Scientific work!

The best part of doing the Buoyancy and Boats unit for four days in a row, was that the students remembered what they had done the days before and were able to apply that knowledge to their next day's challenge.

Yesterday, the challenge was to make a cargo ship using a plastic lid, which they already knew would float.  They were to add materials to the 'ship' to increase the load that could be held.  The kit did not have enough washers to act as weights for the load, so we improvised and used centicubes which were linked together in groups of 5 for ease of counting.

Some actually sank before any weight was added but the students were amazed that one design held 185 centicubes.  They cheered and clapped!

There are a few little items that were sent home that they might want to use to make a paddle boat, a boat propelled by a balloon and a keel to a sail boat.

There is a note about activities and field trips planned in their Bee Binders today.  On Monday, they will be creating two different Mother's Day projects.  This allows those children who have two households to be able to give a present at each one.  Materials have already been purchased so it would be lovely if you could send in $5.00 cash to cover the cost of the two of them.

April showers......and boats

I am including this photo from my garden for the little girl in my room who told me at the beginning of the month that "April Showers Brings May Flowers."  She was right!

Water is on our minds as we have our science unit "extravaganza"!

Both Grade Two classes are 'immersed' in the study of Boats and Buoyancy.

Monday was all about finding out about sinking and  floating.

What sinks? What floats? Why? How does it work?

The students worked co-operatively in small groups.

There were lots of things to try so everyone got a turn, but more importantly, the students got to discuss their ideas (some incorrect ones) with their peers.

Ask your child why an orange with a peel floats and why it sinks if the peel is removed.

Here are two pieces of plasticine that are the same size. They weigh the same. One has been made into a ball and sinks.  The other has been flattened out and floats.  Do you know why?

Please expect a note on Monday about the upcoming events in the months of May and June.  The Grade Two classes have at least three opportunities for volunteers to be part of our learning.  Just a heads up that Mother's Day is around the corner, so the students will need to bring $5.00 each to cover the cost of the materials for the lovely keepsake projects that we have planned for this special day.

Matryoshka

Our Friday art lesson focused on the lovely little matryoshka dolls that are found in all sizes, colours and designs throughout Ukraine.  History suggests that they were originally Russian in their background but since Ukraine has been under Russian rule in the past, it makes sense that they are now part of this culture.  It was a fun way to bring social studies alive.

We looked at various designs and colours and patterns.  We noticed that the hair styles and colours were not always the same.

Just for fun, we watched this cute little animation, which allowed us to see many different versions of the doll.

We practiced and practised making the shapes of the eyes, choosing the way that the pupils would be facing and learning how to put the 'sparkle' into the eye so that it looks alive.

We learned how to make the lips, added little cheeks and played with the hair style.

Eventually, there will be three dolls, which we will work on because the matryoshka dolls fit one in side the other in graduated sizes.  What pattern will each child choose for the design?

Our learning journey continues....

Some of the little ones are interested in hockey.  One of the teachers has created a small hockey pool, just to have the fun of cheering on one of the teams as they work hard to become Stanley Cup playoffs.  We are officially cheering for the Pittsburgh Penguins!

I don't think that this feeble attempt will actually convince you that Ryan Smith came to our classroom, but this little guy got to meet him at his hockey practise and if you look closely, you'll see that his hat has a special signature on it!  Congratulations!

Here's the silly book that led our mathematics and money investigation this week.

The farmer uses the droppings of animals on his farm to fertilize a small little tree.

The following spring, the tree has a coin in each of the flower buds depending on the type of fertilizer used.  The challenge was to figure out how much money would be found in the jar after 100 pennies, 100 nickels, 100 dimes and 100 quarters were stored inside.

As important as the final solution is, the most important part is to hear how the students went about their problem solving.  What do they already know that can assist them in finding the answer?  Many of them did not think about using the 100 chart to help.  How could it help?  In the picture of the SMARTBoard you can see that the students recognized that knowing how many of each coin adds up to $1.00 was also something important to know.  Often the students are asked to talk about these challenges at home with their families.  It gives them a chance to try out their ideas.  It is not absolutely necessary that they have a correct solution, but it is important  that they get to talk in a safe environment and what is safer than home!!??

In the afternoon on Friday, the students were faced with another challenge.  After looking at the finished 'Wild Thing' head, the students thought about how they would make each of the parts of the face.  This allowed them to see their own problem solving skills, allowed them to focus on the size and shape of the various components, demonstrated their ability to create shapes without a tracer and be proud of their finished product.

Writing a descriptive paragraph is next on the list of things to learn!

Where the Wild Things Are

This amazing book is the basis that we will hinge our learning on.  We have explored the circular nature of the story, observed the way that the pictures change size to add to the meaning, made connections to Max's wild behaviour and  then shared our own wild side!

Using an idea found on Mrs. Jump's blog, the students' work looked an awful lot like Max in his wolf suit.

This student shared that when he feels wild he "would throw all of my stuff, and smash the wall."

Either he is being very honest, or his imagination is running rampant!

Did you know that each of the Wild Things have a name?  That seems odd, since Maurice Sendak didn't give them names in the story!

The students sat 'elbow to elbow and knee to knee' and read the story with expression.  They also discussed what details they could notice in the illustrations.

The natural use of large numbers is money.  The students have been learning the history of our Canadian coins, who Queen Elizabeth is since her head in on all of the coins, each coins' value and the reason our dollar coin is called a Loonie!

They have been learning how to count the value of the coins with their peers.  One of the tricks they have learned is to turn the coin over and look at the back, because the front all have the Queen.  They also know that the proper way to count the value is to start with the largest valued coins first.

Can your child say the value in order for  four quarters?

I follow my Ukrainian and Polish roots as I bless food for Easter morning.  My dear friend Irka, shared with me how to create a butter lamb.  It is tradition to bless a paska, ham, sausage, cheese, green onion and eggs along with pussy willows, which signal spring.

Easter is God’s promise which His Son came to fulfill.
A promise of eternal life for all who see His Will.
Season of the budding trees, lilies in their glory,
The greening hills, the daffodils, the Holy Easter Story.
Easter is the joy of Spring, God’s gift and triumph, too.
Reminding us of Jesus’ love in which we’re born anew.

taken from our Religious Co-ordinator's Easter message to the staff of EICS.

May the blessings of Easter and the joy of the Resurrection bring us love,
hope and joy always.

School starts on Tuesday, bright and early at 8:45 a.m.