2013 In Review

Top Learning Walk Images of 2013

During 2013, I participated in learning walks in all of my Family of Schools: 4 high schools and 9 elementary schools in all.  Although I learned a great deal and took many pictures, these are my top 10 images from the year gone by.

#10  Expression of Faith at St. Andrew

Alrhoughit was actually late December 2012 when I stumbled upon this Nativity Scene created out of snow by St. Andrew students, it captured so well the culture of faith in our Catholic schools that I simply had to include it in this series of images.

#9 Experiential Learning & Collaborative Inquiry

During a visit to a grade 4 mathematics class at St. Jerome, I was intrigued to observe a real-world math inquiry that held the attention of all the students - a word problem based on the class's upcoming outing to a community skating rink.

#8  Credit Rescue Program

The Back on Track program at St. Francis Xavier has helped the school improve credit accumulation rates, including in mathematics.

#7  Play-based Learning

At St. Bernard, the transformation of kindergarten classrooms to play-based learning centres is well under way.

#6  Student Murals at St. Francis Xavier High School

During my visits to St. Francis Xavier High School, seasonal murals created by grade 10 art students were on display in the atrium.                                   

#5 Effective Listening Skills

Listening skills are sometimes taken for granted in learning situations.  However, several of the elementary schools in my Family of Schools deliberately and intentionally focused this year on this important area of communication.

#4  Bullying Awareness & Prevention - Student Voice

During Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week, in November, St. Francis Xavier students took the lead in several initiatives focused on creating a bully-free environment at the school.  In addition to forming a human peace sign on the school property, grade 7-8 homeroom classroom doors were decorated with bullying awareness and prevention messages.  

#3  Hopes for Our New Pope

On March 13, 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope.  Students at St. Patrick's Elementary were invited to share their hopes for the new pope.

#2  Learning Goals Expressed in Student-Friendly Language

A learning goal is only effective when it is easily understood by students.  During one of my visits to Monsignor Paul Baxter School, I noted some excellent examples of learning goals expressed in student-friendly language. 

#1  Reading Comprehension Strategies

The tremendous combined effort of teachers at St. Bernard Elementary to focus on the development of reading comprehension/thinking skills such as inferring was a great example of the implementation of a School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA) goal 

Success Criteria for making inferences and even an 'Inferring Song' - St Bernard