Tag Archives: Event

Earth Day 2023

Earth Day 2023:

Earth Day Stories:

Tumblebooks: (access via Learn75, no password required)

What happens when one small boy picks up one small piece of litter? He doesn’t know it, but his tiny act has big consequences. From the miniscule to the universal, What Matters sensitively explores nature’s connections and traces the ripple effects of one child’s good deed to show how we can all make a big difference.

You Are Stardust begins by introducing the idea that every tiny atom in our bodies came from a star that exploded long before we were born. From its opening pages, the book suggests that we are intimately connected to the natural world; it compares the way we learn to speak to the way baby birds learn to sing, and the growth of human bodies to the growth of forests. This innovative picture book aims to reintroduce children to their innate relationship with the world around them by sharing many of the surprising ways that we are all connected to the natural world.

Wild Ideas looks deep into the forests, skies and oceans to explore how animals solve problems. Whether it’s weaving a safe place to rest and reflect, blowing a fine net of bubbles to trap fish, or leaping boldly into a new situation, the animals featured (including the orangutan, humpback whale and gibbon) can teach us a lot about creative problem solving tools and strategies. Wild Ideas encourages an inquiry-based approach to learning, inviting readers to indulge their sense of wonder and curiosity by observing the natural world, engaging with big ideas and asking questions.

Articles  and Activity Ideas from CBC Kids:

Family Literacy Week 2023

2023 Family Literacy Theme:

Make it count!FamilyLit_2023

Play . Sort . Measure.

“Numeracy is everywhere. Children start using math the moment they start exploring the world. Sorting, counting and measuring are ways of playing with math. Talking about math with children helps build a positive attitude towards math. Math talk helps your child connect math with daily activities.”

Recommended Resource: Math in Mission Website

Additional Resources: Make it Count Activities

Additional Resources

Joyful Literacy Family Literacy Activities:

(developed by Dr. Janet Mort)

Early Learning Families: Check out the Early Learning Page on Curriculum Connections for creative family activities developed by MPSD’s StrongStart Team

Earth Day 2022

Earth Day Stories:

Tumblebooks: (access via Learn75, no password required)

What happens when one small boy picks up one small piece of litter? He doesn’t know it, but his tiny act has big consequences. From the miniscule to the universal, What Matters sensitively explores nature’s connections and traces the ripple effects of one child’s good deed to show how we can all make a big difference.

You Are Stardust begins by introducing the idea that every tiny atom in our bodies came from a star that exploded long before we were born. From its opening pages, the book suggests that we are intimately connected to the natural world; it compares the way we learn to speak to the way baby birds learn to sing, and the growth of human bodies to the growth of forests. This innovative picture book aims to reintroduce children to their innate relationship with the world around them by sharing many of the surprising ways that we are all connected to the natural world.

Wild Ideas looks deep into the forests, skies and oceans to explore how animals solve problems. Whether it’s weaving a safe place to rest and reflect, blowing a fine net of bubbles to trap fish, or leaping boldly into a new situation, the animals featured (including the orangutan, humpback whale and gibbon) can teach us a lot about creative problem solving tools and strategies. Wild Ideas encourages an inquiry-based approach to learning, inviting readers to indulge their sense of wonder and curiosity by observing the natural world, engaging with big ideas and asking questions.

Articles  and Activity Ideas from CBC Kids:

Family Literacy Day 2022

Family Literacy Day 2022 Theme:

Learning in the Great Outdoors

“Spending time in nature provides many benefits, not just for bodies, but for minds too. This year, get outside and exercise both your mind and body together as a family. You can make outdoor time fun family learning time all while enjoying the wonders of Canada’s Great Outdoors!”

Celebrate Family Literacy Day 2021 Virtually with Honorary Chair Barbara Reid!

Barbara Reid

Join us online on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 1:30 Pacific Time for a special event with author and illustrator Barbara Reid.

Barbara will be doing a demonstration on how to use clay to create a picture. She will share unique techniques you can use to make different things. The event will end with a Q&A.

This event is ideal for children in grades 1 to 6. To register, please click here. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register as soon as possible to secure your spot.

Looking for additional ways to  participate in Family Literacy Day? Here are some ideas for inspiration:

FamilyLit_2022_2

FamilyLit_2022_3

Download and share these resources  from ABC Life Literacy Learn at Play, Everyday Activities (English and French):

Additional Resources:

GumbootWinter_2022

Joyful Literacy Family Literacy Activities:

(developed by Dr. Janet Mort)

Early Learning Families: Check out the Early Learning Page on Curriculum Connections for creative family activities developed by MPSD’s StrongStart Team

Earth Day 2021

Earth Day Stories:

636809

Tumblebooks: (access via Learn75, no password required)

What happens when one small boy picks up one small piece of litter? He doesn’t know it, but his tiny act has big consequences. From the miniscule to the universal, What Matters sensitively explores nature’s connections and traces the ripple effects of one child’s good deed to show how we can all make a big difference.

You Are Stardust begins by introducing the idea that every tiny atom in our bodies came from a star that exploded long before we were born. From its opening pages, the book suggests that we are intimately connected to the natural world; it compares the way we learn to speak to the way baby birds learn to sing, and the growth of human bodies to the growth of forests. This innovative picture book aims to reintroduce children to their innate relationship with the world around them by sharing many of the surprising ways that we are all connected to the natural world.

Wild Ideas looks deep into the forests, skies and oceans to explore how animals solve problems. Whether it’s weaving a safe place to rest and reflect, blowing a fine net of bubbles to trap fish, or leaping boldly into a new situation, the animals featured (including the orangutan, humpback whale and gibbon) can teach us a lot about creative problem solving tools and strategies. Wild Ideas encourages an inquiry-based approach to learning, inviting readers to indulge their sense of wonder and curiosity by observing the natural world, engaging with big ideas and asking questions.

Articles  and Activity Ideas from CBC Kids:

Earth Day 2020

Earth Day Stories:

636809

Tumblebooks: (username= tumble735, password = books)

What happens when one small boy picks up one small piece of litter? He doesn’t know it, but his tiny act has big consequences. From the miniscule to the universal, What Matters sensitively explores nature’s connections and traces the ripple effects of one child’s good deed to show how we can all make a big difference.

You Are Stardust begins by introducing the idea that every tiny atom in our bodies came from a star that exploded long before we were born. From its opening pages, the book suggests that we are intimately connected to the natural world; it compares the way we learn to speak to the way baby birds learn to sing, and the growth of human bodies to the growth of forests. This innovative picture book aims to reintroduce children to their innate relationship with the world around them by sharing many of the surprising ways that we are all connected to the natural world.

Wild Ideas looks deep into the forests, skies and oceans to explore how animals solve problems. Whether it’s weaving a safe place to rest and reflect, blowing a fine net of bubbles to trap fish, or leaping boldly into a new situation, the animals featured (including the orangutan, humpback whale and gibbon) can teach us a lot about creative problem solving tools and strategies. Wild Ideas encourages an inquiry-based approach to learning, inviting readers to indulge their sense of wonder and curiosity by observing the natural world, engaging with big ideas and asking questions.

Articles  and Activity Ideas from CBC Kids:

 

 

 

EarthPLAY for Earth Day

Click on the links below to find resources from the EarthPLAY Toolkit or visit the Earth Day Canada website.

Earth Day Reading:

Visit your school library to borrow books about the Earth and protecting it. Some books to look for are:

636809

 

For Teachers/Principals/Parents:

Action Ideas from Earth Day Canada:

This Earth Day, take all of that learning and hold an extra or extended recess. Or go all out – host an Adventure Play Day!

Hold an extra or extended recess: Demonstrate your school’s commitment to outdoor free play. Support accessible and inclusive play by bringing out loose parts. Consider setting up a temporary mud kitchen!

Host an Adventure Play Day: Provide an opportunity for students to connect to nature through outdoor play by hosting an Adventure Play Day! Provide a variety of natural and upcycled materials (loose parts), and transform your schoolyard into an adventure playground where all sorts of neat and unexpected things can be created, constructed, and organized.

How to host an Adventure Play Day

Set up a play day team

Gather a core group of five to six staff to facilitate this fun day! Put together a team of play champions: two teachers, an administrator, a couple of parents, and maybe a caretaker to lead the collection and organization of loose parts and event delivery.

Announce the day

Let the whole school know! Spread the word via student-made posters, social media, newsletters, and morning announcements.

Start a loose parts collection

Four loose parts per child will likely ensure you will have enough loose parts for everyone. They should be easy-to-source, free, or reusable materials that can ideally be recycled after the day.

Plan to cycle between 60-100 children through 60-90-minute play sessions

Play should not be rushed. The reality of recess and lunch hours will hopefully not have to apply to your play day. Depending on the size of your school, we also recommend mixing age groups!

Assess the space you will use for this event

It’s helpful to designate an adventure play section in the playground – about a baseball diamond size space (excluding the outfield), preferably including sand/mud, and not too far from a water source. Supervision won’t be spread out too far and the rest of the playground will be available for other children during the day. Identify the perimeter of the play area and where loose parts will be placed (e.g. a cardboard tube placed near a sandpit will often become a tool for digging and exploration).

On the big day, consider how you will lay out the loose parts 

Avoid creating obvious play stations but spread out loose parts with hints as to how they might be used. Not all of the loose parts need be laid out on the site initially. Try introducing new parts as some things become too worn for play.

Supervising play on your big day

When given the freedom to play with loose parts, students will surprise you with new and creative ways to play! This can be a challenge to supervise, and requires that you balance the opportunity for students to direct their own play with the rules of the playground and risk of injury. Rather than over-policing play, focus on three simple rules: stay within the boundaries, everyone helps clean up, and have fun!

Tidy up

Be sure to include tidy up time in your schedule. Have students re-organize the play field for the next group. Make sure supervisors have transition time between groups to rest and regroup. At the end of the day, sort the waste from the stuff you need to return or store. Be extra nice to your caretakers as they will have the extra work of making sure that waste is properly recycled or disposed. Thank them!

 

 

 

 

Lunar New Year 2019

 

Year of the Pig (image shared by UBC)

Learn about the animals in Chinese Zodiac:

Watch this video produced for Lunar New Year 2015 and learn about some of the Lunar New Year traditions from the UBC community.

 

Teacher Resources:

Pink Shirt Day

pinkshirt_2017

Mark your calendar: Pink Shirt Day is February 22nd, 2017.

pinkshirt_poster_2017

 

Wear something pink to show that we are all working together to erase bullying in our community.

Portraits of Kindness:

Watch the clip below.  What is kindness to you, to your family and how can you show kindness in your community?

Think about this prompt:

“Kindness is……”

Here are some great recommendations for books about kindness.  Visit your school library to find even more!

pinkshirt_kindbooks_2017

Teacher Resources:

BC School Library Day

dear2016_eng dear2016_fr

A message from the British Columbia Teacher Librarian Association:

“October 2016 is Library Month.
Monday, October 24th is BC School Library Day.

Share-Celebrate-Advocate. Everyone can participate:

  • Drop Everything and Read! Participate in the BC DEAR challenge.
  • Visit your school library soon!

The 2016 Drop Everything and Read Challenge will be held on Monday October 24, 2016!”

Looking for ideas for how your school can participate? Take a look at this DEAR photo album for inspiration!

Teacher Librarians:  Submit this form to send a record of how your school participated in DEAR.

International Dot Day

Make your mark this school year!  September 15th-ish is International Dot Day!  Join the celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration! Based on the story “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds, this is a great way to start the year by celebrating the creative talents of children.

Watch the videos below to see examples of students collaborating creatively and get inspired to create:

 Resources:

International Dot Day website: Get Inspired

Every Child Matters

OrangeShirtDay

September 30th has been declared annually as Orange Shirt Day to recognize the harm that was done to children in the residential school system and that ‘Every Child Matters’ as we move forward with the Truth and Reconciliation process.

This video clip shares Phyllis’ story about the origins and importance of Orange Shirt Day.

Mission’s Orange Shirt Day Event: The March to Heritage Park

On September 30th, 2016, students from MSS, HPMS, HMS and a few classes from participating elementary schools will march to Heritage park, (the site of St. Mary’s Indian Residential School).

  • All students and staff in the district will receive an Orange Pin from Siwal Si’wes to mark the day.
  • Before the march, each student will be given a card stock Turtle, outlining the year of Truth (and what it represents), discussing the purpose for “Orange Shirt Day” and the injustices of Canada’s Residential School system.
  • Each student will decorate their turtle and write a word or “commitment” of Reconciliation.
  • The students will march in orange shirts to the park.
  • Students and staff will be met by elders who attended St. Mary’s .
  • Each student will place their turtle into a cedar basket in front of the Elders.
  • There will be a few words from Elders at the covered area, some drumming and a small give away to each participant of a Reconciliation pin.

Turtle Design FL

Additional information for Educators:

Solstice Celebrations

The summer solstice occurs on Monday, June 20th.

Follow the links below to learn about two Canadian celebrations connected to the summer solstice.

National Aboriginal Day, June 21st: 

“Catch the spirit of the 20th Anniversary of National Aboriginal Day on June 21! Come celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.”

La Fête Nationale Du Québec, June 24th:

 

 

 

 

 

Earth Hour

A message from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF):

“The 10th annual Earth Hour takes place at 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 19, 2016. Six continents, over 170 countries, and 24 time zones will be united as a global community, making our voices heard through individual action.

Turn off as much power as you can and focus on your commitment to climate action for the rest of this year.”

Earth Hour Activities:

Read a book by flashlight!  How about “Franklin in the Dark”?  Visit your school library to borrow a great book to read for Earth Hour.

Franklin