Children as Storytellers

Hello Families,

It has been a wonderful week with the children.  One of the best moments I had was watching Deb and a group of children retell the story of Goldilocks using the new SMART Board.  Deb was fully immersed in the process as were the children.  They retold the story and with their suggested, Deb created the icons.  Then each child took turns coming up to move Goldilocks around on the screen while Deb retold the story depending on what the child decided to do with the icons.  The objects gave the story some tangibility. 

Storytelling plays an essential role in children's exploration of self.  Children practice expressing and developing their cognitive, emotional and social selves as they tell stories. It was clear to all of us that these children felt a growth in their self esteem as they performed the storytelling/making with Deb.  They also showed great support for one another as listeners. 

We are so thankful to Henry Au (Elijah and Natalya's dad) for helping make this project a success.  We thank him for the effort he made to get it all together for our start this week.  It's with parental support that we make this program so wonderful.

Kate

Connection

Hi Everyone,

It's been so lovely working with the children each morning.  I have lead a wonderful song game called "Little Sally Ann".  It requires that the children practice developing trust in one another.  In this case trust involves learning to communicate with one another, understanding each other and developing respect and self-respect as well.  In this song game the children use gestures with their hands that reflect a sense of belonging and connection as they look/gaze at the child in the middle of the circle who is acting out a scene at the beach.  Then the children must look with care at one another as they are addressed by name and offered a turn.  It was wonderful when one of the children spoke for the first time in the song and one of the little girls delighted by saying "he can talk!".  She saw him on a deeper level today and I think he felt seen/heard as well.  Through simple singing practices and movement games, the children are learning to develop trust in one another and in us as we allow them to participate in the game when they are truly ready.  

I wonder if any of the children can remember the melody or the lyrics!  We'll keep singing it to help them learn it or you can contact me and I'll try to send you Annette's version as an mp3.

Kate

SFU event regarding bees

Hello Families,

It is wonderful watching the children explore their interest in bees.

The following weekend event might be of interest with regard to supporting their growing knowledge and sense of inquiry:

SFU's special science outreach event, "ChemEcol Quest", coming up this weekend, please use the following web site to register:

http://websurvey.sfu.ca/survey/85520310


For those of you looking for a science outreach activity that is suitable for kids of all ages, I'm pleased to pass on the following information (better late than never!) about a fun event organized by the SFU Faculty of Science, taking place on the Burnaby campus this Sunday, July 24, from 1:00PM-4:30PM. Please note that registration is required.

The Simon Fraser University Faculty of Science’s ever popular free public quest- for-science activities are about to take a chemical ecological and climate change twist.  

In celebration of 2011 being International Year of Chemistry, Science in Action and the International Society of Chemical Ecology have teamed up to present ChemEcol Quest on Sunday, July 24. It all happens in the SFU Burnaby campus’ North Academic Quadrangle.

Everyone is invited to the free interactive demonstrations from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm but must register at http://i.sfu.ca/XwdryE .

An action packed busy bee schedule of events includes:  

·       Find out how bees communicate with pheromones (scents and tastes) inside and out of their hive.

·       See demos with live bees and the queen retinue pheromone.

·       Learn about forest pests (such as mountain pine beetle) and the pheromones these insects use.

·       Why is the mountain pine beetle infestation in B.C. so extensive and spreading?

·       Talk to expert chemical ecologists about research and benign ways to monitor and control various pest organisms.

·       Take a tour of SFU’s newly renovated chemistry department.

·       Use natural dyes, extracted from plants, to find out how acidic (or basic) common household items are.

·       Build models of pheromones and other interesting molecules.

·       Learn about the chemical senses (taste and smell).

summer if finally here

Hello Families,

Summer is finally here and we are so happy to have a lovely group of new children join our community of learners.

Our new contact list is being prepared so if any of you want to hook up with one another outside of the program please feel free to contact one another.

Keep checking the web site for additions to the monthly schedule.  More ideas???? Feel free to share.

Personalized learning

Education Minister George Abbott, in an opening video clip, says:

"We've asked students how they believe we can get from good to great, how we can bring personalized learning into their classrooms. Now we'd like you to respond to the same questions. We'd like you to tell us how you think we can use personalized learning to take British Columbia's education system from good to great."

Check out the site and see if it's something you'd like to participate in.

Pot Luck Dinner and Concert Wed June 29

Hello Families,

The school principal is checking on the  use of the gym for our concert on June 29.  We are so excited and the children love the many dances this year that they have been practicing.  One of the songs they have been learning is the Log Driver's Waltz.  Annette helped them a couple of weeks ago and they sing it beautifully.  

Wendy has also located many verses to the song game Darby Town and some of them are found on this site.

The Pot Luck sign up sheet is ready for support.  Let's hope for a sunny evening.  Remember to bring all your blankets and dinnerware.

Kate

Creative Minds Events: Party for Glenis tomorrow

Creative Minds Events: Party for Glenis tomorrow: "Hi All, The Party for Glenis is at 1 tomorrow. We'll have balloons and bubbles so hope for sunny weather for this farewell.