No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks...! Just a quick note as we wrap up a fun school year... I am glad so many parents were able to come to the school to watch our class play this year. If you got some good photos, please send one or two to me at nancy.rupert@gmail.com and I'll put them on the blog for others to see. Mrs. Kollen and I were so proud of the students, who put so much effort into their art/props/costumes/acting. It was neat to see how excited they all were, too--and who knows, maybe one day a famous Hollywood star will say, "I got my start on the stage at Alouette Elementary..." I just want to confirm that tomorrow (Wed.) and Thursday are full days, although students are welcome to go home at lunchtime on Thursday. That day we have an assembly in the morning, and then a concert (hopefully the weather will cooperate and it will be outside). Anyone who stays at school in the afternoon will go to the gym, where a movie will be presented. I will be asking students to bring home everything from their bins, desks and the cloakroom tomorrow. Report cards will go home Thursday. I think that's it! Mrs. Kollen and I have very much enjoyed each and every student we've taught in Division 7 this year. It's a privilege to get to work with your creative, enthusiastic children! Have a wonderful summer.

A Day Spent Weaving

Kathleen Williamson from our District's Aboriginal Education department visited our classroom last Friday. She taught us about the history of Salish weaving (such as the fact that the Salish took their wool not from sheep, but from a now-extinct wooly dog!) She then taught the students how to use a loom to weave, and students spent the entire day engrossed in their projects. While a few students said it wasn't for them, the majority of the children found it a fun, soothing, creative activity. Some even said they wished they could weave every day! Kathleen told the students that if they wanted to keep on weaving at home, they didn't need fancy equipment, but could make a loom out of a shoe box. I found online directions here: http://www.allfiberarts.com/library/aa01/aa040201.htm Here are some photos of the students, hard at work:

Field Trip to view Lyle Wilson's artwork

Friday, June 1st was a real west coast weather type of day: warm but occasionally pouring and often drizzling rain. Nevertheless, Division 7 and a handful of parent helpers walked to the ACT in Maple Ridge to view the Northwest Coast art of Lyle Wilson.

Our guide explained the basic shapes used by Northwest Coast artists and that it "should feel like it's staring at you".

Students admire ABCs Reconstituted.

Tsimshian Cosmos

Kitamaat means "People of the Snow"

Octopus

Admiring a Bentwood box.