Happy Friday to All!

Room 51 students packed in a lot of things in the short week we had.  The students were really excited about presenting the moves they learned in Hip Hop dancing in a recital, combining several classes in a type of flash mob dancing.  They were fantastic and as proud of themselves as we were.  If you weren’t able to attend, ask your child to bust out some of their new dancing moves.  Physical education then concluded the week with having the 1s & 2s practicing their basketball skills in rotating skill centers around the gymnasium.

We also began the week off with a visit from Scientists in School.  Our scientist, Laura, set up stations for the students to do some great hands-on activities all centered on the seasons, such as what animals use to stay warm outdoors in the winter.  Ask your child about some of the things that they have learned.

Both groups, in math, started a new unit this week – measurement.  They had a great deal of fun comparing classroom items for length and weight, using a scale to weigh items. They then recorded in words or pictures showing how they made their comparisons. Then we began an inquiry into the calendar, looking at days of the week and just how a calendar works.

The students went to choir all together on Friday, while prior to this; they were continuing to practice their songs for “Music Monday” and Arbor Day.

Arbor Day is fast approaching so we spent a great deal of time this week researching tree facts for language arts and creating our mural for this special day.  Students began painting their individual backgrounds with sky and mountains, with some students adding clouds to their sky made from tissue or cotton balls.  They also started drawing their trees, paying particular attention to the shape and characteristics of their tree, including whether it is deciduous or coniferous.  They used real pieces of branches for their trunks and needles.  Those students with deciduous trees used various colours of tissue paper for the leaves on their trees and real branch pieces for their trunk.  Those with coniferous trees are encouraged to collect tiny pinecones on the weekend to add to their tree.

Have a wonderful weekend!