Field Trip to the AGO

Dear Parents,

Today's trip to the AGO was a lot of fun. In the morning, we took transit there and that was an exciting adventure for students in and of itself.

When we got there, we did a workshop on Squishy Sculpture and created work with its own plinth display. I took photos of students posing with their work. There was a great variety of work and lots of student engagement.

Then we had lunch, and broke into thirds. One third explored the Hands On learning centre, while the other two thirds took turns looking at model ships and playing on the amazing play structure in Grange Park.

After everyone had had a turn, we toured the European galleries, looking at work chronologically from medieval through post-modern. I was interested to see who was engaged by which work.

Some really liked cups and usable art.


I had students point out a sculpture of Medusa and a painting involving Icarus, which was neat because we've been reading some Greek Myths.



Some were fascinated by the scale of the work or the realism but just as many were excited to see artists we'd talked about like Monet and Warhol.

I thought many engaged with the more abstract stuff in some interesting ways as well. We talked a lot about a piece with buffalo fur in the middle of the room that was about residential schools.


They wanted to know if the installation with the sink really worked. And, when asked why they thought so many of the pieces involved mirrors, one student said, "Because we're part of the art as well." I love seeing all the little gears turning.

When we'd gotten through, we realized we were running short on time and went through the Henry Moore Scupture Garden. Here we posed with the sculptures.

At the end of our tour, we took a photo with Warhol's soup cans. 

It's been a good week for Science

Dear Parents, 

Yesterday, we spent some time in the Parenting Centre yard, putting up our bird feeders. We hope that the community will appreciate them and you'll watch out to see if you see any birds around them when you go past before and after school. This morning, I saw some chickadees (and a squirrel) enjoying themselves. 

Another teacher, Ms. Lock's structures and mapping unit recently culminated with students building structures from their community. Since they were done with the base map, we seized the opportunity for a similar class challenge. Students brainstormed a list of important structures (libraries, police and fire stations, grocery stores, apartment buildings, etc.), then worked either alone or with a partner to create a structure to place on the map.

The aquarium also contains a zoo

Working together to make a school

After we had finished, we brought the map outside, where students could play on and around it for the remainder of the day. You may have seen some of the structures coming home this evening. I was entertained to see many of the birdies and stuffies students bring outside at recess climbing the C.N. Tower.

A final note: Our field trip to the AGO is next Tuesday. I hope to connect once more with parents who are planning to attend and confirm involvement. Unfortunately, I only have room for 3 parents under the field trip costs.  If you would like to come, but are not one of the parents who responded first, you are still welcome to attend, but you will need to be responsible for your own transit and admittance cost to the AGO ($14).  

Sincerely, 

Lisa Goegan