The Global Read Aloud

 "Global collaboration is necessary to show students that they are part of something bigger than them. That the world needs to be protected and that we need to care for all people. You can show them pictures of kids in other countries but why not have them speak to each other? Then the caring can begin." Quote from: https://theglobalreadaloud.com/blog/ 

This year, our class will be participating Global Read Aloud project. The idea is an example of Deep Learning that helps students develop the  6 Global Competencies of a 21st century learner.  This happens every October, across the globe where over 1.5 million children will be read the same book! For more information check out the GRA blog.

Our class has chosen the middle grade selection of "The Jumbies" by Tracey Baptiste.

Over the next 4-5 weeks, we will be reading this novel in class. Students will be doing a variety of activities before, during and after reading in connection to this book. We will also be connecting with other classes to discuss and collaborate through virtual meets, and a variety of other digital tools and platforms (eg., Padlet; Twitter). We will also collaborate with the Grade 4 and 5 classes at our school who are also reading this novel!

I have created a workspace in Hapara this project. Right now, all work will be completed in class as we read through the book together. Students are encouraged not to work ahead on the tasks as it might spoil some events in the book!

Art Projects from Grade 4/5

 The class was busy during the month of September creating several visual art pieces. Our lessons began with the colour wheel and how to use warm and cool colours in our art. Then, we studied the artist Vincent Van Gogh. 

Our first art piece, "Sunflowers" was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's work. We used warm and cool colours to create a contrast.

For International Dot Day, we used one black dot. This dot was the starting piece for students and they were free to use their imaginations and creativity like Vashti from "The Dot" by Peter Reynolds.

During the week of Truth and Reconciliation, the class took part in a virtual art lesson with the artist Mark Seabrook. During the lesson, he taught us about the art style called woodlands. This style was created by an Indigenous artist named Norval Morriseau. Mark guided the class through a lesson to draw "The Fish Clan."