October 2013 Division 3 Newsletter
Osiyo!
"Truth: to learn to be true to ourselves, to live with truth and to walk with truth, to speak truth. Teach children to share their truth...their feelings."
Wow! More than a month gone already. I can't believe the time has gone so fast! 8.5 more months to go...
On September 17th, Division 3 watched the ceremonies as flotilla after flotilla landed at 'Namwayut, All Nations Canoe Gathering for Truth and Reconciliation Week.
On a related note, one of the "truths" that TRC is helping all of Canada realize is that the residential school system negatively impacted many Aboriginal people's "social-emotional" development. Like many other classes at our school, Division 3 is also using a program called Second Step to help our students learn both how to learn and how to get along better with others. Second Step directly teaches skills in the following four areas:
1. Skills for Learning: Students gain skills to help themselves learn, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, use self-talk to stay on task, and be assertive when asking for help with schoolwork.
2. Empathy: Students learn to identify and understand their own and others' feelings. Students also learn how to take another's perspective and how to show compassion.
3. Emotion Management: Students learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings, such as anxiety or anger.
4. Problem Solving: Students learn a process for solving problems with others in a positive way.
Your child will be learning a lot this year--and will need your help! Throughout the year, your child will be bringing home Home Links that go with several of the Second Step lessons. Home Links are simple, fun activities for you and your child to complete together. They are a great way for you to experience what your child is learning and for your child to show you what he or she knows.
You can join www.secondstep.org with the activation key SS3P FAMI LY73 to watch videos about the Second Step program and get information about what your child is learning.
On the September 26th, we ran the Terry Fox Run. Students had a great time running around a track at the PNE--many of our students exceeded expectations in that they ran multiple times around the primary track (3-5 laps) and some of the intermediates ran their course twice! So proud of all our participants in the run.
As some of you know from our recent Goal Setting Conferences, we have started a school wide math program where each student wrote the same "placement test" and have been placed in an ability group with other children at a similar level. We are hoping this strategy will help each student experience both success and the right amount of challenge. The entire school is using the JUMP Math system. Go here: http://jumpmath.org/cms/role_parent for information on the program and FAQs. Or, please feel free to ask me or any other teacher for more information.
Last but certainly not least, Division 3 is going to the Pumpkin Patch in Southlands this coming Monday (October 28th)! We are very excited for this opportunity to help our Aboriginal children build a greater connection to the land. Please sign and return the field trip form that accompanies this letter. We also will need Division 3 students to arrive at school no later than 8:45am Monday morning so we make it to the farm by 9:30am. We'll be back at school in time for lunch.
On a similar note, we will also have a Halloween party on October 31st. Many students are helping plan snacks, games, and other fun activities for that day. If you're interested in helping out or attending, please let us know either through a note sent with your child or give the school a call and ask for me.
Yours in Community,
Brenda
Friday, October 25, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
September Letter to Parents and Guardians
Dear Parents and Guardians of Division 3.
Osiyo!
My name is Brenda Koch. I will be your child's teacher this year. I am looking forward to watching and helping your child grow and learn. A few things about me: My background is Cherokee, Cree, German and Irish. While I grew up mostly in the rural United States, I have lived and worked in Vancouver since 2000. I attended Idaho State University for my first Bachelor's Degree then the University of Idaho to study for my Master's Degree. Finally, I earned my second B.A. from Simon Fraser University. I won my first international teaching award in 2010. My goals include returning to school for a Ph. D. when I hope to look at how to improve learning environments for children. I am also a visual artist and musician. I've had many jobs in my life and have done everything from helping birth calves to managing a small business on Commercial Drive. I am community oriented and look forward to getting to know all of you better.
My educational practice includes a number of project and inquiry based approaches. I value Aboriginal content and methodology a great deal and look forward to co-creating inquiry based projects with our class. I also create units which integrate multiple curriculum areas.
As care-givers, the number one way you support your student's success is by helping them to see the value of attending school every day and helping them reach their home reading goals every week (please see the reading booklet for more information). Please don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to discuss any aspect of your child's education with me. I can be reached at Macdonald Elementary or by email. I also have a blog I occasionally use with students at www.alittleonalittle.blogspot.ca and a blog for adults around educational techniques, lesson plans, theories, etc at www.impsbletechne.blogspot.ca
Just 2 quick notes, we need to get the school forms back and I need to have a current number to reach you. Please send both items back with your child/children in the next day or two.
Yours in Community,
Brenda Koch
Osiyo!
My name is Brenda Koch. I will be your child's teacher this year. I am looking forward to watching and helping your child grow and learn. A few things about me: My background is Cherokee, Cree, German and Irish. While I grew up mostly in the rural United States, I have lived and worked in Vancouver since 2000. I attended Idaho State University for my first Bachelor's Degree then the University of Idaho to study for my Master's Degree. Finally, I earned my second B.A. from Simon Fraser University. I won my first international teaching award in 2010. My goals include returning to school for a Ph. D. when I hope to look at how to improve learning environments for children. I am also a visual artist and musician. I've had many jobs in my life and have done everything from helping birth calves to managing a small business on Commercial Drive. I am community oriented and look forward to getting to know all of you better.
My educational practice includes a number of project and inquiry based approaches. I value Aboriginal content and methodology a great deal and look forward to co-creating inquiry based projects with our class. I also create units which integrate multiple curriculum areas.
As care-givers, the number one way you support your student's success is by helping them to see the value of attending school every day and helping them reach their home reading goals every week (please see the reading booklet for more information). Please don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to discuss any aspect of your child's education with me. I can be reached at Macdonald Elementary or by email. I also have a blog I occasionally use with students at www.alittleonalittle.blogspot.ca and a blog for adults around educational techniques, lesson plans, theories, etc at www.impsbletechne.blogspot.ca
Just 2 quick notes, we need to get the school forms back and I need to have a current number to reach you. Please send both items back with your child/children in the next day or two.
Yours in Community,
Brenda Koch
Monday, August 5, 2013
Silent Journal
Hey folks, I've decided to make you Silent Journals due tomorrow. So, we'll take time in the morning to write the self-evaluations in class.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Silent Journal Self Evaluation
Here is the link: Silent Journal Self Evaluation
...but I will provide you with copies that you can put right in your Silent Journal as you hand it in.
Final Response Journal Assignments
(First Response Journal Check: Due Friday, July 12th)
(Final Response Journal Check: Due Friday, August 2nd)
| July 3rd | 10 Questions re: Brain Rules |
| July 4th | 1/2 pg re: Brain Rules | July 5th | 1 pg re: Tekkinkonkreet & Mind Map | July 8th | "A Dialogue of Self and Soul," Yeats & "A Dialogue Between the Soul and Body;" 1/2 page each + Venn Diagram (w/partner) comparing two poems | July 9th | 1 pg "Goblin Market," Rossetti (We also read "Remember," Harjo) | July 10th | Poetry Concept Map | July 11th | Table (Speaker/Message/Receiver, "The Second Coming," Yeats Map | July 12th | 1/2 pg personal, 1/2 pg ea Water & Tiger as symbol, 1/2 pg either boat or island as symbol re: Life of Pi | July 16th | Literary Terms Concept Map (w/group) | July 18th | mind map of story elements or realms of inquiry map re: Totem (w/group) | July 19th | 1 pg personal response & dichotomies mind map re: MirrorMask | July 26th | 1 pg personal response, 1/2 pg each: symbolism of water, whale, & boat re: Whale Rider | July 30th | 1/2 pg re: Chapter 9, The Act of Writing, "Argumentation" (Deductive/Inductive) | July 31st | 1/2 pg re: Chapter 9, The Act of Writing, "Persuasion" (Word Choice/Repetition/Hyperbole/Analogy & Figures of Speech/Irony/Appeals to Authority & Prestige/Fright/Climax) | July 31st | 1 pg re: "Pandora was a Feminist," "My Home is Not Broken; It Works," Individual Liberty & Public Control," or "Institutionalized Racism & Canadian History." (Include notes about author's use of Word Choice/Repetition/Hyperbole/Analogy & Figures of Speech/Irony/Appeals to Authority & Prestige/Fright/Climax) | August 2nd | 1 pg "Euphoria" | August 2nd | Response Journal including ALL Novel Responses!!! | August 2nd | Response Journal Self Evaluation |
Friday, July 26, 2013
Response Journal Update 2
(First Response Journal Check: Due Friday, July 12th)
(Final Response Journal Check: Due Friday, August 2nd)
| July 3rd | 10 Questions re: Brain Rules |
| July 4th | 1/2 pg re: Brain Rules | July 5th | 1 pg re: Tekkinkonkreet & Mind Map | July 8th | "A Dialogue of Self and Soul," Yeats & "A Dialogue Between the Soul and Body;" 1/2 page each + Venn Diagram (w/partner) comparing two poems | July 9th | 1 pg "Goblin Market," Rossetti (We also read "Remember," Harjo) | July 10th | Poetry Concept Map | July 12th | 1/2 pg personal, 1/2 pg ea Water & Tiger as symbol, 1/2 pg either boat or island as symbol re: Life of Pi | July 16th | Literary Terms Concept Map (w/group) | July 18th | mind map of story elements or realms of inquiry map re: Totem (w/group) | July 19th | 1 pg personal response & dichotomies mind map re: MirrorMask | July 26th | 1 pg personal response, 1/2 pg each: symbolism of water, whale, & boat re: Whale Rider | Due August 1st | All Novel Responses!!! |
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
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