The Art of Missed Stitches: Grade 2 Explores Resilience in Deep Learning

"It’s important we get set up just right." This simple and wise introduction from Métis author Jenn Moudahi set the tone for a memorable visit with our Grade 2 classes this past Monday. In an experiential workshop informed by literacy, social studies and First Peoples Principles of Learning, Ms. Moudahi invited students into a hands-on activity where deep learning required patience, attention, and time.

The heart of the visit was the creation of a small moccasin, inspired by Ms. Moudahi’s newest book, Charlotte’s New Moccasins. The process was relational and, at times, intentionally challenging. Students were asked to stretch their fine motor skills by practicing the intricate "whipstitch." With multiple steps to remember, the task was a tangible reminder that growth cannot be rushed; it requires a willingness to slow down and embrace the messiness and mistakes of creativity.

In the Junior School, we recognize that authentic learning often involves discomfort—a vital catalyst for resilience. Surrounded by their homeroom teachers, Ms. Townrow, and Mr. Anderson, students tangled with thread and leather in an environment supported through connectedness. By providing a brave space to encounter this challenge, we saw many students, much to their own surprise, demonstrate the stamina and resolve required to create something beautiful and lasting. 

After many missed stitches, the students eagerly moved through frustration into determination and the delight of accomplishment. Many students even discovered an unexpected affinity for sewing, leaving the workshop with a moccasin and the invaluable experience of getting it wrong before getting it right.