See you later alligator, in a while crocodile - GOOD DAY!

Sadly, my time in Miss Carter and Miss Russell's class has come to an end.  I learned so very much about the Full Day Learning program, how to engage children with inquiry and how to make the most of each child's strengths and interests.


THANK YOU once again to all the children, families and your fabulous teaching duo for making this final placement such a wonderful experience and learning opportunity!

We are learning Geometry!

This is a geoboard!

Some of the children in our class have been using GEOBOARDS to experiment with shapes, design 

and patterns.  

Ask your child, "What is a geoboard?"  I imagine you will get some interesting responses and discussion about what they have done with them here in the classroom.

 

The children were asked to make blue prints of their designs so they could share their ideas with the class.  Most of the children tried to "connect the dots" and represent their designs after using the geoboard.  Cameron Ha drew his blue print first.  He drew a train and a tunnel and then transferred his idea to the geoboard.

"I'm writing - at the corner there's a train."

"We worked together.  We were trying to make an awesome picture"
"It turns into an essclanation mark!" - Jaxin

"It's a sewing machine."

Keegan and Reid discovered that you can use the elastics to propel a marble.  The children made their own pinball mazes for the marbles to go through.  This kind of discovery brings learning to life!

"It's a game!"

When the geoboards moved down from the table tops to the carpet we found many other uses for them.  In large groups we worked together making wrestling rings, roadways and enclosures for lego characters to play in.  We spun our "beyblades" through the paths we made.  Working together in groups gives the children a chance to work on cooperative skills as well as their ability to negotiate and share ideas.  Communicating our ideas through conversation, drawing and writing is one way we work towards improving our literacy skills!

Some children took the time to work independently.  Gavin created a "snowflake" on a smaller geoboard.  He wrote about his work and drew a blueprint of his design.

"It is a snowflake."

A Special Visitor to our classroom - Steev

Steev is Ms Ramsay's family pet.  He is a giant African Snail who spent the day with us last Thursday.  The children had many questions about Steev including; "Where's his head?", "Does he come out of his shell?" (Makayla), "Is he a boy or a girl?", "Is the hole for babies?", "Why does he have those little black things on his eyes?" (Faith)  I was able to answer many of the children's questions.  We learned many things about Steev through observation.

"I see his eyes." - Gavin
"Does he like getting tickled?" - Keegan

We noticed that Steev curled away from us if we poked at his eyes or were too rough.  He was using his body language to tell us he didn't like it, this is something that we are learning about our friends too!  Payton said, "When he gets angry he hides in his shell."  Lily wrote about her observations.  She was not too fond of the slime.  She drew a picture of Steev and wrote, "Slimy Stuf Stuf Yuk Yuk Yuk Yukeee!"  Rachel said, "I know why he has a shell - because if he gets smashed.  Because it protects him."  The children were very gentle with Steev and really enjoyed his visit!

"I think I now why he has a shell - in case of an animal biting him." - Faith

Ella noticed, "He was in the middle, now he's over here."

We have to be quiet for him to come out!

Aiken Drum - Playing with our food

Aiken Drum is a familiar Raffi song that the children sing in the classroom.  This song was a favourite in my home as well.  I shared with the children a fun magnet game so the children could make their own "Aiken Drum" faces.  Sarah experimented with how she could modify her design to have different expressions.  "I turn it and then he his happy."

"His hair was made of beans, beans, beans, his hair was made of beans and his name was Aiken Drum!  His eyes were made of apples, apples, apples, his eyes were made of apples - and his name was Aiken Drum!"

Working together

Ethan made a policeman!

"It's an Aiken Drum Cop eating broccoli."

This simple activity was an opportunity to talk about healthy food choices.  It also gave the children the chance to recall the song and learn to modify something they are familiar with to something new.

Time to say goodbye

In an emergent program you never know where the interests of the children will lead you.  I have learned to say, "YES" as often as I can and to see where the children's ideas and interests will take us. My time with your children has been educational and a pleasure!

THANK YOU!