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.
This September, get creative with cardboard and other recycled materials. Participate in the Global Cardboard Challenge, which culminates in a day of play on October 7th.
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!
Connect with classrooms around the world through stories! Watch this video from the 2015 school year to explore the inspiration behind this project and how your class can participate.
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:
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.
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.”
Government of Canada Learning Resources (English) (French)
Several schools in Mission have been participating in the Salmonid Enhancement program this winter and have been caring for salmon in classrooms and libraries! They started as eggs and will soon be released back into streams and creeks as fry.
Take a look at this short video clip that shows a salmon release at Mossom Creek, Port Moody, BC.
“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.
“On February 24, 2016 Lit World encourages children, parents, teachers, other educators, and librarians to read aloud. Lit World’s World Read Aloud Day (#WRAD16) champions the importance of telling stories no matter where one is around the globe.”
Watch and listen to Karma Wilson read aloud from her book “Bear Snores On”.
You can find more stories to watch and read along with on the World Read Aloud Day website.
Mark your calendar: Pink Shirt Day is on February 24th.
Wear something pink to show that we are all working together to erase bullying in our community. What better time of year to connect with models of kindness like Auggie (Wonder, by R.J. Palacio).
Check out these resources and book trailers to get inspired and spread the message for kindness all year round.
“Every year, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of black Canadians, past and present. Canadians take this time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation it is today. During Black History Month, Canadians can gain insight into the experiences of black Canadians and their vital role in the community.” Resources include:
Seven short videos highlighting contributions of important historical figures and inventors.
Thanks to the organizers, families in attendance and our wonderful Teacher Librarian superheroes (including our planners and set up team) for an inspiring literacy event at today’s Riot of Reading. The Riot of Reading is an annual community event in Mission to celebrate Family Literacy Day.
We had so much fun exploring Reading Superpowers, sharing fictional and real-life superhero books, and discovering our Superhero names. Hanging out with Clifford was pretty cool too!
This message is from the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada (FNCFCS) website:
“Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation campaign that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the services they need to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are.
Host a Valentine’s Day party to raise awareness in your school or community. Choose a day leading up to Valentine’s Day that makes sense for your class or community.
Spread the word through social media like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. Use the hashtag #HaveaHeartDay.
Through activities like Have a Heart Day, we are creating a movement where the landscape of Canada is only one of honour and possibility for First Nations children.”
FNCFCS also shared this music video by N’we Jinan Artists “Important to Us”, written and performed by students at Pierre Elliot Trudeau School:
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.
