What are we working on?

We have an exciting week ahead! It's literacy week and the grade 3's and 4's have planned some fun spirit days to celebrate literacy.
Monday: Read my shirt day (wear a shirt with writing on it)
Tuesday: Colour Day and Ride your Bike to School day (wear bright colours and if you ride your bike to school bring it around the compound and you can park it in the gym- the gym doors will be open)
Wednesday: Crazy hair/Hat day (we'll also have Drop everything and Read several times this day)
Thursday: Crazy socks day
Friday: Beach Day, Fun Lunch and The Great Book Exchange (bring 25 cents or more and buy some books!)

If you have any gently used books that you would like to donate- please send them with your child this week for the Great Book Exchange on Friday.


We have finished our Arctic Unit and students were so excited to create a cover page for their arctic animal stories. After learning about how the Canadian author and artist Barbara Reid creates images for her books using plastacine- students eagerly attempted their own creations to represent the animal character from their story in their appropriate habitat and season. To see Barabara Reid in action check out this link on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4aOMVZLEpw

Some students were very keen to create new colours for their art by combining different colours of plastacine and many tried a variety of materials around the room to use as tools for texture and shape.  We started with the background landscape and then added the animal and details afterwards. It took us a few different sessions to complete as this task required a lot of patience and perseverance but we are very pleased with our results. There are a few of us that are still finishing but here are some that we have done. Ask your son/daughter which one was theirs.  

 
 
 
 
 
 

Now we have moved into learning about the East Coast/Maritime provinces. We have discussed the geography and landscape of this area of Canada. Students were interested to learn more about lobster fishing and the different natural resources that contribute to the economy and life in the east.

In Science, we are beginning to explore boats and buoyancy which nicely connects with the east (and our upcoming swimming!) On Friday, students worked in groups to figure out how to create a boat with plasticine that will hold as many rocks as they can. Through this process, students discovered that boats need several design features to be effective boats that float and not sink. A stable base, high walls, and evenly distributed materials are a few of the things that students determined are necessary. 
 
 
 
 

We will be designing and creating boats with other materials. If you have extra styrofoam at home that you would be willing to part with, it would be really appreciated. Balloons, elastics, and straws are other materials that we could use. 

Thanks!