Author Archives: tiiustrutt

Sweet Tree / Bel arbre

I share with you today the song “Sweet Tree” (“Bel arbre” in French).  This song captures the excitement of this time of year, when the days get longer, the sun gets stronger, and the Maple trees are magical.  This song is intended to spark curiosity, and encourage children to look closely at the Maple treesContinue reading “Sweet Tree / Bel arbre”

Tracks in the Snow/ Les traces dans la neige

“Tracks in the Snow” (Les traces dans la neige) is a song that I wrote to support children in looking more closely in the land during the winter months, and in learning to ask questions about what they notice.  I always ask students to ‘fill in the blank’ as we sing together, and their suggestionsContinue reading “Tracks in the Snow/ Les traces dans la neige”

Learning with Covid-19

Here we are, the beginning of a New Year, and in the middle of a break from what Covid-19 has meant in the classroom for the last four months.  In our region, we aren’t heading back to the classroom just yet, as we are in lockdown.  However, I am hopeful that we will be returningContinue reading “Learning with Covid-19”

Lullaby for Tree/ Une berceuse pour l’arbre

The long winter is just starting to settle in, and in the land I live in, the land of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat, and the First Peoples of the Williams Treaties, we have received two good snow falls recently.  It hasn’t been snow that will stay; it’s almost as if the land is tossingContinue reading “Lullaby for Tree/ Une berceuse pour l’arbre”

Sneaky Tree / L’arbre sournois

When the leaves have all fallen and the trees are bare, there are treasures revealed that ignite the curiosity and wonder of children.  At this time of year, our beautiful land offers us the gift of discovery, and the opportunity to delve deeply into learning about who lives in our community. To inspire children toContinue reading “Sneaky Tree / L’arbre sournois”

Feuille verte

I’m thrilled to share with you “Feuille Verte”, which is a French version of “Green Leaf“. This version has come about through collaboration with Pierrette Rouse, to whom I am so grateful! As an educator working in both the English and French streams in the public school system, I know how hard it can beContinue reading “Feuille verte”

Green Leaf – The Tree Song Cycle

Over the course of the next year, I am going to share a cycle of songs I have written that explore a child’s relationship with a tree throughout the four seasons.  I wrote these songs over the last six years, as I have been spending time exploring the land with my own children and workingContinue reading “Green Leaf – The Tree Song Cycle”

Play Safe in Your Castle

*This post has been edited to include new posters for Winter Play!Fall/Spring downloadable poster HEREWinter downloadable poster HERE This month, I heard Dr. Brian Goldman on CBC Radio One speaking on the Morning Show about how we can stay safe at schools, using the metaphor of a castle. I was in the hustle of gettingContinue reading “Play Safe in Your Castle”

Race & the Environment

The last five months have been a period of extraordinary upheaval, and a good part of that has been the Black Lives Matters movement.  In our home, we have been reading books and articles, listening to podcasts and the radio, and watching the news and documentaries.  We have been uncovering how omnipresent racism is inContinue reading “Race & the Environment”