A great time at Oakridge junior public school

Is there someone here who is too big for school?

With the help of a six-foot-six bear, I met nearly 200 students at Oakridge, a junior public school in Scarborough.
We had a great time at the invitation of Ms. Papanastasiou who is doing her best to help students continue their reading despite the temporary loss of the school's library due to flooding.
My friend Carlton agrees: we have never seen more enthuastic, engaged students than the Oakridge bunch. We had two sessions in the gymnasium and Carlton was overrun by new friends.

Amidst all the excitement, two thumbs up from the bear.

We talked about integrity, doing a job well and how good writing requires a strong desire to make a good impression. I also showed the kids the storyboard we used for my book M is For Maple to illustrate the need to plan.

I have the greatest job in the world because I get to meet fantastic and eager learners such as the Grade 4s and 5s at Oakridge.




My employer, MLSE, places great value on making a difference in our community. Every employee is given three paid days to work for the benefit of others. 
If you think a teacher, librarian or principal you know would appreciate a visit from me, please forward this blog. There is no charge.
Let's Go Canada.
Mike.

M is for My Canada at D.A. Morrison

The luckiest guy I know with some of the amazing students at D. A. Morrison school.

Wow.
I visited D.A. Morrison Middle School in Toronto to meet the senior kids. I was amazed at their version of M is for Maple. It is called M is for My Canada and it is marvelous.



M is for multiculturalism
It's interesting and nice
Noodles, biryani, hotdogs and spice
Lots of different languages and cultures I see
Everyone is living cooperatively.
-Ammara.


T is for Toronto, it's a beautiful city
Traffic is good and the people are pretty
People in Toronto are really nice
In the winter, Lake Ontario has ice
-Dabin

P is for Poutine, so tasty and sweet
I eat it slowly, what a delightful treat
It is as messy as  my younger brother
Pizza may be great but poutine is so much better.

-Russel

We talked about how older siblings are no more part of our family than we are and how that applies to Canada. We talked about Terry Fox and Maurice Richard.

Thanks again, D.A. Morrison and in particular Mr. Barbeau, Ms. Nakamuira and Margaret Mulligan whose beautiful photos help make the book so wonderful.

One last note. My employer, MLSE, places great value on making a difference in our community. Every employee is given three paid days to work for the benefit of others. MLSE employees have been involved in countless arena and facility builds both here and in the Third World and have an extensive relationship with Habitat for Humanity.
If you think a teacher or principal you know would appreciate a visit from me, please forward this blog. There is no charge.
Let's Go Canada.

Mike