Transect Studies
With the help of Marine Biologists/educators from Seaquaria, students search for, identify and document the invertebrate andimals and plants and invertebreate animals found in the intertidal zone, the place between the high tide line and the ocean. We choose our study day on a day with very low tides, usually coinciding with the lunar cycle in April or May. Last year we conducted our transect study at Cattle Point, Uplands Park in Oak Bay.
Nature Sketching
Teaming up the Bateman Centre, students receive artistic instruction from the Education Coordinator, an on-staff teacher from the gallery. In the classroom and on a series of hikes to natural places in our Oak Bay neighbourhood, students learn to see and record the world "from an Animal-Eye View". They will create a nature landscape portfolio which will be annotated and presented (usually) in Term 2 of the school year.
First Nations Cultural walk
A Saanich or Songhees elder or teacher joins us for a day in a local outdoor setting to share the importance of this rich region to First Peoples. "Our culture IS the land," say Songhees people. We learn about the coming of age for young men and young women, how going into the woods is 'going to our grocery store--all our food is there,' skills, plant and animal lore.
Ocean Studies Fundraisers
The Monterey Ocean Studies classroom has unique features that require expert instructors or educators, such as professional Sea Kayak Guides, biologists, ornithologists, museum curators, etc. While we have been networking with as many free programs and volunteers as possible (such as Friends of Uplands Park, Aboriginal Nations Education, and so on) and using educational grant programs (such as the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund), there are costs to our outdoor education pursuits that are offset by student fundraiser activities. When these activities have educational and/or social value for our classroom, students have participated in movie nights, 'swag promo.s' (selling Ocean Studies logo T-shirts, bandannas, mugs, etc.), and running snack bars.
EcoPaddling and Estuary Studies
Environmental Studies: EcoPaddling and Estuary Studies in Tod Inlet, Saanich Penninsula. Our class spends a whole day at the oceanside of the protected Saanich Inlet. We work as a team to paddle a First Nations canoe to explore the saltwater environment. Then students work in groups to (A) study the estuary habitat for human and natural features, (B) take many kinds of samples of sea water to find out, "Is the inlet healthy?" and (C) how have humans used this place, history of the Cement factory industry and the Butchart Gardens. Parent drivers are needed.
Fun Fridays
Throughout the year our class will join the other Grade 6 classes on Skating or Swimming afternoons, to enhance our P.E. program. See the permission letter for the 2015-2016 dates for Oak Bay Rec. Centre
And there will be a Special end of year Swim Fri. June 17, 2016 – at Saanich Commonwealth Place; parent drivers will be needed.
And there will be a Special end of year Swim Fri. June 17, 2016 – at Saanich Commonwealth Place; parent drivers will be needed.
Candyhouses!
This seasonal celebration takes place in mid-December. Everyone welcome as students decorate mini edible houses. If parents can help for the first hour of school on this day it would be much appreciated. Please let me know by completing the December letter students will bring home.