Thursday, March 24, 2016

Grades 4 & 5 Sportsmanship Assembly


Yesterday we learned about "Sportsmanship: Lessons for Life" from Collier Winters, graduate and former Quarterback of Harvard University1. Integrity is Better than Winning2. True Leaders Make Everyone Better
Posted by Veronica Knight on Friday, March 25, 2016

Friday, March 11, 2016

Buddy Bench

We will be starting our grade 1 guidance lessons in the next few weeks featuring the heart-breaking and heart-warming book "The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig.  


This year we are going to explore this idea as well because "Sometimes, it's good to have a buddy."

Buddy bench a big hit at Willowgrove School
Sometimes, it's good to have a buddy.Full story: http://www.cbc.ca/1.3505066via Leisha Grebinski & #SaskatoonMorning
Posted by CBC Saskatoon on Thursday, March 24, 2016

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Learning in Discomfort

The other day, I was in a group conversation...and I got a little lost. It happens to the best of us, but we were talking about Social & Emotional Learning (SEL), supposedly where I live in my head, so it was a little embarrassing! That feeling would not subside until I took the time to look up the answer. Then it dawned on me that skilled teachers know how to create that zone of discomfort where a problem is floating around and demanded some attention. I am pretty sure I will not easily forget the answer to this particular question. When our school move onto our next core value of perseverance, this experience may help our students appreciate the value of being in this prime-to-learn zone.

Quoting Ms. Qualters: "got it wrong, got it wrong, got it better, got it better, got it right"

In case you were wondering, the frameworks for SEL are Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and Strive Cradle to Career Network. When expanded to "non-academic competencies, 21st Century Competencies and Noncognitive Skills are also included. (Social & Emotional Learning Comparing Frameworks Elizabeth Hagen, M.A. November 2013)