Oki, Tansi, Students, Parents and Guardians,
In this time of uncertainty my hope for you is that you are healthy and safe. I hope to be connecting with my students via phone or email in the near future. Here at PFS our students and our values are what drive our dedication. Our work is not done and I look forward to connecting again in the near future. Take good care of yourselves. Love, Ms. Georgia
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Students in Grade 6 have been spending some time thinking about the importance of the Acknowledgement of the Land when gathering. After considering the CBE version students felt that they could write their own and that it should be something from the heart. In the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration, the following is what all 16 smart, caring, thoughtful students wrote and agreed upon for our Acknowledgement of the Land.
The following Acknowledgement of the Land is a collaborative contribution by all 16 members of our classroom. Just like it’s important to acknowledge all our classmates’ efforts, it’s important that we pause, take a moment and remember that the land our school is built on is Treaty 7 land. This land is the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Nations, which include the Siksika, Piikani and Kainai. We also acknowledge the Tsuut’ina, Stoney Nakoda and Metis Nation (Region 3). We welcome you all here today and are grateful for this gathering. We would like to remind you that this is Indigenous land first, the original people (Nitsitapi) who always showed love and respect for Na’a. Thank her for what she has given us, for her spirit and her teachings. This land is sacred and it is our responsibility to respect her, honour her, and keep her safe. We need to speak our truth about the damage that was done to our land and our people. Always remember to show the land kindness because we need Na’a. She gives us food, water, shelter and medicine. Our ancestors are watching us and creator is hoping that we always remember who we are and respect our land and her spirit. What settlers did to the land is bad, we were at the edge of forgetting our traditions but we are still here and we are the future that can make a difference. Please remember to take care of one another and respect one another as well. As PFS students you should feel proud and never forget who you are. Our land is special and you are special also. Hand to heart in gratitude. As we embark on what is sure to be an exciting second term students in grade 6 are focusing on their PFS value of Independence. The focus of their learning this month incorporated a lot of technology. PFS Occupational Therapist Laura joined our class on 3 separate occasions to support students in installing and using of Google Read and Write Chrome. All students can now accessed their educbe.ca accounts and use the tools installed to support their learning. Voice to text recognition, picture dictionary and a read back function are just a few of the tools designed to support students meet with success and be independent.
The tools are web based and attached to student's google account. These accounts can be accessed through any computer or smart device as long as you are using CHROME (not SAFARI) as your internet browser. Ask your son or daughter to show you some of their school documents, in DRIVE on Sky Science or the Iroquois Confederacy today! In another exciting step towards greater independence Students received their borrowed combination locks for their lockers to take ownership of an assigned space. For many using the lock was an exercise in frustration, but a task that everyone persevered through. Students will be happy to have learned this skill prior to their transition to junior high! November was busy preparing for our Winter Solstice. An important part of the. year where traditionally families start to plan for the long winter ahead. To celebrate this time students prepared a wonderful production of Napi and the Buffalo. Student incorporated elements of humor, dancing and drumming to convey the message regarding the peril of acting greedy. Students practice, tweaked and tinkered to get their performance and their props just right! Congrats to all PFS students and a big virtual high five to the 5/6 students, who (in my opinion) stole the show!
Democracy! (Social Studies)
Students have been learning about the levels of government, democracy and the 6 candidates running for Prime Minister in the upcoming Federal Election. Highlights include watching the debates and looking closely at political platforms as it relates to Indigenous people. Literacy Groups Through conferencing with their teacher, students are setting goals in reading and writing in order to personalize instruction and set meaningful targets. Students are learning to be self-aware and active participants in their learning journey. Students are participating in a rotation of 5 stations every day that include; reading with a teacher, buddy reading, reading to self, writing and literacy games. Math-Place Value/Representing Numbers/ Basic Facts Grade 6 students are expected to confidently represent numbers to 1 000 000, pictorially, concretely and symbolically. Place value is being reviewed daily in class, along with basic facts in multiplication, division, addition and subtraction. Students are recalling preferred strategies and applying their knowledge to more complex problems that involve borrowing and regrouping. Sky Science Our current unit has started with an investigation of the Harvest Moon that took place in early September. September was an exciting month of building community. Students reacquainted themselves with their school routines, expected behaviour and PFS values. Participating in Orange Shirt Day, helped us all acknowledge the effects of Residential School. We are happy to be in a caring and warm environment full of love, respect and support.
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Ms.GeorgiaExcited to be teaching at PFS! Building relationships and honouring each students unique gifts are at the forefront of my practice. Archives
March 2020
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