In this edition you will find some ideas to also support Pre-Primary students and an enhanced well-being section. This resource has been cooperatively developed by educators across the province to ensure that all students have access to quality learning experiences. Families with internet or cell phone access can also download this package at the parent section of the DEECD.

Teachers will have additional ideas about how to create learning opportunities for your child, particularly for students who have adaptations and/or Individualized Program Plans. The learning package, whether it is online, through this paper package or a combination of ways, is designed to support you and your children, and not add to the stress of your circumstances. For those who require additional supports, we ask that you contact the teacher and/or principal at your child’s school.

We also want to be sure you know about:

Options and Opportunities (O₂) a three year program that engages students in career exploration as part of their high school learning. If you are completing Grade 9 and think O₂ is for you, call or text (902) 717-2202. Contact info for each region/ CSAP can be found at Options and Opportunities website.

O2 translation

Le programme « Options et opportunités » (O₂) est un programme de trois qui conduit les élèves à explorer différentes orientations professionnelles dans le cadre de leur apprentissage au secondaire. Si tu vas terminer ta 9^e année cette année et si tu penses que le programme O₂ est fait pour toi, appelle le 902 778-1577, envoie un message texte à ce numéro ou envoie un message de courriel à l’adresse colianne@sepne.ca.

A special feature that was submitted for our fourth edition highlights well-being from a Mi’kmaw perspective

All forms of life on Earth are connected. This teaching is an important part of Mi’kmaw life called Msit No’kmaq (mm-sit-NO-guh-mah) or All My Relations. Because we are connected, we must show respect for ourselves, for other people, and for other living beings, nonliving beings and the world in which we all live.

Mi’kmaq believe that all things have a spirit and deserve to be respected because they are all part of creation. The Mi’kmaw teaching of Respect is called Kepmite’tekemk (gheb-me-DAY-duh-ghemk). Everything on Earth has a purpose. We all have gifts to give to the Earth and to each other. Plants give us food and medicines. These are their gifts to us. We can give back by respecting them. One way to show Respect is by not littering where plants grow.

With the teaching of Respect, we see that we are all connected. When we show Respect for the Earth, we create an environment that allows all living beings, including ourselves, to live the purpose we were meant to live. This is why we must walk with kindness.

Looking for ideas to better support working from home?

Take a look back at the 1^st edition of the Learning package on page 2.

Êtes-vous à la recherche d’idées pour faciliter le travail à la maison? Revenez à la 1^re édition de la trousse d’apprentissage et consultez la page 2.

P-9 Physical Activity and Wellbeing

Taking care of your physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing is important during uncertain times. The activities and information in this issue are to help you and your family be well.

So much joy can be found in movement. Think about what types of physical activity give you joy. What is it about the movement that makes you feel happy?

Deck of Cards Fitness

Upper Body - Any time you pick a card with a heart do push ups (ex. 5 of hearts = 5 pushups)

Core Strength - Any time you pick a card with a spade do a sit up (ex. 9 of spades = 9 situps)

Lower Body - Any time you pick a card with a diamond do a squat (ex. 3 of diamonds = 3 squats)

Cardio Endurance - Any time you pick a card with a club do jumping jacks (ex. 10 of clubs = 10 jumping jacks)

Pick 10 cards total. Challenge yourself by choosing additional cards if you are able.

1 Minute Fitness Challenge

How many ____ can you do in a minute? Here are some ideas: Pushups, curl ups, pass and catches, jump rope, jumping jacks, hold plank, dribble a ball, balloon taps, arm circles, wall sit. What different activities can you come up with to try?

Learn to Juggle

Sit down on the ground. Start with two scarves—one on the ground to your left, and one in your left hand. Now throw the scarf in your left hand to the right, and pick up the one on the ground. Repeat on the other side, and you have the basic mechanics down. Add the third scarf now. Hold two scarves and place one on your left side. Throw the scarf in your left hand, pick up the scarf on your left, throw the scarf in your right hand, pick up the scarf on your right. Throw, pick up, throw, pick up, etc. Eventually you’ll be quick enough to throw and catch them while they hang in the air. You don’t need to go buy special juggling scarves. You can use plastic grocery store bags since they’re just as floaty and easy to snatch. Over time, you’ll be able to move on to balls or bean bags using the same technique. When you’re ready to stand and do it, or you’re trying the heavier stuff, try standing over a bed to make things easier. Keep at it and you’ll be a world class juggler in no time.

This week’s goal is to stick to a daily routine. We know that having a daily routine helps us to cope with change and to form healthy habits.

Write a Schedule

Write a daily schedule that includes eating healthy meals, physical activity, homework, daily age appropriate chores, mindfulness and time for play.

Foods to Grow On

Together, plan a meal that includes at least three different colors, like red peppers, black beans, and brown rice.

Most bedtime routines include pre-bed tasks like having a bath and brushing teeth, as well as quiet, enjoyable activities like reading a book or listening to a story. The aim is to keep the atmosphere calm and positive, using positive attention and praise. Talk together about any pre-bed tasks that you could continue every night.

Exploring Food

Explore "anytime" and "sometime" foods. Fruits and vegetables are "anytime" foods. They are so good for you that you can eat them every day. Foods like cookies, chips, and soda are called "sometime" foods because they are high in sugar, fat, or salt and should only be eaten once in a while. Think of some examples of anytime foods and sometime foods

Where do fruits and vegetables come from? We buy them in a store, but where do they grow? What fruits can you think of that grow on trees? What foods grow in the ground?

Pick and Pull Song I see an apple tree. Reach up and PICK! PICK! PICK! I see a mango tree. Reach up and PICK! PICK! PICK! I see a blueberry bush. Reach in front of you and PICK! PICK! PICK! I see a raspberry bush. Reach in front of you and PICK! PICK! PICK! I see a carrot. Reach down and PULL! PULL! PULL! I see a potato. Reach down and PULL! PULL! PULL!

For these activities, pay attention to the signs that your body sends you to move toward calm or to restore energy. Focus on your heart beat and your breath,

Help out around the house

Offer help around the house by volunteering to perform a chore or something new!

Students can perform household tasks which can be part of a routine such as: dishes, cleaning up, raking yard, helping prepare a meal or setting the table. The possibilities are endless!!!

Make a list of things you could do to help or share with other people, in your family or in your community.

Make a list of the things you will need to do to make your plan happen, keeping the steps in order.

Follow your plan in real life if you can!

Record with words, pictures or drawings what you did or would like to do to be a helper.

Name Ten:

Name 10 is a classic conversation game in which one person declares a category such as “Fruit” and the other players must come up with 10 examples of that category. The person who came up with the category gets to determine whether the examples fit. This is similar to the game Scattergories.

Write a letter to someone,

Write about a special moment in your life. What happened, who were you with, what did you do? How did you feel?

*Share with a friend and or family member over the phone or technology

Questionnaire

Take turns asking a parent/guardian in your home, or a friend through a phone call or video message, the following questions and then discuss the answers.

What do/did you like the most about school?

What do you like to do in your spare time?

What are some things you know a lot about?

What kinds of books do you like most?

What are some things that you would like to know more about?

What interesting places have you visited or would like to visit?

*Think of another question you would like to discuss.

Heartbeat Exercise:

A great way to become more aware of our breathing is to run in place, do jumping jacks, or jump up and down for 1 minute. Stop and place your hand on your heart, close your eyes, and pay attention to how your heartbeat and breathing feels. Pay attention to how long it takes for your breathing to return to normal.

Connect with a sound:

Put on music or focus on what sounds you can hear where you are (e.g., the hum of an appliance, the sound of traffic, the sound of the TV). Close your eyes and tune in to your chosen sound. Stay with the sound, returning to it when a distraction happens, and notice how you breathe along with it.

Woodchopper Breath:

Stand with your feet hip width apart. Clasp your hands together in front of your body. Take a long breath in while raising your hands above your head. Then, on a vigorous exhale with your mouth open, forcefully take your hands down between your knees. Pause, and completely let go of all the tension in your body. Repeat the steps: long exhale with hands overhead, followed by vigorous exhale while bringing your hands down between your knees. Pretend to chop wood, cutting a log for a campfire. Repeat 5 times

Object Breathing:

Place an object like a cotton ball, small ball of paper, leaf or a Kleenex on a table. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. As you breathe out, control your breath enough to move the object slightly. Make it more challenging by creating a path or an obstacle course through which you need to move the object.

This newspaper supports Nova Scotia’s Learning Continuity Plan that was released on March 31. For information on the plan and additional follow-ups on assessment and evaluation for Primary to Grade 12, visit the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website.