All Intermediate – Groups

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

Today the students had a chance to explore biodiversity by finding out what lives in a wetland, forest, or meadow. They were able to activate prior knowledge from their own living areas, as well as learn about new species through an interactive presentation from ORCA. Students learned about what mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish live in our region. We also had a chance to be “Watershed Detectives” and look at photos of living things that determine whether or not it is a healthy ecosystem/water system. They loved trying to identify the different species of living things!

Donovan’s Super 6’s – May 31, 2021

Landmark 18 (Natural Area Booklet, Blog, or video)

Celebrate a Local Natural Area – We learned about the Otonabee Region Watershed and Jackson Park through a very interactive workshop with Merideth Carter from ORCA! She taught us lots about our local watersheds, including a look at our school and the areas around it. Students were able to identify where they live in relation to these local watersheds. Students listed all of the lakes and rivers found in the Otonabee Region and were excited to share their existing knowledge about these local waterways. As well, they learned about new places to go and explore with their families! They found the maps helpful in seeing the land that ORCA oversees.

Donovan’s Super 6’s – May 31, 2021

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

Attended presentation about wetlands and forests biodiversity.

Fantastic 5/6’s – May 13, 2021

Landmark 18 (Natural Area Booklet, Blog or video)

Attended ORCA presentation to learn about Otonabee Region Watershed.

Fantastic 5/6’s – May 13, 2021

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

Today the students enjoying creating some Mandela patterns in an artistic way, using materials found outdoors – both living and/or non-living.

Donovan’s Super 6’s – April 23, 2021

Landmark 20 (Plan and Conduct a Project)

Our intermediate students planned and ran outdoor activities for the whole school for a whole week! Our intermediate students last year had a deep learning project aimed at getting students active outside. This class built a gaga ball pit. This year’s Intermediate classes have continued to set up Intramurals using this pit and included it as part of their outdoor fun week. They also created their own social distancing games like one they called Hunger Games (thanks to Nature Nancy helping us acquire the materials we needed for this game!) This project lifted the spirits of every student and staff and got everyone outside enjoying the brisk spring air:)

Immaculate Conception – March 17, 2021

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

I noticed one of our after-school children on the one side of the playground by the fence.This particular child has a very large interest in reptiles his favourite being snakes. He had discovered a couple of years ago that there is a den in the rock pile of Garter Snakes and keep a very close eye on the area once the weather warms up. There were no snakes yet but a few days of nice temperatures would help warm and wake them up. He very excitedly explained his plans for housing snakes with his neighbours at his home once summer was here. We then talked about past snakes he had caught and different habits and behaviours snakes have. I brought up Burnham woods as it’s an excellent spot to see Garter Snakes when they first come out of hibernation. The wonderful part about having a child like this in our after-school program is that he will in turn bring other children around and start discussions about snakes.

Northern Lights Children’s Daycare – March 22, 2021

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

We built shelters using only a few materials (rope and tarps) while making sure that we are aware of and being respectful to the environment around us. We further discussed what the purpose of the shelter is and the various factors that we have to consider in order for the shelter to withstand natural elements.
Highland Heights Grade Eight – March 19, 2021

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

Our class was fortunate to participate in a virtual learning experience with the TRACKS program via a Google Meet. Grace presented to us about Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge. We observed and learned about different areas with rich biodiversity, including the Alderville First Nation Reserve. The importance of the connections between the bio-diverse land and different species was highlighted and students co-created a food web to illustrate this. They were amazed to see the connections between all land and animals, especially when something was removed.

Donovan’s Super 6’s – March 18, 2021

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

Camp Kawartha came to work with our Grade 8s! We engaged in a variety of team-building activities that my students absolutely loved! The goal of this activity was to work together to balance the ball while travelling to the stand to then allow it to sit for 3 seconds. We amped up the challenge by placing the stand that the ball had to sit on, on top of a snow bank! My students loved the challenge. Thanks again to Nick and Neil for coming to Highland Heights PS!

Highland Heights Grade Eight – March 5, 2021

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

The Intermediate students at Apsley PS were enthusiastic about snowshoeing together. After learning a little about the importance of snowshoes historically, the students strapped them on and started moving. Playing games together and enjoying perfect February weather, really added to the enthusiasm of the day.

Think Outside with Nature Nancy – Feb 24, 2021

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

After a beautiful dump of perfect snow early in the week, the grade 5s and 6s from Mrs. Monti and Mrs. Belk’s classes from Millbrook South Cavan Public School explored Medd’s Mountain on snowshoes. The snow was deep enough to see how effective snowshoes really are. The Millbrook trail system is a close walk from the school and has amazing trees to walk through, marvel at, and use for hiding during a game of “Reggie the Squirrel”.

Think Outside with Nature Nancy – Feb 18, 2021

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

We had a great day in Mrs. Siberry-Monti’s Gr. 5/6 class snowshoeing at Medd’s Mountain in Millbrook with Nature Nancy – learning about the history/science of snowshoes, exploring the trails and playing games! While there, we continued adding to our collection of leaves, twigs, berries, grasses peeking out from the snow. We used these items from nature to make Ice Art Installations to hang outside the windows at our local LTC and also in our own Outdoor Classroom forest at Millbrook South Cavan PS.

Mrs. Siberry-Monti’s Class – Feb 18, 2021

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

Built shelters in Jacksons Park using items found in nature.

Fantastic 5/6’s – Jan 28, 2021

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

Our Junior and Intermediate students went skating at the Peterborough Liftlock’s 3 times. It was a great way to get cohorts out enjoying the last of the winter weather!

Immaculate Conception – Feb 11, 2021

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

The Grade 5 and 6 classes at North Cavan explored their amazing school yard on their snowshoes this week. Spending time outside playing games with pool noodles increased their comfort on the shoes as they ran and chased and relaxed in the snow.

Think Outside with Nature Nancy – Feb 8, 2021

Landamrk 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

It was a ton of fun snowshoeing with Mrs Tee’s grade 5/6 class from Highland Heights today. It was so warm that we didn’t even need our coats but the snow was still perfect. While playing several games, the students figured out how to walk, run, jump and turn in their snowshoes. Afterwards, we spent some time creating nature sculptures using all types of materials found on the ground…especially the snow. There were many beautiful pieces of art created!

Think Outside with Nature Nancy – Feb 4, 2021

Landmark 21 (Meet Other Cultures)

Our Grade 8 class studied Emily Carr. Carr was an artist who was born of British immigrants in Western Canada. Her artwork was a mix of nature and Aboriginal influences. Her paintings and the story they told embraced political, social, cultural, and ecological subjects in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries west coast Canada.

Immaculate Conception – Feb 9, 2021

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

Develop a new outdoor skill – we used flow charts and diagrams to identify wild plants and trees in our schoolyard and in the forest at the back of our school grounds. Grade 6’s worked with a partner to identify, sketch and describe different plant species and what made them “stand out” from others. We then talked about deciduous and coniferous trees and examined the main differences. It was so much fun!

Donovan’s Super 6’s – Oct 14, 2020