Room 27
Butler
Putting trash in it's place...
Putting trash in it's place...
Making the Most of our Time
Sometimes, we just take the time we need to run around outside and make the school space better while we are at it. Ms. Kathleen pulled out a few trash pickers and a reuseable trash bag and we collected what we could. Getting outside is good for our mind, body, and the land itself sometimes too!
Making the Most of our Time
Sometimes, we just take the time we need to run around outside and make the school space better while we are at it. Ms. Kathleen pulled out a few trash pickers and a reuseable trash bag and we collected what we could. Getting outside is good for our mind, body, and the land itself sometimes too!
"Maple Syrup: a delicious reminder of the beauty and richness of nature."
- unknown
"Maple Syrup: a delicious reminder of the beauty and richness of nature."
- unknown
It's Maple Syrup Time
This year at Wilkinson, we decided to celebrate this special time of year (sometimes referred to as the Maple Moon or Sugar Moon) by tapping two maples! What better way to learn about this amazing natural occurrence then to participate ourselves right here at school?!
It's Maple Syrup Time
This year at Wilkinson, we decided to celebrate this special time of year (sometimes referred to as the Maple Moon or Sugar Moon) by tapping two maples! What better way to learn about this amazing natural occurrence then to participate ourselves right here at school?!
Maple Connections
This class was the very first class to connect with our maples in this way because they helped tap the first tree! We also had a special guest come (Crystal, a parent from Wilkinson) share Indigenous knowledges about the process. She told stories, helped drill, explained the process and methods of Haudenosaunee people and more. I tweeted a bit about maple syrup here. We also spent a second class listening to the story of Gluskabe and the Maple Trees, handing all the tapping parts, and talking about the 1:40 ratio of syrup:sap. 🍁 Each day for two weeks there was different information shared on the announcements about maple syrup too - it really is such a special time that provides a great learning opportunity!
Maple Connections
This class was the very first class to connect with our maples in this way because they helped tap the first tree! We also had a special guest come (Crystal, a parent from Wilkinson) share Indigenous knowledges about the process. She told stories, helped drill, explained the process and methods of Haudenosaunee people and more. I tweeted a bit about maple syrup here. We also spent a second class listening to the story of Gluskabe and the Maple Trees, handing all the tapping parts, and talking about the 1:40 ratio of syrup:sap. 🍁 Each day for two weeks there was different information shared on the announcements about maple syrup too - it really is such a special time that provides a great learning opportunity!
"There is no top. There are always further heights to reach."
- Jascha Heifetz
"There is no top. There are always further heights to reach."
- Jascha Heifetz
A Tall Challenge
The instructions: you can have a maximum of 12 objects to make the tallest free-standing object.
All safety rules applied - but these kids reached new heights and made the activity safe for each other without my meddling. This is exactly the kind of 'risky play' the Canadian Paedeatric Society wants to see more of and after watching this crew, I can see why. So much growth, collaboration, and joy! I tweeted about this concept and this crew here.
A Tall Challenge
The instructions: you can have a maximum of 12 objects to make the tallest free-standing object.
All safety rules applied - but these kids reached new heights and made the activity safe for each other without my meddling. This is exactly the kind of 'risky play' the Canadian Paedeatric Society wants to see more of and after watching this crew, I can see why. So much growth, collaboration, and joy! I tweeted about this concept and this crew here.
"The mud will wash off, but the memories will last a lifetime!"
- Sally Wright
"The mud will wash off, but the memories will last a lifetime!"
- Sally Wright
Mud Makers and Movers
I really wish I had taken a before and after photo. I knew there was a muddy puddle...maybe two - but we can work with that - so, in we went! They were give 8 minutes only to move freely and create paths and passages for every classmate to be able to move around the yard without stopping for 5 minutes. There were some pretty fancy shoes - so they got creative because you've gotta protect the kicks! When 8 minutes were up, everyone was off the ground and on the move - it may have evolved into a giant game a tag. It was a blast. What I hadn't anticipated was how extra muddy the yard would become due to clean up efforts! ha. It was great and a mud-outing that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Mud Makers and Movers
I really wish I had taken a before and after photo. I knew there was a muddy puddle...maybe two - but we can work with that - so, in we went! They were give 8 minutes only to move freely and create paths and passages for every classmate to be able to move around the yard without stopping for 5 minutes. There were some pretty fancy shoes - so they got creative because you've gotta protect the kicks! When 8 minutes were up, everyone was off the ground and on the move - it may have evolved into a giant game a tag. It was a blast. What I hadn't anticipated was how extra muddy the yard would become due to clean up efforts! ha. It was great and a mud-outing that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
"When you hand good people possibility, they do great things."
- Biz Stone
"When you hand good people possibility, they do great things."
- Biz Stone
Rising to the Challenge
It was cold. It was a special kind of cold, but these grade 6s rose to the challenge! I presented them with their challenge inside: safely get your group from one side of the OPAL yard to the other, using only the supplies you are given. They did it and along the way, they grew as a team (while they shivered), leadership skills were cultivated (shiver, shiver), positive communication skills were utilized (brr), creative solutions were born (brr), and, despite the cold - I think they enjoyed it!
Rising to the Challenge
It was cold. It was a special kind of cold, but these grade 6s rose to the challenge! I presented them with their challenge inside: safely get your group from one side of the OPAL yard to the other, using only the supplies you are given. They did it and along the way, they grew as a team (while they shivered), leadership skills were cultivated (shiver, shiver), positive communication skills were utilized (brr), creative solutions were born (brr), and, despite the cold - I think they enjoyed it!
"The greatest invention in the world is the mind of a child."
- Thomas Edison
"The greatest invention in the world is the mind of a child."
- Thomas Edison
OPAL & S.I.F
The space at the front of the school yard is referred to as "The OPAL yard".
OPAL = Outdoor Play And Learning.
OPAL & S.I.F
The space at the front of the school yard is referred to as "The OPAL yard".
OPAL = Outdoor Play And Learning.
It's a great space offering open, free, loose parts for students to take charge of following their interests and learning. Kids can be active in this environment that supports creative expression and provides endless opportunity to create and challenge themselves. Play is the way to learn all of the things they need to know that aren't taught like cooperation, imagination, initiative, collaboration, resilience, and risk-taking.
It's a great space offering open, free, loose parts for students to take charge of following their interests and learning. Kids can be active in this environment that supports creative expression and provides endless opportunity to create and challenge themselves. Play is the way to learn all of the things they need to know that aren't taught like cooperation, imagination, initiative, collaboration, resilience, and risk-taking.
Seeing What Happens
Thought it would be fun to see what the class got us to when presented with an open space, loose parts, and little direction.... :) It's amazing to see what they innovate and create, how they collaborate and what they learn through unstructured time. Also interesting to note who is cold and would rather chat. ha. We will enjoy more time in there going forward ... likely with the added perk of assigned challenges and building competitions! I do tweet now and then about OPAL fun in general with Wilkinson students, feel free to check out my twitter handle @teacher_kath!
Seeing What Happens
Thought it would be fun to see what the class got us to when presented with an open space, loose parts, and little direction.... :) It's amazing to see what they innovate and create, how they collaborate and what they learn through unstructured time. Also interesting to note who is cold and would rather chat. ha. We will enjoy more time in there going forward ... likely with the added perk of assigned challenges and building competitions! I do tweet now and then about OPAL fun in general with Wilkinson students, feel free to check out my twitter handle @teacher_kath!
Let your heart emerge, as all the wild things do, with the return of the light... HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE!
Let your heart emerge, as all the wild things do, with the return of the light... HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE!
Winter: A Solstice Story
This story is a sweet celebration of the the Winter Solstice. A group of animal friends gather in a quiet forest to celebrate the longest night of the year, each bringing something to share in decorating a beautiful tree and sharing the light of the season.
Winter: A Solstice Story
This story is a sweet celebration of the the Winter Solstice. A group of animal friends gather in a quiet forest to celebrate the longest night of the year, each bringing something to share in decorating a beautiful tree and sharing the light of the season.
Wilkinson's Winter Solstice Tree
After learning about what solstice is and how we were heading into the day with the longest amount of darkness, we took inspiration from Kelsey E. Gross' book and decided honour and acknowledge this amazing pattern of nature by creating gifts of hope for a mulberry tree in the Learning Garden that we dubbed "The Solistice Tree". Using only natural objects found in the Learning Garden and without causing any harm to the plants, students got creative! A number of classes contributed and if you happened past the Learning Garden on the Solstice, you would have been treated to flickering tea lights and nature decorations. You can see my tweet about it here.
Wilkinson's Winter Solstice Tree
After learning about what solstice is and how we were heading into the day with the longest amount of darkness, we took inspiration from Kelsey E. Gross' book and decided honour and acknowledge this amazing pattern of nature by creating gifts of hope for a mulberry tree in the Learning Garden that we dubbed "The Solistice Tree". Using only natural objects found in the Learning Garden and without causing any harm to the plants, students got creative! A number of classes contributed and if you happened past the Learning Garden on the Solstice, you would have been treated to flickering tea lights and nature decorations. You can see my tweet about it here.
"Architecture is just art we live in."
- Frank Lloyd Wright
"Architecture is just art we live in."
- Frank Lloyd Wright
Drey/drā/: the nest of a squirrel, typically in the form of a mass of twigs and leaves in a tree
We learned a bit more about ajidamo (squirrel) homes by trying to replicate them ourselves. We divided into smaller groups and got to work ... a group of opposable thumbs and all the nature ingredients they could gathers. The results are clear, it's fun, challenging, and almost impossible as adults to replicate the masterful work of a squirrel!
Drey/drā/: the nest of a squirrel, typically in the form of a mass of twigs and leaves in a tree
We learned a bit more about ajidamo (squirrel) homes by trying to replicate them ourselves. We divided into smaller groups and got to work ... a group of opposable thumbs and all the nature ingredients they could gathers. The results are clear, it's fun, challenging, and almost impossible as adults to replicate the masterful work of a squirrel!
"The links connecting our past to our present are powerful and enduring in the lives of each of us."
- Pamela McLean
"The links connecting our past to our present are powerful and enduring in the lives of each of us."
- Pamela McLean
Why is there a Canoe Garden at Wilkinson?
We learned a bit about the pre-colonial landscape of Toronto ... rivers, forests, savannah, Indigenous peoples, native plants ...and how the process of city expansion buried rivers and creeks - including one under part of Wilkinson! We cannot bring the river back, but we certainly can learn about the past and better understand how the canoe on the front lawn of our school is there to remind us of the water that flows beneath us and it's significance to Indigenous populations and the importance of local water sources. The canoe is mostly filled with native plants too - some that we recognized from our earlier explorations in the Learning Garden like mullein, sunchokes, and asters. We also found wild strawberries, learned about the tobacco that is growing, and learned about the slow decomposition of beech leaves (and how that has been utilized by Indigenous populations). We worked together to gather up leaves to fill and cover the area to support winter survival of these plants so we can revisit and learn more in the spring. Some of us even took some evening primrose seeds to spread on our walk home!
Why is there a Canoe Garden at Wilkinson?
We learned a bit about the pre-colonial landscape of Toronto ... rivers, forests, savannah, Indigenous peoples, native plants ...and how the process of city expansion buried rivers and creeks - including one under part of Wilkinson! We cannot bring the river back, but we certainly can learn about the past and better understand how the canoe on the front lawn of our school is there to remind us of the water that flows beneath us and it's significance to Indigenous populations and the importance of local water sources. The canoe is mostly filled with native plants too - some that we recognized from our earlier explorations in the Learning Garden like mullein, sunchokes, and asters. We also found wild strawberries, learned about the tobacco that is growing, and learned about the slow decomposition of beech leaves (and how that has been utilized by Indigenous populations). We worked together to gather up leaves to fill and cover the area to support winter survival of these plants so we can revisit and learn more in the spring. Some of us even took some evening primrose seeds to spread on our walk home!
Squirrel wisdom: Prepare. Be Resourceful. If you have more than you need - share. Grab opportunities. Have fun.
Squirrel wisdom: Prepare. Be Resourceful. If you have more than you need - share. Grab opportunities. Have fun.
Ajidamo
We learned a lot about ajidamo (squirrels) then went in search of their homes that we learned are called a drey. We found several! We also discovered the plethora of pine cones around Wilkinson - including some that had clearly been chewed on. So, we went in search of the seeds they are want from pine cones - so small!
Ajidamo
We learned a lot about ajidamo (squirrels) then went in search of their homes that we learned are called a drey. We found several! We also discovered the plethora of pine cones around Wilkinson - including some that had clearly been chewed on. So, we went in search of the seeds they are want from pine cones - so small!
"Tell me a fact and I'll learn. Tell me the truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever."
- North American Indigenous Proverb
"Tell me a fact and I'll learn. Tell me the truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever."
- North American Indigenous Proverb
The Year the Roses Died
This story is from a book about Anishinaabe Botanical Teachings called "Plants have so Much to Give Us, All We have to do is Ask" by Mary Siisip Geniusz. We even heard Anishinaabemowin words for different animals including:
- waawaashkeshiwag (deer), bineshiinyag (little birds), aamoog (bees), memengwaag (butterflies), waabooz (rabbit), makwa (black bear) and more...
This story shares the Anishinaabe explanation for why roses have thorns (and why rabbits look the way they do)! The story is worth retelling, ask you child what they remember! Plus, the lessons in the story are many: a caution against blame, only take what you need, be gentle with your hands, remember to keep things in balance, and much more. We had to find where the wild roses are growing in the Learning Garden be searching out the thorns and noticing the leaves that were left. We also checked out the rose hips and learned about their use as a medicine and food for humans (tea) and animals, especially in the winter! We also chatted about erosion and how the roots of wild rose plants are helpful to regenerate an area that is experiencing erosion because of their roots.
The Year the Roses Died
This story is from a book about Anishinaabe Botanical Teachings called "Plants have so Much to Give Us, All We have to do is Ask" by Mary Siisip Geniusz. We even heard Anishinaabemowin words for different animals including:
- waawaashkeshiwag (deer), bineshiinyag (little birds), aamoog (bees), memengwaag (butterflies), waabooz (rabbit), makwa (black bear) and more...
This story shares the Anishinaabe explanation for why roses have thorns (and why rabbits look the way they do)! The story is worth retelling, ask you child what they remember! Plus, the lessons in the story are many: a caution against blame, only take what you need, be gentle with your hands, remember to keep things in balance, and much more. We had to find where the wild roses are growing in the Learning Garden be searching out the thorns and noticing the leaves that were left. We also checked out the rose hips and learned about their use as a medicine and food for humans (tea) and animals, especially in the winter! We also chatted about erosion and how the roots of wild rose plants are helpful to regenerate an area that is experiencing erosion because of their roots.
"In some Native languages the term for plants translates to 'those who take care of us'." - Robin Wall Kimmerer
"In some Native languages the term for plants translates to 'those who take care of us'." - Robin Wall Kimmerer
Breathing it all in
We listened to the stories, passed around some braided sweetgrass from the Learning Garden, and noticed how the blade of sweetgrass that we pulled (not the first we saw, of course) 'let go' with just a light pull when it was harvested. We had the opportunity to choose a word to demonstrate our feeling or thought when we smelled the sweetgrass.
Breathing it all in
We listened to the stories, passed around some braided sweetgrass from the Learning Garden, and noticed how the blade of sweetgrass that we pulled (not the first we saw, of course) 'let go' with just a light pull when it was harvested. We had the opportunity to choose a word to demonstrate our feeling or thought when we smelled the sweetgrass.
Story: The First Blade of Sweetgrass is an Own Voice Indigenous picture book story about Musquon who learns to distinguish sweetgrass from other grasses when going with her Grandmother for the first time to harvest sweetgrass for basket making. She learns that her ancestors have done this for centuries and she's careful to leave the first blade she sees for future generations.
Story: Braiding Sweetgrass shares a story about how sweetgrass is the first plant to grow on Turtle Island. The author (Robin Wall Kimmerer) explains that it is still an important ceremonial plant for many Indigenous cultures - the braid similar to the hair of Mother Earth.
"Nature is not just a place to visit. It is home." - Gary Snyder
"Nature is not just a place to visit. It is home." - Gary Snyder
Learning Garden Plants
We have been getting to know the plants in Wilkinson's Learning Garden. Ms. Kathleen gave out boards with a photo on it and we set out to locate the plant while we learn how the plant can be used for medicine as well as food. We also learned some interesting facts about the plants. Ask your child, they just might impress you with their plant knowledge! We also learned that the Learning Garden is being supported to become a food forest. I tweeted about it here and here.
Learning Garden Plants
We have been getting to know the plants in Wilkinson's Learning Garden. Ms. Kathleen gave out boards with a photo on it and we set out to locate the plant while we learn how the plant can be used for medicine as well as food. We also learned some interesting facts about the plants. Ask your child, they just might impress you with their plant knowledge! We also learned that the Learning Garden is being supported to become a food forest. I tweeted about it here and here.