Nov
26
2010
It’s not easy to read like a teacher does. Primary teachers, in particular have perfected this seemingly innate skill. Today, we learned how to read a part of a nonfiction text by reading OFF OF the text, not reading all the words on the page.
We had to make decisions as to what was important to share with others, what were some questions we had that we wanted to share, connections, and so on.
We also learned the importance of using a loud, clear, teacher voice, expressive face and hand movements and how to hold the book so others held their interest in what we were saying.
Teachers make it look so easy! In the picture below, Max is doing a great job of trying out the skills we learned today.

Nov
23
2010

The holiday season is fast approaching and at our school, the Middle and High School divisions are creating an opportunity to help children in need. We all like to receive gifts but many children in Bangkok are much less fortunate than ourselves and will not receive anything at Christmas time.
But, with the help of The Wishing Tree, we can change that fate for a few children in the Bangkok area, Lat Krabang.
The Camillian Home is the institution where these children reside. It opened in 2008, trying to bring love and hope to HIV positive and disabled children. The Home functions as an orphanage and a day care to 31 children, and wishes to open its doors to more children in the future.
Our class is helping 2 children, one boy and one girl.
Toey is a boy who is 10 years old. Some of his favorite things:
color: blue
food: chips
animal: dog
hobby: playing balls, drawing, listening to tales
cartoon character: Ultraman
Jill is a girl who is 5 years old. Some of her favorite things:
color: pink
food: noodles
animal: elephant
hobby: playing on the playground
cartoon character: PowerPuff Girls
The following items are requested:
- One backpack for each child
- Pens, pen
- Highlighters
- Markers
- Color pencils
- Notebooks
- Folders
- Pencils, erasers
- Portable pencil sharpener
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- soap
- shampoo
- snacks
- flipflops
On December 3rd, the filled backpacks will be put back under the tree and eventually into the hands of very happy, grateful, deserving children.
Thanks for giving!
Nov
23
2010
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwRDfUvimvM[/youtube]
What does International meant to you?
Our Elementary school celebrated International Week recently and the theme this year was…
FREE TO BE
We each explored the question ‘What does it mean to be free to be?’ During the week, the students helped to create a wall mural with a symbol from their country that represents freedom.
On one of the days, we all dressed up in our national costume and thanks to the wonderful parents and with the help of staff and I.As, classrooms were transformed into various countries. In our Grade 5 quad, Canada, India, Brazil, Sweden and Denmark, U.S.A. were represented. We traveled around to each classroom with our passports and got them stamped before we moved to the next country.
If only travel could be that easy!
Due to the fact that I am Canadian, I felt right at home as my classroom was transformed into a winter wonderland. We even made snow! Check out the video I’ve included below.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8TNJ4vbAJQ[/youtube]
Please check out the individual student blogs for their own personal reflections on International Week.