Trilingual Me! Moi, Trilingue! “Belting it out” with Code Ninjas

BY JENNIFER KINAKIN DISTRICT CAREER COORDINATOR

Diane Ehling’s Grades 5/6 class (Cove Cliff Elementary) and Sheena Montgomery’s Grades 4/5 class (Lynn Valley Elementary) took part in a pilot program aimed at exploring innovation and creativity in computational literacy while coding for games. The pilot was made possible through a school district grant designed to support students explore the career-related skills they will need to develop to prepare for the future.

"I like coding,” said Asher, Grade 5  student. “Dave and I love playing video games together, and it is fun to be able to create the game we play."

"You get to be creative and have fun,” explained Jaden, Grade 4. “There are examples for inspiration.  I am learning how to code and know what X, Y and Z are on my screen and how to move and create objects."

Thank you Code Ninjas for partnering with our school district to offer this exciting opportunity that allowed students to earn their "belts" while completing coding challenges on a student-centred platform that allows all students to work and learn at their own pace. ■

BY TRACY LANGER DISTRICT FRENCH FACILITATOR

A group of North Vancouver educators, including French Immersion teachers, Core French teachers, English Language Learning teachers and education assistants, attended an after-school workshop with Language Education Researcher and Teacher Inna Figotina.

Inna is the author of Trilingual Me! Moi, Trilingue! This dual-language children's book tells the story of a young girl who overcomes challenges on her journey in becoming trilingual.

Born in Moscow, Inna spoke Russian, and then learned both English and French upon arriving in Canada at the age of seven. Inna explained to the group how becoming trilingual shaped her identity and how her experiences support a close connection with language learners.

During the workshop, Inna shared examples of how to use dual- language books in the classroom, providing direct connections to the BC curriculum. She shared guiding questions about how to celebrate dual-language learners and relayed the importance of having students reflect on the many benefits speaking additional languages provide.

Inna shared a quote by Dr. Rahat Naqvi, Professor and Chair of Language and Literacy at the

University of Calgary, "Using bilingual children's books in the classroom promotes children’s cultural awareness, in that they become attentive to the uniqueness of their own and other cultures."

Participants appreciated Inna’s practical suggestions for teaching languages and how we might apply her presentation to support students in the North Vancouver School District. ■

Students interview Minister of Education and Child Care

BY DEVAN COWARD TEACHER

March 2021 – Students in my Grade 5/6 class at Ross Road Elementary had the opportunity to interview the Minister of Education and Child Care, the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside.

The interview was part of a yearlong series, in which students engaged with local, provincial and federal leaders about issues that matter to them.

"We have interviewed a justice from Canada's Supreme Court; Mayor Mike Little, District of North Vancouver; MLA Susie Chant; and now, the Minister of Education and Child Care," said Grade 5 student Calla.

Grade 6 student Colin said, "It was exciting to meet the Minister face-toface because all our other interviews were on Microsoft Teams, due to COVID."

Students questioned the Minister on topics including the length of the school day, the number of students in classrooms, the curriculum, and why elementary schools do not have grass fields.

"I appreciate the interest and commitment students expressed on a variety of issues that affect their school and community," said the Minister. "I was particularly impressed by the thoughtful land acknowledgment," which was given by Grade 5 student Nia. "It is clear very important learning is happening in [the] classroom."

We want to regularly give students a voice in their learning and their community. By bringing community leaders and representatives into the classroom, students can make their voices heard and inspire real change. ■