September 23rd to September 26th

September is an important month for learning and commemorating the truth of our history with The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th and the CBE Truth and Reconciliation Week. It is a time where we can learn and reflect upon the history of residential schools in our country as well as working to learn, understand and honour Indigenous ways of being, belonging and knowing.

This learning is strongly connected to our social studies curriculum and the learning outcome; recognize how stories of people and events provide multiple perspectives on past events. We used a variety of picture books as a springboard for rich conversations about Alberta's Indigenous people and their experiences. The students learned about the Medicine Wheel and it's importance to Indigenous people. We created our own Medicine Wheels representing our connections to our mind, body, spirit and heart. We then worked on extending our understanding of what a treaty is. Next, we looked at a map of Alberta and identified the Treaties and Regions of our province.

Throughout the week, we explored a variety of Land Acknowledgements and discussed their significance. Students then looked at the significance of the land in their own lives, writing pieces about their favourite place to be on the land and how they can take care of the land. We covered the following I can statements:

I can recognize the influence of diverse Indigenous peoples as inherent to Alberta's culture and identity.

I can write and organize ideas to express myself.

As you explore the images below, have your child share the following:

What is a Treaty?

Why is a Land Acknowledgement important?

What are your personal connections to the land?

What will you do to care for the land?

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June 16th to June 20th

It is heard to believe that this was our final week week of the school year. The time has definitely flown past. Despite how close we are to the end of the year, the students have been working incredibly hard his week. We finished up our work in angles in math and the students completed their social studies research on The North West Mounted Police and early settlement in Alberta. Then, they worked to represent their learning in a Google Slideshow. This was a perfect connection to our Western Heritage Day where we enjoyed a pancake breakfast and afternoon of Western themes games with our buddies. We were also incredibly to learn about hoop dancing through a fantastic performance by Jay Genaille.

June 9th to June 13th

This week, we were so excited to have the opportunity to learn a little about Canada's National Summer Sport with our lacrosse residency with Coach Dan from Elev8 Lacrosse . We then learned and practiced some of the basics including how to hold the stick, pick up and cradle the ball as well as tossing and catching the ball. We then moved onto passing, catching, aiming the ball and scoring. The students had a fantastic time playing games on our final day, showcasing their skills and their teamwork. A huge thank you to Andrew Sibbald Parent Council for providing this opportunity. Learning Outcomes: I can perform elements of movement when receiving, sending, and retaining an object using various parts of the body and equipment. I can recognize the presence and influence of diverse Aboriginal peoples as inherent to Alberta’s culture and identity.

June 2nd to June 6th

Over the past few weeks the students have been learning all about the early days of our province. They looked at texts, learning about the Fur Trade, Voyageurs and the development of Forts along the rivers and how this brought change to the West. The students read and discussed the development of the North West Mounted Police and the extension of the railway. We learned how the government encouraged European immigration to Western Canada. We examined a variety of advertising posters, discussing the audience they were targeting, the accuracy of the posters and why people would want to leave their country and call Canada home. Our trip to Heritage Park was a fantastic culmination of our learning. The students had opportunities to get a glimpse of what life used to be like in our province. They were able to visit tipis, a blacksmith shop and a Fort where they could examine examine animal pelts. They were able to explore trains and a variety of buildings from a soddie to an early farmhouse...

Mrs. Pols' Fantastic Fours

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