It's December!

How did it get to be December?!?!

A lot has happened in the last week or so. For starters, students I'm so proud and happy of the way you planted on Tuesday. It was a wonderful day from my point of view - beginning with Augie of the Esquimalt Nation drumming and blessing the "breaking" of the ground. We were so fortunate to have so many skillful adult volunteers helping us - even though I love to garden and have many native plants in my own, I still learned some new things from Todd, Wendy, Val, Gillian and the other volunteers. And did you all manage to get a hot chocolate??

Today was, perhaps, even better. Parents and guardians, we put our garden to good use almost immediately, and spent an hour outside today choosing 4 native species, identifying as many characteristics as we could, and sketching it out. Tomorrow and Monday we will take the information and use it to make Dichotomous Classification Keys, which the students have been working VERY hard at mastering! It's a complex concept, and I'm delighted with how much students have been practicing - it's kind of like making a puzzle for someone, and it's very cool when the puzzle pieces come together.

Students - I also want to congratulate you on the "tone" in the classroom this week. I think you heard my message Tuesday morning, and I really feel that everyone is trying their best to be respectful of each other, our classroom community, and the adults in the school. You've all worked hard and been positive. Thank you.

Finally - also congratulations on the Vow of Silence Day!! We had 8 students participate and they did a terrific job of communicating silently. The rest of you honoured their efforts by co-operating and even being on the quiet side yourselves! The donations go to a good cause - and I think you'll make some connections to "children without a voice" as we embark on reading The Breadwinner.

Thanks for a great week students - looking forward to tomorrow....hmmmm...will there be a Christmas Tree? Secret word - toshak. If you can come up to me quietly tomorrow (Friday), tell me the word and the meaning, I will give you a Caught You slip!