Workshops with guest speakers are a great way to enrich and deepen our students’ understanding of the world. Over the last few days the Junior School got hands-on with stories through a fun interactive author visit and an Indigenous cedar weaving workshop.
Author Visit with Stephanie Sy
Children’s book author Stephanie Sy visited our Kindergarten, Grades 1, 3 and 4 students for an interactive reading and activity, centred around the themes of collaboration, communication and identity that are featured in her books.
Grade 3s and 4s explored themes of individuality and self-expression through Stephanie’s newest release “You Can’t Tame a Tiger.” Following the reading, students designed their own tigers, applying creative expression and embracing their uniqueness in their artwork.
Kindergarteners and Grade 1s learned about the spirit of bayanihan—a Filipino word for working together on a common goal—in Stephanie’s book “A Roof!” To practice their own collaboration skills the students were placed into groups to practice transporting a cardboard roof across the room, learning the important strategies needed to work as a team.
The students enjoyed the sound-effects Stephanie provided during her readings as well as the hands-on activities to apply the lessons they learned from the story. Students who had purchased a copy of Stephanie’s books then got their copies signed. Visits from authors like Stephanie help to inspire a love of reading, writing and creative expression in our students, while also helping learners gain new perspectives of the world.
Cedar Weaving Workshop
Grade 5 students were visited by Rita Kompst, a xʷmәθkʷәy̓әm (Musqueam) Elder, cedar weaver and natural dyer of wools. She shared her knowledge about cedar, known as “The Tree of Life”, and the many uses it provides the xʷmәθkʷәy̓әm people who use it to make canoes, homes and ceremonial objects.
Rita also spoke about the cultural practices around harvesting cedar to ensure the sustainability of the resource and the significant amount of preparation required to prepare the cedar bark for weaving. Students were surprised to learn that Rita did not learn to weave until she was in her 50’s, but she reconnected to this part of her heritage after family loss prompted her to seek the healing power of working with our hands.
The Grade 5s learned to weave a cedar basket in a truly transdisciplinary learning experience that integrated math, science, art, social studies and social-emotional learning.
This cedar basket weaving workshop seamlessly connected the First People’s Principles of Learning with the Grade 5s Unit of Inquiry on sharing the planet, where they have been learning about the various perspectives on natural resources. Some students developed resilience by working through challenges, while others gained leadership skills as they supported their peers.
It was a privilege for students to learn directly from someone of xʷmәθkʷәy̓әm (Musqueam) background, giving a face to the First Nations group that is referenced in our land acknowledgements. Through these connections students grow their understanding of place and local knowledge.
We can bring inspiring guest speakers and their stories to the school thanks to your generosity through Annual Giving. Your support enables initiatives that enhance the student experience in academics, co-curriculars, arts, athletics, wellness, service, outdoor learning and more. Help create future opportunities by visiting sjs.ca/support/annual-giving.
