We had a very exciting January. This included the grade three inquiry project. The focus of the showcase was for the students to look at what can be done to improve Langdon. Students were tasked with creating blueprints which took into account the opportunities and challenges for each project and how it might impact the hamlet of Langdon. Some projects included; adding a sidewalk onto 4th street, building a movie theatre or pet store as well as a cemetery so that people could be closer to their deceased loved ones. Students then created scale models of their projects. For this, they sought the help of many experts. Some were local, others came greater distances to work with us and give us advice and suggestions. After that, we enlisted the help of our volunteers to help us make the models. This required hours of focus and attention. Students were required to engage their math and building skills to accurately create scale models.
The grade three classes led by Ms. Hiller, Ms. Wentworth and Mrs. Hagedorn were then ready to showcase their projects, and they invited all the wonderful people who supported them with this project. Our students were so proud to speak to their ideas and reasons behind their projects. Rolly Ashdown, councilor for Southeast Rocky View County, Langdon, Indus attended the evening showcase. He then invited us to the Policy and Priorities meeting at the Rocky View County office. What an honour it was to have our students present their projects to the committee. This was an authentic learning experience that students will always remember.
Each year, all Sarah Thompson School teachers embark on at least one inquiry or project based learning unit of study. The purpose is to provide students real-life learning experiences that allow for multiple entry points of learning and embed more than one curriculum. Using our curriculum as the guide, this may involve language arts, social, science and math combined in a purposeful way. This year’s grade 5 project is Canada 150. This is a celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. Students from grade five have been learning about Canada through art and social studies. These learning experience foster meaningful student engagement because there is built in choice in some facets of the subject matter. Students own their learning experience, and think deeply and critically when they are invested.
As we move into February, we are looking forward to our grades one and twos swimming the week of February 13-17 and our grades 3-5, March 6-10. This wonderful swimming survival program gives our students an opportunity to get some much-needed physical activity during the long cold winter months.
Just a reminder there is no school for students from February 20th to February 27th. This is for Family Day, Teacher’s Convention and staff Professional Learning.
