UPPER ELEMENTARY - LEARNING IN ACTION
Grade 5-6 2019-20
Grade 5-6 have been inquiring into the transdisciplinary theme of How We Organise Ourselves. With the elections coming up, it was a timely unit to inquiry into the central idea of:
'Humans create systems to organise and govern themselves''
The students started with a very low level of knowledge regarding Canada's Governing Systems. They even had many misconceptions. During the six weeks, they researched online and also had the opportunity to interview four of the local candidates. Read Ms Temma's upcoming article to find out more.
Curriculum Links:
Nova Scotia - learners will investigate the political landscape of Canada (G4)
British Columbia - levels of government (First Peoples, federal, provincial, and municipal), their main functions, and sources of funding (G5)
- participation and representation in Canada’s system of government (G5)
- different systems of government (G6)
- economic policies and resource management, including effects on indigenous peoples (G6)
Ontario - assess responses of governments in Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments, to some significant issues, and develop plans of action for governments and citizens to address social and environmental issues (G5)
- use the social studies inquiry process to investigate Canadian social and/or environmental issues from various perspectives, including those of Indigenous peoples as well as of the level (or levels) of government responsible for addressing the issues (G5)
- demonstrate an understanding of the roles and key responsibilities of citizens and of the different levels of government in Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments (G5)
- use the social studies inquiry process to investigate some global issues of political, social, economic, and/or environmental importance, their impact on the global community, and responses to the issues (G6)
International (PYP) - recognize the elements of major political systems (for example, monarchy, democracy, dictatorship)
- identify and describe means by which citizens can monitor and influence actions of their governments and vice versa
- explore a range of political systems (for example, local, regional, national or international) and the impact they have on individuals, groups and society.
Grade 4-5 2018-19
LIFE SKILLS LEARNING
The Grade 4-5 group have just returned from their grocery shopping. For the end of their unit, they have had to design, budget, purchase and prepare their lunches for the week.
The three criteria they will be scoring their rubric on are:
Healthy. Sustainable. Affordable.
The broader unit was based around the central idea of:
Economic choices impact people's quality of life.
We embed a lot of life-skills learning into our curriculum. If you think about all the skills this task requires, from the math knowledge to the interpersonal skills, this unit truly is transdisciplinary and structured around meaningful experiences.
If you want to know about our curriculum, our community, and why we are here. Visit our website at www.bookerschool.com or contact us through admin@bookerschool.com
REMEMBRANCE DAY 2018
As part of the How We Express Ourselves unit of inquiry, the Grade 4-5 class wrote their own poems to commemorate Remembrance Day 2018.
Perseverance
- Mason
The poppies glow like the fire of spirits,
Who fought for our country with perseverance.
The sunset glow on the November snow,
in Flanders fields the poppies grow.
The soldiers that left to fight in the war,
left a gift for us and even more.
Even though they met their demise,
they did it to give us better lives.
Now the war is over,
now the peace is made,
everyone remembers the war brigades.
The poppies glow like the fire of spirits,
Who fought for our country, brave and fearless.
The sunset glow on the November snow,
in Flanders Fields, the poppies grow.
The Poppy
- Nathan
The poppy
A gift from heaven,
Woven with love,
Sadness and happiness,
Faith and friends
The Origami Dove
- Nathan
The dove is folded
with love
by a soldier with love,
warmth and sweetness
and write peace on my wings
and I will fly!
Love
- Giffin
Love
Love
My little dove
Fly away
My little love.
I’ll remember you
My favourite
One.
See you
In heaven
My sweetest one.
I will miss you.
LEGO ROBOTICS
The students in the Upper Elementary and Middle Years participate in the annual Lego Robotics tournament. This year, it is the Grade 4-5's first time in this program and they're certainly excited to get started. Before getting started, we organised all the lego pieces that our predecessors had left us. This was useful as we learnt the variation of pieces and also the value of putting things away organised.
September 2018
They built their first Robot - 'Tony' using the guides provided and it was a great team effort! Fine motor skills were needed for the tricky parts and social skills were crucial along the way.
They built their first Robot - 'Tony' using the guides provided and it was a great team effort! Fine motor skills were needed for the tricky parts and social skills were crucial along the way.
The judging will take place in three areas:
The Robot Game
Students have to build and program a robot to complete missions on an 8x4 game board with different 'space' scenarios set up.
The Core Values
The students will have to do a presentation on the Core Values of the Lego Robotics league and how they helped them as a team.
The Project
The students are picking a topic that interests them and taking on this research in the real world. This year's group are looking into the possibilities of using Virtual Reality to help astronauts' social-emotional well-being during long distance space travel.
Stay tuned into our instagram @bookerschool to follow how we get on.