Submitted by Sarah Garcia-Peacock, Grade 4/5 Classroom Teacher, BPDS
During online meetings with students in Grade 4 and 5 from Bruce Peninsula District School we asked them the following questions:
Q: What is the best thing you have done during the school shut down period?
Q: What is the best thing about being home?
Q: What kind of life skills have you gained? (baking, changing tires, gardening, farming etc.)
Terra (Grade 4) – “The best part about this thing is that we have this big pool. It is super sunny and it’s amazing outside where it is. Also, we don’t have to ride the bus in the morning! I learned how to use Youtube.”
Alex (Grade 4) – “I think the best part about this is spending time with my mom and dad. We have been doing tire changes on the jeep and truck and oil changes on both as well. Pretty much learning how to become a mechanic!”
Mason (Grade 4) – “I built a big underground base. We were learning about wilderness survival. There was a giant hole in the ground and I put sticks over top. I made sitting places. I made my own food. A ground hog has taken over my spot though.”
Lucas (Grade 4) – “I am hanging out with my Poppa now because he moved and is living with me.”
Ellie (Grade 4) – “I learned how to 4-wheeler”.
Scarlet (Grade 4) – “In my spare time, I have been cleaning my room. I moved my bedroom. Mine and my sister’s room switched. I changed around my room.”
Maiya (Grade 4) – “I get more technology time! Actually … we can spend more time with our family.” (not even prompted!)
Lexi (Grade 5) – “I have been doing a lot of gardening, baking and fishing.”
Jee-Yu (Grade 5) – has been cracking coconuts. “We bought some coconuts from the grocery store. Now we are cracking them, seeing if they are rotten… and if they are not, we eat them! We can eat it raw, dried, whatever… Just eat it!”
Lena (Grade 5) – “I can’t say I love it, but it’s okay. We have been gardening. We have cleared it, it’s half planted. We have planted pumpkins, corn, peppers, tomatoes, onions, radishes, carrots, cauliflower and peas.”
Alexis L (Grade 5) – “Something that I have learned to do… I wasn’t very tech savvy before and now I know a whole bunch of stuff to do. I can do a lot more on computers. I can make a power point and do a lot more things on computers.”
Cole (Grade 5) – “I’ve been fishing a lot. At the farm, I feed animals.”
Torey (Grade 5) – “The best part about being away from school is a lot more free time than I usually would. A LOT. I usually go visit neighbours, Dexter and new neighbours from Toronto area.”
Ms Sweatman – “I’ve become more tech savvy because before we weren’t experts and we have tried to figure it out, one step ahead of the students! There have been lots of fun webinars to learn how to use the technology! I have prepared my home for a new baby!”
Mrs Peacock – “I have loved spending so much time outside. I have learned way more than I have ever hoped to know about Microsoft programs!”
