Space

We have been enjoying our new inquiry on space. Our students have been asking a lot of fascinating questions, and we have had a lot of fun trying to find out the answers. Here are a few questions we've had...

"How many stars are in space?"
"Which planet orbits the sun faster? Mercury or Jupiter?"
"Why is the sun so hot?"
"What is a rover?"
"Why is Earth the only planet with living things?"

To help learn more about the planets, we created a solar system. We used real pictures of the planets as a guide to paint our own version, and then used toilet paper squares to see which planets were closest and furthest from the sun.

We also borrowed a model of a space shuttle from our school library to help us learn more about the different parts, so we could begin to recreate out own. We learned all about how they launch into space and how the rocket and the shuttle separate. 

We even have our very own space command station and space shuttle, where students pretend to be astronauts and travel in space! 

Ocean Animal Inquiry

We have had a lot of fun learning about animals that live in the ocean. Each student chose an animal that they wanted to become an expert on. Every child was able to research and find one fact about their animal. We learned so many wonderful things! Did you know that an octopus has a beak? That's what their mouth is called! Did you know that it's the daddy seahorse that carries the babies in their pouch?

We decided to create a mural outside of our classroom showcasing our beautiful artwork and all the facts we learned. We also took this opportunity to learn about the difference between fact and fiction. Students were very interested in using books, Ipads, and computers to help them complete their work.



First, we did our research.

Next, we painted our animals and added characteristics that we found out about them. For example, we learned that an octopus has suckers on each tentacle, so we added them.

Our final product looks amazing!! 

Ask your child which expert group they were in. See if they can remember what facts they learned about that animal!

3D Shape Fun!

We decided to take advantage of the beautiful packing snow that fell Sunday night and move our 3D shape math lesson outside. Students were busy creating spheres to build snowmen. One group found some pebbles and a pine cone, along with a few pieces of clothing to help put some of the finishing touches on their snowman! That snowman had 3 spheres for the body, 2 for the eyes, and a cone for the nose. It was so much fun!

Telling the difference between 2D and 3D shapes and naming them, can be a difficult concept to master at first. Often at the beginning stages students call a sphere a circle, and a cube a square. It is important to remind them that 3D shapes are fat not flat. A square is a shape they recognize as part of a cube. Any time you can point out these shapes in your normal daily routine is a wonderful opportunity for some practice. Our students get very excited trying to see what 3D shapes they have in their lunches and snacks each day!

The Importance Of Positive Experiences To Help Foster Early Writing

We have all heard that Kindergarten is the foundation for a child's educational experiences and success. The important fundamental skills a child learns in kindergarten carries through to higher grades. That is why it is important to engage young children in positive experiences to help them learn how to read and write.

The beginning stages of writing may look like jumbled up letters that your child says is a word or a story, or , they may write the first letter they hear to match a picture they have drawn. Writing may also take the shape of copying words they see around them. However your child is demonstrating the early stages of writing, the most important skill is for them to know that if they can say it, they can write it. Our words carry meaning.

Here is an example of how we engage our students in writing in our dramatic play centre. Right now we have a beautiful grocery store! Our students noted the importance of labeling where the food belongs so that the store is organized and easier to clean up. Below are some examples of writing. Some students copied the words from books and pictures, and others tried to listen to the letters they heard in the words they were trying to write.

We have been working hard to label everything in our store. This helps our shoppers and store clerks know where things belong!

Remember, practice, practice, practice. The more opportunities we offer a child to write, the better at it they will become!

December Newsletter

There are a lot of things happening in December!

Please click on the link below to read it.


December Newsletter

Patterns Patterns Everywhere!

In math we have been having a lot of fun finding and creating different types of patterns. We have learned that some patterns are called repeating patterns. Here a few examples of repeating patterns we  have made in class.

Students are learning to name patterns. Repeating patterns are named using letters of the alphabet.  Can you find the pattern that is an AB, AAB, ABC, or AAABBBCCC? We are also learning to identify the core of a pattern, which is the smallest part that repeats.


Another type of pattern we are learning about are growing patterns.Two of our students were very eager to try making these patterns. Can you guess what comes next?

Our class is having the most wonderful time looking at patterns. We even noticed that sometimes we are wearing patterns!!!

How many different patterns can you make or find  at home?

We Remember...

Our class has been talking about Remembrance Day and it's importance to help us get ready for our assembly today. We have taken time to reflect on the poppy as a symbol to help us remember the past and think about the future. We posed the question...
 "What is important to think about during Remembrance Day?"

Here are a few of their responses...

" Peace for everyone in the world."
"The poppy helps us remember soldiers who help us be free."
"We need to be kind to each other."
" We show respect to everyone."

Some students chose to create their own versions of a poppy using loose parts and then put them all together to make our own "poppy field".

I wear a poppy as red as can be, to show I remember those who fought for me.