Students got to use the new science lab for the first time! What a great space! After months of tending to their vermicomposter, students were tasked with prepping their own plant. Students layered two plastic cups, one with drainage holes. They layered store bought soil and vermicompost soil then moistened it. According to package instructions, they set three soaked seeds in 1cm deep holes about 5cm apart from one another, covered and added more moisture. We set our plants up at the window to access natural light.
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The Grade 3's completed their multiplication and division unit. Their final task was to create 2,3, or 4 identical critters out of playdoh and create division sentences to match. They look happy...better than a worksheet!
In the past, students have given short oral presentations but this year they were introduced to the BTPS Superintendent's Public Speaking Competition! They worked hard to build a speech based on what they learned about organization and voice. They listened to the Grade 5 and 6 local competition and were able to adjust their speeches with some great tips. Then they took to practicing their speeches in small groups and giving positive criticism. We invited parents to watch, some teachers for judging, and some of our students even dressed up. They had to be quite brave getting up in front of everyone but did so well!
The student from Grade 4-6 that moved on to the division competition, was Kennedy Campbell! We eagerly watched the Vermillion competition via a live stream on YouTube and the Edgerton Eagle community was very proud. Well done Kennedy! Students were challenged to create a flagpole design that was 30cm in height, and utilized a simple machine to raise and lower a flag. The challenge created many questions that needed to be solved such as how do I keep my tower from falling over, how do I make the string stay on my wheel or axle, how do I make my flag stand straight out. To add to the assessment process, students were asked to talk about their design process and their hiccups along the way, via a recorded interview.
In learning the writing skills required in fictional story writing, students are currently focusing on sensory language. First, they worked on ensuring their personal stories had the basic organizational parts needed for a well laid out beginning, middle and end. Once students could excel at this, looking at their work, I decided to move on to developing student's details. We have discussed and made accessible many tools for adding detail into our writing. Students have been taught to think of the 5W's+H and use decorations such as dialogue, thoughts, feelings and actions. To enhance this trait moreso, we move to sensory language and practiced adding what we may see, hear, taste, smell, or feel in a particular scene of writing. This can do wonders to create a mood for the writing and show our voice too.
I placed multiple scenes around the room and students walked around with their sticky notes to add examples of sensory language. Below, you see us analyzing our ideas and judging whether they are specific enough, make sense, and are accurate. The most important part is a safe discussion and adjustment of ideas that were not quite there yet. It is important to check-in with students, as they read and discuss, their opinions form, expand and change. It is important to jump back and check-in on the main purpose or what you want them to be taking away from the lessons.
When we did this check-in, students were finishing up learning about the six geographical regions of ALberta. As you can see, many of their ideas hit right on target. The short activity acts as a review or adjustment of thinking for those that were a little off the mark. What a great turn out to our celebration! Mrs. Creasy, Mrs. Leskow, Ms. Sherbinski and I are all so proud of our atudents and the learning they undertake. Thank you parents for taking the time to show interest in your child's education, their curiosity and the pride they have in themselves. Your interest and support pushes them to new heights and gives them added self confidence to take on daily challenges in school.
One special part of the night was that student's guests could write a special note to their child on a cloud bulletin. Sometimes students need a reminder that their efforts are worth it and that the important people you didnt get a chance to write a special message to your child on our bulletin board, stop by our classrooms during the day for a cloud to write on. We had aome dreary days and unexpected rain the last couple days of our Light and Shadows unit so we improvised. Students learned that light can be redirected on a shiny 'reflective' surface.
Students were challenged to create waterwheels with a waterbottle and bottle caps/ cups. Everyone found success and problem solved their way to a waterwheel powered by moving water. Students found that there could not be much friction between the wheel and axle, and the amount and alignment of bottle caps/ cups that will "grab' the water made a big difference in the efficiency of their project.
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Home Reading
300 minutes a month (approx. 10 min. per night) Word Work (due Wed.)
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"Observe and reflect, and become a little wiser every day" |