What happened today in our play-based learning program...

Bubble Stamping

Students were given instructions to blow into the straw to create bubbles from the paint, soap and water mixture.   Some students stayed at this activity for a long length of time.  Blowing bubbles in a cup..... an activity usually not allowed at the table!!  Therefore, the students loved it.  Once the students had blown enough bubbles over the top of the rim, they covered the cup with a paper to make a print.

Each student had their own straw.

Mrs. Taylor and Ms.Palmer's class received a mystery caller today!  Ms. Palmer had brought in some seeds.  We learned what kind of seeds they were and the best way to plant them from our Expert on the telephone.  The student's were very excited to learn from a mystery voice on the phone.  They listened attentively, then followed the instructions to plant the grass seeds in the 3 different areas. The students will be watching the seeds grow and measure the progress. 

Building using a variety of materials from around the classroom.

Students have been busy exploring and investigating nature. 

Some students may have sketched drawings, then added words into their Science Discovery notebooks.  Items are continuing to be brought into the classroom from home and the schoolyard.

Students have enjoyed measuring water in different everyday containers.

These are just a few of the centres that were designed for learning today!!!

Spring Inquiry

"To a young child, the world is full of materials to touch, discover, and explore. To find, collect, sort, and use material is to embark on a special kind of adventure. For adults, gathering materials means rediscovering the richness and beauty in natural, unexpected, and recyclable objects that are all around us, but not often unnoticed.”

(Weisman Topal & Gandini, 1999)

During March Break we asked you look for signs of Spring with your child.

Many students have brought in signs of spring. 
We have had buds from trees, spiders, worms, 6 potato bugs and 3 snails.

We are still encouraging students to bring in pieces of nature, photographs and drawings of the signs of spring. More importantly, if your child has any questions, please write them down for the class to discuss and further investigate.

In the classroom, Ms. Palmer brought in an mystery object she found in her garden.  We asked the students what they thought it was.  After they investigated the object they made guesses.

The student predictions are listed below.
Natasha - flower
Danny - tomato
Kyiah - house bugs
Yohanna - bone
Gracie - tomato
Lydia - tomato
Ariel - flower
Ella - mushroom
Cheyenne - pumpkin

Our mystery object is a lily bulb that will be planted in the classroom for the students to watch, help take care of and learn about. 

Field Trip

Thank you to all the parents for joining us and helping out with our field trip to Winstar Gymnastics and Jumping Party!!  Our trip was a huge success, the students were smiling ear to ear!

This is what they had to say about it.....

Gracie - "I liked when we were jumping."
Haven Taylor - "I liked jumping on the castle."
Bryson - "My favourite was the fast slide."
Elijah - "My favourite part was the rings."
Demar- "I liked to play on the bicycle."
Andre - "I liked the blowing up slide."
Lucas - " My favourite was the trampoline and jumping."
Ariel - "I liked when I slide down."
Cameron - "I liked the castle blowing up."

Here are a few pictures to share your child's experience. 

More Problem Solving -- learning from a curious monkey

This week we compared different types of media using Curious George. We read books, watched videos and utilized the smart board playing educational Curious George games from PBS.

Curious George models problem solving strategies. For example, Curious George will try many ideas to accomplish a task (building a bridge or web), using different materials. After testing and experimenting materials, he will design a plan and build his structure. Also, after the cartoon, the DVD includes a non-fiction video of children exploring a similar concept. This provides the students an opportunity to make a real life connection.

Responding to Curious George Webmaster --
The students wanted to create their own web.    

The following day students created spiders to go on their web. They used styrofoam spheres, pipe cleaners and markers. 

Our spider inquiry continues as we explore a variety of materials for designing and creating more 8 legged creatures.

Curriculum expectation:

5.2 communicate their ideas verbally and non-verbally about a variety of media materials

Working Together

In our program, the Early Years Team works each day with the children on their "problem solving" skills. Activities that engage children in problem-solving help them to identify and set goals and to develop attention and persistence. They also assist children in developing flexibility in thinking and to begin to recognise and reflect on consequences and relationships of cause and effect. Importantly, success in finding solutions helps children gain confidence in themselves as individuals, social beings and learners.

Building with blocks is always a popular center that shows students' ability to work together, sharing materials and solving construction problems.

 Faith started to build this "Rocket ship" by herself but welcomed Brooklyn and Kyra when they wanted to help her.

Students in Mrs. Taylor's class designed a bus and went on an adventure around town!!!

The students collaboratively created a parking garage on one of our tree stumps.

Another example that emphaizes the importance of teamwork and problem solving is the Lassi Table.

There is a writing table in each classroom where the students will find a variety of writing materials.  This picture shows students designing and writing Valentine's Day cards.  Often, students will ask each other for correct spelling or use word cards.

Taking turns while playing games helps to teach cooperation. Students are also learning to develop good communication skills as they discuss whose turn it is and the matches that they have found in their cards.

Students here are learning to work together as a group to create patterns.  They engage in math talk with each other as they explain their thinking.

 Students here are working together to figure out how to measure some snakes.

Learning about safety around dogs.

Early this month, a Veterinarian Technician from a local Animal Hospital visited each class.  She taught us about safety around dogs.

First, you must use your eyes to look at the dog and to see how they are feeling and acting.

Then, you use your mouth to ask your parents and the owner if you can pet the dog.

Finally, you make your hand into a fist and have the dog smell you to determine if the dog wants you to pet them. You will know it is OK because the dog will lick your hand and use their head to push your hand while you pet them.

Also, the Veterinarian Technician taught us how to be safe around a stray or lost dog that may be wandering through your neighborhood.

If there is a stray dog where you are walking or playing, you should not call it over or make eye contact.  If the dog comes near you, stand still with arms at your side and your hands crossed in front of you while looking down at your feet.

If the dog stays around or starts to jump up at you,  curl up in a ball on the ground covering your head and face. 

Most importantly, DO NOT RUN away from any dog.  The dog may think you want to play, and it may chase  and/or jump up on you.

Some other important facts we learned were:

- when a dog is eating do not pet or bother them

- when a dog is scared or hungry it is best to leave them alone

- dogs don't like to be hugged tightly

- in the summer they need lots of water to stay hydrated

Please remember to give your dog exercise, food, water, regular check-ups with the Vet and lots of love.

How do you think the dogs in the next 3 pictures are feeling? Which ones would you pet?

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Tower Inquiry

After putting out the straws and connectors, we noticed that the students were interested in building a large tower.  Aidan looked at the instruction sheet and decided that he wanted to follow the diagram to make the Eiffel Tower.

After several attempts and much frustration, we devised a new plan.  We looked at a variety of different towers on the internet, and we checked out books from the library.  We talked about what we noticed in the designs of the towers.... the shapes, the patterns....

The students then decided to try again, but this time they wanted to draft pictures of their own towers and then begin construction.

 Referring to a picture in a book during construction.

 This student was excited to show us her dress with the Eiffel Tower on it.

 The students worked cooperatively to build this tower.  They are all so proud.

After how many links tall the tower is, we measured it together.  We were surprised to find out it is only 67 links tall.  Most of us estimated 100.  We will be measuring it with other manipulatives in the classroom this week and we will also be using a measuring tape as suggested by some students.

100 Days of School

Can you believe we have already been in school for
100 days!!!

We started off the day displaying a variety of 100 items on the tables. We discussed how different 100 looks depending on the shape and size of the manipulatives.

100 Silly Bands

100 paper clips

100 straws

100 blue M&M's

100 cups

The students enjoyed stacking and building with the cups throughout the day.

100 dominoes

Some classes had a scavenger hunt around the room to look for 100 items. In Mrs. Taylor's class, Lucas predicted it would take 4 minutes to find 100 mini chocolate bars.

It took 6 minutes and 15 seconds.

Below are some activities the students engaged in throughout the day.

At this centre students were asked to count 100 Fruit Loops, then string the cereal onto yarn to make a "100 necklace".  This centre was time consuming and taught the students how to be patient when practising their fine motor skills.

 

The students made their predictions as they signed in today.  We attached the paperclips and links together, then compared the lengths. We also connected 100 straws in the basement hall.  We were all surprised to see how far down the basement hallway they reached.

Thank you to the all the students who brought in 100 items.

The kids enjoyed counting them on a hundreds chart or grouping them by 10. 

 

Items from home included: different types of cereals, pennies, beads, pencils, pony tail elastics, rocks, Q-tips, hearts and the list goes on....

Ideas for home -- choose a smaller number to explore. 

Ideas for exploring the number 5.

• count items that come in 5 (fingers, toes, packages of food items)
• skip count by 5 (5, 10, 15, 25, 30, 35, ect.)
• write words that contain 5 letters

Additional ideas to explore a larger number -- 25.

• talk about money and the value of a quarter
• count by 25 to 200
• find items around the house, then count to 25 using one to one correspondence
• make 5 groups of 5

days of Playing, Exploring and Learning!!!