March 30,2022 – Porto, Portugal 🇵🇹 Our suite during our Porto stay is up 66 steps – at the top of the building. The sunroom faces several other buildings that create an enclosed area. In that area – a pigeon nesting area. Cooing and thoughts of my Grandpa Derksen abound. This is a cityContinue reading “Perspective is Everything”
Category Archives: Thinking Skills
Winning at Life
Simon Sinek could define school as a finite game that you choose to play. It has an agreed set of rules that must be followed to win. Do the work. Pass the test. Win with good grades. Graduate. Gordon, Renee and I were taking the win as we traipsed across the stag. However, LifeContinue reading “Winning at Life”
Why Blog?
Although I have not always thought of myself as a writer, I have always been one. I have Holly Hobby diaries recording the events of my life – who I liked, where I had ridden my bike, what Nanny Keenan had cooked for Sunday dinner, what my older sister and cousin said, and who hadContinue reading “Why Blog?”
Welcome to Our School
We are proud of our school and happy to welcome visitors into the conversation about learning. As a member of the VSB, I would like to acknowledge that we live, work and play on the unceded and traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh) andsḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Coast Salish peoples. We are delighted to be ableContinue reading “Welcome to Our School”
Playful People Learn
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” A quote from Albert Einstein that I love. Fun and play are often referenced as activities of the carefree, frivolous and sometimes careless. Albert Einstein places it exactly where it needs to be. Front and centre in learning. In order to play, you are committing to action. To participate. ToContinue reading “Playful People Learn”
Welcoming Syrian Refugees
The conversation deepens, the project expands and the possibility for learning and caring expands exponentially.
Inspiring Artistic Expression In Nova Scotia
I was welcomed into the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia with over the top friendly and helpful Maritime graciousness. Maritimers bring the Canadian “nice” to a whole new level. I gravitated first to what I was most anticipating, the Maud Lewis Gallery. To my delight her entire house with all of the surfaces, includingContinue reading “Inspiring Artistic Expression In Nova Scotia”
ProD Inspiration
Professional reading on the topic of professional development largely espouses the view that much of professional development for educators is not worth the time or money. Large-scale conferences or filling the room with a speaker does not serve the attendees in the room. This has not been my experience. I am a whole-hearted enthusiast ofContinue reading “ProD Inspiration”
Lit Circles Meet iPad Revisited
My grade 3/4 students were given a new assignment posted on Showbie. I love being able to post the text and then add the voice note. The assignment was inspired by the article “Literature Circles Go Digital” by Karen Bromley , and her several grad students at Binghamton University in New York, ” in theContinue reading “Lit Circles Meet iPad Revisited”
Student Led conferences via iMovie
Student led conferences with a twist this year. Joanne Carlton, our VSB iMentor was fortunately available to come to the classroom to guide our learning in Division 11. She has a considerable amount of background knowledge in literacy instruction and technology. As luck would have it, Zhi Su, the VSB iMovie expert was also availableContinue reading “Student Led conferences via iMovie”
Inquire2Empower Consulting 