What a week I had! I usually get to Vancouver once or twice per year….last WEEK I was there twice! On Wednesday I took students from Spencer to ‘We Day’ and on Thursday I went back again as I was presenting a workshop at the annual BC Teachers of English Language Arts Conference on Friday. Wow, what a week! It was chaotic, rewarding and awe-inspiring all at once.
Together with Mr. Carr, I had the incredible experience of taking 20 grade eight students from Spencer to ‘We Day’ at Roger’s Arena. Twenty thousand youth from all over BC piled into the arena to share stories, be inspired, and watch and listen to celebrities, activists and powerful kids who are changing the world. Here are my Top 5 highlights from We Day Vancouver 2015:
Assignments:
Socials (Div. 8-3 and 8-6) – Comparative World Religions Projects are due this week. Be prepared to share out
ELA (Div. 8-3 and 8-6) – Students should be working on their personal narrative (or interviewing someone else to tell their story) for “Our Stories, Our Perspectives” Unit. The format is up to the students, but there must be both a textual piece and a visual piece (ex. memoir with pictures, digital story, poem with images).
Genius Hour Fridays - come to class with at least two ideas you want to pursue!
French – Know your ER Verbs….there will be ‘quick quiz’ on Tuesday.
Advisory – bring your items for the food bank. Also – it’s Spirit Week!
Together with Mr. Carr, I had the incredible experience of taking 20 grade eight students from Spencer to ‘We Day’ at Roger’s Arena. Twenty thousand youth from all over BC piled into the arena to share stories, be inspired, and watch and listen to celebrities, activists and powerful kids who are changing the world. Here are my Top 5 highlights from We Day Vancouver 2015:
- Henry Winkler (The Fonz) reminding us that everyone is powerful and we can do anything we set our minds to;
- Colonel Chris Hadfield of the International Space Station playing guitar and singing some cool tunes alongside the Barenaked Ladies;
- Academy Award-winning actress, Marlee Matlin (who is deaf) reminding us not to set limits on our abilities. She taught us in American Sign Language the keys to success: “Courage + Dreams = Success”;
- Witnessing the longest ‘human wave’ I have ever seen; it must have circled the stadium at least 15 times. The lights from almost 20,000 phones glowing like fireflies in the darkness was also a vivid image to witness;
- Being a part of this movement – I am living the dream. I have an amazing family, am passionate about my job, and couldn’t be more grateful for all that I have. Being surrounded by 20,000 teenagers that want to change the world is awe-inspiring – I hope my students also felt how awesome this day was!
Assignments:
Socials (Div. 8-3 and 8-6) – Comparative World Religions Projects are due this week. Be prepared to share out
ELA (Div. 8-3 and 8-6) – Students should be working on their personal narrative (or interviewing someone else to tell their story) for “Our Stories, Our Perspectives” Unit. The format is up to the students, but there must be both a textual piece and a visual piece (ex. memoir with pictures, digital story, poem with images).
Genius Hour Fridays - come to class with at least two ideas you want to pursue!
French – Know your ER Verbs….there will be ‘quick quiz’ on Tuesday.
Advisory – bring your items for the food bank. Also – it’s Spirit Week!