All of my days at Seven Stones Community School are summarized and highlighted in my blog posts. Here are a few key points within each blog post:
Day 1: “Seven Stones is one of the elementary schools in Regina that I was unfamiliar with. Going in, I was curious about the atmosphere, the location, and how the students would be. Later on, I became more and more interested in the open-concept layout of this particular school, because I have never seen anything like it. After being introduced to the expectations, environment, and some staff, I was then placed into a grade ½ class”.
On this particular day, I concentrated on the community that had been established within this classroom. Hands-on learning and table partners appeared to be extremely beneficial within this classroom, bringing excitement, engagement, and a sense of belonging to students.
Day 2:
What interested me about this specific school’s format, is that it is an open-concept school. I noticed that classrooms are not necessarily limited to 4 walls, but rather put in a larger space. Although there are a few typical classrooms, the majority of the school’s learning spaces are in areas that can fit flexible seating, moving desks, and even a few bean bag chairs. These open-concept classroom layouts give students options in the classroom. Giving students options allows them to engage more in their learning and think about, or even act on, what might benefit them. “Trust is created in the teacher-student relationship when teachers allow students to make choices that may benefit them.
This week, I focused more on the benefits of a positive learning environment, and how teachers and students can work together to benefit one another.
Day 3:
“This week, I was in a 7/8 classroom, which was quite different from my previous experiences in grades 1/2 and 3/4. I spent a lot of time looking around the 7/8 classroom because there was always something new or unique to notice in the artwork, posters, and bulletin boards. “Something that stuck with me on this specific day, was a bulletin that promoted knowledge and awareness about the residential schools. I could easily tell that teachers and students took great pride in incorporating language, culture, and awareness into their community”.
Day 4:
“I spent most of my last day in a 5/6 classroom. As soon as I walked into the 5/6 classroom, I noticed the beautiful plants and reading corner. As I looked around even more, I saw treaty posters, maps, smudging elements, Indigenous words, books, and even stuffies of various animals in Indigenous culture. Rather than just focusing on one aspect of Indigenous culture, this classroom celebrated it as a whole”.
This week, I was inspired by a poster I saw around the school. This poster serves to remind students that their school is a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and families to feel safe and included. This struck me as significant because many students may feel insecure or ashamed. However, having this reminder could provide them with a positive environment if they do not already have one. This school’s support, diversity, and inclusion are evident through its classrooms, posters and values.”
