day! The students explore a learning provocation inspiring G.R.A.C.E. (Gratitude, Respect, Acceptance, Caring, and Engagement).
A sense of belonging can happen organically, but we’re also intentionally trying to help students co-create a warm sense of community on purpose.
Yesterday, the surprise was a hockey table and the classic Canadian tale “The Hockey Sweater” with some powerful themes.
Bachelor Bob, our lop-eared learning coach, also did his part to drive the inquiry and keep team members focussed on the big goal!
Crew sessions like these hit learning standards across the curriculum, such as those in Language Arts, Physical & Health Education, Career Education, ADST, and more!
P.I.P. UPDATE: As a part of our Career Education goals, students are working on their own personal interest projects. They are welcome to work on multiple smaller projects or focus on one larger goal.
A popular interest in our class right now is textile arts, and many students are learning sewing, knitting, and crochet.
*If your child is interested in learning to sew, please send me an email granting your child permission to use my class set of sewing needles and have from me in sewing.
Students can bring in their own material, but I only permit students to use in class the needles I provide and track by number, so I can more easily supervise the safe sewing practices at all times. (No random sewing without permission—we can’t risk losing needles in class.) All students who sew must be reliable in following class safety guidelines.
Thank you so much for all your amazing support of our creative learners!
Crochet Club (a P.I.P. Option)
If your child has expressed interest in joining the in-class Crochet Club with Brooke (our grade 9 TA), please read the information below…
PASSION FOR CROCHET: We are blessed to have Brooke, a grade 9 PCS student, working with us on Wednesdays and Friday afternoons as a TA (teacher assistant).
Brooke is a multi-talented entrepreneur who runs her own crochet business selling her handmade creations. She has offered to teach any interested 4A student basic crochet skills during our inquiry blocks. (I personally do not know how to crochet, but I will directly supervise the sessions.)
FEASIBILITY: Crochet is a challenging skill that can take lots of one-to-one guidance for younger children to master, so it is best taught in smaller groups rather than as a whole class activity. So the plan is for Brooke to start working with one group of about 4-5 students next Wednesday, and then start a new group in a few weeks until each interested student has had a chance to be taught by the end of the year.
MATERIALS: Our school does not have crochet hooks or the specific yarn and other materials needed, and I have not been able to secure donations yet—but I am looking into that for the future.
For now, since Brooke has her own business, she is able to purchase crochet materials at wholesale prices. Brooke has offered to buy bulk quantities of yarn, crochet hooks, and the other materials needed for our students to get started in crochet, and she put together a “Learn to Crochet Starter” kits for students to purchase from her that includes materials to make a duck. The kits will include the following:
– 3 crochet patterns for stuffies
– 5mm crochet hook
– 7mm crochet hook
– Fluffy yarn to make the duck
– Thin yarn to make square/coaster/dishcloth
– Stuffing
– 4 stitch markers
– 6 pairs of craft eyes (for duck and other extra
projects)
– 2 darning needles (to sew in the ends,) they are NOT sharp, very dull and made from plastic, and not a safety hazard.
Brooke has priced the cost of the kits, after her wholesale discount at $25 each—there is no profit for her, just material costs.
If your child would like to work with Brooke and do the “Learn to Crochet a Duck” project, you can send in $25 cash (which will go directly to Brooke for the kit material).
Purchasing the hooks and materials for the project directly on your own is also an option, but the cost could be higher.
Students who are interested but are not ready to commit to doing a full duck project yet and just want to experiment with basic skills are welcome to use my yarn and try finger crochet in class. (Today we introduced the basic slipknot.)
Or, feel free to send in crochet materials with your child and Brooke and/or other classmates can work together as time allows once the duck project students have finished.
THIS IS OPTIONAL: So, to be clear, there is no expectation or pressure for any child to do the “Learn to Crochet a Duck” project or purchase a kit. It’s simply a neat opportunity—and a student can decide later in the year to join in. We are blessed to have Brooke with us all year!
NEXT STEP: If your child has a strong interest, a likelihood of following through with the project, and you would like this opportunity for him or her, then send in $25 to initiate the kit purchase or email me if you have other questions.
Tiffany Poirier 