Le Carnaval came and went to Edgemont School last week! In Physical Education classes, we connected our learning to Le Carnaval with an introduction to a fiddle tune called the Red River Jig - which is considered THE most famous Metis dance. It was after all French explorers who settled in New France and started this yearly winter celebration while finding a new life in a strange country alongside our native population.
While younger students were given an introduction to this jig with mostly an exploratory emphasis on jig steps and traveling while jigging, students in grades 5 and 6 were asked to create small group dances that demonstrated these jig steps as well as a pattern in their dance. Cooperation, creativity, communication and teamwork were key to the success of each group.
Grade 4 students experienced jigging in both Physical Education and music classes. In these respective classes, students learned basic jig steps as well as how to play the spoons to this dance. The learning in these areas was heavily connected to their French Language Learning centered around Le Carnaval. In addition, it interweaved grade 4 study of native culture and traditions and the merging of these separate cultures to create the Metis identity. These students performed at Le Carnaval Assembly on Monday February 8, for the whole school. They will also be sharing their learning at the One World Cultural Night on Thursday, Feb 18th.
To complement this learning, students were engaged in outdoor activities. Embracing the cold winter and finding ways to enjoy the outdoors was paramount to early settlers way of life and thus Le Carnaval. The outdoor fun we partook in included human curling, dog sled races, broomball/hockey, “snowball” toss, and some yummy hot chocolate donated by our parent council! Overall, all students were engaged, excited and enthusiastic during these activities!
We would like to send a huge thank you to our parent council for their generous donation of hot chocolate (especially Barb who made two trips a day to supply us with a fresh batch); and also to the parents who came out and helped out with the centres – your help was invaluable!
While younger students were given an introduction to this jig with mostly an exploratory emphasis on jig steps and traveling while jigging, students in grades 5 and 6 were asked to create small group dances that demonstrated these jig steps as well as a pattern in their dance. Cooperation, creativity, communication and teamwork were key to the success of each group.
Grade 4 students experienced jigging in both Physical Education and music classes. In these respective classes, students learned basic jig steps as well as how to play the spoons to this dance. The learning in these areas was heavily connected to their French Language Learning centered around Le Carnaval. In addition, it interweaved grade 4 study of native culture and traditions and the merging of these separate cultures to create the Metis identity. These students performed at Le Carnaval Assembly on Monday February 8, for the whole school. They will also be sharing their learning at the One World Cultural Night on Thursday, Feb 18th.
To complement this learning, students were engaged in outdoor activities. Embracing the cold winter and finding ways to enjoy the outdoors was paramount to early settlers way of life and thus Le Carnaval. The outdoor fun we partook in included human curling, dog sled races, broomball/hockey, “snowball” toss, and some yummy hot chocolate donated by our parent council! Overall, all students were engaged, excited and enthusiastic during these activities!
We would like to send a huge thank you to our parent council for their generous donation of hot chocolate (especially Barb who made two trips a day to supply us with a fresh batch); and also to the parents who came out and helped out with the centres – your help was invaluable!