May 6

3D Robots

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown was a wild success as our latest read aloud. We loved the main character, Roz, who was a robot who learned to love, care for others, and adapt to her environment. We were always excited to read each chapter to see what would happen next. The characters were funny, charming, adorable, and likeable. As a culminating task, we created our own versions of robots using 3D materials that would have ended up in the garbage or recycling bins.

We were asked to give our robots names and describe what our robot can do. We also invited Mrs. Potts’ class to come and have a look at our creations and share what features our robots had.

Have a peek!

Did you know The Wild Robot is coming to movie theatres this Fall?

Check it out!

Category: Math, Reading Workshop, Teacher Talk, The Arts | 4 Comments on 3D Robots
May 6

Trip to Fanshawe Conservation Area

Last week, we went on a trip out to Fanshawe Conservation area to kick-start our upcoming Plants and Soils science unit. The weather cooperated nicely and we learned a lot of information through fun activities.

We rotated through 3 stations during our visit. 

First, we played some interactive games about how plants absorb water and nutrients through their root systems into the stems and then into the leaves. The larger the plant, the longer it will take and the more water and nutrients it will need.

Next, we learned about how to use a flow chart to figure out what type of coniferous tree we were looking at. We needed to inspect the tree carefully. Were the needles individual or in bunches? Were there pinecones, and if so, how long were they? 

 

Finally, we went into the forest and played a game which taught us about the enemies of the forest such as fire, disease, drought, insects, human impact, and so on. We learned how quickly these things can spread and how they can impact different ages and types of trees. 

What was your favourite activity and why?

 

Category: Science and Social Studies, Teacher Talk | LEAVE A COMMENT
April 17

Writing Poetry: Using an Image as Inspiration

Pictures are worth a thousands words…as the saying goes. Lately, we’ve been looking at images to spark ideas, questions, thoughts, emotions. In class, we’ve brainstormed ideas and words that come to mind regarding certain pictures. 

Look at this poem we wrote together about a shark…

 

Jumping

Leaping

Exploding

Screaming teeth

Rocketing out

Thrashing fins

Black-tipped

Enormous body

Powerful, strong

Apex predator

 

Students have been asked to select a picture we showed in class or to find their own and write a poem about it. We are encouraged to use some of the strategies and techniques learned in class to make our poems come to life!

 

Category: Teacher Talk, Writing Workshop | 2 Comments on Writing Poetry: Using an Image as Inspiration
March 29

Addition Strategies

We’ve been learning about different ways to add 2 and 3 digit numbers. Here some tutorials from a few students in our class.

 

What’s your favourite way to add 2 and 3 digit numbers?

This is a tutorial by one of our amazing students talking about using the no regrouping strategy. 

Have a look at one of our amazing classmates giving a tutorial called ‘Break Apart’.

 

Another strategy being taught by this superstar is called the ‘traditional algorithm’.

Category: Math, Teacher Talk | 1 Comment on Addition Strategies
March 28

Happy Easter!

Easter is the most important time of year in the Catholic church. In class, we’ve been learning about Easter symbols such as Easter eggs, bunny rabbits, the Paschal candle, and water.

What is Holy Week? Right now, we are in the midst of Holy Week with today being Holy Thursday. The week is a very sacred time where we gather to remember the Passion of Jesus Christ in the time leading up to his crucifixion. Have a listen to this quick summary:

We listened to a book called Rechenka’s Eggs by Patricia Polacco, one of my favourite authors. Check out the book reading below!

Check out some of our March memories!

Category: Religion & Family Life, Teacher Talk | LEAVE A COMMENT
March 21

Biography in a Bag

As part of our nonfiction unit in reading, our class recently presented all about a person of interest to them. During the process, we learned so much about these amazing people. Some of the presentations were about:

  • Tom Longboat
  • Vivienne Westwood
  • Anne Frank
  • Taylor Swift
  • Mohammed Ali
  • Therese Casgrain
  • Auston Matthews
  • and so many more!

In addition to their oral presentation, students created a tri-fold lapbook which will will be on display on our bulletin board.

I am so proud of the amazing efforts to present everything they learned. I personally enjoyed listening to every presentation and loved the props/outfits you put together. Incredible work, Grade 3s!

Category: Reading Workshop, Teacher Talk | LEAVE A COMMENT
February 26

February This & That

It’s hard to believe that the month of February is coming to a close. This year is a leap year. Do you know why we have a leap year? Check out Mystery Doug’s video explaining leap years.

Click here to watch the video.

Check out some snapshots of Valentine’s Day, cursive writing practice, our math project involving perimeter and area, and reading practice using Lexia (we aim for 60 minutes per week).

 

Category: Math, Reading Workshop, Teacher Talk | LEAVE A COMMENT
February 15

Grammar

This year, we’ve been practicing a lot with writing sentences. We’ve learned about making our sentences varied and more complex, bumping up our sentences with juicy words, and much more! Many students get confused with where to put punctuation which affects the flow and comprehension of their piece.

Every morning, Mrs. Sullivan leaves a message on the Smartboard riddled with ‘mistakes’ that students must then have to correct. Today, we learned what must be a part of a sentence which is 2 things: a subject and a predicate.

We watched this video to help us understand these words and followed up with some independent practice. 

 

Can you figure out if these are sentences or not?

  1.  Mrs. Sullivan’s class decided to
  2. Where in the world
  3. The squirrel in the tree
  4. Under my desk is some dirt
  5. The puzzle on the table
  6. Sam is wearing a red top

 

Category: Writing Workshop | LEAVE A COMMENT
February 11

Fun in February

The recent weather we’ve been having has given everyone more reasons to get outside! We did just that on Friday and enjoyed the sunshine while playing on the school yard. 

Recently we’ve enjoyed some watercolour painting and preparing ourselves for Valentine’s Day and Lent. 

How do you like to spend time outdoors?

 

Category: Teacher Talk, The Arts | 1 Comment on Fun in February