We Went to WE Day

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, English and Humanities, Experiential Learning No Comments

We went to WE Day and

  • WE danced
  • WE sang
  • WE sat
  • WE cheered
  • WE lost our voices
  • WE heard about some sad stories
  • WE lunched
  • WE saw a lot of celebrities
  • WE saw Carly Rae Jepsen and Hozier
  • WE screamed for Demi Levato
  • WE became “Imagineers”
  • WE had fun
  • WE lost our hearing
  • WE used our phones as flashlights
  • WE took pictures and videos
  • WE were in a huge crowd
  • WE ate Ben’s Cheetos
  • WE learned many new things
  • WE were educated
  • WE saw inspiring people like Spencer West
  • WE thought about going from ME to WE
  • WE got gift bags
  • WE got sunglasses
  • WE got “We books”
  • WE had the so much fun with Peggy, Rein, and Siobhan
  • WE had the time of our life!

By Siobhan’s Ontario Literacy Skills class

Experiential Learning at City Hall

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Experiential Learning No Comments

city_hall_2015Civics students from The YMCA Academy visited City Hall today as part of their culminating activities for the course.

Academy students witnessed democracy in action at Toronto East York Community Council, and enjoyed a private Q&A with Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon (Ward 32, Beaches / East York).

Civics students at The YMCA Academy learn by doing; their culminating assignment is to choose an issue that matters to them and take appropriate action. Students circulated petitions, wrote letters to public figures, and organized events. At City Hall today, they witnessed citizens deputing about issues that matter to them, and heard about Councillor McMahon’s journey from community organizer to city councillor.

June 12th, 2014 – Challenge… Accepted!

YMCA Academy Community, English and Humanities, Experiential Learning, YMCA of Greater Toronto 1 Comment

Three teams of YMCA Canada employees taking part in an Amazing Race–style tour of YMCA GTA programs and services stopped by the school yesterday afternoon. Upon arrival, they were introduced to the Academy by students in our Grade 10 English class, and challenged by the Grade 9 Geography class to answer quizzes about the topography and climate of regions across Canada.

Race participants and their student challengers rose to the occasion — once each team passed the test, they were presented with an envelope with instructions for how to find the next location in their quest. For the students, it was an authentic (and, well, fun) way to demonstrate the learning they’ve done this semester. There were even a few students who said they wished it had lasted longer!

Apr 22nd, 2014 – Canadian Geographic Map

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Experiential Learning No Comments

In the Grade 9 Geography class at the YMCA Academy for the past few weeks, we have been using a huge 30 foot map of the energy sources in Canada. Our teacher Todd planned out a few lessons for the map and taught us about them. He then made us plan our own lessons that we would have to give the class.

We were made into groups and given a topic on Canada’s energy resources. In my group we had the topic of Alberta oil sand reserves. We came up with a few questions and made people also outline all the Canadian oil sand reserves.

I thought it was pretty nice getting out of the classroom and doing something different. It is a really cool map, mostly because of how big it is.

– Andrew S. (YMCA Academy student)

Apr 17th, 2014 – The Academy takin’ it to City Hall

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Experiential Learning

Civics class celebrated our last day with a trip to City Hall! We took a self-guided tour around this Toronto landmark and got a sense of what happens at the City’s epicenter. We were hospitably welcomed with a surprise meeting with Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly in his office. The Deputy Mayor welcomed informed questions from the group and noted on their “strong handshakes”. He spoke of the diversity of our amazing city and was very candid about the rollercoaster ride he has been on since taking office. He generously gave us City of Toronto pins to take home as a souvenir.

We took in a great view of downtown from the observation deck and remarked how amazing it is that we can just take a walk down to City Hall in one period of school. Another reminder of one of the many ways in which our school is so unique. To wrap things up on this first fine day of Spring weather we felt a celebratory Popsicle break was in order.

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