Sunday 25 May 2014

Our Plant Inquiry evolves into the Planning of an Outside Garden!

Our Plant Inquiry began in March and is continuing to grow!  Children are continuing to observe, record and investigate the growth of seeds and are very interested in caring for our plants.  During one of our many discussions, the students decided that they would really like to create an outdoor garden outside our classroom window.  So during the last two weeks, the children have been very busy making lists, assigning jobs, writing notes, drawing plans and researching gardens.  A note was sent home on Thursday asking for help to create our vision for the garden!  We are hoping that parents can donate a bag of soil (as it will take many bags) and a flower or two.  We are also in need for parents to help make our project a success- if you are available to volunteer this upcoming week, please let me know.  Here are a few snapshots to show you the thinking process of the children at work!


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Planning the Outdoor Space.


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"Let's put some flowers here."


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After searching garden boxes, this group created a plan for the flowers.


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Making a list of what students can bring for our outdoor garden.


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Writing the parents a note asking for help!


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The Final List of what we need and who can bring what!
Monday 19 May 2014

YOUR CHILDREN ARE AMAZING!

I know that it has been awhile since our last post...  I sometimes find it hard to keep up with everything happening inside and outside of the classroom!  So much learning taking place and so little time to share it all!

I am sitting here on a Monday, going thru student work and writing comments of what I would like to say about each child for their June Report Card- and I am overwhelmed with how amazing your children are and how much growth there has been this year!  Your children are truly incredible and I am so blessed to be with them each day!

As you know, the children have been quite busy investigating living things inside our classroom- plants, chicks, caterpillars/butterflies, hermit crabs.  The children are writing down their wonderings, recording their observations and researching about living things.  They have discovered that living things need clean air (with the help of our discussion on THE LORAX), water, food, a home and space to thrive.  Students are learning these concepts as they research, observe and help to take care of our living things.  Many students also had an AHA! moment, when their plants started dying from lack of water and a lack of space-too many seeds in a small area...  gotta love inquiry!

Here are a few snapshots of our Living Things Inquiry:

Investigating worms  "Don't squish the head!  How do you know its the head?"

Making a safe place for our Hermit Crabs so we can observe them.
Researching how the chick forms and using our new microscope to see inside our eggs!
Designing a pathway to the Hermit Crab home...

Examining seeds and bulbs.


"Look it has roots now!"

Investigating our plants and how they are growing.

"My plants are dying.  They need more space, Mrs. P!" Some students realize that they planted too many seeds in the cup and start replanting them to give more space.
Watching the chicks hatch!



A Plant Experiment!

Plant Valley is created!






Sunday 4 May 2014

An EGGciting Weekend!

On Friday, the children and I put our "eggs to bed" inside the incubator.  They were taken out of the egg turner and placed carefully inside the incubator with a wet sponge.

 On Saturday, I could hear some faint "peeping" coming from inside the eggs.  This afternoon, our first little chick arrived!

On Friday, the children also welcomed our new visitors- CATERPILLARS!


This Education Week promises to be an exciting one at St.Stephen as we observe, investigate and explore the Living Things in our classroom!  We hope everyone can join in our investigations and check out our work during our Open House!
Friday 18 April 2014

The Last Supper

As we entered Holy Week, students gathered together to learn about Jesus' last days.  We began our week talking about Jesus entering Jerusalem and how the people were so excited to see him that they waved palms.  Then with song and help from a fellow teacher, we acted out "The Last Supper."  It made the re-enactment very special to the students and throughout the week they revisited the Easter story in drawing, art and play.  Thank you so much to Mrs.Mirabelli for leading us in story and prayer.  Happy Easter, everyone!













Tuesday 1 April 2014

Grade One Authors!

Last week, the children loved continuing our investigation into rocks, writing persuasive letters (I am happy to see so many children are writing letters at home too) and using different templates at the Writing Station.  We also have begun our exploration of what Energy is and how things work.  Here are a few books to share!  (Don't mind the spelling- we are still sounding-out in Grade One).




Batman and The Joker by Finnley on PhotoPeach The Vampire by Josh on PhotoPeach Lego Chima by April on PhotoPeach Giorgia's Book about Mrs.P on PhotoPeach
Monday 17 March 2014

SHAPE HUNT!

As part of our exploration of 2D and 3D shapes, the students created a station to HUNT for shapes around our classroom.  Using one of our favourite apps "PicCollage" students worked together to take photos and create a collage of what they found in our room!  Enjoy!













Sunday 2 March 2014

St. Stephen Spirit Week!

This week is our Spirit Week!  We are hoping for 100% participation!  Let your SPIRIT shine, St.Stephen!

Monday:  Jersey/Crazy Hair Day

Tuesday:  Twin Day

Wednesday:  St. Stephen Wear/Green and White Day

Thursday:  Pajama Day!

Friday:  PD Day  ENJOY YOUR MARCH BREAK!


This past week, the students went snowshoeing and continued to investigate 2D and 3D shapes through math stations created by them!  Here are some snapshots of the learning taking place!



Here's our Alien Planet!  Volcano, Spaceships, Telepods, Hotels and more!