Food Science - In the Garden
Division 10 and 11 have been enjoying some sunny days watering and weeding in the gardens. It's been a lot of fun getting hands dirty, sampling the various herbs, edible flowers and even the odd dandelion green!
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Food Science - Butter & Molecular Change
Food Science this week found us exploring molecular change through butter making- one of the tastiest science experiments ever! Some students used my antique butter churn that I used as a child, others used small jars to shake their cream, some jars had marbles added. Each group made scientific notes and diagrams as a means to keep track of timing of changes (liquid state, gaseous state, solid state) and the process. Students learned that whipping cream is in fact small bits of fat in a liquid suspension. Watching a liquid form into a tasty spreadable solid before their eyes was very exciting!
In addition students spent time weeding the school garden, locating and harvesting herbs, making compound herb butter with different combos of the harvested herbs: chive, chive flowers, oregano, parsley, sage, sage flowers, mint. To cap off the experience we enjoyed our butters on fresh slices of baguette. Students words to describe the butter: fresh, sweet, tastier than store bought, creamy, easy, delicious, fun, smells good, amazing!
In addition students spent time weeding the school garden, locating and harvesting herbs, making compound herb butter with different combos of the harvested herbs: chive, chive flowers, oregano, parsley, sage, sage flowers, mint. To cap off the experience we enjoyed our butters on fresh slices of baguette. Students words to describe the butter: fresh, sweet, tastier than store bought, creamy, easy, delicious, fun, smells good, amazing!
Read Aloud - The Wild Robot & Creative Comprehension Project
For Read Aloud we have been working our way through The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. While I read the class sketches and makes notes about important events, characters, and settings. Now that the book is over each student has chosen one "big idea word" as their focus for a creative comprehension project of their choice. Some words include- Wild, Peace, Home, Family, Community, and Friendship. Some students have chosen to make dioramas, others are making comics, and some are building sculptures. Each project will include a short artists statement explaining their word choice and it's connection to their design.
*There will be many more photos, so be sure to check back!
*There will be many more photos, so be sure to check back!
Art - Georgia O'Keefe, a celebration of spring flowers
Our latest art project is inspired by Georgia O'Keefe's macro flower paintings. Students selected a flower, chose how to represent their flower in macro, researched a colour choice, sketched/fine lined their drawings, and finally set out to complete their work with oil pastels. Blending oil pastels is a lot like painting, but much more hands on. Here are some finished pieces- they sure look great!
Food Science - Planting, Weeding, Documenting and Sampling
This week students learned about what makes a weed a weed, why we remove them from the garden, and how to plant seeds in our gardens. So far we have planted: seed potatoes, peas, cucumbers, borage, radishes, beets, all kinds of carrots including purple (ask your child about the purple carrot story). We've also planted a First Nations "3-sisters garden" in one of the planters- beans, corn, and squash.
I brought in some Kale that went to seed in my garden. We explored the life cycle of the kale - leaf, flower, seed pod. The kids loved sampling the tasty kale flowers and noticed how they taste like a "delicate kale leaf combined with sweet flower nectar". Students really enjoyed getting their hands dirty. They were overjoyed to learn that digging your hands into the soil is beneficial to your health and general well being. So naturally we had a dirtiest hand contest!
I brought in some Kale that went to seed in my garden. We explored the life cycle of the kale - leaf, flower, seed pod. The kids loved sampling the tasty kale flowers and noticed how they taste like a "delicate kale leaf combined with sweet flower nectar". Students really enjoyed getting their hands dirty. They were overjoyed to learn that digging your hands into the soil is beneficial to your health and general well being. So naturally we had a dirtiest hand contest!
Math Groups - Fractions
In math groups we are studying fractions. Each student built their own Fraction Kit as a means to help visualize how fractions are part of a whole, and how they can represent a quantity. Students are now learning how to identify equivalent fractions using their fraction kits and other strategies.
French - food vocabulary
As part of our French Food Vocabulary unit students are designing and creating their own Catalogue de Supermarché (Supermarket Flyer). They have been asked to come up with a name for their market, address, and the best part- choose 6 favourite foods to showcase in each food group. More pictures to come...
Food Science - getting started
Student learning will be documented in handmade food science journals. The classes chose one vegetable or fruit to draw on their cover page, as well as one beneficial garden insect.
The gardens have been weeded, and we planted some French Breakfast and Easter Egg radishes. The kids were very excited to get their hands in the dirt. There was a lot of enthusiasm, and some new discoveries made- while weeding William unearthed some maple seeds in the three stages of germination.
The gardens have been weeded, and we planted some French Breakfast and Easter Egg radishes. The kids were very excited to get their hands in the dirt. There was a lot of enthusiasm, and some new discoveries made- while weeding William unearthed some maple seeds in the three stages of germination.
Lit. Circles
We will be running Lit Circles in conjunction with Peggy's class until the end of this year! I will be facilitating lit. circles for the books shown below and Peggy will have 5 additional books. Both Div. 10 and 11 will have a chance to read as many books from both classes as they are able. We will be meeting in our groups to discuss various elements of the books and take part in double reflections. This will happen approximately 4 times per week. As we get going I will post more on this process.
*Click the thumbprints to enlarge images.
*Click the thumbprints to enlarge images.
Student Vote 2017 - preparing to vote!
Through Student Vote division 10 learned to research, they used critical thinking skills to develop personal political values, they learned that not everyone enjoys a democratic society or the right to vote, they learned that along with the right to vote one has the responsibility to be an informed voter and that means forming your own educated opinions, and lastly, they learned how to vote. Hopefully when they turn 18 they will be ready and excited to exercise their right to vote! The following slide show offers a snapshot view into these experiences: Students working in groups to conduct research using all forms of media, hosting various speakers, presenting information on the BC Greens/Liberals/NDP platforms, and finally voting!
Student Vote Guest Speakers Included:
Patti Bacchus, Journalist (speaking on the importance of media in a democracy)
Kishone Roy, BC Non-profit Housing Association (speaking on housing and homelessness)
Andrea Reimer, Vancouver City Counsellor and Deputy Mayor (speaking about issues that fall under more than one level of government)
Melanie Mark, NDP MLA candidate (speaking about the BC NDP platform)
Conny Lin, Liberal MLA candidate (speaking about the BC Liberal platform)
*Unfortunately Jerry Kroll, the Green Party MLA candidate was unavailable
Patti Bacchus, Journalist (speaking on the importance of media in a democracy)
Kishone Roy, BC Non-profit Housing Association (speaking on housing and homelessness)
Andrea Reimer, Vancouver City Counsellor and Deputy Mayor (speaking about issues that fall under more than one level of government)
Melanie Mark, NDP MLA candidate (speaking about the BC NDP platform)
Conny Lin, Liberal MLA candidate (speaking about the BC Liberal platform)
*Unfortunately Jerry Kroll, the Green Party MLA candidate was unavailable
Math Groups- multiplication
We are working hard at finding many ways to make multiplication facts fun and memorable! Through mathematical patterns, games, and various strategies students are learning what works best for them in developing a personal understanding of multiplication. Ask your child about what multiplication strategy/strategies they like most.
Colour Study - inspired by Kandinsky's Concentric CirclesAsk your child about complimentary, monochromatic, and analogous colour schemes.
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Writer's Workshop - persuasive writing
For writer's workshop we've begun studying persuasive writing. In light of our R2R Film Festival field trip, it seemed like the perfect time to write film reviews. Students have selected one of the films from our field trip and have begun the process of planning their reviews. (You can take a look at the trailers for each film by clicking the link below.) As part of this process students are reading and critiquing film reviews from rottentomatoes.com. Once the planning and editing of rough copies are complete, good copies of these reviews will be posted on their Kid Blogs.
C.I.V.I.X. - Student Vote 2017
Coinciding with government elections, students will be learning about government and the electoral process. They will research the parties and platforms, discuss relevant issues and cast ballots for the official election candidates. The results are shared with the media for broadcast and publication following the closing of the official polls. As part of this process we will plan to make a connection between students and home, so there will be some simple and fun homework activities coming up which will be posted on this site and sent home in paper format as well- stay tuned.
About C.I.V.I.X. and Student Vote B.C. 2017
CIVIX is organizing a Student Vote parallel election for elementary and high schools coinciding with the 2017 British Columbia provincial election. Students from across the province will learn about government and the electoral process, engage in the campaign and cast ballots on the official local candidates.
This will be the ninth Student Vote project coordinated in British Columbia.
The project is made possible due to financial support received from Elections BC and the Vancouver Foundation.
The project website can be accessed at:
About C.I.V.I.X. and Student Vote B.C. 2017
CIVIX is organizing a Student Vote parallel election for elementary and high schools coinciding with the 2017 British Columbia provincial election. Students from across the province will learn about government and the electoral process, engage in the campaign and cast ballots on the official local candidates.
This will be the ninth Student Vote project coordinated in British Columbia.
The project is made possible due to financial support received from Elections BC and the Vancouver Foundation.
The project website can be accessed at:
Theme - Simple Machines Gallery Walk
Everyone had so much fun designing and building their own simple or compound machines! A lot of learning, creativity, trial and error, and hard work went into these inventions. I hope you will enjoy the photos.
Read Aloud - Jan. to March
Flora & Ulysses (the poetry writing super-squirrel)
Rife with marvelously rich vocabulary reminiscent of the early superhero era (e.g., "Holy unanticipated occurrences!") and amusing glimpses at the world from the point of view of Ulysses the super-squirrel, this book will appeal to a broad audience of sophisticated readers. There are plenty of action sequences, but the novel primarily dwells in the realm of sensitive, hopeful, and quietly philosophical literature.
—School Library Journal
Rife with marvelously rich vocabulary reminiscent of the early superhero era (e.g., "Holy unanticipated occurrences!") and amusing glimpses at the world from the point of view of Ulysses the super-squirrel, this book will appeal to a broad audience of sophisticated readers. There are plenty of action sequences, but the novel primarily dwells in the realm of sensitive, hopeful, and quietly philosophical literature.
—School Library Journal
Art Cards
During read aloud the class listens carefully for significant events, then illustrate art cards that visually represent each event. Upon completion, we'll string together the classes visual representation of the book Flora & Ulysses using art cards from Chapter 1 onward. Here is a sample of what we have so far.
(please click the thumbnails to enlarge)
During read aloud the class listens carefully for significant events, then illustrate art cards that visually represent each event. Upon completion, we'll string together the classes visual representation of the book Flora & Ulysses using art cards from Chapter 1 onward. Here is a sample of what we have so far.
(please click the thumbnails to enlarge)
Theme - the Science of Simple Machines
Design & Engineer with Simple Machines
After a couple weeks of Simple Machines experimentation and exploration, Division 10 has begun designing their own simple machine or compound machine inventions. Everyone has been encouraged to think BIG, then ask themselves the following: 1. Have I used a minimum of one simple machine (with purpose) in my design? 2. Why do we need this machine? 3. How does this machine make work easier?
After a couple weeks of Simple Machines experimentation and exploration, Division 10 has begun designing their own simple machine or compound machine inventions. Everyone has been encouraged to think BIG, then ask themselves the following: 1. Have I used a minimum of one simple machine (with purpose) in my design? 2. Why do we need this machine? 3. How does this machine make work easier?
Math - measurement project
As a closing to our measurement unit, each student has chosen one object to measure in as many ways possible. I have noted the criteria, and an example of one way to lay out a page. The class is working hard on this project, and they are coming along nicely. I will upload some pictures of their work shortly!
Art, Kandinsky- painting the sound of music
Today during art, Div.10 studied the colours and sounds of Kandinsky's abstract art! They learned about the life of Vassily Kandinsky, the beginnings of abstract art, mindful listening, and synesthesia. Everyone tried their hand at painting the sounds of music, just as Vasily Kandinsky once did. The class started by painting the colours and sounds of Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet No. 13 Dance of the Knights, and finished by painting the colours and sounds of Bach's Cello Suite No.1 in G-minor. The results were quite stunning, and many felt energized and inspired by the experience!
Math, Measurement - perimeter, area & volume
Students took their knowledge of area and perimeter to the next level- they were challenged to find the irregular area of their footprint. Some went on to find the perimeter as well.
Blackout Poetry - found poetry
Students had a lot of fun exploring Blackout Poetry in the classroom. First they select a page from an old damaged book, they circle words of interest in pencil, then start to blackout the other words. Often art is incorporated into the poetry as seen above.
Poetry - awesome alliteration in concrete form
Poem #3 An exploration of alliteration written in "concrete form". (click images to expand)
Mindfulness - exploration of meaning
We have been studying what it means to be mindful. Here you will see each tribe working together to select, and categorize images found in magazines as either mindful or unmindful. Each tribe must discuss why an image is representative of mindfulness, or why not. Once agreement is reached, the image is applied to their poster.
Big Buddies & Little Buddies
Each Friday afternoon Division 10 visits their K/1/2 little buddies. We read, draw, go for walks, and sometimes the kids enjoy centre time together.
Poetry - exploration of poetic form
Poem #2 Students gathered positive personality traits from fellow classmates and came up with some of their own. Once a large enough list was compiled they set out to create an Acrostic Poem out of their names and select personality traits. These poems will be the cover of their poetry workbooks. (click images to expand)
Art - Winter Scene (multi-media)
We are working on multi-media winter scenes using a combination of pastels, paper cut outs, and paint. Students established horizon lines, developed their own perspectives, applied the appropriate shadows, and put together colour palettes that communicate various times of day or night. Each art-piece is beautifully unique!
Poetry- a study of metaphor through colour
Over the next several weeks we will explore the expansive world of poetry. Students will learn to write many forms of poetry while developing deeper understandings of the poetic devices. We will hold a weekly poetry cafe, where students will share and discuss poetry in a round table setting over herbal (non-caffeinated) tea and (battery operated) tea lights. The first poem is exploring metaphor through colour poetry, some examples can be seen below. (click images to expand)
Math - Measurement
We are currently exploring measurement as a concept, and the students have developed some strategies for measuring objects with non-standard units of measure.
Some terminology the students are currently working with include:
In small groups students set out to measure the height, weight, capacity, and width of the bucket, and as a challenge some worked on area. Many creative non-standard units of measure were developed such as elastic bands and a paper clip as a scale to measure weight, felt pens filled to the brim to measure capacity, and erasers to measure width. In another lesson students designed their own measuring tool and set out on a measurement scavenger hunt. Below a couple students work on measuring the perimeter of a basket using string.
Now that the students fully understand the concept of measurement, the natural next step is to begin utilizing standard units of measure. First we focused on the attributes- length/width/depth and used centimeters as our standard unit of measure. We have since explored the concepts of area and perimeter, are now working on building understanding of fixed area and fixed perimeter. From there we move into irregular area, followed by volume and capacity.
As a final project students will be challenged to choose one object and measure the object in as many ways possible- their work will be communicated through written words and diagramming. More on this later!
Some terminology the students are currently working with include:
- Attribute (length, width, height, weight, capacity, area)
- Non-Standard Units of Measure (erasers, finger lengths, hands, paper clips)
- Standard Units of Measure (mm, cm, meters)
- Estimation (vs. guessing)
In small groups students set out to measure the height, weight, capacity, and width of the bucket, and as a challenge some worked on area. Many creative non-standard units of measure were developed such as elastic bands and a paper clip as a scale to measure weight, felt pens filled to the brim to measure capacity, and erasers to measure width. In another lesson students designed their own measuring tool and set out on a measurement scavenger hunt. Below a couple students work on measuring the perimeter of a basket using string.
Now that the students fully understand the concept of measurement, the natural next step is to begin utilizing standard units of measure. First we focused on the attributes- length/width/depth and used centimeters as our standard unit of measure. We have since explored the concepts of area and perimeter, are now working on building understanding of fixed area and fixed perimeter. From there we move into irregular area, followed by volume and capacity.
As a final project students will be challenged to choose one object and measure the object in as many ways possible- their work will be communicated through written words and diagramming. More on this later!
Theme - Social Studies
Student explorations of First Nations truth and reconciliation through critical thinking, story, and art.
Theme - Final Project Gallery Walk
Paper Sculpture Layout
Left side: A "visual diary" representing what the students learned about residential school
Right side: "What comes next?" For this part of the sculpture students envision what the future could bring for Canada's First Nations people.
Center: A memory bag containing 4 artifacts representing important learning ideas and connections to First Nations culture.
Backside: Deep thinking questions surrounding each student's learning over the past several weeks.
Paper Sculpture Layout
Left side: A "visual diary" representing what the students learned about residential school
Right side: "What comes next?" For this part of the sculpture students envision what the future could bring for Canada's First Nations people.
Center: A memory bag containing 4 artifacts representing important learning ideas and connections to First Nations culture.
Backside: Deep thinking questions surrounding each student's learning over the past several weeks.
Book Talks
Starting in January: each morning we will have Book Talk! Students are called to pick a favourite book that they've read, then within 2-3 minutes, present this book to the class.
Read Aloud - Oct. to Dec.
From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes a beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox.
About Global Read Aloud
"The premise is simple; we pick a book to read aloud to our students during a set 6-week period and during that time we try to make as many global connections as possible. Each teacher decides how much time they would like to dedicate and how involved they would like to be. Some people choose to connect with just one class, while others go for as many as possible. Teachers get a community of other educators to do a global project with, hopefully inspiring them to continue these connections through the year."
(www.theglobalreadaloud.com).
About Global Read Aloud
"The premise is simple; we pick a book to read aloud to our students during a set 6-week period and during that time we try to make as many global connections as possible. Each teacher decides how much time they would like to dedicate and how involved they would like to be. Some people choose to connect with just one class, while others go for as many as possible. Teachers get a community of other educators to do a global project with, hopefully inspiring them to continue these connections through the year."
(www.theglobalreadaloud.com).