Discussions in class have been lively lately.
The students really enjoyed the documentary: “A Class Divided”, in which Jane Elliott tries to teach her 3rd grade class the real, palpable effects of discrimination.
The tragedy that has befallen Attawapiskat really shocked the students and led to a full exploration of the issues. Topics ranged from the “ghettoization of Reserves”; to financial management; to “exponential growth” and population trends.
We watched the outstanding National Film Board digital short: The Test Tube with David Suzuki. In this amazing short – David Suzuki succinctly shows how the world’s resources are vanishing at an astonishing rate. Check it out yourself at http://www.testtube.nfb.ca
We are in the midst of a short story unit. Some of the all-time masters are on display here. Hemingway’s “Old Man at the Bridge”. Tobias Wolfe’s “Hunters in the Snow” and O. Henry’s “Gift of the Magi”.

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May 27th, 2011

Went to Seattle with 14 students on Saturday morning (met at 5:30 am). The students were super excited (but quite anxious) about the journey they were to embark on.

Our first stop was the outlets – the kids got a chance to see the aftermath of Black Friday. They did some shopping and then it was off to the Marathon Expo to volunteer for 4 hours. After the Expo we headed back to the Queen Anne (quite possibly the stinkiest hotel in Seattle but one of the cheapest). We had a huge meal and then retired.

The half marathoners started their race at 7:30 and the full marathoners at 8:15.

The weather was horrible – rain; wind and more rain. The kids battled and fought their way through and all of them finished (plus two staff).

It was another amazing sight to have so many kids push themselves to their limit; fight through all types of adversity and self-doubt and weather the physical and emotional journey that all long distance runners face.

Congratulations to the following:

Half Marathoners:

Willy Dugray (age 16)
Lukas Bezanson (15)
Eriana Morales (15)
Sebastian Austin (13)
Jayde Becke (15)
Gord Howey (age unknown)

Full Marathoners

Matt Morin (15)
Joe Malley (15)
Vaughn Mills (17)
Kyle Leo (16)
William Vu (17)
Shwana Bestoun (15)
Frankie Joseph (16)
Jordan Braun (14)
Raymond king (16)

Once again the Streetfront students have showed the world that regardless your circumstance – great things can be achieved if you fight for it.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us this year.

Strachan Hartley Legacy foundation
C.L.I.C.K.
Northshore Athletics
Britannia Secondary

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The half marathoners have just started and I’m walking back to pick up the fulls.

Should be exciting times. Weather is ok – better than expected.

Wish us well. 14 kids on the course!

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English – just finishing “A Long Way Gone” by Ishmael Beah. Memoir of a former child soldier in Sierra Leone

Socials – just finished a Canadian geography unit. Will be starting a unit on Africa next week.

Science – Reviewing Unit 1: Biomes and Unit 2: Cycles of Nature in preparation for next week’s test

Math – starting polynomials next week.
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network. Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Hello All,  This is my first foray into the world of blogging. I teach at a unique Alternative School in Vancouver, BC, Canada.  I figured it is time to allow others insight into what my classroom is like. 

Quick overview of Streetfront: Based out of Britannia Secondary School; grades 8 to 10; co-ed; most students have been removed from traditional high schools; we offer a very unique – active based model – to engage our reluctant students; 60% is core academics and 40% is intense, physical activity; we go on 3 mandatory runs each week; many students train for half and full marathons; we will venture out on over 40 physical field trips over the school year. Staffing: 1 teacher, 1 youth and family worker, 1 alternative program worker (outdoor education leader); 22 students