This year, division 8 has undertaken a project that started with the question “how can we make our forest more accessible for our community?” This began a long inquiry process into who owns the land, what community resources we can pull from, and what there is in the forest!
We found out some very interesting information including the fact that there had previously been a house on the land before it was bought by the city. We also found out that originally, our school was planning on building a track on the forested area that neighbours our school ground.
Some of the most interesting information that we found out is that the forest is overrun with invasive species. We researched these species and we invited community members to teach us how to remove those species to make room for native species to regrow. We have since begun removing species and creating a clearing in which we hope to have a learning space. This will be a gathering a
rea for classes to share what they are learning in the forested area. The potential topics range from habitats, language arts, social studies and physical education.
Click here to learn more about their journey: La forêt Sperling
- Sylvie Godel, Sperling Elementary
Getting outside is fun for Div. 4 and our buddy classes, here at Maywood Community! Once a month, Ms. Lanaway’s Gr. 6/7’s buddy up with two Gr. 1/2/3 classes and walk the 20 min to Central Park. We leave part way through lunch (after eating) and head along the Central Valley boulevard past the Metrotown and Patterson skytrains stations. Big buddies learn what it’s like to have the responsibility of a younger person in tow, making sure they stay close, hold hands and looking both ways when crossing the street, and minding bikers on the trail. It can be a big job for some of our big buddies!
kly, as groups chase each other through the woods, students make forts and fishing rods, while others choose to sit and draw in their nature journals. I find it so interesting to watch how the students play: who is not quite sure what to do, which ones are nervous, and who takes flight – surely in their element!