The challenges of COVID-19 haven’t quite ship-wrecked a tradition of transition between Mattawa District Public School and FJ McElligott Secondary.
Usually, the Grade 6 students get a taste of the intermediate level of high school by working on their Paddle Build Project with older counterparts in the FJMSS shop class.
Pandemic protocols, however, put a twist in the plan and this year they’ll have to finish the paddles at their own school while still soaking up all of the experiential learning possible.
The project was featured in a Near North District School Board media release this week.
Teacher Jonathon O’Donoughue said the project allows the students to put theoretical knowledge to practical use. The students start by determining their height and calculating how tall the paddle needs to be before using hand and tool skills to finish the project.
“The students do experiential math, practical measurement, (and) fractions. It shows the students what real-life math is,” O'Donoughue said.
There are additional learning goals.
“This project has curriculum connections that are responsive to the social studies and history curriculum, with goals connected to the historical and contemporary contributions of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit Peoples,” stated Principal/Vice-Principal Tracy Bellaire.
“This Grade 6 to 7 transition event enables students to relate to and recognize the historic relationships between the local Algonquin and Voyageur Cultures who used these local waterways to travel and explore the lands,” Bellaire said.
Dawson, a Grade 6 student at MDPS, is quoted in the media release saying he enjoyed the project because it allowed him to be active and work with tools, as opposed to sitting at a desk.
Brooklyn, who is looking forward to putting her paddle to use next summer, said she enjoyed the different ways of learning.
“This project helps me with my math and allows me to use actual measuring and fractions instead of reading about it in a textbook,” she said.
The overarching goal of the project is to prepare MDPS graduating students for a smooth and positive transition to secondary school.
In years unaffected by COVID-19, students from MDPS join the FJMSS Specialist High Skills Major Outdoor Education students near the end of the school year to use their paddles. It is a mutually beneficial opportunity, as FJMSS students get to complete their practical canoeing exam and MDPS students get to learn about the parts of a canoe, boat safety, and paddling technique.
Students will be presented with their completed paddles at graduation as a symbol of their hard work and dedication.
Dave Dale is a Local Journalism Reporter with BayToday.ca. LJI is funded by the Government of Canada.
