Animal Poems

Grade 1 students have been learning to write poetry. I integrated poetry writing with our celebration of "Earth Week".  I read aloud, "The Great Kapok Tree," by Lynne Cherry.  Students followed the story up by drawing and cutting out the animals in the story. We added them to our Great Kapok Tree I made in the hall. We then worked on writing poems about animals.  These are a few of my favourite poems.

Hands on Learning: Field Trip to Kidziti



On Thursday, February 23, 2012, the grade ones had the opportunity to visit the newly opened Kizciti! Kizciti is a community designed especially for children ages 3-15. At Kizciti, children participate in different community helper roles. The children were excited to be able to have hands on experiences, meeting the community’s wants and needs. At the cookie factory, students got to prepare cookies for the oven, and enjoy the delicious treat. At the milk factory, they took the empty milk box through the factory line and prepared it for sale in the store. At the fire station, students put on the protective gear, and zoomed down the slide, to board the fire truck, heading off to an emergency house fire. They took charge and hosed the fire down. At the water factory, students filled and sealed water bottles; checked for impurities; and labeled the water bottles – ready to be shipped. At Air Mekong, students took on the role of pilot and flight attendant, and boarded the plane to show off their skills. There were many happy customers. At the ice cream shop, students got to make their own sundae and enjoy a cold treat. Students also got to experience a magic show, the art studio, t.v. station, and health clinic. Children ended up at the bank where they had a choice to deposit their money in the bank to earn interest. As a culminating activity for our communities unit , the grade ones had a fantastic time being responsible members of the Kizciti community.

Earth Week at S.S.I.S.

During the week of April 16-20th, 2012, a team of teachers  including myself and a number of others, under the leadership of Ms. Heather helped to create Earth Week, at S.S.I.S. The week was filled with hands-on activities in order to help inspire our students and create a culture of caring about the environment. It was inspiring to watch all the learning going on. The energy was palpable as students and teacher alike had fun; pledges where made towards more environmentally friendly actions; attitudes, values and behaviours where reflected upon.  Each day of Earth Week had a theme...


Monday was "Water"....

Students write their ideas about how to save water.

Ms. Heather's students writing their water saving ideas, reused water bottle in hand that will become "toilet water savers" that students will bring home and put into their toilet tanks with parent help to save water with every flush!

Some food for thought facts displayed around the Atrium

Tuesday's theme was the "Three R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)".  Our trash relay was a big hit with students. Students had to choose a piece of trash from the box and decide if it could be reused, recycled or just put in the landfill. The reuse basket was the closest, if they chose reuse, they had to tell one way the item could be reused... recycle was second furthest away and landfill was the furthest away.

My class doing the 3R's relay race.

Wednesday's theme was to "Power Down".
Teachers opened the blinds to let natural light in and either turned off of put air cons on low. The whole school wore green that day to show solidarity in our appreciation of the Earth.  Students used old t-shirts to make a bag. They love their new bags!

Grade one's showing off their new bags!

Thursday we learned about "Food"
Do you know where your food comes from?  How far does it have to travel before it reaches your mouth?  How much packaging waste is used?  What types of natural resources are necessary in the production of your food?  Students had a chance to plant a class edible garden. Let's hope ours grows nicely and we can eat the herbs and lettuce that we are trying to grow.

Grade 5's planting their Edible garden.

Friday was "Earth Day is EVERYDAY!" students reflected and wrote pledges about how they can help out the earth everyday.  We also had our first "Meat Free Friday."  The cafeteria served no meat that day!

Learning Journeys

Our school just had our annual Learning Journeys.  Learning Journeys is the name of our student led conferences.  My class loved sharing their learning and growth with their family's by leading their parents through activity stations that highlighted their learning in Math, Reading, Science and Writing. The favourite activity for most students and parents was the chance to share their student portfolios.  Students and parents alike delighted in the huge growth they could see in reading and writing. It was a special day for all!

Brian reading his "All About" book to his family.

Giuliano sharing a math game with mom.

Jimmy reading to his dad.

Jenny sharing her portfolio with her dad.

Tracy sharing her learning about "Solids" with her mom by playing a sorting game.

A Jin retelling a book she just read with her mom.

Professional Development with Maggie Moon

On Wednesday, April 18, 2012, I had the opportunity to use my classroom as a lab site in order to learn more about conferring during Writer's Workshop. Literacy Consultant, Maggie Moon, was at S.S.I.S. and we had a chance to learn about student conferencing, assessment and keeping "mini lessons" mini in her workshops. My classroom was used as a lab site in which we learned about the "freeze-frame" method to improve student conferencing. What happens is that two teachers approach a student for a conference. One teacher begins the conference, then when he/she feels stuck or wants thoughts from the other observing teacher, the child is asked to carry on and a short discussion happens between teachers. The conferencing teacher then resumes the conference, perhaps with new insight into what to teach the student. This is an excellent way to improve student conferences and learn from colleagues.

The teachers watching Maggie Moon model a "Freeze-Frame" conference.

Me and my partner Chris trying out the "Freeze-Frame" conferencing method on one of my students.

After looking at these photos you might be wondering why nearly everyone is wearing green.... It was Earth Week at the school and on this day everyone was supposed to wear a green shirt to show solidarity to the cause.


A letter from Maggie Moon after her visit to S.S.I.S....

Dear Liz, 

Thanks so much for hosting the K/1 lab site. Your kids are off to a great start with their poems, and I'm sure you'll have a blast with them as they take their work to publication. I can tell you've put a lot of effort into your Writing Workshop this year, so kudos to you!

Good luck finishing up and have a great summer!

Thanks again, 

Maggie

Thank you Maggie!!!

Student Clubs, Activities and Sports Coaching History

 

Canadian International School, HCMC, Vietnam:

2009-2011

Sewing Club

Games Club

         

 

Yoga for Kids Club

Co-operative Games Club

     

 

 

 

Cedarwood Public School, Ontario, Canada:

2007-2009

• Cross Country Running team coach:

Organizing and running the Talent Show:

Some of the talented performers!

Assisting with International Night:

 

Breakfast Club:

Community Involvement in Vietnam on Prezi

SSIS reading buddies sing "Tongo"

 My grade 1's and Ms. Marco's grade 3s are reading buddies. The reading buddies are connecting with students in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We are teaching them a call and response song called Tongo. Watch Ms. Marco expertly lead the song, I am video taping.... Enjoy it and teach it to your group too!