Children's Museum

Today we went on an excellent field trip to the Children's Museum! Mrs. Lowe even overheard one student say "This is the best day of my life!"

We tweeted some pictures while we were there and were excited that a few parents were following us on Twitter and "favouriting" our tweets while we were at the museum. It felt like we brought those parents along with us!

If you're interested in joining Twitter and would like some help, I would be happy to arrange a time to meet. -Mrs. Lowe

Here are some of the awesome photos that didn't make it on to Twitter.

Ripping the paper to make pulp.

Kid Blogs

You might notice some new links on the right hand side of our blog. The links are to each child's individual student blog.

These are a special type of blog where each post and comment is sent to the teacher for approval before being published. Even when your child presses the "publish" button, the post is sent to me for approval.

Your child will be able to publish photos and videos of their work at school.  In class we have been working on blog posts together so students are becoming more familiar with what a good blog post should include.

In the beginning, I may include a translation under their writing as some student writing is difficult to read.

We have also talked about the things we need to do to be safe and responsible digital citizens.

• Do not post pictures of your face.
• Do not share information about yourself including your last name, address, or where you will be.
• Only write things that are kind.
• Do your best work.

As parents, you can help us by looking at your child's blog and leaving comments. Please make sure to only include your first name or mom, dad, etc. We do not want your child identified by first and last name. 

Students are welcome to blog from home once I have blogged with them at school and they know their password.

If you have any questions about student blogging, please feel free to contact me at the school.

-Mrs. Lowe

Earth Day

Today we celebrated Earth Day by spending the entire day outside. The students only went inside to go to the washroom and eat their lunch.

In the morning it was a little cool but by the afternoon the sun was out and jackets came off!

Please check our Twitter feed on the right hand side of the blog for highlights. Here are a couple other photos from today.

We used rocks with our names on them to answer the sign in question.

Collecting garbage to clean up our playground.

Everyone worked as a team!

Eating our snack on the picnic blanket.

Writing Earth Day messages with sidewalk chalk. 

What will you do to help our Earth?

Tim Hortons

On Friday, I was doing a little cleaning and I came across some items from Tim Hortons that I had used to help create a dramatic play centre with last year's class. Rather than throwing them out I asked the kiddos if they would like to use them.

In years past, I have roll played and carefully set up what I thought would make a great play area.  This year I left it all up to the kids. I didn't even manage how many children could play in the centre (this is a big deal when you like to have control over things).

As usual, my students surprised and impressed me!

I observed:
-amazing vocabulary (order, server, cash register, change, wallet, coffee, cappuccino, etc)
-wonderful manners and conversations
-problem solving ("This Tim Hortons is crazy busy, we need to make a line!")
-math (making money and paying for items, counting how many donuts go in the box)
-creative thinking (organizing how the restaurant and drive through would be set up)

Exploring Foods

When the students arrive each Monday there are four new discovery tables for them to explore. This week, one of the tables had a whole bunch of play food, and placemats with two plates on each. I asked the students if they could find a way to sort the food.

Some students chose to sort the foods by colour. 

Students then made a PicCollage to share their learning. 

Taking photos and adding labels using the iPads.

During discovery time, I purposely leave the activities open ended. I did not tell them to sort the foods in a particular way. I am almost always surprised and pleased to see the creative ways students explore the materials provided.

After discovery time we go to the carpet for our morning meeting. This time often includes reviewing activities from the day before, sharing objects we have brought from home (that connect to our learning), looking at our calendar and doing activities on the Smart Board. 

Today we talked about the food explorations the students were working on. 

I asked them what they could tell me about healthy foods. Here is what the students had to say:

Carrots and soup and brocolli are really healthy for you. - Bryce 
Did you know that vegetables grow in the garden? - Ethan

You gotta eat rice so it's good for your eyes. - Essence

Celery is good for you. - Danica

Broccoli is good for you. - Dante

Apple juice is healthy. - Ken

You better eat strawberries cause they're really good. - Denise

Carrots are good for your eyes. - Ellie

Do you want to know what's the healthiest food in your life? Breakfast. - Tayna

If you eat too much junk food, you might get sick and die. - Elryck

Pizza is good for you.  - Caleb.

Apples are good for you. - Autumn

"Healthy and bad"

Why should we eat healthy food? - Mrs. Lowe

Because it makes you grow up. - Denise

It makes you healthy for your whole body. - Essence

If you dont eat healthy food your teeth will rot. You have to eat healthy food and you still have to brush your teeth. - Dante

They will make your heart strong and they will make you grow muscles. - Danica

It helps your body grow.- Ellie

We eat healthy fgood because if we dont, we might get hurt. -Elryck

Healthy foods make you strong. - Cassie

If we eat junk food you will just puke. If you don't eat junk food and you eat good food you will not puke. - Gabriel

Healthy foods help you fight the sweets you have in your body and you will live. - Tayna

If you eat junk food and you don't eat healthy food you might die. - Journey

Some stuff is not healthy so you don't eat them. You eat the healthy stuff first and then you eat the other stuff. - Essence

"Healthy food and treats"

I am very excited to see where this inquiry will take us. Please feel free to add to our discussion at home. Students are welcome to bring in books or objects that connect to our learning on this topic.