Tuesday, June 12, 2018

A big debate and creating treasure maps

  For the final focus in our study of rocks and minerals, we looked at a real-life local issue that involved the environmental impact of extracting rocks and minerals - the proposed quarry at Skeleton Lake.  After reading a newspaper article about the proposed quarry and answering questions to ensure their understanding, students were divided into seven groups:  three for the proposed quarry, three against and the government, who ultimately made the decision.
  Promoting the quarry were a truck driver who was looking forward to a full-time job, the investor in the quarry and his planner.  All three groups emphasized the fact that the materials from the quarry, sand and gravel, were used in our everyday lives, including to keep our roads safe in the winter.  Concessions were made to the other side, including the creation of a mountain bike park.
  Against the Skeleton Lake quarry were a cyclist, who was concerned about road safety, the Muskoka Conservancy, which wanted to protect the unique qualities of the lake and a neighbour, who was concerned about noise and dust pollution and road safety.
  In the end, the government decided against the quarry, after asking questions of all groups.  We then watched a video of the recent debate about the issue at Muskoka Lakes Township.
  After the debate, the students were asked to privately vote whether they were for or against the quarry.  After a strong anti-quarry vote, the students to write a letter to Norm Miller, outlining their concerns about the proposed quarry.
  In math, we will be applying our learning about movement on a grid through slides (translations) and flips (reflections) through the creation of a treasure map.  Students will be creating a map of an imagined or real place, on which they move a treasure at least three different times.  They will then have to precisely describe how the treasure moved on the grid.
  Finally, thank you to all of the parents who have volunteered for so many aspects of your kids' classroom program this year.  From everything from volunteering to be a part of La Course Incroyable to offering free programming at Algonquin Park to providing us with great resources, your support and interest has made our year even better.
Mme Lindsay

A big debate and creating treasure maps

  For the final focus in our study of rocks and minerals, we looked at a real-life local issue that involved the environmental impact of ext...