Deb's blog for NMPPS

Geography - Today! November 5, 2009

2009-11-05T10:25:00.003-05:00

Your assignment today is to visit a website that shows you exactly what has been happening to our planet THIS WEEK. It's like a DIARY.

Click each of the icons on the map. There are 11. Your score will be out of 10, so you may choose one to leave out.

Fill in the what, where, when, how chart for each one.
Express things clearly, but you do not need to express in full sentences.

You are welcome to confer with a computer neighbour, as long as the room stays peaceful and the information goes on separate answer sheets.
When you are finished, you may browse the links within the site, such as major earthquakes, emerging diseases, nature and wildlife.

Here is your link:

http://www.earthweek.com/

Enjoy!

"This is our Home"

2009-06-22T20:19:00.003-04:00

Room 4 built a fabulous model of everything they could think of in Regent Park.
They sing a song with rooms 2 and 5 as their contribution to Toronto's Luminato Festival.

Katherine Wheatley, a very special musician, helped them all write this beautiful song.

Congratulations, grade ones and twos!

Look out for this SINGLE ROSE....

2009-06-09T12:58:00.004-04:00

Our amazing spoken word artist, and Urban Voices Poet!

WE are the meaning of Integrity!

2009-05-28T15:09:00.003-04:00

Normal situations in school call on us all to show strength of character.

When it is hard to make the RIGHT choices, it is our INTEGRITY which pulls us through!

This is something Mandela Kids have plenty of!

New Canadian Artists Look up to a Master!

2009-05-26T16:45:00.004-04:00

Room 29's

Gallery of Art

inspired by:

Congratulate these wonderful new artists in "comments" below.

Be sure to use your first name as you publish your response!

So, so, so much STUFF !

2009-05-13T09:11:00.004-04:00

Click on the picture to view this movie by Annie Leonard.

How much rejected, discarded "stuff" can our planet "hold?"

(Not to mention how much of its precious resources are used up while making it all in the first place!)

In your comments below think about your OWN stuff.... the things you NEED compared to the things you might just WANT. Think about what you might be willing to give up, just in order to survive.

Imagine you are offered a one-way hot air balloon ride to the most wonderful place you could ever dream of going to live. You and your family and one friend will fit it the balloon basket, only if you each take only one regular-sized knapsack. More space and weight than that, and the balloon won't get off the ground! What would you pack in that bag? What will you be sad to leave behind?

Now, tell the WWW and all its inhabitants what you value!

We're a Homophobia-Free Zone #5

2009-05-05T07:56:00.005-04:00

Fifth in our series of videos supporting inclusive language and attitude in our school, this installment by our grade 6 students is not to be missed. We think this will inspire others to be vigilant about bully-language in general and anti-homophobia in particular.

Make sure you tell us what YOU think! Click comments, below. Use only your first name....

music from freeplaymusic.com

Today we celebrate the Earth!

2009-04-22T13:36:00.007-04:00

Earth Day

I am the Earth
And the Earth is me.
Each blade of grass,
Each honey tree.
Each bit of mud,
And stick and stone
Is blood and muscle,
Skin and bone.

And just as I
Need every bit
Of me to make
My body fit,
So Earth needs
Grass and stone and tree
And things that grow
Naturally.

That's why we
Celebrate this day.
That's why across
The world we say:
As long as life,
As dear, as free,
I am the Earth
And the Earth is me.

by wonderful author and poet Jane Yolen

RESPOND to this poem by listing 5 to 10 of the natural things which you personally overlook, and fail to appreciate, but which you know are part of the fabric of life on this planet. Put your list in "comments" below.

Next:

Calculate your ECO-FOOTPRINT.....find out how many "Earths" would be required to sustain us if everyone lived just like you do.

Go to: http://www.earthday.net/footprint/flash.html

Click comments below to write down your new insights about the "weight of your foot" on the planet and perhaps your new intentions!?

We are a Homophobia Free Zone #4

2009-04-20T19:57:00.004-04:00

Here is Think about what you say, volume 4! Our grade 6 students have been using their thespian talents to bring you this convincing drama about the impact of language, and the importance of inclusion.

What do you think? Click comments below, and be sure to include your first name.

music from freeplaymusic.com

We are a Homophobia Free Zone #3

2009-04-19T12:24:00.007-04:00

This is number three in a series of broadcasts by our grade 6 students, encouraging people to make better choices, and demonstating how language can be hurtful.

What do you think? Click comments below, and make sure to use your first name.......

music from freeplaymusic.com

We are a Homophobia Free Zone #2

2009-04-19T08:19:00.005-04:00

Here is a second episode in the series that our grade 6 students have created to increase awareness about how language can be harmful. Check out this video ......

What do you think? Click comments below.... [Remember to use your first name.]

music from freeplaymusic.com

We are a Homophobia Free Zone #1

2009-04-17T14:52:00.005-04:00

Our grade 6 students have done some very industrious and important work to increase awareness about how language can be harmful. Take a look at this video they made......

What do you think? Click comments below.... [Remember to use your first name.]

music fromfreeplaymusic.com

Ning's The Thing!

2009-03-17T16:55:00.003-04:00

Check out the Senior Students' own blog for a new video featuring the fabulous final performance by our Dynamic Duo, vocalist and drummer. Click on the Seven/Eight-Confabulate link at the top left on this blog.

Also, check out Farihah's reports on the happenings this winter in the Senior side of school, in 3 posts called "What's Up - Grade 7 & 8 Adventures" ....... on the same main page of "Confabulate."

Liquid to Almost Solid, to Mouth!

2009-03-12T20:01:00.002-04:00

Room 4's Great Ice Cream Making Adventure!

We Are The BRAINS Behind These Biographies!

2009-03-11T18:07:00.002-04:00

Fab Finalists!

2009-03-03T16:37:00.004-05:00

Here are our Junior Boys Basketball Division Finalists!

Their good sportsmanship make them worthy examples to represent Nelson Mandela Park anywhere they go!

Premium Team!

2009-03-03T16:26:00.003-05:00

Send our team your words of encouragement!

Em POWER this HOUR !!! Earth needs our help!

2009-03-02T09:55:00.016-05:00

What if YOU did NOTHING, when there was something
you COULD do?????

How will you feel, when you look out your window in Regent Park at 8:31pm - see all the windows dark around you, and know that yours is showing dark back at them all?!!!

Earth Hour, by M and R, grade 5, room 20 and 16

For Earth Hour this year, Nelson Mandela kids will go Global! We will be shutting off our lights in school on Friday, and at home on Saturday night. We will be showing the world that every LITTLE BIT each person does can contribute to the BIG change the world needs if we are going to survive.

Global warming is ruining the earth. If our climate gets warmer, the polar ice will melt, our coastlines will shrink, our barren deserts will grow, and people and animals will die without enough food and water.

People need to be much, much more careful with their energy. We can't keep burning so much wood, gasoline or coal that dirty the air and trap the sun's heat IN our atmosphere.

Earth Hour is on March 28th from 8:30 to 9:30. Governments and people all over the world, more than 84 countries, have promised to take part! Now, again, TORONTO's big buildings will go dark.

Go ahead, look out your window, and you will see the lights go off.

Will you turns yours off too?

Check out these links to learn more about climate change, and the reasons why observing EARTH HOUR is so urgent!

Earth Hour in Toronto

Greenhouse Effect - Junior kids (easier)

Polar Bears - Junior kids (harder)

Climate Change - Junior kids (harder)

Global Warming - Big kids, see presentation

Detective Game/Climate Change (a lot of reading)

The Event of the Season!

2009-02-25T16:07:00.006-05:00

RETHINK: What you drink #6

2009-02-25T10:56:00.003-05:00

These guys are going to the store.... what will they choose???

Special thanks to our movie "extra" who agreed to be cast as the cashier at the last moment!

RETHINK - What You Drink #5

2009-02-20T14:49:00.004-05:00

Sometimes a RAP is worth a thousand words....Let this one persuade you to make healthy choices!

Let them know you heard their message!

RETHINK - What You Drink #4

2009-02-19T15:01:00.002-05:00

When you go shopping for things to quench yur thirst, stay away from these!

RETHINK - What You Drink # 3

2009-02-17T15:46:00.003-05:00

Here's what water can do for you! Choose it when you are thirsty....

RETHINK - What You Drink #2

2009-02-16T13:34:00.004-05:00

Hop on Pop Soda Pop Company executives want to sell you their goods!!!
But is it GOOD?
Will you fall for their wily advertising????
Listen to what they have to say about their "wonderful" product....

What would you like to tell these guys about their hard-sell advertising?

RETHINK - What You Drink! #1

2009-02-16T12:54:00.003-05:00

Eltaydon, the cow, persuades you to drink MILK! Click on the pic to hear "him" speak!

Do you recognise this cow from his voices?

FAIR, where? There, at NMPPS, that's where!

2009-02-15T16:06:00.003-05:00

Follow the examples of "Team 15" as they show you how fairness makes everyone happier and safer at our school!

A podcast about an incident to be aware of.....

2009-02-08T17:41:00.005-05:00

These articulate students express their feelings about a danger that happened recently in their neighborhood. They write in prose and read dramatic poetry. They give thoughtful ideas to other youngsters about how to stay safe when an unsavoury and possibly dangerous man is following children. To listen, click on this photo.....

Photo from Royalty free iStockphoto.com

Who knows what we can achieve....?

2009-02-08T15:25:00.003-05:00

Mr. Ng's grade 6 students are ready to move mountains. Listen carefully to the lyrics they so beautifully sing, and hear their commitment ring out loud and clear.

If you would like to let them know how their song affected you, click comments, below, and leave your message. Remember to use your first name in the "name/url" window

Be safe in winter and don’t forget to have fun!!!

2009-01-29T16:47:00.007-05:00

Hi. I'm Mahara, and I have some tips to follow if you want to stay safe during winter weather.

Click on the picture, and then click play, to hear my podcast!

The Birth of Change: Quote Contest and Watch Obama's Inaugural Speech

2009-01-27T11:27:00.008-05:00

"Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run. Obama ran so we can all fly."
by Jay-Z

From the text and your own ideas, using RASER, explain what the quote means to you.
Ballot buckets for every grade division are located in the office on the front counter for students to drop off their answers.
Elizabeth will announce winners at the end of the week!
Thanks everyone for your participation!

The department of our own school board who want to make sure that own schools become more and more equitable are encouraging us to see Barack Obama's inaugural speech.

It is said, on their website:

"The events south of the border give us cause to celebrate the triumph of human decency over personal attack, social justice over implicit bias, and hope over fear. I believe that out of this unique experience comes an appreciation that difference is the lifeblood of a dynamic society. We do not merely tolerate diversity, but accept, respect, and celebrate it, recognizing that in an increasingly global society, it is our diversity that will be the underpinning of our social and economic success. Are we up to the challenge of addressing the attitudes, beliefs, and actions we know create barriers for certain segments of our population in order to inspire success in our most marginalized students? ---YES WE CAN!!"

To link up to this website, and to view the speech, click on the post title, above. Please leave us a sense of how this speech affected your thinking about your life, here in Regent Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - or wherever you live in this global village. Click on comments, below to join our discussion.

Mandela kids observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2009-01-15T16:16:00.005-05:00

To view students' I Have a Dream Poems!

.........click comments, below

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established to honour Martin Luther King Jr. because he worked to make sure that the rights of African-Americans and other minorities were put into place.

After his death, legislation was put forward to make a day to honour King. Many people liked the idea but lots of people didn’t because they felt he should not be the only person who was honoured for fighting against racism.

When the day wasn’t made, many people protested by signing a petition. Six million signed it!

The first Martin Luther King Jr. Day was on January 20, 1986. Arizona only approved the holiday after a tourist boycott to protest because Arizona did not have the day.

Why don’t you make a poster about Martin Luther King Jr. to display in our hallways?

by Nadia and Aisha

Speak Out! in Poetry

2009-01-13T10:38:00.002-05:00

Writing a poem is a powerful way to express your thoughts - quickly, persuasively, dramatically and uniquely. As we learned, The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child absolutely gives you the right to think for yourself and speak out when you have something important on your mind. It says you have the right to be heard.

Here, you have a forum, which means a discussion space.

In my mind, 3 things make a mockery of the rights of children in many places in the world:

1] Poverty
2] War
3] Devastation of the Earth

Use your own VOICE, "loud and clear" to make others understand what one of these issues means to YOU.

Or choose another world concern that you feel passionate about.

Post your poem here for others around the world to read.

Room 4 and the Peace Tree

2009-01-06T22:07:00.002-05:00

A Special Visit to Room 8!

2009-01-05T15:41:00.005-05:00

We were reading a story called The Mitten.

There was a hedgehog in the story.

We didn't know what a hedgehog was, because there aren't any of them in Canada.

So WIMZ brought us two hedgehogs, Ruby and Roscoe, to visit.

We touched them, and they felt like hairbrushes!

We get to do cool things in our class!

Click on the post title to find out facts about hedgehogs.......

Children Everywhere Have Rights

2009-01-05T09:07:00.006-05:00

In 1989, the United Nations (see video) decided to officially decree that children everywhere in the world have the same indisputable rights.
Click on Nelson Mandela's picture, . Read his words.

Click on this poster to read what CHILDREN reported in 2005 about the world's progress on their behalf.

Get together in pairs. Using what you have just learned, talk to each other and
1] list the rights you remember
2] decide the most important part of what Mr. Mandela said....
3] recount what the CHILDREN say still needs to happen....

Write these things down in a way that suits you both.

------- ------- ------- -------

Now, it is 2008. You are a thoughtful, intelligent student in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Compose a note to Mr. Mandela and adults all over the world. (Remember, you are speaking to the whole WWW.) In it, state what is most important to you, what your own experiences have made you believe, and what you think needs to happen. (Remember to use R.A.S.E.R. as you reply.)

Put this note in "comments" below. Make sure to proof your note, and use you first name only.

Through Shaka's Lens: Gym Time, Fall '08

2009-01-01T13:46:00.004-05:00

Catch a glimpse of the fun and spirit of Mandela Kids (kindergarten to grade 5) as they learn and play during phys. ed. with Mr. Abdul-Rashid.

"Rising Every Time" Get your issue here!!

2008-12-31T16:51:00.006-05:00

85 fabulous authors in one issue!

Read about the changes coming to Regent Park, our annual Film Festival, life in Kenya, water conservation and much much more! For best viewing, click right on the front page image, below. Then click the 4-way green arrows at the top of the screen to see the full screen view.

Get your own - Open publication

Leave your opinions about articles that pushed your buttons, in the comments section (click below)

Forest of Reading..... Best on the Bookshelves!!

2008-12-19T10:28:00.010-05:00

This year, there are some great books on the list under the Blue Spruce, Silver Birch and Red Maple trees.

Our librarians can help you find the one you want to start with.....maybe you'll read them all, from now through April. Go have a good talk with the teacher who has read that same book, and compare notes on everything you liked and didn't. Get yourself registered so you can vote at the end of the program. Then talk about your book right here: click comments, below. Influence your classmates to read your favourites!

Cozy up in the cold and stormy weather months with popcorn and a good book!

Click on the title of this post to explore the FOREST online!

Come on, Teddies!

2008-12-14T21:39:00.004-05:00

See anyone here you know?

Please let us know what you liked best about this funny, fabulous, family time! Click comments, below. Make sure to include your first name.

Future Technology!

2008-12-11T16:28:00.002-05:00

In the future, people might invent environmentally friendly transportation that is faster and better, or something to help global warming from coming. Right now, people are trying to not waste electricity. In the future, people are trying to make a windmill to give electricity. Here is how it works:
1. The wind blows to the windmill.
2. The windmill conducts energy to the generator.

3.The generator turns it into electricity.

4. The street wires connect to the homes.
5. The homes get electricity.
In my opinion, I think this is a good idea because it saves a lot of ELECTRICITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Madeeha

Room 13's Mysterious New Friend!

2008-12-11T16:15:00.001-05:00

Hi, its Nahin and Emily from room 13. We just wanted to tell you about our teacher Ms. Burton. She is going to have a baby! Do you know what it will be? It’s going to be a girl! We love Ms. Burton because she is a very nice teacher and she lets us have free time sometimes! We wish her a happy time with the new baby, and we hope she comes back soon!

A (Not Really) Green Holiday Season?

2008-12-11T15:37:00.005-05:00

A lot of children usually get gifts in the Winter Holiday season. Gifts cause garbage and so many things we buy this time of year cause pollution in some way. Here are some tips (from Andrew Nisker) about how to be more environmentally friendly this year:

1. Forget wrapping paper. Use newspaper from the recycling bin so you're not killing more trees, and you're causing less pollution. Put the gift in a box, wrap it in old clothes or an "old" bag.

2. Goodbye to Xmas trees. Instead of using a lot of water and fertilizer to grow the tree, and then having the tree shipped to where you buy it...don't buy the tree and hide the gifts around the house for a fun Hide 'n Seek/Scavenger Hunt game!

3. Don't use paper plates and plastic cutlery. While it makes more tidying up and water pollution to use real china and cutlery, it cuts down on the waste and garbage that ends up in landfills.

4. Be selective. Instead of giving toys/gifts, how about gift cards, subscriptions to a cool website, tickets to a concert or movie, a meal at a favourite restaurant, or giving a book or DVD that you really liked?

5. No cards. There are lots of websites where you can send free e-cards, and there are no trees being killed or factories running to print the cards.

6. A greeting tree. A tree in a common area (school, community centre) where families put up one card for everyone, instead of cards for each friend in the neighbourhood.

7. Shop online. Instead of driving around, polluting the environment and getting stressed, sit down in front of the computer to do your shopping. Wear your pyjamas and stay warm at home. Often shopping online costs less than being in the store to buy it. No lineups to check out either!

8. Buy local. Buy homemade products from a local farmers market. Shop at local stores instead of driving far away to buy a gift. Try not to support items being shipped from far away, causing lots of pollution along the way.

9. Holiday lights. Sure lights look great around the home or tree, but they're wasteful and not environmentally friendly. Replace older lights with newer energy efficient ones. Put your lights on a timer, so they're not going 24 hours a day - when you're out or asleep.

10. Give a gift to somebody who really needs it. Find a charity that does good work and feel good about making a donation to them, and someone who may need the gift more than you.

Mahara, Hana, Aisha and David AKA Mr. K.

What thoughts or suggestions do you have about how to be more "green" this jolly golly holiday season?

Kindness thrives at NMPPS!

2008-12-09T16:32:00.003-05:00

December 's Character Matters theme is kindness and caring.

Room 25 shows you what this looks and sounds like around our school

and in the world outside our doors.

When you've looked at their presentation, send them a comment - click below.

Mandela Kids "remember" Dec. 6

2008-12-02T11:19:00.002-05:00

We commemorate the fourteen young women engineering students who were murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal on December 6, 1989
and
all women who are victims of violence
on our National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

We will all attend our school's annual assembly this Thursday, Dec. 4.
We have completed a Webquest, and we know quite a bit about the issues. Here are our responses.....

Our Peace Assembly #3 : Grade Ones - it's a sign

2008-11-16T11:43:00.003-05:00

Our grade ones know that even if you can't hear, you can sing. You just need to know the signs!
We sing Oh, Canada every day as school starts, but it has special importance within our Peace Assembly. We celebrate our own country's contributions to peaceful life on this planet and we pay attention to how important it is to us to feel that our freedom to choose our way of life is secure.

Our grade ones featured in an earlier video, but this rendition of Oh, Canada shows superb polish, so here they are, again!

Our Peace Assembly: #2 - Kindergarteners have got the whole world in their hands

2008-11-15T16:59:00.005-05:00

Our three morning kindergartens sing at our assembly.
Their spirit can really make us believe it's all in our hands....
Now, what will we do with "it?"

Our Peace Assembly

2008-11-15T16:09:00.003-05:00

November 11th is a special day here at Nelson Mandela Park. As a community we meet together and recognize that when our most important values have been threatened, such as freedom, equality and respect for life and our planet, brave souls have gone off to foreign places to fight for these essential ideas. Many lives have been saved by such action, but untold millions have given their lives......
Right now, there is war. Canadian soldiers battle for these same values far away in Afghanistan, and many have been injured, many have died. We raise up our hopes on this day especially, together, loud and strong, that peace will soon prevail on our planet.

the music on this video is royalty free, composed by Mark Hewer, published by Freeplaymusic.

Don't EVER stop the beat!

2008-11-10T11:19:00.004-05:00

Watch our choir at work, practicing an upbeat song with great spirit and pizazz!

Catch their polished performance at the holiday concert on December 15!

Builders Galore!

2008-11-03T15:59:00.003-05:00

We're in room 15, and look what we've been doing! In MSI we tried to go tall-tall-tall. Take a look....

Be on our "Radio" Show

2008-11-03T10:33:00.002-05:00

Mandela's Majestic Radio has arrived! Hana and Hajera give you a delightful introduction to our new show, and an invitation to go "ON THE AIR" yourself, adding your news and views into
"the mix!"

Click the title of this post to hear their podcast.

Click "comments" below to say what you think, or to sign up to do your own recording!

The Two High Holidays

2008-10-30T16:19:00.003-04:00

By:Aisha and Rafia
Hi. I’m Aisha and I’m interviewing David (Also known as Mr. K). We are comparing the two High Holidays that happened this past month.

D: “Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. But it is not celebrated on January 1st, like the Gregorian, or January to December calendar. It falls on the first day of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. It is the first of the High Holy Jews use the High Holy days to repent for things they realize they should not have done over the past year. They hope that when the “Book of Life” closes on Yom Kippur, ten days later, that they will be written favorably in it. It is our most holy time of the year.

A: “The most important thing about Ramadan is that we fast because one of our prophets starved for 30 days. Ramadan is a Muslim holiday named after the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, when Muslims do not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. Fasting teaches a person patience, sacrifice and humility. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and try to purify themselves through good deeds.” Ramadan is the most important of our holidays. A: “What do you guys do to celebrate Rosh Hashanah at the end?”
D: “Rosh Hashanah is a two day holiday in Canada and one day in Israel. Usually what happens is that families come together for a big dinner on the first or second night. Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown the night before the first day and ends at sundown on the second day. It is celebrated like the Jewish Sabbath, as you cannot do any “work”. No lights can be turned on or off, no fires started or electricity turned on or off, no cars driven and it is a time for prayer and self-reflection. Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is a day where Jews fast from sundown to sundown on the tenth day of Tishrei. This is more like Ramadan, as Jews pray for atonement through repentance.”
A: Ramadan is followed by Eid, which starts when someone in the world first, for sure, sees the moon. Here in Canada, if you are a kid, you start off by skipping school.Then we go with our family to the nearest place to pray, Then we visit our familiy’s and friends’ houses and play! Then we feast!
Jews and Muslims celebrate their separate holiday, but as you can see theyare a bit different and a bit the same at the same time! They both have feasts at the end to celebrate. They both have some fasting to make people think. While the Jewish High Holidays are always in the fall, Ramadan changes it’s dates. Jews celebrate in a synagogue and Muslims celebrate in a Mosque. Thank you Mr. K. for helping me with this article.

"RISING ...." Again!!!

2008-10-24T10:36:00.003-04:00

Here are some of this year News team! "Rising Every Time" and our 2 school Blogs can be expected to "explode" with fascinating coverage and cool creativity!

Click on comments below to suggest topics to our team.

What do YOU waste?

2008-10-20T11:52:00.005-04:00

This week in Canada, EVERYbody is trying to make less WASTE!

This is getting more and more serious, and EVERYbody is thinking hard about how he or she can contribute.

Click on the post title to see a PowerPoint slide show.

Draw a picture about the garbage in your life (!) for Deb to scan into the blog.

Click on the comments button below, and tell us what you are doing to help reduce the garbage you produce.

Cross Country Chasing Championship!

2008-10-16T14:59:00.004-04:00

NMPPS Cross Country Runners were simply terrific all season. They practiced four times per week, running 2 kilometers each time. WOW!!! That's a lot of running. Out of 62 runners at the Area Meet, NMPPS qualified 33 runners for the South Championships. I think that's the best the school has ever done.

We are so proud that Mandela kids are such good sports!

Ladies First - Yes or No?

2008-10-14T10:57:00.002-04:00

Have you ever heard the phrase "ladies first?"

It started as a sign of respect for women. A man would hold a door open for a lady. If a line were forming, a gentleman would allow ladies to go first. The woman's movement curtailed a lot of the historical signs of respect and politeness, but not all. Many ladies still appreciate a seat on a crowded bus or a man holding a door.

Here is a familiar story: The Titanic hit an iceberg in 1912. “I was awakened by the shock of the collision and went out on deck. There was no great excitement and persons were coming out of their rooms and asking what had happened. Suddenly from the bridge or from some officer came the cry: “Ladies first”. This was my first inkling that we had that the ship was in danger. We went back to the stateroom and dressed. Then came the horrifying cry that women must leave their husbands and brothers and that no men should go in the boats." This quote is from the New York Tribune. http://derbyhistorical.org/Titanic.htm

Watch the video linked to the post title, by Marlo Thomas, of a story recorded in the 1960's.

What does your experience tell you about this issue? What are the merits of a "manner" or "code" that says girls and women deserve special treatment or preference because of something inherent in their gender? What would you do????

Respond in comments: click below.

Our Famous Female Footballers!

2008-10-10T13:44:00.004-04:00

Our Sr. Girls Touch Football team played their tournament on Oct. 1st. at Westwood P.S. Awesome effort by all girls, they got better as the day went on. You rock, girls!

Character Matters: What is making you so angry?

2008-10-01T10:16:00.005-04:00

Everybody gets "roarin' mad" sometimes... sometimes they just get grumpy, and sometimes they lash out.

Mandela Kids
learn what anger is all about for them, and to deal with it in ways that make them feel better.

Go to a web page by clicking on the title of this post.
Read what others say about the things that make them mad.
Watch the video.
Vote in the poll.
Play the game Go, Go, Diego!

Then click on "comments" at the bottom of this post, and type in the things that make you angry most often during the day, at home, at school or at play. Be sure to use only your first name, and no one else's name.

Cyber Safety: Have your say

2008-09-15T11:35:00.004-04:00

There are many rules of the road if you want to travel the "Information Highway" safely and independently.

To really get a grip on the issues of harassment and bullying on-line, see
http://www.netsmartz.org/resources/reallife.htm

To check out the issue of keeping your PRIVACY private, look at
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/games/privacy_playground/

To investigate the world of chat rooms, learn to distinguish between fact and fiction, and to detect bias and harmful stereotyping in online content go to
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/games/cybersense_nonsense/

Under comments, write about any experiences you've had and tips that would help other Mandela-kids stay safe on the internet.

Or make up a similar story, with different characters, to be read in a dramatic way to emphasize one of these important safety issues.

Good to be Back! Teachers, place your # 1 "Words-of-Wisdom" message here

2008-09-15T10:02:00.007-04:00

Kids, see if your teacher has left you an inspiring message to start your year off right.

Click on "comments" to read it.

Once you have received your message, click on the comments button, and offer your teacher "a piece of your mind" to show that you understand the meaning and importance of that message. Your teacher will be able to read your comments, and know that you are all on "the same page!"

:) You will be helping your teacher practice blogging :)

What if you couldn't HEAR Oh Canada?

2008-06-20T18:54:00.004-04:00

If your ears work just fine, then you can hear our national anthem when it comes on the PA every morning, and you can sing along with your vocal cords vibrating good and loud with all the right notes.

If you couldn't hear, then you could still sing with your hands by making the signs that match the ideas in the song.

Grade one and two students in Rooms 2 and 5 show us how Oh Canada "sounds" in a different language. They are growing up ready to understand that communicating can happen equally well in a variety of different ways.

Watch this cool performance!

Latest Launch!

2008-06-17T10:00:00.004-04:00

Enjoy your paper here!!!

"Rising Every Time" - the latest and most up to date issue, right here on our blog!

Click the title to read it all in full colour, and leave your reactions by clicking "comments" at the bottom of the post.

Let's have some comments about the comments - let's get some communication going here!

Listen to Room 25, "News and Reviews!"

2008-05-25T18:23:00.008-04:00

In this post, some of most versatile Grade 5 and 6 students share their podcast, in which they recommend a book, a movie, describe a famous politician now deceased, report a school sports event, poetically ponder the significance of school, and share jokes and a tip of the day!

Click on the post title, to check it out!

music by freeplaymusic.com

Action Hero: Jackie

2008-05-22T13:50:00.003-04:00

Jackie Chan

"Do not let circumstances control you. You can change your circumstances."

Here is Sherri's Asian Culture Celebration Month quotation contest, week 3!
Like we did with African History Month, this month the vocabulary contest will be quotes from famous Asian people. You are being asked to describe what the quote means to you. Remember to include in your answer:

something you know about Jackie Chan, (click the post title to check your info)

your interpretation of how he might have meant this in his own world, and

how it means something to you in YOUR world, right now.

Sherri will get your answers straight from this blog!

photo, courtesy of Creative Commons, Johnny Vulkan

Happy 2000 hits Nelson Mandela Park!!

2008-05-20T16:09:00.006-04:00

A few months ago we started a blog for this school. This blog is used for articles on school events, advertisments for our school, slide shows, and podcasts. It is also used for the students here at Nelson Mandela Park P.S. to make comments about the things that really matter to them. And WOW ever since then our hit counter has been going

up up up!

We want YOU to tell us how you feel about this blog. Are the news updates exciting? Do you enjoy posting comments for your fellow peers to read?

Posted by Our News Club

Lead on, gals!

2008-05-17T22:46:00.001-04:00

Here is a photo of our girls at the Young Women's Leadership Conference which was held at OISE on the 29th of April.

We're in your hands for a better tomorrow...

Athletes Galore! NMPPS' Pride!

2008-05-17T22:41:00.002-04:00

The boys played three excellent games against Blythwood, Given-Shaw and Niagara. They promised to keep striving to improve.

To the TOP of the World - words of wisdom

2008-05-12T10:48:00.006-04:00

Junko Tabei

"Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top - it is the will power that is the most important. This will power you cannot buy with money or be given by others - it rises from your heart."

Here is Sherri's Asian Culture Celebration Month quotation contest, week 2!

Like we did with African History Month, this month the vocabulary contest will be quotes from famous Asian people. You are being asked to use pictures and/or words to describe what the quote means to you.

Remember to include in your answer

something you know about Junko Tabei, (click the post title to check your info)

your interpretation of how she might have meant this in her own world,

and

how it means something to you in YOUR world, right now.

Sherri will get your answers straight from this blog!

photo, courtesy of Creative Commons, Feileacan

What do you think he was REALLY saying?

2008-05-12T10:21:00.006-04:00

Mahatma Gandhi

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world."

Here is Sherri's Asian Culture Celebration Month quotation contest!

Like we did with African History Month, this month the vocabulary contest will be quotes from famous Asian people. You are being asked to use pictures and/or words to describe what the quote means to you.

Remember to include in your answer

something you know about Mahatma Gandhi, (click the post title to check your info)

your interpretation of how he might have meant this in his own world,

and

how it means something to you in YOUR world, right now.

Sherri will get your answers straight from this blog!

photo, courtesy of Creative Commons

"What do YOU think it means to be a Global Citizen?"

2008-04-25T12:30:00.009-04:00

"Citizen" means "member" with the rights and responsibilities of membership. You are a member of your family, school, Regent Park, Toronto, Canada, friendship group, maybe church or mosque, and THIS WORLD.

You each need to be concerned about 3 things:

WORLD:
The preservation of your planet and its resources
Your own contributions to specific other people
Your own contributions to the general good (health, wealth, well-being) of people you may not ever know

“There’s a radical—and wonderful—new idea here… that all children could and should be inventors of their own theories, critics of other people’s ideas, analyzers of evidence, and makers of their own personal marks on the world.” Deborah Meier, educator

Begin making your own personal mark, right now, by writing thoughtfully about:
"What GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP means to me."

Photos from: http://www.uofttix.ca/view.php?id=195; www.oxfam.org.uk/education/gc/curriculum/key_elements/; www.ncgs.org/uploads/textWidget/wysiwyg/images/474/ncgsgloballogo.jpg

Ms. Werbitsky gathers our talent!

2008-04-21T09:28:00.003-04:00

So many talented students and teacher, all here at NMPPS!
How did we get so lucky?
Look at these picts of our Spring Talent Show, 2008....
Leave a comment encouraging your favourite act.

Room 25 and 26 dance their way to the FINALS!

2008-04-21T09:10:00.003-04:00

A Good Cause for JUMPING!!

2008-04-20T16:17:00.013-04:00

NMPPS students "Jump Rope for Heart!"
To check out our special guest, Elvis, and our own "skippers".....click the arrow below

You DO know what "Heart and Stroke" is, right? For more info, click the post-title!

BULLYing has got to GO!

2008-04-07T10:28:00.002-04:00

Bullying happens all over the world.
At NMPPS it has got to stop! It makes everybody - bullies, victims & bystanders - feel miserable.Remember what bullying looks like?

People calling you names
Making things up to get you into trouble
Hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving
Taking things away from you
Damaging your belongings
Stealing your money
Taking your friends away from you
Posting insulting messages on the internet or by IM (cyberbullying)

Spreading rumours
Threats and intimidation
Making silent or abusive phone calls
Sending you offensive phone texts
Bullies can also frighten you so that you don't want to go to school, so that you pretend to be ill to avoid them

Click on the title of this post to create a poster that helps us get our message across to anyone who dares to bully someone in our school!

What did YOU think? Earth Hour - done!

2008-03-30T13:32:00.002-04:00

It's finished! I wonder what it really all meant.....

What did you see? What did you hear people say? and finally, What do you think and feel and hope......?

Let's see what conclusions you Mandela kids, have come to about this experience. Comment below.

Photo source, The Toronto Star.

Birthday wishes to Nelson Mandela

2008-03-27T11:37:00.003-04:00

Nelson Mandela, Madiba of South Africa, inspiration behind our school, and famous everywhere in the world as ambassador for fairness and freedom for all, is turning 90 years old this July!

He has been told about this website, and may be peeking in here to read anything special you might write to him. Will you wish Mr. Mandela happy birthday in your very own way? Will you tell him what you wish for him and for all the children in the world who he works so hard to help?

Click comments below and compose a careful letter, making sure you put To:.... and From:.... [not you last name, please] - then he can see it on this blog. Perhaps he will answer....!

For more information, http://www.nelsonmandela.org/

New "Rising Every Time" - Your school newspaper at your fingers!

2008-03-25T19:28:00.004-04:00

The title above is your link to the new edition of "Rising Every Time."

Check here for everything that's been happening in and around our school through the winter: clubs, Talent Show, students' thoughts on a wide range of community and world issues.

Enjoy poetry, a new novella, and two puzzles.

Think of Mr. Mandela's 90th birthday as you search out 3 of his famous and wise quotes!

Character Matters! NMPPS Students Speak Up

2008-03-05T10:32:00.002-05:00

On our latest survey, our students answered overwhelmingly that HONESTY matters most, against courtesy and kindness. Honest answers, from honest folks!

That may seem simple, but what do YOU think it means? Are courtesy and kindness "out" at NMPPS? I don't think so...do you? Speak your piece, connect with your own experiences and let others know what is important to you.

Click on comments below, and don't forget to include your first name.

Let's hear it for these awesome athletes!

2008-03-05T10:28:00.002-05:00

Leave this team of winners a comment to cheer them on! Make sure you include your own first name. No last names, please!

What's "Golden" about this Rule...?

2008-02-18T12:44:00.005-05:00

....and why do so many people from different backgrounds accept it?

Click on the title above and check out this link.
Compare all the different cultures - their music, and their statement of the Golden Rule. Talk over anything you think is interesting with the neighbour to your right or to your left.

How might it make things different to you in your daily life, and to those around you in Regent Park and at NMPPS, if everybody was aware of this rule, and followed it?

Think and write to me and your friends under "comments."

Great Read!

2008-02-13T10:23:00.002-05:00

Check out the review of Ellis' Jakeman by Humairah and Brenda,
in "comments" under the Forest of Reading post below.

Poem: Stop the violence!

2008-02-05T15:35:00.000-05:00

No Violence, No drugs, No war.
We need Love, peace & more.
Working together is what we need,
Faith and hope should be in our lead!
So stop the violence, stop it now,
because we're smart & we know how!
By: Humairah

I wrote this poem because I live in a place were children know about violence and they shouldn't have to. This is a serious matter, and if we all put our effort together we can all make a difference!

2008-01-27T13:15:00.000-05:00

Mandela Kids - EarthSavers all!

Use the "comments" space here to share your ideas about Earth Hour [March 29th!] and about habit changes that you will adopt to help turn global warming around.

Show this list of yours to your family and friends....they may be inspired by your determination to do these things themselves!Then you will really see that even ONE change by ONE person, YOU, can change the world's chances of survival.
Congratulations, EarthSavers, you are awesome!

2008-01-27T12:48:00.000-05:00

Give it a listen!

Earth Hour and YOU?

Enjoy! -- Deb Gladstone

Reading a "Forest" Full of Books!

2008-01-06T17:46:00.001-05:00

Who is reading a Blue Spruce, Silver Birch or Red Maple book?
I am! Ms. Zeitz got me started, and she's waiting to help you, too. Go ask her about these great books. I want to see if my favourite book wins over all the others - don't you? And you can VOTE, if you can read!

It means you'll have to read all through January and beyond. The 2008 Voting Day is April 23.

Check out this website: http://www.accessola.com/forest2008/ Find the link over on the right..

Right here, on this blog, let's use this place to talk back and forth about these books. When you've read one, click on comments right under this post. Write the title, the author and the "tree" the book belongs to. Advertise the book if you liked it, or give it the thumbs down if you didn't. Make sure to give your reasons. I'll post your opinions where everyone else can read them. Your view could make a difference in deciding the winner!

HELP! I Want to Write a Story!

2008-01-06T17:08:00.000-05:00

I really love to write. I write my own personal journal, I write your lessons, I email my friends..... but I don't get to write many stories. Often when I think I'll get started on one, I find myself saying, "I don't know how to start....what should I write about?"

So, I need you to help me. Click on comments, and think up and write a 3 or 4 sentence story starter...about anything you'd like to hear a story about. I'll look over all your ideas, and pick the one I find exciting, to finish. I'll write and write and write, and post the finished story with both our names on it. Anyone can comment on the story when I'm done.

So how about it? You can't lose - I'll be doing most of the work! Let's see what we can come up with, together!

Thanks, Deb

2007-12-10T10:10:00.000-05:00

Now it's YOUR turn!

You've had a chance to respond to a couple of opinion posts. Here's your opportunity to write one of your own. Who knows what comments you'll get to your ideas?

Are classroom rules fair? OR
The best person to share my troubles with....

To be worthy of posting, the piece should carry the weight of your conviction (be supported with details, experience) and demonstrate responsible digital (WWW) citizenship (be clean, edited, and free from demeaning or abusive content.) Make sure to sign with your first name only, and not specifically name anyone else. Click on "Comments" and away you go!

Let's hear what you have to say for yourself!

Another opinion for you to respond to. What do you think?

2007-11-28T10:29:00.000-05:00

Here is a youngster from England, writing to KidsOnTheNet. Next time, it could be YOUR opinion posted here, for others to respond to. Just hand it in to Deb!

Should Children do housework?

By Pratik, 9, Sheffield, UK

Our class have been discussing whether children should do house work or not.

My first reason for doing house work is because parents work for you so you should do work for them. My second reason for doing house work is because it gets you off the ps2. And you learn house work for when your older and my third reason for doing house work is because you like your parents.

On the other hand some people said you shouldn't do house work for your parents. My first reason for not doing house work is some people might find it boring also they might not like it. My second reason for not doing house work is people have better things to do for example play on the ps2 or play football or cricket outside and my third reason for not doing house work is when you get older you will own a house and you will have to do house work so this is the only rest we will get from doing house work.

I have looked at both arguments and I have made my mind up. I think that children shouldn't do house work because adults got all the muscles and children's time will come.
(June 2006)

Get ready to say what you think!

2007-11-19T10:23:00.000-05:00

This a real opinion piece, posted to KidsOnTheWeb by a student in Korea. Once you've read it, post your responses, as you've been taught, making sure to display appropriate digital citizenship along with your real reaction. Soon, we'll have our own students' pieces posted for all to read and think about.

Swearing

By H.W., 12, Seoul, South Korea

Swearing. For some people, swearing is the last thing they'd want to do. But for others it's a habit, sometimes even an enjoyment. Here in Korea lots of kids swear as a joke and when they play with each other.
Swearing is downright wrong. It makes others feel awful, like you're spitting dirt in their faces. Swearing makes you look awful. Lots of kids think swearing makes them look cool. No. Don't get the thought into your head.
Don't swear. It's a dumb thing to do. Don't make yourself a bad looking person. Don't make yourself a stupid person. (June 2007)

2007-11-15T19:45:00.001-05:00

Welcome!

2007-11-14T20:25:00.000-05:00

I have just created this space for my awesome students at Nelson Mandela Park Public School, in Toronto, Canada. Although they have a great newspaper called "Rising Every Time" in which to publish their thoughts for each other, this will give them a wider forum, and access to feedback from outside their community. They are wonderful thinkers, and are capable of being trusted to grapple with the substantial problems and solutions their generation are being confronted with even now, and in the future. Go for it, all of you! Let's put up your incredible work for the world to see. Make us all proud. Good luck!