Groups for Home Learners

Oftentimes our tendency when dealing with young children is to protect them from contentious issues, the things that seem too mammoth to manage, but at the same time we know are important to tackle. In so doing, we do them a disservice by robbing them of the opportunity to practice critical thinking, research strategies and to develop a non-binary lens. During our first pod of the school year, we’ll take time to ground ourselves both literally and figuratively. 

As a group we will focus on British Columbia’s logging industry, seeking out current practices in our province, and what people have been doing to ensure that this is a sustainable process. As a territory that has historically been dependent on this industry, it has always been important to examine our practices, making sure they represent the values of the public. 

Seeking out the sources of truth, we’ll examine both sides of the controversy over forestry practices, teaching students how to accurately distill this information down into fact, opinion and everything in between. After digesting this new subject matter, we’ll go in search of fallen wood to repurpose and turn into forest art pieces, standing as reminders of exactly what we need to spend our time protecting.

The diversity of tidal pools is almost immeasurable. Existing as entirely separate bodies of water, these small but mighty (sometimes) hidden gems are truly a world unto themselves. Of course, depending on the tide these delicious ecosystems capture the magic of the ocean on a scale that is no less grand than the expanse of the Pacific. We’ll spend 6 weeks looking at how these microsystems represent everything in the macrosystem…it’s just a matter of taking one step back. Christianne will introduce students to author/illustrator Michael Foreman, who chronicled how the chemicals from a single oil coated feather emanated through the water, causing the slow destruction of sea life. We’ll take this book’s hopeful ending and use it as fuel to reinforce just how important it is for youth to believe in the power of change. Using literature as the catalyst to break down a dense topic into digestible pieces, we’ll guide the group through changes they can make at home that will ultimately translate into meaningful global impact. Mixed media collages created by each student will be put together like a mosaic in a large installation, representative of the ‘whole’. This will then be photographed and put onto canvases sent home as touchstones to reflect back on.  

There are few Shakespeare plays (if any) that are not considered to be classics. Macbeth however, seems to be one that transcends both space and time, moving through the generations as easily as if it had been crafted in current society. With undercurrents of complex morality, one of the finest playwrights in history uses his characters to demonstrate how ambition without humility or humbleness, can descend into greed; and greed and power mixed together inevitably result in a bad outcome for all. 

Reading a variety of Macbeth adaptations, Christianne will ensure that the text is not only accessible to all ages, but that it is digested as lessons applicable to today’s youth. By facilitating myriad discussions around both central and supporting characters and their actions, the group will feel confident they have mastered Shakespeare moving forward. Our art project will be centered around the witches' three prophecies. Creating a series of clay reliefs using terracotta Sculpey, Christianne will teach students the intricacies of carving and molding clay, proving just how effective this medium can be in conveying the meaning behind a story.

Dr. Henry J. Moore of Islington, Ontario conceived the idea of a garden on an international border as a place where people could share interests and celebrate friendship. A year later in 1929, he proposed the idea and the National Association of Gardeners approved the plan for the International Peace Garden. During this study pod we’ll explore different iterations of these garden types across international borders and use them to root ourselves in the importance of peacekeeping efforts. Everyone in the group will be encouraged to put together a case study, choosing a historical conflict and researching both sides. They will then be invited to practice presentation skills in a safe and secure setting by walking classmates through any significant and meaningful discoveries they made along the way. They will represent their learning visually on large canvases integrating text and image collage.

The state of peace may often be presented as something unattainable on the world stage, however we plan to harness the hope of youth and change the narrative for future generations.

Drawing from Art Fraud Detective, The Great Art Scandal and the Art Auction Mystery, we will look closely at the mysteries narrated in the pieces painted by great masters. Students will quickly be engaged in observing small details that tell hidden stories often missed by the casual observer of art. This pod will involve adopting the mindset of both sleuth and art critic to consider these pivotal works from every angle.

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We will represent our learning on three canvases, as we work to recreate paintings from great masters, embedding within each of them a secret detail that tells a personal story known only to the student. With Christianne’s artistic guidance, even the most reluctant of artisans will be unable and unwilling to put the paint brush down.

We often think that the largest groups, the ones with the biggest numbers, have the most impact, but sometimes small can be incredibly mighty. Kept on the coastline of Saturna Island’s 31 square kilometers, SIMRES (Saturna Island Marine Research and Education Society) is a small collective whose impact is felt far and wide. We’ll spend the first part of our time together really learning about the mission critical of this group, and how they gather information, as well exploring authors who are committed to protecting ocean ecosystems.

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We’ll be using Ann Eriksson’s book Dive In: Exploring Our Connection With The Ocean as a jumping off place for our own theory building. We hope that the author herself might make a visit during this study pod to add personal stories to the research presented in her book.

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In keeping with last year’s tradition, the home learners will work in groups to create paving tiles to be gifted to SIMRES. Of course we will visit the whale mosaic series that we gave to this organization last year. For those who are interested in ecological studies as part of their highschool education, we will be making a quick visit to the SEEC (Saturna Ecological Education Centre) student dormitory area to learn first hand from the students about their experience in this very special program. 

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We’ll make a journey to Saturna at the end of the term to see the wonder for ourselves as we get to speak with the change makers themselves. You’ll want your child to have a front row seat for this experience.