Life Aquatic

Wow, what a great time at the aquarium!

Even though this isn't the best aquarium that I've been too, it's pretty good. The real bonus for me was that they had octopus! For a small aquarium it really packed a punch with its focus on sharks and the moving sidewalk. Based on the exhibits and the educational materials I saw I wouldn't take any student above grade 5. I really felt that the focus on sharks, the lighting, and the lack of educational materials around other aquatic life made this a sub par aquarium for field trips, but if you love life under the sea you should check this place out... maybe later at night when there aren't any crazy line-ups to get in.

Below are some pictures that we took

Aquarium Bound

I've been dying to go to Toronto's newly built aquarium and see first hand what it looks like and what educational programs they offer. Well, tomorrow night is my chance since they are hosting a teacher night! I really hope that we can get some of our students on a trip here since all our classes have been learning about water this year.

About 2/3rds of our planet is covered in water and only a fraction of that water is fresh. There is so much life that lives under water and all of them are so amazing since their environment is complete different from ours. All the different adaptations these creatures have made makes life under water so incredibly diverse. As well, do to our physical and technological limitations we have been able to explore very little of the ocean, so who know what lurks in the depths below!

I'm super excited... if you can't tell.

Water: Burtynsky & Ecological Literacy

At our school this year we have decided to take on the theme of water across the curriculum and the entire school as a way of promoting ecological literacy among our students. 

Recently in Toronto I was able to attend the opening of Edward Burtynsky's new photo exhibition, Water. It was a great conincidence that this exhibit happened to be displayed at the same time that I've been trying to wrap my head around activities that students from kindergarten to grade 8 could do around this massive theme, while at the same time linking it back to the Ontario curriculum in a meaningful way. 

Not only are these photographs massive, but I felt like they moved me in a massive way. It was increadible to see what an impact water has not only had on shaping our way of life, but also how we have shaped water. As well, to accompany this major photo exhibition Burtynsky and documentary film maker Jennifer Baichwal have released their second film, Watermark, which is currently in theatres. 

Looking forward to seeing this theme take shape in our school and really exploring the impact of water!

I've also included a few photographs from the Burtynsky exhibition below, but please check out his website for more of his amazing work from this show.