WHY A CAPE BRETON CLIPPER SCHOOL PROGRAM?

Background

In the 07-08 Clipper race, Cape Breton co-sponsored the Nova Scotia yacht which brought the Clipper fleet into Sydney in June 2008. Cape Breton schools were invited to "adopt" one of the ten yachts which they followed online throughout the race.  During the stopover in Sydney, the students were offered tours of the yachts, and participated in a parade with their sailors.  The crews enjoyed this immensely, as did the students.  Participating schools (staff and students) were very excited to be given the opportunity to follow this race and used it as a wonderful learning experience.

CAPE BRETON ISLAND, Nova Scotia’s Masterpiece – Cape Breton’s entry in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race

With a yacht specifically from Cape Breton in the 09-10 race, an opportunity exists to build a tremendous sense of local pride amongst all of us, including our youth.

This Clipper race delivers the message that our island, Cape Breton Island, can step up and take its place on the world stage. That we can take on huge challenges and succeed.  That we have something to say and something to offer that is valuable. That Cape Breton is a place where great and amazing things can happen!

But further, the race can once again specifically involve your students across all grade levels in a cross curricular study evolving from the Clipper race that could include Geography, History, Science, Math, Media Studies and Social Studies.

The educational topics and opportunities that Clipper can provide have been researched and connections have been made with the required Nova Scotia curriculum outcomes, and this information is available via the following links for those teachers and classrooms that may wish to use it:

High School Clipper Plans

Clipper - ICT Learning Outcomes All Grades

Clipper - RECAP Grade 4 program Clipper 07 08 ICT

The Clipper theme can be adapted to students with special needs, gifted students, and all in between.  It can be adapted to meet the needs of all learners, all levels of ability and all grade levels and in a variety of subject areas.

Having the world map with the race route plotted on it displayed in your schools, along with identifying school champions to promote the learning opportunities available through this race will provide a creative opportunity for teachers and students to achieve required outcomes while cheering for our Cape Breton yacht as it races around the world.

Having a Cape Breton entry in this race also enables us to:

  • Create Cape Breton strength from within:  If students are engaged in the race, the inevitable “pride in place” created assists educators in fostering a sense of pride and enthusiasm in Cape Breton as a place with a promising future.  This “pride in place” will help students to see that they are truly on even-footing with citizens from all over the world.
     
  • The “Cape Breton Island” is Canada’s entry in the race, the only Canadian entry.  It is Cape Breton’s opportunity to help others view Cape Bretoners as leaders and innovators on the global stage.
     
  • There are elements of the race that lend themselves to very complex curriculum connections and well as primary connections, allowing children at all levels and those with differing levels of exceptionalities to follow and get excited about the race.
     
  • There is are three Cape Breton sailors on board, one of whom is a teacher, with whom students can connect, as well as two other sailors from the mainland of Nova Scotia.
     
  • Following the race is something schools can use to unite the student body, create spirit in the school, allow teachers to collaborate with cross-curricular instruction and build professional learning communities on site.

 

Click this link, "All Aboard",  for a copy of the 2009-2010 Clipper Race Activity Book (pdf format, 4Mb) filled with a number of challenges and tasks designed to help you find out more about the race.