Minor Details - March 1

March 1 - 5, 2021

Dissolving Sugar Cubes vs Granulated Sugar

Today we designed and conducted experiments to determine whether sugar cubes dissolve at the same rate as granulated sugar. Then, we used the Particle Theory to explain our observations.

"UnLearn" and Implicit Bias

Starting earlier this week, we have been exploring "implicit bias". We have created a brave learning space where we are all committed to staying engaged, speaking our truth, being willing to experience discomfort with challenging ideas and understanding that there are often no "right" answers.

Today Ms. Rossi joined us virtually to guide us through an activity that helped us reflect on our implicit bias.

Please ask us about the "airplane activity"!

Over the next few weeks, we will be using images to stimulate discussion about our beliefs and biases. We will connect what we're learning to writing, media literacy and dance projects.

Fitness Leadership

For the past couple of weeks, Abbie, Brianna and Julia have been planning and leading fitness circuit classes during Phys Ed.

They are doing an excellent job of motivating the class to participate actively and keep our heart rates up!

After reflecting on their first class, they asked for a second opportunity to improve on things they felt they wanted to change. This is a fantastic illustration of growth mindset.

They should be proud of stepping outside their comfort zones to take this leadership role.

Indigenous Art

In Art, Mme Winn has introduced a new project that honours indigenous dot art. Here are a couple of works in progress.

Visit from the Director

Last week, we sent out our Valentine's Day Injustice Project letters. Will L. sent his letter to DSBN Director Warren Hoshizaki with a recommendation that we include bullying as a "subject" in the same way we do Math, Science and Literacy.

Today Mr. Hoshizaki made a visit to our class to show his support for standing up against injustice. He said that he is interested in exploring Will's idea and will keep us posted when there is an opportunity for us to pilot an anti-bullying project.

I am so proud of all the students in our class for how they represented themselves and Dewitt Carter! They continue to model respect and kindness every day.

Multi-Concept Math Test Preparation

Over this week, we are preparing for a multi-concept math test (Friday March 5).

Our first step was to use our Reflection Journals to identify everything we have learned since the beginning of the year and the corresponding reflection for that concept. It was amazing to see how much we've learned!

The next step is to review all the math tests (filed in students' binders) and do practice problems (posted in the Google classroom). Each day we will spend time doing tutorials on concepts that need a little refresher.

Cognitive "Distortions"

Have you considered why sometimes when someone tells a joke, one person will laugh, another will look confused and another will be offended? Same words, but very different effects.

Over the next few weeks, we will be investigating implicit bias and perspective through a variety of very challenging ideas. It is important that we understand how our thoughts about something can determine our feelings.

The same event (say, a math test) could lead to very different feelings depending on how each person thinks about the event. The event itself (the math test) is "neutral". How we think about that event leads to our feelings.

We also made the connection between athletes and their thoughts at the beginning of competitions. I can't imagine Usain Bolt standing at the starting blocks of an Olympic 100m race, thinking, "I'm a terrible runner. I'm not going to win this race. Everyone is better than me".

We will be taking time to reflect and check in on our thoughts as we learn about bias and perspective.

Please take time to talk about this at home.

Chromatography

Another experiment we did to investigate solutions and dissolving involved seeing what happened to black Crayola marker ink on filter paper when it dissolved in water. This led to some interesting discussion about how the Particle Theory could explain our observations.

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