Research

Today the grade 3's used the iPads to research the worlds tallest buildings.  We learned how to use Wikipedia (did you know if you click on simple English on the left hand side it translates the information into a simpler version~ thank you Karen Coumont for that tip!).  We also learned how to refine our search if we didn't get the information we were looking for right away.  We had so much fun and were amazed at the size of some of the structures.  Raza said he had actually seen one of these buildings when he went to the United Arab Emirates.  He is going there again soon and said he will try and take some pictures and send them to us!!!!

While the Grade 3s were busy researching tall buildings the Grade 2s were learning all about mixtures!

What are you learning about in science?

We are Problem Solvers!

If you have been reading our blog you will know that we are doing a school musical this year. . . .  Treasure Island!  We decided to read a version of the story in class.  We have been using our skills of visualization to creat pictures in our head based on the way the author describes the characters.  In the last chapter we read there was a problem and we were surprised to hear that they solved their problem using violence!  This started a discussion of how we solve problems on the playground, in the classroom and at home.  We brainstormed all kinds of peaceful solutions and then wrote about a problem we had had in the past and what we did to solve it.  Here are some ways that we thought of to solve problems.

How do you solve problems in your classroom, on the playground or at home?

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let is Snow!

This morning we woke up to snow!  What a wonderful winter surprise.  When we got to school this morning we found out our big 4 would be outside!!!!  Our job was to try and create a structure of some kind.  What fun we had.  Some of us made ski jumps, some tried to make an igloo and some made a tent!  We also talked about the 3 states of matter that can be created by snow and what makes it change from one state to another!

Here are some pictures of us learning in our natural environment!

Did you get to play in the snow?  What do you like to do on snowy days?

Future Olympians?

We have been living the Olympic dream in gym for the last week and a bit!  Here we are practicing some events. . . . .

The luge . . . one person had to sit on the scooter and the other person had to push them around the course!

Ice dancing . . . . we put on our "skates" (scarves) and then we were off!  We twirled. . . we jumped. . . and we . . . . fell!  Just like real Olympians!


Lacing up the skates. . . . .

 

 Watch out Patrick Chan!

Biatholon. . .  we had to run up, touch a cone, run some more, touch another cone, then run back and lie down to try and throw a bean bag into a hoop!  It was hard!

Moguls

Training for the big moment!

Slalom skiing

We are all WINNERS!!!

Team Canada

Team China

Team Ireland

Have you been watching the Olympics?  How have you celebrated them at your school?

The Results of our Skyscraper Challenge!

Oops!  Somehow this post didn't get published, but better late than never! So here it is. . . .

Today we put together our skyscrapers.  Each group could use up to 10 boxes to make the tallest most stable structure they could.  There was a lot of planning, discussing and taping going on!  Here are our results.


One group made their skyscraper, then tested it and decided to flip it as the base was bigger and it didn't tip over as easily!  We all  discovered a big, wide foundation made the structures very stable!

Our Buckets Were Filled!

Friday was Valentines Day!  In our class we work really hard to make everyone feel good about themselves.  We live by  the motto
" if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!" To celebrate Valentines Day this year we decided to create huge hearts and fill them with "warm fuzzies" about each other.  Each person took home a class list and wrote one compliment for each of their class mates.  They brought them back on Friday and handed them out.  Everyone glued their compliments on their hearts and then the smiles really happened.  It was wonderful to see the students reading their compliments and to see how happy and special it made them feel.

 Look at all our compliments!

Thank you to all my wonderful students who showed me how much they care about me!  The gifts, treats and cards sure made me feel special.  This card brought tears to my eyes!

Did you take time to do or say something nice to someone today?  Do you try to do an act of kindness every day?  Try it! You won't believe how good it makes you feel and it is really fun to watch someone smile because of something you did!

Happy Valentines Day!