HEAD OF SCHOOL'S MESSAGE
Making Sense of the Math

Dear VTT Community,

On Wednesday night, a resounding chorus of primary parents concurred that "math made sense!" Through a hands-on and interactive workshop, math consultant Carole Fullerton allowed parents to "play" with math, mimicking much of the instruction currently taking place in our classrooms. Most exciting during the evening were the many "eureka" moments experienced by those in attendance as well as the excitement demonstrated for the new math.


Since 2007, based on extensive research in best practice and borrowing from the world's top math performing countries, especially Singapore, Canada has adopted new methods and strategies for teaching math from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The national shift considers both diversity of learning styles and abilities in classrooms thus making math accessible to all. Gone are the days where either a student "got it" or floundered. This new math is called "thinking math" and is a move away from traditional equations. As Ms. Fullerton explained, "Big ideas are taught in ways that are invitational. [In this new practice,] everyone gets to play in the sandbox!" To learn more about the new math, visit Carole's blog at mindfull.wordpress.com


Carole Fullerton will be presenting one more time at VTT. If you have not yet RSVP'ed to the intermediate workshop (Grades 4-7), don't delay. Send an email to Jennifer ASAP.

WEEKLY TORAH PORTION WITH RABBI BELLAS  

 

Shabbat Parashat B'reishit

Begin with the End in Mind

As we celebrated Simhat Torah last Monday night and Tuesday, we completed the cycle of our annual Torah reading and then began it yet again. It is almost as if we are celebrating an ending with a new beginning. We are not given a chance to linger on the conclusion. Continuity and new beginnings are the theme and focus of the festival. It is a day of renewal. Our tradition teaches that there are "shiv'im panim laTorah/seventy faces to the Torah," which instructs us that no matter how many times we read the same Torah text, there is always something new for us to learn because we can see it in a new way each and every time. So, each year, I think about HOW I want to begin my year of relearning the Torah. This year, I have borrowed a phrase from educational parlance for my thinking about the lessons of the Torah: "Begin with the end in mind."

 

Read more online... 

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

One of the perks of reaching the intermediate grades is the privilege to become a library monitor. Students check books in and out and assist Natasha and Michal in the smooth running of the Learning Commons. Kol Ha'Kavod!

You can be sure this student will never find himself in the unfortunate position of losing his kippah!


Our eternal sunshine now feels like a relic of the past!
Last week members of the Earth Savers Club diligently cleaned up the area surrounding the apple trees. Thanks to Ms. Girling and Ms. Morrell for their help.

Grade 2 students had a fantastic time exploring squid, whale blubber and other ocean matter in a workshop facilitated by High Tech, High Touch for their science unit on oceans. Click here to see more photos.

Carole Fullerton demonstrated the efficacy of the new math curriculum by modelling a lesson in Grade 1. As evidenced above, students were completely engaged in the thinking activity.


Grade 3 art inspired by Gustav Klimt.

As Congregation Beth Israel prepares to shut its doors in anticipation of their rebuild, Grade 4 students had the opportunity the explore one of its Torahs before being shipped to its temporary home at the JCC.


K2 & 2D students have become buddies. Yesterday they enjoyed observing Rosie, the pet hedgehog, and writing narratives about their prickly friend. See more photos here.

The Grade 1 & 7 Buddies program is off to a great start. Despite the 6-year age difference, students enjoy time together at lunch.

Grade 1 students cheer for an employee next door at GF Strong who, after many failed attempts, managed to throw the wayward soccer ball over the exceedingly high fence.