Migration and Community

The history of humanity is the history of migration.

-Maribel Hastings and David Torres

Congratulations to the Grade 5s for completing their Cambridge Assessments!

 

This week in class was truly enriching as our students completed their migration diorama projects, bringing to life the history of human migration.

Our students had the opportunity to interview various teachers from around the school, each with their own stories of migration to Japan or other countries. These interviews provided valuable insights into the reasons behind migration, from seeking better opportunities to reuniting with family. As they collected this data, students began to appreciate the rich cultural diversity within our school community, recognizing how each story adds a unique thread to the fabric of our classroom.

Currently, the children are writing stories about their teachers’ journeys, which we’ll later display on our migration wall for everyone to see. This collaborative project not only highlights the personal experiences of our teachers but also fosters empathy and understanding among the students. We are excited to compare the different narratives and celebrate the diverse paths that have brought us all together.

In addition to our migration studies, our students enjoyed a visit to the Canadian Academy Exhibition, gearing up for our own Exhibition next year. This experience allowed them to see various projects and presentations, sparking their creativity and setting the stage for their own future endeavors. 

The Grade 4s also engaged with the Grade 5/6 students, sharing essential safety habits for PE and outdoor play. This initiative promoted a culture of safety and awareness, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their time outside.

Lastly, we took time to identify core values that are important to us as a class. By focusing on these values, we hope to cultivate a positive classroom environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Students are encouraged to contribute daily, and we look forward to collecting and celebrating all our positive contributions together. 

It’s been a week filled with learning, sharing, and growing as a community, and we can’t wait to see where our explorations will take us next!

Have a wonderful Golden Week to all of you.

Your homeroom teacher, 
Ms. Pam

Human Migration

This week in our Grade 5/6 class, we dove deeper into our research project on the history of migration. The students have been busy exploring fascinating stories of people who have moved from one place to another, and their journey has been both educational and inspiring. 

The students focused on answering three essential questions for their posters:

Where did the people come from?

Why did they move?

Where did they settle?

Through group discussions and individual research, our class uncovered a variety of migration stories that highlight diverse cultures and experiences. The students worked diligently to create informative posters that visually represent their findings, ensuring that they included key details that answer each question.

After completing their posters, the students took their research a step further by creating dioramas to illustrate their findings related to the third question: "Where did they settle?" These dioramas were a brilliant way for students to showcase not just facts, but also their creativity.

Have a wonderful weekend to all of you.

Your homeroom teacher, 
Ms. Pam

In their dioramas, students depicted:

Climate 

They illustrated the different environments where people settled, whether it was a warm, sunny area or a cold, snowy region.

Homes

Each diorama featured the types of homes that families built in their new locations, reflecting the available materials and cultural influences.

Source of Food

Students represented the local food sources, such as farms, rivers, or markets, that were crucial for the families' survival and daily life.

Family Life

They depicted family structures and activities, highlighting the social aspects of the communities, which helped us understand what life was like for these migrants.

The creativity and effort displayed in both the posters and dioramas have truly brought the students' research to life. We have gained a deeper understanding of migration's significance in shaping societies and cultures.

Next week, we will continue our journey by presenting our projects to the class, allowing each student to share their unique findings and insights.

 

History of Migration

Human migration has been an important part of our ancestral history. The places we live shape us, the places we leave behind forge our history, and the places we might travel to become our mysterious future.

This week in our Grade 5/6 class, we continued our inquiry on the concept of migration, focusing particularly on the rich history that surrounds it. We began with a fun simulation game that transported the students back to the era of hunters and gatherers. 

Through this immersive experience, the children had the opportunity to seek out resources essential for their daily survival. This activity highlighted a crucial lesson: when resources become scarce, people are compelled to move to new locations in search of better opportunities.

As the students participated in the simulation, they not only learned about the challenges faced by early humans but also discovered that all of humanity originated from Africa. This realization sparked intriguing discussions about our shared history and the diverse cultures that have emerged as people migrated around the world.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/global-human-journey/

To further our exploration, we organized the students into pairs (while some chose to work individually) to research different continents and the various time periods when significant migrations occurred. They investigated where people settled and the factors that influenced these movements. This collaborative research project encouraged teamwork and critical thinking, as students analyzed historical data and its implications on modern society.

Currently, the students are channeling their creativity into designing posters that showcase their research findings. In addition to this, they are crafting dioramas that depict life in their chosen settlements, bringing history to life through art and creativity. This hands-on approach not only reinforces their learning but also allows them to express their understanding in unique ways.

On another note, our Grade 5 students also took a significant step in their academic journey this week by participating in their Cambridge assessments. These assessments provide valuable insights into their learning progress and help prepare them for future academic challenges.

Overall, this week has been a whirlwind of learning, collaboration, and creativity. The exploration of migration has not only deepened the students' understanding of our shared human history but also fostered a sense of curiosity about the world around them. We look forward to seeing the final projects and the discussions they will inspire as we continue to learn about migration and its impact on our lives today.

Have a wonderful weekend to all of you.

Your homeroom teacher, 

Ms. Pam

Migration and Sports Day

This week in our Grade 5/6 classroom, students engaged in meaningful exploration of our unit on Where We Are in Place and Time, focusing on the concept of migration. Last week, the students participated in various learning engagements that encouraged them to reflect on their understanding and connections to this concept.

To unpack our learning, we used a Chalk Talk thinking routine, which allowed students to express their thoughts and insights in a collaborative manner. Students were encouraged to write their reflections, connections, prior knowledge, and questions on large sheets of paper placed on each table. This silent, interactive process fostered a respectful dialogue as peers built on each other's ideas.

As they shared their thoughts, it became clear that students had made profound connections to migration, considering factors such as cultural exchange, economic opportunities, and the impact of migration on communities. The questions raised during this activity were equally enlightening, showcasing their curiosity and desire to deepen their understanding of the topic.

In addition to our academic pursuits, this week also featured an exciting highlight—Sports Day! Students participated in various athletic events, including javelin, skipping, endurance runs, sprints, hurdles, and ball throwing. The day was filled with enthusiasm and camaraderie, as students cheered for one another and celebrated their achievements.

Families and friends joined us for this special event, creating a vibrant atmosphere of community and support. It was wonderful to see students not only demonstrating their physical skills but also showcasing sportsmanship and collaboration. The joy and excitement of Sports Day provided a perfect balance to our reflective learning, reinforcing the importance of both academic and physical development.

As we move forward in our unit, we will continue to explore the concept of migration through various lenses, allowing students to draw connections between their own lives and the experiences of others. The insights gained from the Chalk Talk routine will help guide our discussions and investigations in the coming weeks.

Overall, this week has been a testament to the power of reflection and community engagement in our classroom. We look forward to continuing our exploration of migration and the stories that shape our world!

Have a wonderful weekend to all of you.

Your homeroom teacher, 
Ms. Pam