Its Time to Play

Good Afternoon Class


     Don’t forget to check out the game Heal the Drummer at http://bit.ly/mWWTDW to help the drummer make it to his concert before the time runs out. As you are playing try to think if you have ever heard of any of the plants that Milton needs to cure himself.  Do you use any of these plants? Can you think of any other plants can be used to cure illnesses or wounds?  Have fun!  Don’t forget that when you are on the internet you must use your netiquette and be smart.


Dear Parents


       I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you what your children have been doing in class over the past few weeks.  We have integrated our social studies and science units into one BIG unit!  The students have been learning about the First Nation people of Canada and biodiversity through the exploration of how the First Nations have a meaningful a relationship with their environment. I have sent the students home with the instruction to investigate the game Heal the Drummer at http://bit.ly/mWWTDW. While engaging in this online game your child will be able to investigate the plants that First Nations used as healing agents. This will help you child to understand some of the benefits that humans have gained from biodiversity (namely medicine), as well it will strengthen the concept that First Nations relied on their environment.   Feel welcome to play this game with your child to help them answer any of the problems and to become involved in their learning.  Interactive games are often a great way to get children excited about learning! Ecokids.ca is a website that I use often in my classroom as it is a great way to explore environmental stewardship which the students enjoy.  I encourage you to explore the website for great ideas how your family at home can become environmentally conscious!

            If you would like further information on how the interactive game Heal the Drummer enhances our unit read over the Ministry of Ontario’s curriculum expectations that I have posted below...

Grade 6

Science and Technology: Understanding Life Systems

Overall Expectation: Students will demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity, its contributions to the stability of natural systems, and its benefits to humans.

Specific Expectation: By the end of Grade 6, students will assess the benefits that human societies derive from biodiversity (e.g., thousands of products such as food, clothing, medicine, and building materials come from plants and animals) and the problems that occur when biodiversity is diminished (e.g., monocultures are more vulnerable to pests and diseases)

Social Studies: Heritage and Citizenship

Overall Expectation: By the end of Grade 6, students will: describe characteristics of pre-contact First Nation cultures across Canada, including their close relationships with the natural environment; the motivations and attitudes of the European explorers; and the effects of contact on both the receiving and the incoming groups

Specific Expectation: By the end of Grade 6, students will: describe the attitude to the environment of various First Nation groups and show how it affected their practices in daily life

           ~Ms. Hyde 

Image taken from freedigitalpohots.net. Creator Danilo Rizzuti