Jan. 18th, 2011 – Elder visits Native Studies class

YMCA Academy Community, English and Humanities, Experiential Learning, Native Studies

The Grade 11 Current Aboriginal Issues in Canada class was fortunate to be able to host elder Jacquie Lavelley from the Native Canadian Centre in Toronto.  Devin Davis, programmer with the Aboriginal Education Outreach Network, accompanied Jacquie in her visit to the Academy and students greeted them with warmth and premiere snacks.  Sitting in circle, Jacquie shared stories and ceremonies from local Anishnabe culture and spoke about her childhood, family life and education.  Students had the opportunity to ask questions towards the end of the ceremony.  We are grateful for the assistance that the Native Canadian Centre has given to our class this semester and look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.  Jacquie, thank you so much for visiting us and sharing your knowledge with us.

Native Canadian Centre Website

YMCA Academy students with elder Jacquie Lavelley and Devin Davis

Jan. 12th, 2011 – Academy Student Art Show

YMCA Academy Arts, Student Spotlight

The lobby of 42 Charles Street will be transformed into a gallery today as the semi-annual exhibit of student art is installed.  Works range from sketches to paintings to Photoshop art to clay sculptures.  The show will run for three weeks and is open to the public.  Please sign your name and comments in our guest book.  Congratulations to all the artists! Check out all the pictures on our Facebook page using the links at the bottom of this post.

YMCA Academy Art Class
YMCA Academy students at the 42 Charles St. semi-annual art exhibit

Opening Reception Pictures

YMCA Academy Student Art Show Gallery

Jan. 7th, 2011 – Geo students all over the map

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Experiential Learning, Student Spotlight

The Grade 9 Geography students are looking at our relationship with the world this week.  By exploring issues such as child labour, free trade, human rights and environmental degradation, the students have been able to compare Canada to other countries.   Today the students looked at the United Nation’s Human Development Index (HDI) and its indicators by using a large Canadian Geographic world map.  As Brianna said “we’re all over the map today!”

Dec. 16th, 2010 – Healthcare Experiential Learning

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Healthy Living

The Grade 11 Health Care class (TPJ3M) delved deep into experiential learning this week. We spent a class in the YMCA commercial kitchen cooking Macaroni and Cheese with a focus on careers in the kitchen for Health Care and cooking for various health conditions.

Academy students in the YMCA commercial kitchen

With the Mac & Cheese complete we had students take on the role of patient and then health care worker and experience the sensation of being differently abled and needing assistance with eating. Our workshop was delivered by Malcolm MacFarlane who shared his experiences and expertise from his time as a chef at Casey House (A hospice providing compassionate palliative and supportive care for people living with HIV or AIDS).

With the Mac & Cheese complete we had students take on the role of patient and then health care worker and experience the sensation of being differently abled and needing assistance with eating. Our workshop was delivered by Malcolm MacFarlane who shared his experiences and expertise from his time as a chef at Casey House (A hospice providing compassionate palliative and supportive care for people living with HIV or AIDS).

Dec. 16th, 2010 – NFB Claymation Short Film

YMCA Academy Arts, Experiential Learning

Students in the grade 10 art class felt what it was like to be Tim Burton today at the National Film Board of Canada.  With the help of an NFB team leader, they created two very short animations with characters made out of clay and a device called a “lunch box” camera.  Drawing Disney characters, scratching on 16mm film and drawing 12-frame zoetrope strips, students came equipped with a lot of information on the different types of classic animation techniques.  Enjoy the short!  Don’t blink or you’ll miss them.