So many wonderful learning activities are occurring spontaneously in our classroom!
Through trial and error to successes, the SK's continue to learn about the physics of building various types of catapults with their Science Buddies. These partnership prove to be a great way for the children to learn through hands on activities. It allows your child the opportunity to test their ideas, put them into action, tweak them, and then see the results. This activity not only helps to build collaboration skills amongst our students, but it also deepens their problem-solving skills.
We read the story, La maison de Bernard l'hermite, about a hermit crab that needs to move to a new shell because he has become too large for his old one. Along the way, we saw how animals depend on others to ensure that their environment is sustainable. We too depend on each other to ensure that our environment is kind, safe, clean.
One of our students brought in a nautilus shell and another brought in a dried seahorse. We examined both of these specimens and were particularly interested in whether this was a male or female seahorse. As we already knew that it is the male seahorse that carries the fertile eggs and has a belly that is capable of extending, we turned to our nonfiction book that showed us the anatomy of both male and female seahorses and concluded that this must be female. It is always so great when children bring attention to their own inquiries and share information that they find in our classroom and at home.
When science meets visual arts. After talking about sea stars and watching video clips of some of the various types, we created an ocean floor scene using wax crayons and water paint. With wax crayons, we discussed the importance of various types of lines we could use to create greater effects in our artwork. The darker our lines, the more these colours will pop out once we paint over it with light blue water colour paint. The children were fascinated when the wax repelled the paint. In another project, they used modelling clay to create mini aquariums. Not only did these activities display their knowledge of ocean creatures, it also honed in on further developing their fine motor skills.
What we learned about sea stars (aka starfish):
- they are not a fish
- they have no blood
- if they loose a limb, they can grow it back
- there are 1500 different types of sea stars
- their eyes are on the tip of their limbs
- they have suckers under their limbs to help them adhere to objects and to capture and eat their prey
- they eat clams, snails, and see urchins
- they have have more than five limbs
- the sunflower sea star can measure up to 1 metre in diametre and can have up to 24 limbs
"Be a part of the solution, not the pollution!" After learning about the five large plastic islands that are floating in our oceans, the children became very aware that plastics have become a very big concern on Earth. They were especially concerned with the sea turtles and how they sometimes mistake plastic bags floating in the ocean as jellyfish. Some of the children decided that they wanted to create posters and spread the word to our school about the the sea turtles and the importance of reducing the amount of plastics we use. As we were going to display these poster, the children asked if they could go around to the classrooms and present their findings. They did an amazing job public speaking and in French too! Bravo, les amis !
Mother's Day Tea! We sent out our Mother's Day invitations home on Friday, inviting you to our Mother's Day Tea on Monday, May 14th. We understand that it may not be possible for you to attend. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to have another important and special female role model come in to join your child with this mini celebration. We can't wait to see you!
Have a wonderful day!