Prejudice "looks like" "sounds like" "feels like"

As a class we are furthering our knowledge and understanding of this month's character ed focus, "untying the knots of prejudice". Today students watched Jane Elliot's activity with her grade 3 class in 1970. Jane informed students that blue eyed people were superior and brown eyed people were inferior. She instructed brown eyed students to wear a collar so the class could tell what coloured eyes someone had from a far. Blue eyed students were instructed to avoid and ignore the inferior brown eyed students. The following day Jane reversed these roles and brown eyed students were the superior group. We discussed themes of empathy, power, and prejudice. Watching this experiment caused students to realize prejudice can formulate around the smallest, slightest difference. Students identified what prejudice and discrimination "looks like" "sounds like" and "feels like". Afterward they were asked to write a response, "What does the opposite of prejudice/discrimination "look like" "sound like" and "feel like"? Two responses will be chosen to be read over announcements next week.

Thursday Food Bank Trip

This week we made the long trek to the Food Bank. Students spent 2 hours reviewing expiry dates and sorting our donated items. Credit Meadows brought in just under 900 items! Many eye-opening stories were shared and students greatly enjoyed the experience. The weather and walk helped put things into perspective for student reflections. I have included a few reflections below. We hope to volunteer again in the spring/summer. A big thank you to the volunteers and workers at the Orangeville Food Bank for taking the time to share and show us a little of what they do. Our community is a better place with them in it! Click on photos to enlarge.

    

 

In student's responses they were asked whether or not they had formed a prejudice about homeless or those who utilize the food bank. They were also asked to discuss what was eye-opening about the experience. Below are 5 responses selected to share on the blog.

I didn't prejudge the homeless because if I think about or see the homeless, I would say to myself what if that was you, how would you feel? Most of the time they don't have a job to pay the bills and they don't have the money so they go to the food bank for help so they can live and feel their family to survive. When I was walking in the cold weather I felt bad, and I was thinking about how they would walk in all sorts of weather like snow storms and rain storms and all that jazz. Also when we were walking the sidewalks weren't cleared so it was hard to walk and the people had to carry 30 pounds through all of the weather and it would take even longer if you couldn't carry it all and you would have to go back and get the rest. Don't judge the homeless, there the same as you.

I didn't have a prejudice because I know some people out there need food for them or more importantly their kids and they don't have enough money for everyone or even any money at all, also it's hard for them to not have the money to buy clothes or buy food or just stuff to keep them alive. If I saw someone homeless I would definitely give them money from my own pocket and, maybe even talk to them for a bit because they're lonely out there and need someone to talk to maybe also need a friend.

I learned that keeping the food bank in business cost a lot of money, such as 5000$ a month for the electric. Also it's hard for the people to bring food for them or their children home because sometimes they have to walk a long way in bad weather carrying a lot of pounds of food. Some people with shoes in the winter would have wet feet and I know that because I have had experience walking there in back to help them organize the food and help out.

I did not have a prejudice judgement about the people who get food from the food bank because my family is a very open and a non-judgemental family. My parents taught me to be kind and open-hearted to EVERYONE. I felt bad being in people’s shoes who go to the food bank because I have the privilege to get fresh and almost unlimited food and many people don’t. They have to carry thirty pounds of food for them only. If they have little kids who can’t carry stuff they have to make extra trips. It is hard to imagine what they have to do to get food  during snowstorms and rain, carrying their food for the week. I can rely on my mom and dad’s jobs to get money for a good house and food. I am really picky on what I eat, but people who go to the food bank have to eat whatever is there. I felt so bad  imagining to be in their place. The trip made me realize how lucky me and my class are to be fed good lunches at school and how I get a phone, art supplies and an allowance while other people are hoping their parents get enough money. The trip really opened my eyes.

I did form a prejudice for the homeless and the people who work at the food bank. I thought that when we got to the food bank there would be homeless people there, they would be shopping with there kids so I guess I  was a little scared I didn't really want to see them there. Not that I don’t think people should even be allowed there it’s just seeing people in need, kinda makes me feel bad about myself because of all of the times I told my parents I want this and this and not eating my dinner but then I  remember a quote, life's a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, and a tragedy for the poor. I really thought it would be boring there but to be honest all of these assumptions were wrong I had a lot of fun and the workers were really nice so I'm glad I went. I would definitely like to go back a help out more even with the homeless there. So thank you Mrs. Bonter for making me go and realizing that when we ask for something that we want but do not need then we have to think about the homeless or less fortunate that don’t have as much as we do. So if  I liked the food bank then you probably will to.

I didn’t think too much about judging them, because they didn’t choose to be homeless, they didn’t want to carry 30 lbs to their house, on broadway. Just walking to and from the food bank made my feet hurt, I can’t imagine what they go through, once a month, with 30 pounds! I feel like they have too many judgements on their shoulders of them being dirty, ugly, poor, etc. and me judging them more, weighs their shoulders down even more and makes their long dreadful walk home more dreadful and worse. Putting myself into the shoes of the less-fortunate, makes me feel mostly sad and scared, I can’t imagine living in the cold with barely enough food. Just thinking of kids having to walk with their boots, and socks all wet makes me sad and it hurts my heart. And adults having to carry 30 lbs and walking in snow, and sometimes the heat, makes me feel really bad they have to go through so much just for food. It taught me that donating, and being more considerate for other people can make a big difference in their lives, and yours.

Food Bank Trip

The Food Bank Trip is scheduled for 8:45 tomorrow morning, make sure students dress warmly. If roads and weather are still bad, we will postpone to Friday morning. Thanks.

Family Transition Place Presentations

We will be starting FTP presentations every Thursday, from March 24th - May 10th. Here is a quick break down of what will be covered.  Content ties in well with our health curriculum. A letter will go home this week if you wish to NOT have your child complete an anonymous survey evaluating the FTP program. 

Power Elementary Sessions		Developmental Asset Domains
Week 1	Developing Healthy Relationships Goal: Be able to identify whether a relationship is healthy or unhealthy Goal: Examine the impact of healthy and unhealthy relationships Task: Consider ways to deal with unhealthy relationships including resources available to them	Strands: Healthy Living Skills Problem Solving Cyber Safety Communication Skills Mental Health Critical and Creative Thinking Skills Creating and Reflecting Human Development Relationship and Social Skills Media Literacy Self Awareness Interactions and Interdependence Identity of Self Interpersonal Skills
Week 2	Relationships & Technology & Mental Health Goal: Explore healthy ways to communicate using social media and communication technology    Goal: Examine the impact of technology on relationships    Goal: Learn strategies to protect oneself online  Task: Understand ways to deal with online harassment
Week 3	Assert Yourself Goal:  Learn to resolve conflicts in an assertive manner Goal:  Explore the different styles of communication and the impact they have on relationships  Task:  Develop assertiveness skills and learn to express oneself in an assertive manner
Week 4	Managing Emotions Goal: Recognize triggers and physical signals of emotions    Goal: Explore healthy emotional regulation strategies    Goal: Examine the different ways society says males and females should express emotions Task: Identify the consequences of unhealthy emotional releases
Week 5	Personal Image Goal: Identify what impacts an individual’s self-esteem Goal: Explore and practice the concept of positive self-affirmation   Goal: Explore the difference between the media’s depiction of personal image and reality   Task: Provide positive affirmation to each individual student
Week 6	Gender Stereotypes Goal:  Discuss male and female stereotypes in our society Goal:  Understand the impact of gender stereotypes on individuals and society Task:  Explore strategies to overcome and reduce stereotypes and their impact on people
Week 7	Discrimination and Diversity Goal: Define the term discrimination along with groups that may face it Goal: Explore the forms discrimination takes as well as the impact it has on individuals Task: Identify ways to reduce discrimination as well as promote and celebrate diversity
Week 8	Values & Choices   Goal: Identify what a personal value is   Goal: Explore individual/personal values   Task: Explore how values can impact a person’s choices   Task: Provide closure to the program and collect evaluation data

Math support - Cartesian Plane/Coordinate System

In math, with Ms. B, we are currently learning about the coordinate system/cartesian plane. As it is a trickier concept to understand, I am sending out a little practice that can be done at home if you are interested. This is not necessary as I know evening schedules throughout the week can be busy. I will be holding extra help at recess this Thursday and next week as well. Students were given a quiz today and asked to plot the following ordered pairs.

1. (10, 8)

2. (-1, -8) 

3. (-7, 2)

4. (5, -6)

5. (7, 8)

6. (-1, -1)

Some confusion arose around knowing which number was x and which was y in the ordered pair and similarly, which way to go first (positive, negative).

The first number in the ordered pair represents the # on the x axis, and the second number represents the # on the y axis. When we set up our cartesian plane, we try and remember that Y reaches the SKY, meaning x is horizontal and y is vertical. There are four quadrants starting in the top right and following counter clockwise (I have attached two photos below for clarification). It is definitely a skill that takes practice. If your child attends tutoring, feel free to share my email (jbonter1@ugcloud.ca) or information from this post with them.

Extensions:

This website is a good place to start when looking at plotting positive ordered pairs, however it does not include the four quadrants. Students are familiar with this program as we have used it in math before. Be sure to select the rectangle board and grid and grid numbers in the bottom tool bar: 

http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/geoboard

A game for practice:

http://www.mathplayground.com/locate_aliens.html

FUN FACT:

It is called Cartesian because the idea was developed by the mathematician and philosopher Rene Descartes who was also known as Cartesius.

He is also famous for saying "I think, therefore I am".

AMAZING!

We are overwhelmed with the support of families at Credit Meadows. We have reached 433 donations for the food bank. Originally, we were hoping to walk over all donations to help with sorting but, with such a wonderful response, I will drive some larger items over before hand. Please remember to send permission forms before Thursday (25th).

Food Drive

For Random Act of Kindness Day our class decided to lead a school wide Food Drive. Thanks to Nancy Turner, Johnny's pizza willingly donated a pizza party for the winning class. The last day to bring in items will be on the 24th, and the winner will be announced on the 25th. Though our collection has been fruitful so far, the Food Bank's most difficult job is sorting through the many donations they receive. Saying this, on February 25th we will be walking to the Food Bank to help sort our donated items. Pictures of this trip can be found on the blog Friday of next week. Parents, please feel free to checkmark on the permission form, that went home last week, if you are interested in joining us on the 25th. Students should be proud of the work they did for their community. Way to go grade 6/7's. Also sending a thank you to families who brought in donations for the drive.

January pictures

At the end of January, the wonderful Mrs. Petrou came in to do an art lesson with our class. We worked on different watercolour techniques and calligraphy styles. Students chose one of their favourite quotes to write out. We also watched many informative and creative family tree and country presentations. Some grade 6's brought in delicious samples of famous family recipes and grade 7's brought in popular foods from their country of choice. A few memorable and delicious treats were Jackson's family (tree) cookies, shown in the pictures below, Paige. M's yummy shortbread, and Mallory and Paige. B's Australian lamingtons. Thank you to parents who helped students in preparation for this assignment. They have been told their marks for this assignment, as well as their speech marks. If you are interested in knowing how they have done, feel free to email or call. Most students should remember their mark as they were told recently. I won't be sending all assessments home as I like to keep them in each student's classroom file. At the end of the year, I will send all documentation home.

Upcoming Important Dates

February- Black History Month
February 24th- National Pink Day
February 25th- Trip to the Food Bank (dress warmly)
February 26th- Cyber Bullying Presentation
March- Women's History Month and Nutrition Month
March 1st- Lion's Club Speak Off Grade 6-8
March 4th- Day of Unplugging
March 7th- Cross Country Skiing
March 7th - 11th- Book Fair
March 10th- Avalon Visit
March 14th-18th- March Break
March 25th-28th- Easter
April- Poetry Month
April 4th- MADD presentation

Character Education this month

Hi families- 

Character education this month at Credit Meadows focuses on untying the knots of prejudice. This goes well with our classroom learning taking place around black history month. We are studying a variety of stories and picture books carrying a strong theme of prejudice. Today students summarized and read stories to the class, with dramatic expression. Students are also working with Ms. Gammage on creating a perspective piece from an individual's attempt to escape slavery. One of the stories students were looking at today was the Ruby Bridges story. Ruby was one of four african american student, selected on the basis of test scores, to attend school in New Orleans in the 20th century. Students were shown a clip today but were interested in watching more. I would like to show another clip tomorrow. Feel free to review the trailer or movie, pasted below.

I wanted to share this information with you as content and language can be a factor and students may have questions at home. Please feel free to email or call if you have any questions or concerns. 

Thank you, and also a thank you to those families who brought in food drive donations. We will be delivering items to the food bank on the 25th of February.

-Ms. B