Thanks to a work party of weeding volunteers from our class, the school native garden was looking really good for National Aboriginal Day. Here we are celebrating with Mrs. Kinsman, our Aboriginal Education Support Worker.

Before leaving on our walk to Joseph Creek yesterday,
We drew a map of our watershed,
Which starts up in mountains
Between Cranbrook Mountain and Joseph Mountain,
And stretches all the way
To the St. Mary River.
We could see Cranbrook Mountain to the south
As we made our way to Kinsmen Park.
We followed the creek downstream
Along Rotary Way
And down a back alley.


We stood on the former site
Of the largest outdoor swim pool in Western Canada,
Located in Baker Park,
And imagined how it must have felt.


Then we posed for a picture
Near the waterfall
Before continuing on our journey.

Last night there was a heavy downpour which lasted for 15 to 20 minutes. The storm drain outlet in Kinsmen Park, which we had walked past on Friday morning, was in full flood as it emptied storm water into Joseph Creek.


A day before we had posed for a picture above the waterfall.


Last night it was a roaring torrent.

Good Morning Mr. Wilson,

Funny that you should mention the old Gyro pool. We were discussing it at work just recently.
I can't recall how old I was at the time but long before I lived in Cranbrook we passed through here one summer and stopped to swim in it. The pool was HUGE ! I found the archived photos of it here http://www.basininstitute.org/exhibit-pool/5.html

Please let your students know, again, that I enjoyed the visit to your class and we all loved sharing their adventures this year. I wish them a happy summer vacation and all the best in the next school year !

I'll bet they can't wait for that 11:00 bell on Thursday (you're probably looking forward to it as well --- I know I am )

Today we walked to Elizabeth Lake
For our last visit of the school year.
This time we took Mrs. Bedell's grade 3 class
To share some of what we have learned.
We stopped to watch and listen.


Shortly after the sky darkened.
Then we heard thunder.
Shortly after there was a flash of lightning in the distance
Followed by more thunder.
We reached the bird hide soon after.
As we waited for the storm to pass
We spotted a yellow-headed blackbird nearby.
Everyone laughed
When someone said it was listening to us singing.


The rain became heavy
So we stayed inside the shelter
Playing games to keep us busy.
We even made up our own songs
About different animals and plants.
When the storm finally passed,
We were able to plant trees
And catch water bugs and insects
Before returning to school.

Today was our last day of the 2011/2012 school year. We were excited to be given our own copy of A Kid's Guide to Elizabeth Lake 2012. We have worked on this project for the past two weeks, making lists of plants and animals we have seen during the school year, then writing about our favourites. Several of us liked the idea of making our articles into riddles. It also gave those of us who really enjoy art a chance to show our skills when drawing plants or animals.

We are proud of our work!

Early morning at the lake,
A good time to watch all the activity,
As a mother coot dives
And surfaces seconds later
With food for her young.
Nearby several families of Canada geese
Lie along the shore.
Two muskrats move among the cattails
And then they're gone.


Lying on a log
Screened by thick vegetation
Are two western painted turtles
And a mallard duck.
What an unlikely trio!
A sudden movement,
And the turtles quickly dive.
But after a few minutes wait
They reappear
And cautiously venture along the log.


A sudden movement by the flooded lagoon
Requires further investigation.
The zoom lens reveals a doe,
Hiding among waterlogged shrubs.


A short wait
Brings its own rewards,
As the doe ventures into the open
Creating reflective images.