Stephanie's Reflections on Week 2

 This past week has been a wonderfully exciting week! In health class we're learning about the dangers of first hand and second hand smoking & how to respond to peer pressure; We made our own spring chicks in Art class after taking a virtual tour of the Creighton Brother's chicken farm and learning about chickens and their birth and life cycle;  We had the students give us feedback on what we're doing well, and what we can improve on which is really amazing to hear -- its super great having a classroom community where kids can provide feedback on the teacher & one another in a way that is respectful and constructive!; We had the therapy dog Merlin come in and we did an activity where the kids learned the difference between perspective and point-of-view, and they did a creative writing activity where they imagined the day in the life as a Gladiator Snail, but from Merlin's perspective; Natasha and I went with Shauna and the Leadership Club to We Day which was a humbling day that tugged at the heart strings and a learning experience I'll never ever forget! 

      It was super amazing to hear about all the fantastic things that kids everywhere are doing not only to better the local community, but the global community as well. The speakers were so inspiring, and I absolutely loved the messages being brought forth to inspire positive change. I also really liked the concept of not being able to buy a ticket to We Day, but to earn a ticket by volunteering. It was edupirational (educational and inspirational), and I couldn't help but be reminded of how helping the community is a circular cycle: it positively impacts those being helped, and those helping. I had the opportunity to talk more with some of the students in the leadership club, and it was awesome to see how happy they were to be there, and how motivated they were to keep going!

      Friday was also super fun! We went to the Sugar Bush and learned about Maple Syrup and a bit about some of the animals that live on the farm. I learned the secret to a long life is Maple Syrup! (:  

Stephanie's Week 1 Reflections

First blog post- hooray! This first week in EPCOT class has been funtastically awesome.  The Gladiator Snails, Shauna, and all the staff have been super welcoming, and very helpful in helping me to become familiar with the school, and the classroom routines. Day 1 we played  get-to-know-you UNO, where I learned a few things about each student (including their names!), and my fellow student teacher Natasha! The following day we started doing A Book of Awesome, so I was able to learn more awesome things about the gladiator snails! I even learned the clever and funny way they got their name.  Additionally, I learned that they're super great dancers as they performed so amazingly in gym class to Uptown Funk!  I also went on a few tours this past week, where I was given a tour of the school by two awesome tour guides (Thank you Katie & Raphie!); we took a virtual tour of a Chicken farm; and I was given a tour of the twitterverse! 

 It has been really great being able to see how the gladiator snails are such active and informed global citizens in how they help with Ryan's Well,  and how a little act of kindness can go a long way when we #wearyellowforseth. 

I'm super excited to continue my learning adventures in EPCOT class! (:

Natasha's Week 1 Reflections

I can't believe that we are starting our second week together already! The first week was so fun, the time has flown by! I have learned so much about all of you, Shauna, and the class routines. I was very impressed with the class meeting on Friday. All of you are so insightful and had great ideas and comments! I look forward to teaching more and more, and working with all of the Gladiator Snails! You guys rock!

Welcome to our New Student Teachers

I am looking forward to meeting and working with our two new student teachers, starting on Monday!

Here, they introduce themselves:

Stephanie Pimenta

Dear Gladiator Snails,

My name is Stephanie Pimenta and I am a student teacher at the University of Ottawa.

I’ve been working all year learning awesome ways to try to be a super great teacher, and I’m excited to keep learning from Shauna and all of you! I’m looking forward to learning about all the cool ways to use technology! I’ve seen some of the awesome work you’ve all been doing (such as the news videos) and I know I’ll be learning from the pros! I’ve also seen the Gladiator Snail’s twitter and blog, and noticed many wonderful things going on in the school community, like supporting Ryan’s Well Foundation. I look forward to being part of this wonderful community, and I hope to learn more about it as I prepare to enter the classroom, and while I am within it.

I’m also really, really, REALLY excited to meet Hitchbot Jr!! I am super excited to come into your school to continue to support students and make learning exciting and engaging.

I have always wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of others, and have felt that teaching is a great way to do that.

Aside from my love of learning and teaching, some of my hobbies are reading, writing poetry, letters, and stories, watching Disney movies, playing volleyball, and spending time outdoors. I would like to also learn about any clubs/groups that you may be involved in and what sorts of things interest you!

 I consider myself very fortunate to be able to work with the Gladiator Snails, and I hope you will learn as much from me as I will from you. I can’t wait to get to know each one of you, start a learning adventure with you, and support you any way I can!

I look forward to starting my teaching practicum with you all on Monday, March 23rd!
See you soon, Stephanie (:

Natasha MacDonald

Hello Miss Pollock and Gladiator Snails!!

My name is Natasha MacDonald, and as you know, I am completing my Bachelor of Education
at the University of Ottawa. I am looking forward to meeting all of you, and learning with all of
you, in the EPCOTclass!

I have lived in Ottawa my whole life, and one of my favourite things to do is play music. I have
been playing the violin for 18 years now. I had the opportunity to attend Canterbury High
School for the Arts in their music program; they have other arts programs too, like visual art,
drama, dance, and literary arts.  I also completed my Bachelor in Music here at the University of
Ottawa, specializing in music education.

My involvement in music eventually led me to teaching private violin lessons. That’s when I
knew that I loved teaching! I then began to take courses for the Suzuki Method, a popular violin
method that I actually grew up with. The teacher training starts with a course called “Every
Child Can”. The whole method is very much based on the title of that course, something that
Shinichi Suzuki referred to as talent education, meaning that every child can develop talent. He
also wanted to help shape good citizens, and this is something that I really admire about the
method. I like to bring these ideas into the classroom with me; I believe that every child can!

Although I’ve done lots of music training, I also love to learn new things in all subjects! I am very
excited to be a part of your classroom, and the school community. I know that I have the ability
to approach ideas or concepts from multiple perspectives, and this helps me to explain things in
multiple ways when you need it most! I love questions, and encourage curiosity about the
amazing world we live in.

With my background in music, I am hoping to bring that into some of my lesson plans; to allow
you to be expressive and have fun while you learn. I am also really excited to see how you use
technology in the classroom. It sounds like the Gladiator Snails are real computer-whiz kids!

Once again, I look forward to meeting and learning with you!

Sincerely,
Miss MacDonald