All Intermediate – Groups

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

The Grade 8’s from our class have graduated. Today, just the Grade 7’s went out on a 7km adventure. We took the opportunity to explore two different biodiverse areas. The second was a Cedar Forest. We talked about the quality of the vegetation And used our tree identification skills, from last week, to find a few more. We found a little bit of wildlife. We sat quietly and listened for all the different sounds. This is the area that we traveled to a few weeks ago. We were happy to find that our survival shelters were still there.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 29, 2022

Landmark 20 (Plan and Conduct a Project))

The entire school traveled to Beavermead for the day. The Grade 7’s slipped away and toured the Ecology Garden. They had never been there before. We had a lot of fun sniffing all the different kinds of mint! They each had their own favorites. We then walked from the Ecology Garden all the way through to Roger’s Cove. The students created a map with 15 different landmarks. They also figured out the city bus routes to get someone there. They are sharing their map with the rest of the class via Instagram.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 28, 2022

Landmark 24 (Eco/Carbon Footprint)

After spending most of the past 3 weeks having outdoor adventures, the Gr7s did some brainstorming: how does the environment affect them? how do they affect the environment? how can they reduce their negative impacts?

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 29, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

We have been wanting to learn how to geocache. Things kept getting in our way. We finally made it out today. The first cache required too much bushwacking. While searching for our second cache we met some fellow non-muggles. That is when we met Mike! Mike is a dog. Mike is a trackable cash. His owner approached us and introduced us. We were able to log Mike as one of our caches! This was especially cool since Mike is visiting from Alberta. Then we found the 2nd one that we were also searching for. We finished by heading into the Cedar forest and hiding a cache of our own. It will be entered into the system tonight. The students have already asked to return next year and find it to see if anyone else has logged it. I think we have some new geocaching fans.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 29, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate Each Season)

We took a trip to Beavermead and Roger’s Cove to celebrate the start of summer! Sports, games, a picnic, and fun in the splash pad made for a great day.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 28, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

On a recent class trip, we learned how to play a new sport – Frisbee Golf! The targets located in the woods were fun and challenging. We can’t wait to play this sport again!

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 23, 2022

Landmark 22 (Citizen Science)

We are citizen scientists! For the past few months, we have been compiling photos of interesting things we find during our nature outings. Today we identified our discoveries and contributed to citizen science.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 27, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

After a 5km hike, the students participated in a tree identification project and then collected fallen materials to create these beautiful art projects.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 24, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate each Season)

A wonderful way to celebrate Summer is to go for a hike! But… after your hike, when it’s 45 with the humidity, and you’re not allowed to swim, how do you keep cool??? The teachers found a way. 😁

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 22, 2022

Landmark 16 (Renewable Energy)

Our trip to Warsaw was changed due to the derecho. We ended up at the Selwyn Beach Conservation Area instead. It is very beautiful but did not provide the opportunity for the campfire cooking we had hoped to do. Instead we built solar ovens and made our s’mores that way!

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 22, 2022

Landmark 16 (Renewable Energy)

Junior/Intermediate students made solar-powered ovens to cook up a tasty treat. Mini pizzas and s’mores were enjoyed on this hot summer day!

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 22, 2022

Landmark 26 (Volunteer in Three Ways)

Grade 6/7 students were at it again! This time they volunteered for a physical task. They worked all morning to help move/spread a load of gravel onto our school yard. It was a lot of hard work.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 20, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

A big thanks to Michelle from Peterborough Pagans for coming to teach us how to play rugby today!

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 21, 2022

Landmark 26 (Volunteer in Three Ways)

Grade 6/7 students are AMAZING volunteers. They help our primary classes every day by acting as lunch monitors in various classes and playing with primary students at recess. It is wonderful to watch them make such positive contributions to our school community.
Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 20, 2022

Landmark 20 (Plan and Conduct a Project)

Grade 6/7 students conducted an “Upcycle Cafe”! They identified a need for indoor recess games at school and designed games by reusing materials to reduce their environmental footprints. They used old wooden trays, dowels from a broken clothes drying rack, scraps of wood, boxes, clothes pegs, leftover coffee cups, and more. They learned many valuable skills and had a ton of fun along the way. Their games are getting lots of use!

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 20, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

Students identified several types of edible plants. One student showed us grape vine leaves on the path behind our school. He and his family pick grape leaves to make a traditional Syrian dish. He described the process and told us that it takes a lot of work, but it is worth it in the end!

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 15, 2022

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

Grade 6/7 students studied the biodiversity of a nearby pond. We learned how plants act as natural filters to improve water quality.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 13, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

We learned all about survival skills with Nature Nancy. Students had fun building shelters in the woods!

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – June 13, 2022

Landmark 26 (Volunteer in Three Ways)

We made a pancake lunch, for the entire school, and then served it on Friday. It was topped with Maple Syrup donated by Red Mill.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 17, 2022

Landmark 8 (Nature Art Weekly)

Made clay monsters and stuck them on trees!

Highland Heights LLS A – June 15, 2022

Landmark 10 (Grow and Eat Food)

Planted Mung Bean seeds so we can eat the sprouts!

Highland Heights LLS A – June 16, 2022

17. Three New Outdoor Skills (10 pts each) Due to their age, and at-home learning due to Covid, this is the first year that Grade 7 & 8 have learned Shot Put! We had a great Track and Field Day. Our awesome custodian stepped in and show us how it’s done! Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – 05/26/2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

We joined Nature Nancy and learned about the ‘Top 6 Priorities for Survival.” Number five is water and number 6 is food. We stopped along the way to find, and learn about, 5 edible plants. After our return, we made Cedar Tea. We had enough to share with other classes too!

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 14, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

We joined Nature Nancy and learned about the ‘Top 6 Priorities for Survival.” Number 3 is shelters, so we split up into groups and got building!

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 14, 2022

Landmark 25 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

Today we had Jeremy Poulin visit our class. He is from Red Mill Maple Syrup. We learned about the whole process from tree to bottle. We talked a lot of Science and Math. We learned about the importance of this food production to his family. We also made some connections to French language and culture. Jeremy left behind some syrup and we’ll be cooking soon!

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 13, 2022

Landmark 9 (Special Outdoor Place)

We walked to Jackson Park and did an outdoor scavenger hunt with Easter eggs. We saw a snapping turtle and a squirrel who took one of our eggs up the tree.

Highland Heights LLS A – April 11, 2022

Landmark 26 (Volunteer in Three Ways)

We are logging this as of today but it’s been a year-long venture. The Gr7/8 Class is always told, “By being the oldest students in the school, you are the leaders. But what kind of leaders will you be?” If you could see how they are when playing with the JK/SK class, you would know! They are wonderful leaders.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 7, 2022

Landmark 26 (Volunteer in Three Ways)

Over the years we’ve learned a lot from, and about, our classmate, Israa. Israa is blind and has to learn in ways that are different from the rest of us. In addition, she does it in her second language as Arabic is her first. With several Outdoor Ed trips ahead, we thought it might be time to learn a bit more about how she navigates. We needed a better understanding since we will be hiking in terrain that is unfamiliar to her. We hope we will be better guides and helpers in the future. You can view a video on our class Instagram Feed (mskrbrown).

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – June 3, 2022

Landmark 24 (Eco/Carbon Footprint)

Students found their ‘Earth Overshoot Day’ and calculated how many Earths would be needed to sustain their lifestyles. They then made recommendations on how they could personally reduce their Carbon Footprint.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – May 27, 2022

Landmark 18 (Natural Area Booklet, Blog or video)

The students brainstormed the components of a good Travel Guide. They then walked to Jackson Park to take several photos. They are creating electronic guides and translating some of it into French.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – May 20, 2022

Landmark 24 (Eco/Carbon Footprint)

Students calculated their ecological footprint examined how Canadian lifestyles compare with other countries and made personal plans to reduce our footprints.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – May 17, 2022

Landmark 16 (Renewable Energy)

Students explored different forms of renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric) and drew diagrams to show how they work. We planned a virtual visit to Camp Kawartha Environment Centre and learned that it uses solar hot water, geothermal heating, conservation, and photovoltaic panels!

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – April 12, 2022

Landmark 20 (Plan and Conduct a Project)

Grade 6/7 students researched the complex journey of their t-shirts from production to their doorsteps. They read a book called “Follow Your Stuff” and watched a video on the lifecycle of a t-shirt and learned that there are many environmental, health, and socioeconomic concerns evident in each stage of production. They listed ways that they could reduce their environmental impact (donating/buying second-hand clothes, repurposing as rags or new clothing items, limiting what they purchase, finding textile drop-off bins, etc.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – May 13, 2022

Landmark 20 (Plan and Conduct a Project)

Students completed a “‘Double’ Landmark: Schoolyard Report Card”. They drew a map, filled in a Report Card (Habitat for People and A Healthy Environment), took temperatures at a variety of locations (additional Science link), and are making recommendations to our school principal.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – May 13, 2022

Landmark 21 (Meet Other Cultures)

Students have been learning a lot about Ramadan and Eid-Al-Fitr from students who celebrate at our school. Today we had a school-wide Eid celebration with great food, music, dancing, & wonderful company. Students learned a Syrian dance, many students tried new food from OMG (Oasis Mediterranean Grill) restaurant, and learned to say, “Eid Mubarak!” Hearing students say things like, “We are so lucky!”, “Try this! It’s delicious!”, and, “Thanks for such a fun celebration!” made for an unforgettable day.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – May 6, 2022

Landmark 23 (Design a Healthy Home)

Grade 6/7 students competed in a Minecraft building challenge called Peace with Nature where they designed sustainable and energy-efficient homes and communities. Students were very innovative, incorporating wind turbines and solar panels to power homes and businesses, harvesting rainwater and creating irrigation systems to water community gardens, and converting waste into biofuel and biodiesel companies to combat fossil fuels. Many homes were built with sustainable materials, including homes with strawbale walls/insulation, geothermal floors, and homes with a living green roof and walls. Students were greatly inspired by the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre. Working in groups, they designed 6 separate communities (each with multiple homes) in total.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – May 5, 2022

Landmark 20 (Plan and Conduct a Project)

The students chose a product, or fashion item, and researched its ‘Life Cycle’. They created visual representations and then wrote a recommendation, to the company, to improve their environmental impact.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – May 6, 2022

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

Grade 6/7 students accompanied their grade 1/2 buddies to Jackson Park to explore the forest. We helped our grade 1/2 friends complete a scavenger hunt, and explored biodiversity in the habitat. We took pictures of the different species we found under rocks, in trees, and in/under logs. Students are now working to identify them.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – April 5, 2022

Landmark 21 (Meet Other Cultures)

Grade 6/7 students met virtually with students in the English as a Second Language program at Adam Scott CVI and with representatives from the New Canadians Centre to meet and learn about communities in Canada and the amazing ways newcomers to Canada contribute to Canadian society.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – April 25, 2022

Landmark 21 (Meet Other Cultures)

Our school enjoys the presence of many New Canadian friends. Several of them are currently observing Ramadan. Two students from our class, are doing daily announcements. We are learning new things every day. For example, did you know that there are Ramadan TV shows? A new one ‘drops’ each day of Ramadan. It is something many families look forward to.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – April 22, 2022

Landmark 18 (Natural Area Booklet, Blog or video)

For National Poetry Month in April, students wrote and compiled a book of poetry to celebrate Jackson Park. They were inspired by a nature walk and wanted to capture the moments that stood out to them the most.

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – April 15, 2022

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

Today we checked out “Frog Watch” and learned that frogs and toads have semi-permeable skin. We discussed how frogs and toads are amphibians and live in wetlands. We shared how humans are impacting wetland habitat and the affects this has on the frog and toad population. We hope to visit a nearby wetland on our walk next week.

Mrs. Kelly’s Grade 2/3 – April 13, 2022

Landmark 21 (Meet Other Cultures)

Today we met Bhisham Ramoutar from the New Canadian Centre. He spoke to our class about the New Canadian Centre, and what it is like to be an immigrant or refugee in a new Country. He also told us about his personal journey to Canada.

St Catherine CES Gr 5 E – March 8, 2022

(Landmark 20) Plan and Conduct a Project

We hosted a workshop for a Grade 5/6 class at Virtual elementary school (DCDSB) where we explored the importance of climate action through the lens of the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). We covered the impact UNDRIP created across the globe and the vital role UNDRIP plays in protecting Indigenous rights and climate action nationally and locally. We proposed a few actions for student to take to create positive change in the local community including:

1. Write a letter to your local MP on the following topics (not limited to these): Curve Lake drinking water, Indigenous rights, pipelines, etc
2. Invite an Indigenous Leader as a class speaker (online or in person)
3. Get outside and make a connection with landmarks, plant/animal species that resonated with what you’ve learned
4. Create spoken word or art pieces on what you learned- share with us on social media or via email

Kawartha World Issues Centre – February 4, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

We learned to snowshoe and ran some relays! This was combined with throwing beanbags at a target. It was our own version of Biathlon!

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – February 27, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

Junior and Intermediate participated in Olympic Games activities, including curling, snowshoe races/biathlon, a hockey shootout, and ‘luging’. Students and staff learned new skills and had an absolute blast! Grade 6/7 students said it was the “best school day ever.”

Highland Heights Gr 6/7 – February 24, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

Excellent learning and physical activity through fun and games.

St. Patrick 6/7 – February 7, 2022

Landmark 17 (Three New Outdoor Skills)

We walked to a local outdoor rink and went skating. It was a first for a few of the students!

St. Patrick 6/7 – February 9, 2022