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Wondering: Critical and Creative Thinking

Spring is an exciting time of the year when teachers and students are sensing the completion of another meaningful and educational school year. Similarly, our natural environment is awakening and beginning to show signs of early blooming and vibrant greenery. This month our school community is reflecting on “Wondering: Critical and Creative Thinking”. Creative and critical thinking encourage students to think broadly and deeply, while also objectively and analytically. Throughout the halls of Pythagoras Academy, I am always inspired by the creative and thought-provoking work that I see displayed on the walls.

I also reflect on how creative thinking helps us all to approach tasks and situations from a fresh perspective; a valuable concept during this time of transition. Over the next few months, I look forward to observing and connecting with all of the unique and talented students of Pythagoras Academy and to celebrating their innate wonder and outstanding achievements with them!

Warm Regards, 

Ms. Leah Zeballos
Director of Early Learning

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Developing and Demonstrating Fair Play & Leadership in Sports

Just like a first-time basketball player isn’t ready to play in the NBA, a newcomer to critical thinking strategies is only at the beginning stage of their critical and reflective journey. In Sport, this process involves developing a deep understanding of ourselves in relation to others, reflecting and practicing often and reflecting on our mistakes. As a whole, our physical, emotional, and mental health are interconnected. At Pythagoras Academy, we understand the importance critical thinking plays in our young learners’ lives. We strive to find different outlets for students to build these important skills. One way we are doing this is by giving our students more opportunities through Sport. Young athletes are working to understand the rules of the game, practicing often, monitoring and evaluating their performance, meanwhile acknowledging our commitment to improvement and remembering that learning (the game) is never over. Within a couple of months, we started a grades 4-6 boys basketball team that has already competed against another school and we are excited to announce that we are starting a girls dodgeball team that will also compete. 

Mr. Cornelius Williams 
Physical Education Specialist

Messages from Across the Grades

Junior Kindergarten "JK" 

Our Junior Kindergarten classes have been excited to see the results of our walking water science experiment, frog life cycle projects and creating fun learning experiences outdoors. Students made predictions of what they thought would will happen, what they observed and what the various outcomes were!
 

Grades K/1

In Kindergarten, we have been wondering about shapes. We are working hard on identifying various shapes and have been curious about the difference between 2D (flat) shapes and 3D (solid) shapes. We have discovered shapes are all over our classroom and so we wondered if we would find shapes outside too. Grade 1 has been wondering about sound and how our ears work. We learned how sound travels through our ears, how communication is delivered through our brains and how different sounds make us feel and act.
 

Grades 2/3

Grade two students are utilizing creative thinking skills as they participate in a variety of exciting projects. Together, they are writing a letter to the mayor and sharing some of their favourite personal poems in poetry books as well as highlighting their creativity through rap battles. Grade three students have been using their critical thinking skills to wonder about Canadian Indigenous Peoples' connection to the land. They have participated in two exciting virtual field trips with Indigenous artists who have shared oral stories and taught the students Powwow dancing and visual art. 

 

Grades 4/5


Grade 4 students explored their creative thinking skills in numeracy by studying area and perimeter. They applied their critical thinking skills while exploring social and political factors that influenced the colonization of British Columbia and its entry into Confederation. Grade 5 students demonstrated curiosity about scientific topics of their choice in preparation for their March science fair. Students prepared, created and reported on an experiment of their choosing in a poster board format and further explored the topic of their choice. 

Grades 6-8

Grade 6 students explored their critical and creative thinking skills while designing Pop Art based on the study of Andy Warhol. During this collaborative project with Ms. Rich and social studies, students explored the world of persuasive language and techniques used to convince people of something. Students discussed and analyzed the essential question of how media influences public perception of a product or idea of something based on the illustrations, language, music or even celebrities it uses. 

Grade 7 and 8 students explored the concept of key characteristics of physical environments that impact early civilizations. During an inquiry exploration called the “Culture Project,” students researched an early civilization and answered the central question of why location is important. They compared maps of early civilizations with modern maps of the same area to help them communicate their findings in form of a video essay.  

What in the World is a Wonder Wagon?

One of the many resources we house at Pythagoras Academy is a Wonder Wagon. This tool helps teachers facilitate opportunities to "wonder" about the natural world. When creating learning infused with inquiry students are engaged in active exploration of the outdoors. In fact, inquiry based learning places a high focus on investigation and problem solving, differentiating it from the more traditional approaches of learning. Specifically, instead of being presented with information students are encouraged to explore scenarios, questions or problems, that may be self directed or more guided.  Our Wonder Wagon is filled with tools like magnifying glasses, clipboards and seasonal bins to aid in students' exploration. Whether it be a carefully curated wind walk, a nature scavenger hunt, a leaf walk or a nature find and count, students are encouraged to explore our natural world and engage in authentic learning experiences that they are passionate about.

Literacy and the Library Commons:
Reviewing the 5 Chairs 5 Choices

Recently, students spent time modeling and reviewing the 5 Chairs 5 Choices, a method to reflect on human behaviours, master communication skills and contribute to successful relationships. During the reflective exercise, a grade 5 student, said she was feeling like a meerkat, curious and filled with wonder. She stated, “ I am wondering how we can make sure everyone stays safe and is included during recess.” PA's Director of Literacy and teacher librarian, Ms. Lois Powell, asked her what questions we could ask to brainstorm solutions around this wonder. Halin posed the question, “What strategies do we already know and can use during this time?” to her class. As the discussion went on, various examples and solutions were proposed and a deeper understanding of how to communicate by working well and playing together arose. Often, it is stated that we should encounter new information in at least 3 different contexts before we really understand or process the information presented to us. By experiencing the 5 Chairs 5 Choices in participatory measures, reflective exercises and through discussion with others, students are able to gain new insights, practice new vocabulary and study different perspectives on how others may be feeling or relating to the topic at hand. These exercises improve relationships with their peers, teachers and ultimately allow students to gain a greater understanding of themselves.

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.- Aristotle”

Social Emotional Learning: Creative and Critical Thinking

Throughout March, teachers and students have been practicing and applying daily practices into their classrooms that help them stay present and aid in creative and critical thinking. One of those daily practices is STOP: S: Stop, T: Take a Breath, O: Observe (What is going on inside), T: Proceed. This daily practice allows students to pause and ask themselves what is going inside and to further process it. Another daily practice students use to stay present and self-aware of what is happening is the Problem Scale. The purpose of the Problem Scale is to determine the size of a conflict. Is this a small or big problem, and does our reaction match the size of the problem? This is followed by a reflection on making a problem smaller. We ask students, “what do you want to do about the problem?” By practicing these and other daily practices, students will gain perspective and curiosity about what is happening around and inside them. In addition, by typing it into the BC Curriculum, students develop their core competency: Thinking. 

Photo credit: www.bannibuntingmindfulness.com

 Upcoming and Important Dates 

April 5: Fire Drill
April 11-14: Pysanka Week 
April 14: Crazy Hair Day
April 15: Good Friday (No School)
April 18: Easter Monday (No School)
April 19-22: Arts Week
April 21: Student Led Conferences

 
 Upcoming Community Events 
 
April 10 
Surrey- Food Truck Wars at Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Grounds
April 16
Richmond - Rabbitats easter Bunny at the Lavenderland
 
April 22-24 
Vancouver - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in concert at the Orpheum Theatre
April 29 
Richmond- Community Block Party at the Landsdowne Centre 
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8671 Odlin Crescent, Richmond, BC V6X 1G1

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