Feathers floated through the air; strands of wig hair lay scattered on the ground. Kids were running around in circles practising a classmate’s fish swim move, and the one counter space left in my classroom had become an apparent make-up station. My classroom resembled anything but a learning environment. “Mrs. Barthel, I can’t find [...]
BY SHERRY DRADER, GRADE 4 TEACHER This past Christmas left me flabbergasted—the cardboard box STILL became the most sought after “toy” between my three kids! I’ve always been fascinated by the hours of enjoyment children get from a simple cardboard box, as the adult in me just wants to clean up the mess, flatten the [...]
They sat in front of me grimacing. We had been learning how to play band instruments for a few weeks and I just announced it was going to be time for a “check in,” as I call them. I probably could have called the “check in” a marshmallow, or a chocolate bar and they wouldn’t [...]
“Sometimes I feel like a porcupine, innocent and curious. I have a big imagination and know how to protect myself.” This is how the small, square book began. I was browsing for First Nations themed books in our wonderful library. By the time I finished this book by Danielle Daniel, I was hooked and had [...]
On Friday, February 17, we did our annual pilgrimage from the multi-purpose room at the secondary campus to the middle school gymnasium with literally tons of wood. I will admit that this pilgrimage is not my favourite day of the school year. In one day, we have to organize 25 students to help us move [...]
Just before Christmas, I wandered around the middle school campus, observing students and teachers. It’s one of my favourite things to do during the day--so cool to be a witness to learning! I was struck by how incredibly busy our halls are, reinforcing for me the fact that our hallways really are extensions of our [...]
I love Starbucks. Yes, the coffee is great and yes, I love the brand that they work hard at portraying. Here’s the real reason: they don’t advertise on TV. I love the fact that Starbucks is considered one of the current, most recognized brands in the world (along with Coke, McDonald’s and Apple) and they [...]
I was taking a first year Canadian history course and my professor asked the question,“Why do you think there was a law in Lower Canada that prohibited the cutting down of oak trees?” I thought to myself, “Oh, I know this one!” A little background is needed here. I was almost finished my degree, but [...]
Two weeks ago, I (along with a few colleagues) spent some time at a Christian Schools Canada Conference for administrators across Canada. Our keynote speaker was Andy Crouch (coincidentally also the keynote speaker for the InspirED teacher’s convention this week). Andy is the senior editor for Christianity Today and was formerly a Christian contemporary singer songwriter. [...]
Ground control to Major Tom…Ground control to Major Tom…Hopefully by now, as a reader, you have started to hum the 1969 pop hit, “Space Oddity” by David Bowie and if you really enjoyed that genre and type of music you are well into the second verse in your mind by now…This is the song that [...]
