Chief Dan George, Ravi Shankar and the buffalo

Notices:

Valentine lists went home with all students first names

Wednesday express

We began the morning talking about respect rules and expectations, prompted by issues a few members of the class continue to have lining up.   So many of the class are thoughtful and respectful and Mrs. Schneider and I value and appreciate them everyday. 

We followed this talk, story time, sharing with math.  We are continuing with solving word problems using diagrams to help understand the questions.  Students shared their solution diagrams with the rest of the class using the classroom document camera.  Seeing how other students solve problems is worth me telling them how to do it ten times.

After recess we continued our Famous Canadian Series with a look at a quote from the Chief Dan George, Tsleil-Waututh (1899-1981) who was an acclaimed actor, writer, poet and chief of the Tslei-Wauth Nation on the Burrard Inlet.   Instead of talking about his life the students had to read one of his poem/quotes and then tell what it means.

"The time will soon be here when my grandchild will long for the cry of a loon,

the flash of a salmon,

the whisper of spruce needles,

or the screech of an eagle.

But he will not make friends with any of these creatures and when his heart aches with longing, he will curse me.

Have I done all to keep the air fresh?

Have I cared enough about the water?

Have I left the eagle to soar in freedom?

Have I done everything I could to earn my grandchild's fondness?"

- Chief Dan George, Tsleil-Waututh (1899-1981)

We took a break for reading  and it was quite amazing to see how many students chose to go up to the bulletin board Mrs. Schneider put up to read the fairy tales written by their classmates.

Some students still preferred to read their own novels from the library or home.

After lunch those students not in choir listened to and did a report on the music of Ravi Shankar, the legendary sitarist and composer is India's most esteemed musical Ambassador

After Choir we watched video's, read from books and worksheets and talked about the amazing way the buffalo provided most of the needs for the Assiniboine Nations.  We talked about how the buffalo, on the prairie, is like the seal for the Inuit.  The students then broke into groups to do a report on the buffalo.  Working in groups gives the students time to talk more about the information as well as decide what is the most important information to focus on.

Great day everyone... see you tomorrow.