Mrs. Doyle: Moving Like Molecules

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

We are just beginning our science unit on States of Matter. Matter is all around us. Everything that you can touch, taste, smell, and see is made of matter. The three main states of matter are solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids have a definite shape because these molecules are very close together and do not move very much. The shapes of solids do not change unless some type of force makes them change. Liquid matter does not have its own shape. The tiny molecules in liquids are not as close together as solid molecules, and they move around more. Liquids take the shape of the container they are in. Gas matter also does not have its own shape. The molecules in a gas are far apart, and they move around a lot. Gases spread out and fill up their container, too. In the afternoon, we made Oobleck, a fun substance that is both liquid AND solid!!

We are eagerly waiting for some snowfall so that we can build a snowman, bring him inside, and observe how he will change from a solid to a liquid and finally a gas.

Wishing everyone a week filled with peace and love!

Michelle & Maria

Mrs. Lopes: Moving Like Molecules

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

We are just beginning our science unit on States of Matter. Matter is all around us. Everything that you can touch, taste, smell, and see is made of matter. The three main states of matter are solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids have a definite shape because these molecules are very close together and do not move very much. The shapes of solids do not change unless some type of force makes them change. Liquid matter does not have its own shape. The tiny molecules in liquids are not as close together as solid molecules, and they move around more. Liquids take the shape of the container they are in. Gas matter also does not have its own shape. The molecules in a gas are far apart, and they move around a lot. Gases spread out and fill up their container, too. In the afternoon, we made Oobleck, a fun substance that is both liquid AND solid!!

We are eagerly waiting for some snowfall so that we can build a snowman, bring him inside, and observe how he will change from a solid to a liquid and finally a gas.

Wishing everyone a week filled with peace and love!

Amanda & Hema

Ms. Marissa: Moving Like Molecules

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

We are just beginning our science unit on States of Matter. Matter is all around us. Everything that you can touch, taste, smell, and see is made of matter. The three main states of matter are solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids have a definite shape because these molecules are very close together and do not move very much. The shapes of solids do not change unless some type of force makes them change. Liquid matter does not have its own shape. The tiny molecules in liquids are not as close together as solid molecules, and they move around more. Liquids take the shape of the container they are in. Gas matter also does not have its own shape. The molecules in a gas are far apart, and they move around a lot. Gases spread out and fill up their container, too. In the afternoon, we made Oobleck, a fun substance that is both liquid AND solid!!

We are eagerly waiting for some snowfall so that we can build a snowman, bring him inside, and observe how he will change from a solid to a liquid and finally a gas.

Wishing everyone a week filled with peace and love!

Marissa & Sue

Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

This week, we enjoyed strawberries as our food-tasting experience. Despite the children’s familiarity with the fruit, they were in awe as we cut the strawberry to reveal the white inside. We discussed the edible seeds on the outside of the strawberry and remembered that some seeds are not edible, such as those from an apple.

We’ve noticed since our seaweed tasting a few weeks ago that a few children have brought seaweed for a snack- and it sparks conversation each time!

We had the opportunity to expend some energy in the gym this week. We worked on catching, throwing, and kicking balls. A few children did a few laps around the gym. We discussed how running and exercise change the way we breathe and make our hearts beat faster.

We’ve also enjoyed some time outdoors. There is so much to learn through the senses – especially when there is snow on the ground. We particularly enjoyed listening to the sound of the snow crunching underneath our boots with each step.

We have been talking a lot about woodland animals, such as chipmunks, skunks, raccoons, and bears. A few of us have shared stories of encounters with these backyard critters.

Happy Birthday to our friend Kai, who we celebrated in class this week.

Please note that a handful of photos in this week’s batch are from last month but never made it into the post. I will share a funny song that we discovered by accident, which the children love. If you play it at home, I hope you’ll have the chance to see their bodies move and groove to the music as they listen. (We always listen to music on a speaker using Spotify, even though I share via YouTube.)

Also, for those of you whose children will be moving into Primary next year, please consider attending the Moving Up information night on Thursday evening, February 1, at 5:30 pm. It is a great way to gain more information about your child’s year ahead.

Happy and healthy weekend!

Christine & Lizette

Ms. Marissa: Do You Have Bones?

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

For the last few weeks in our classroom, we have been learning about animals. Not just any animals, INVERTEBRATE animals – animals with NO BONES! We have talked about invertebrate animals that live on the land (slugs!), in the air (insects!), and in the water (jellyfish!).

At circle, we see if we can think of the invertebrate animal from a riddle. Try asking your child one of these:

“I am an invertebrate who lives in the ocean. I have a hinged shell. I have a muscular food that helps me burrow in the sand. Who am I? (a mussel)

“I am an invertebrate who farmers love because I eat pests. I have a spotted, domed shell and six legs. I can fly, too! Who am I? (a ladybug)

We also have been practicing a new poem in honor of studying invertebrates called Song of the Bugs.

Some bugs pinch

And some bugs creep

Some bugs buzz themselves to sleep

Buzz Buzz Buzz Buzz

This is the song of the bugs.

Some bugs fly

When the moon is high

Some buts make a light in the sky

Flicker, flicker firefly

This is the song of the bugs.

We look forward to slithering into this next week!

Warmly,

Marissa & Sue

Mrs. Lopes: Hidden Treasures

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Children’s literature is a passion of mine. I truly hope that each child who spends time in our classroom will quickly absorb not only how important literature is but also how much enjoyment it brings. Books are everywhere in our classroom, and we read throughout the day. We have a book corner in our classroom, a wonderful spot for a ‘brain break’ or to spend quiet time with a beautiful story. We read a chapter (or two or three) each afternoon from a chapter book. Our older friends have both private reading and partner reading built into their day. When a child says, “I don’t know what to do,” I just give them that well-practiced teacher look, and usually they say, “I know, I know, I can read!”

We asked the children to share the title of one of their favorite books.

  • Amelia– Nat’s Snowman
  • Annie– Frosty the Snowman
  • Arian– Morning books
  • Arjuna– Mickey, Pluto, and Donald book
  • Ben– Pete the Cat
  • Brisa– A book with a lot of stories about Mickey Mouse
  • Casey– The Grumpy Monkey
  • Daniel– How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • David– The Dogs of Bedlam Farm
  • Elanour– Nibbles the Book Monster
  • Elizabeth– Mickey and Donald Spaceship book
  • Enzo– Star Wars: the Revenge of the Sith
  • Evie– Princess Books
  • Fiona– A book about a mouse
  • Harlan– Frosty the Snowman
  • Kian– Freddy the Farting Snowman
  • Kimberlin– The Bernstein Bears books
  • Levi– Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
  • Nicolas– Mickey Snowman book
  • Noelle– Mercy Watson’s books
  • Parker– My shark book
  • Ryder– The space book

Wishing you a week filled with peace, love, and lots of happy reading!

Amanda & Hema

Mrs. Doyle: Hidden Treasures

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Children’s literature is a passion of mine. I truly hope that each child who spends time in our classroom will quickly absorb not only how important literature is but also how much enjoyment it brings. Books are everywhere in our classroom, and we read throughout the day. We have a book corner in our classroom, a wonderful spot for a ‘brain break’ or to spend quiet time with a beautiful story. We read a chapter (or two or three) each afternoon from a chapter book. Our older friends have both private reading and partner reading built into their day. When a child says, “I don’t know what to do,” I just give them that well-practiced teacher look, and usually they say, “I know, I know, I can read!”

In our classroom, we call books ‘treasures‘ and speak about how important it is to take care of our books. The children love to hear how so many books I bring to class are the same ones from my childhood. It is an absolute joy to witness the impact of literature on every child.

We asked the children to share the title of one of their favorite books.

  • Ainsley–  The Three Little Unicorns
  • Arya–Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus
  • Bodie— Bots
  • Ella–The Magic Tree House Books
  • EmmaJo– Fairies in the Woods
  • Hadley–Tick Tock
  • Hannah–Snowman Earth
  • Harper-Zog and the Flying Doctors
  • Isla– Not Quite Narwhal
  • Jacob–Ocean Animals
  • Jonathan– The Little Blue Truck
  • Joseph–Paw Patrol Books
  • Leo– My Father’s Dragon
  • Maayan–The Cat in the Hat
  • Melina– Fancy Nancy
  • Oliver–The Three Little Pigs
  • River– The Little Engine That Could
  • Ryan–Unicorns
  • Saanvi–The Little Mermaid chapter book
  • Tommy-The World chapter book
  • Zara–Rapunzel
  • Zion–Curious Georg and the Firefighters

Wishing you a week filled with peace, love, and lots of happy reading!

Michelle & Maria

Ms Marissa: Montessori Math, It All Adds Up!

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

Children display a universal love of mathematics, which is par excellence the science of precision, order, and intelligence.”~ Dr. Maria Montessori

The Montessori math materials are visual and hands-on manipulatives, aiding in the ability of a child to understand mathematical concepts concretely. After many repetitions and when the child is ready, we introduce the more complex and abstract concepts. We teach the process first because the goal is to develop a true understanding of mathematical concepts and not simply memorization. The materials are sequenced in a way that each success a child experiences is a building block for the next concept to be introduced.

Maria Montessori believed that all children have a mathematical mind and an internal drive to understand the environment around them. We know that the Montessori math materials are exact and precise and allow the child to have positive experiences in math right from the beginning. We also know that the Practical Life activities have helped the child to develop order, concentration, coordination, and independence. Likewise, the Sensorial materials have allowed the children to recognize and extend patterns. Here’s the real secret behind the success of the Montessori math materials: the children truly enjoy them.

Hope your week adds up to one filled with peace and love.

Marissa & Sue