Teacher Serena Troscinski’s Grade 6 class has some very talented artists who have been working on principles of design (balance). In this particular Art project, students created a winter landscape using some paint and straws to portray a cold and wintery scene. “I liked this assignment because I like Art, especially painting. Using the straws to create the trees was fun because it was something I’ve never tried before. I also felt really proud to be recognized with other students in the class for doing a good job,” said Kelly Mazerolle, a grade 6 student at St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer.
Pumpkin Palooza at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School
Dozens of pumpkins have made their way to the St. Anne Catholic Elementary School’s French Immersion Full Day Kindergarten class! Children were so thrilled to learn about pumpkins that waves of the orange gourd made their way to the classroom to help students inquire into things such as how pumpkins grow and how they smell. Students discovered that the seeds inside the pumpkin can be used to plant and make new pumpkins grow. The students were sent to actively search for a place in the schoolyard where they could plant their seeds in the spring. Katelin Brouse was overheard saying, ”The best part of pumpkins is taking the stuff out of them.” Cameron O’Daiskey thought that, “Eating the seeds is pretty great!” The next part of the inquiry is a video a student found on YouTube about using pumpkins as a boat. Theories on floating techniques are sure to follow!
Poets Invade St. Anne Catholic Elementary School
Poetry has given over sixty students at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Hanmer a voice. Students from two Intermediate classes participated in a Poetry Café as a culminating task to their Literacy program. Poems focused on a variety of topics offering different points of view. The students’ messages, filled with wisdom far beyond their years, dealt with difficult topics such as bullying, The Children’s Aid Society, and the horse racing industry.
“This experience really made me realize how creative and different each and everyone of us is, and how if we put our minds to it, we can share who we truly are,” said Brayden Kramer, a Grade 8 student at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School.
These young poets actively listened to others while sipping on hot chocolate at the “Café.” They snapped their fingers in applause and hollered with approval to encourage fellow classmates. The Intermediate students truly demonstrated their inclusive nature as they encouraged those who were nervous to participate and congratulated everyone for a job well done.
“The quality of the work students produced blew me away,” said Julie Caissie, teacher at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School.
“This Poetry Café not only showcased the amazing students we have at St. Anne Catholic School, but also displayed their unique talents and gifts,” said Jody. O’Daiskey, a teacher at the school.
St. Anne Angels Make Some Perky Turkeys
Students in teacher Jennifer Bruneau’s grade 3 and 4 class at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Hanmer celebrated Thanksgiving by creating apple and gumdrop turkeys. These works of art were created using apples, a cut out head, and gumdrop sticks. Alexandra Tremblay, a grade 3 student said, “My family will really love to this beautiful turkey on our dining room table.” Students in the grade 3 and 4 class were fascinated with their perky turkeys and discussed how thankful they were for the many things they have.
Inquiry-Based Learning Thrives at St. Anne Catholic School
Over the past few weeks, students in the Full Day Kindergarten program at St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer have inquired about turkeys and Thanksgiving. On October 5th, their inquiry came to life when the English and French Immersion classes went on an inquiry-based excursion to J & J Ranch in Hanmer. The students enjoyed a hayride and experienced the petting zoo with chickens, turkeys, alpacas, and horses. The experience with the animals was the most memorable moment for all. “I liked all of the animals because it was fun to see inside their cages,” said Celyna Anzil. “It was fun seeing the chickens and the turkeys because I held one,” said another FDK student. The students were actively engaged in arts and crafts. They turned apples into turkeys using sucker plumes, which were generously provided by J & J Ranch. A great time was had by all!
St. Anne Angels Demonstrate Catholic Virtues
The students at St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer recently received awards for displaying the Catholic Virtue of “Respect” in their daily interactions with others. Each month, the entire school community gathers to celebrate and honour the students who are living examples of the monthly virtues. The assemblies encourage students to always bring their best self forward and include inspiring videos, motivational discussions, as well as the distribution of awards to students from each classroom. Way to go Angels!
Cell the Idea of 3D Modeling at St. Anne
Student engagement is a primary focus for the staff at St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer. Recently, students in Grade 8 have been focusing on the components of plant and animal cells in science class. They have noticed that there are major similarities and differences between the two types of cells through the creation of 3D models. One of the similarities includes the nucleus, the brain of the cell. Students also noticed some differences, such as the cell wall of the plant. Students soon realized that cells function differently because they come in various different types. “Making plant and animal cells helped me understand what was actually in them, because I was physically creating a 3D model,” said Isaac Oliveira, a Grade 8 student at St. Anne Catholic School. Now, students use technology to describe their understanding of the 3D models. They use Screen Chomp to help with their descriptions and to demonstrate their understanding.
It Takes the St. Anne Community to Make Stone Soup
Students in Grades 7 and 8 at St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer experienced first hand what it was like to come together as a village. For the past four days, students have had the opportunity to listen to different variations of “The Stone Soup” story. They also brought donations of food forward to create their own stone soup. Students worked together preparing all of the necessary ingredients, and learned that working together as a community has its own rewards. “Even though we shed a few tears while cutting onions, it was still fun working my fellow classmates,” said Stephanie Fortier, a Grade 7 student at St. Anne Catholic School. Students enjoyed their delicious stone soup on Friday, October 5th, 2012. The general consensus was that working together to provide for one another was a rewarding experience that everyone will cherish for a long time.
St. Anne Angels Thankful for Their Many Blessings
Students, staff, parents, and the greater St. Anne Catholic School community joined together in a Thanksgiving prayer service. The school gymnasium was filled to capacity as Father Michael, parish priest of St. Kevin’s and Our Lady of Peace Parish, led everyone into prayer. Students listened attentively to the gospel’s message: let us be thankful for our many blessings. The walls of the gymnasium echoed the beautiful sound of children’s voices as the entire school joined together in prayer and song. The students willingly offered examples of things for which they are thankful: love, God, family, and food were at the top of the list. Father Michael reminded students that they should also be thankful for the gifts and talents each received from God.
St. Anne Leads the Way to Wireless Technology
Staff and students at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Hanmer are excited to showcase the new technology that recently rolled into their school. Last year, teachers in the Intermediate division submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Education to increase student achievement in writing. This proposal, with a focus on assessment for learning and the imbedded use of technology, was approved in February 2012. The $45,000 grant allows for the purchase of a 2 to 1 student iPad program.
The students at St. Anne Catholic School were fascinated when the new technology was finally incorporated into the classroom. Learners started the week with interactive math lessons delivered wireless through the magic of Apple TV. “It was so great to see our classroom go wireless! We were able to answer questions from our own group and our responses were projected on the large screen using our iPads. Everyone in the classroom was able to work together to solve group problems,” said Davey Meeks, Grade 8 student at the school.
Providing effective and timely feedback to students is a corner stone of the proposal. Each teacher received live scribe pens to help achieve this important goal. The pens allow for the delivery of interactive audio descriptive feedback. Students can now better understand how to improve their work and set next steps. “It was awesome to hear suggestions of how to improve my work. I can listen to suggestions over and over, and improve as I move along,” said Christopher Balaz, a student in Grade 8.
The Ministry of Education allotted a portion of the grant to be spent on the professional development of teachers and collaboration with community partner. St. Anne Catholic School is a dual track Kindergarten to grade 8 school, offering programs in both English and French Immersion, as well as the Full Day Kindergarten program.