We did it! It was an awesome first week of learning, getting motivated and becoming more organized together in 2026! Here are some highlights…
In Science class, we have been learning about the life cycle of plants through our wheatgrass growing experiments.
Congratulations to everyone for growing so much in this unit! (This is a great foundation for our upcoming studies on biomes, and as well there are many related wheat/seed/bread/yeast Bible connections.)
In Language Arts, we are continuing to learn about the parts of speech and have started a new novel study on the Trumpet of the Swan. We are reading the book, while listening to the audiobook read aloud, pausing after each chapter to debrief language and meaning, analyze character, and consider historical notes and science connections. Today students did preliminary swan sketches in preparation for a future “swan watercolour project.”
As well, students are really improving their understanding of parts of speech and having giggles along the way by doing Mad Libs.
In Social Studies, Crew, and Bible, students have been discussing human rights and moments in history where love and justice were needed most. Together, we are creating an encouraging class video that teaches Christ’s example of welcoming, honouring, and standing up for others in a context of anti-racism.
We discussed the ideas and some context for Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech and learned about the story of Viola Desmond, a Canadian woman who took a stand against racial segregation in 1946.
Our next Social Studies unit dives into the story of what factors led to British Columbia joining confederation in 1871.
In Physical and Health Education, we have wrapped up our units on basketball and curling and are learning to practice safe calisthenics exercises and self-monitoring rates of exertion.
We’ve been keeping core skills in our rotations, but adding new bodyweight exercises and inviting students to personalize their own sequence of activities appropriate to their skills, fitness levels and goals.
Each student has been invited to show leadership in the gym by choosing an exercise to learn and lead. Coming up, we will be going skating on Feb. 2nd. Thank you for sending in those permission forms and $2 for renting skates if needed.
As a part of Career Ed., students were invited to apply and then informally interview for various class jobs to help our classroom run smoothly and stay beautiful. We connected to Colossians 3:23 and Jesus’ parable of the talents (bags of gold), thinking deeply about how we are invited to share our gifts purposefully and strategically—and with care.
It has been heartwarming to see everyone so excited to carry out their work—I am astonished at the generosity and care our students show!
Reminder:
Students have the option to use their multiplication charts for this quiz—and doing so does not impact their score.
We will have a quiz on Monday on multiplying 1-digit by up to 3-digit numbers (e.g. 4 x 654). Students will be challenged to show their ability to apply both the traditional method and box method. They will also show their understand through a math meeting with me using the play money and some other manipulatives.
*Scroll down to previous blog posts to see the multiplication tutorial videos if needed.
Try this…
If I have the amount of money shown, how much do I have altogether, and how can I share it equally between three people?
2 x $100 = $200
2 x $50 = $100
2 x $20 = $40
1 x $10 = $10
4 toonies = $8.00
4 loonies = $4.00
2 quarters = $0.50
2 dimes = $0.20
1 nickel = $0.05
Tiffany Poirier 