Jun. 29th, 2011 – Craig Verner’s stencil workshop

YMCA Academy Arts, Community, Experiential Learning

In addition to flowers, plants and wind chimes, the toddlers down at the Metro Central childcare can now enjoy some art in their outdoor space.  The Academy’s grade 11 media arts class just completed an exciting unit on multi-layered stencils led by artist and creative facilitator Craig Verner.  Students came up with ideas for stencils of sports equipment, toy robots and greenery that would spruce up the space in an artistic way.  The stencils were an interesting addition to a beautiful hand-painted mural by Zack.  Thanks to Kathryn at the daycare centre, Craig for a great workshop and the media arts students for their talent and collaboration!

Visit Craig Verner’s Website

Jun. 9th, 2011 – The Tale of Benjamin Bunny Play

YMCA Academy Arts, Student Spotlight

Peter Rabbit got his jacket back and luckily the onions were forgotten back stage!  The performance of The Tale of Benjamin Bunny was a hopping success last week.  A dozen daycare kids sat enthralled in the front row enjoying the adventures of the rabbits, mice and other characters.  A special thanks to our intern Siobhan for helping us with costumes, acting techniques and backstage fiasco’s.  Congratulations to all the actors, and a special shout out to our ingenious techie Alex!!!

Jun. 7th, 2011 – Healthy Choices celebration pics

YMCA Academy Community, Experiential Learning, Healthy Living

Academy & Evergreen Healthy Choices program celebration

On June 6th , the Academy staff and students gathered with Evergreen’s Healthy Choices team to celebrate the Healthy Choices program end. The grade 10 Physical Education class researched and planned the menu, organized logistics and (with the help of the Managing Personal and Family Resources class) generated a grocery list to feed 45 people.

Jamie, John, Jaiden, Jacob, Joseph, Chad, Grant and Theo facilitated the menu with ALL students and staff contributing to the meal preparation.  The celebration meal was a huge success. The menu was delicious and the preparation flawless.

Thank you to all who made this possible!

Special thanks to Aimee and Brian at Evergreen. You were amazing program leads.

Thanks to the program funders:

This program introduced students to a variety of healthy active choices. A few highlights include:

  • Food prep skills – Everyone at the Academy has knife safety mastered
  • More healthy nutrition options with mastery of “from scratch recipes” – KD no more! We are all able to make Ooey Gooey Mac and Cheese!
  • Food labels – Now we will read them!
  • Local foods – Now we will support them!
  • We are inspired to cook more often
  • We are more familiar with the Toronto trail system – we biked and hiked and walked (sometimes in the rain!)
  • We were outdoors! In rain and shine we built shelters, fires and maps

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Jun. 7th, 2011 – Water Exhibit at the ROM

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Science and Math

On Wednesday June 1st, the grade 9 and 10 science classes along with the grade 11 environment class walked over to the Royal Ontario Museum for a viewing of the limited time water exhibit.  The grade 9 class learned about the effects water can have on ecosystems, the grade 10 class about the role of water in the regulation of Earths climate and the grade 11 class about the role of water in the environment at large.  The exhibit also allowed for many hands on and interactive experiences, giving the students an opportunity to learn about the many interesting facts about water beyond the curriculum expectations.  During the end of the visit we also got the pleasure to experience the Edward Burtynsky Oil Exhibit.

Water Exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

May 31st, 2011 – Academy Spring Play Rehearsal

YMCA Academy Arts, Experiential Learning, Student Spotlight

A group of tiny visitors descended upon the Grade 9 Integrated Arts class’ rehearsal of the Academy spring play.  The students have adapted Beatrix Potter’s beloved story “The Tale of Benjamin Bunny” for an audience of daycare children at the 42 Charles Street YMCA building.  For this pre-show event, each student drew an outlined version of their characters and invited the children to learn about them through colouring and chatting.  The students hoped that this fun activity would allow the children to recognize the characters at the performance next week.  Thanks for spending time with us, daycare kids, and we hope you enjoy the play!!!