Les aventures des jeunes

Loose parts We have been using the loose parts (see pictures) for many projects over the last several weeks. We have made many winter scenes. The children have then told stories about their winter scenes practicing telling beginnings, middles and ends of stories.  This week we looked at pictures of snowflakes as they were seen under microscopes. The students then used the loose parts to make symmetrical snowflakes with a pattern around the centre core.  Also this week they used the loose parts to build a shelter for a penguin during an antarctic storm. The shelter had to be big enough for the penguin and be able to withstand substantial wind (blowing on the shelter). These activities promote creativity and critical thinking. They are also related to many of the subjects of the curriculum, including Applied design, skills and technologies.  Science Challenge On Friday we participated in the science challenge. The student were to build a ping pong...

Welcome back to each of you! We have had a wonderful start to the new year. I have really enjoyed the snow and the cold (yes, you may call me crazy!) Our icy field- it was inspiring.  Last week we read stories about snowmen. We talked about the water cycle in terms of water melting and freezing. We studied the ice in the field and wondered how the bubbles got into the ice. We did a few art projects. We made snow scenes with loose parts (there are pictures on Fresh Grade), snowmen out of plasticine and a paper art project of a melted snowman. We used the paper art project as inspiration to write about what snowmen should not do to prevent melting. There were so many good ideas in the class such as visit the desert, have a bath or drink hot chocolate. The world at the poles While the cold weather is here, we have started a unit on life at the poles. We will look specifically at penguins and polar bears. The class seems really interested in penguins right now. We are going...