Hoppy Leap Day!

We celebrated the extra day today by leaping for joy!

We had some jumping contests and learned how to leapfrog. 

Ben used a YouTube video to make a real jumping frog!  Make your own here: http://youtu.be/ZHTHvQnycKE

And how better to celebrate an extra day than with cupcakes? They learned fine motor control as they decorated, then got to indulge in a treat courtesy of Ms Pomeroy. 

What did you do with your extra day?

Dance a thon

The action was fast and energy was high at our dance a thon! The lights and music were captivating for our young dancers. Thank you for your donations!

Learning to be artists like Michelangelo

The art studio was turned upside down as the children learned about Michelangelo and how he painted the Sistene Chapel while lying on his back.  Some of the children gave it a try and found it to be a fun and enjoyable experience for a "short time".

The children filled one roll of paper and took it upon themselves to put some fresh paper up to do more work.

Austin then just enjoyed the view and being with friends as they created their art.

Gravity

Explorations into gravity, force and motion have emerged on the building carpet!

The scientists have built a ramp and pathway to give force and to direct the motion. 

They have developed a cooperative system to collect the marbles and bring them back up to the top for launching again. 

The children are working together to wonder, explore, and solve problems. 

The magic of puppetry

The classroom fairy brought us a few magical finger puppets to excite us about becoming artists.  We had a problem though, we did not have anywhere to use them.  A big box was chosen as the best object to use to construct a theatre for the puppets to perform in.  Plans were developed using ideas remembered from previous experiences and also from investigations into theatre designs.  Violet, Isabelle and Lola thought it important to have sides, Selena decided that the top and bottom part needed to be cut off and Maci felt icicles needed to be added.  Violet and Lily wanted to add curtains and Claire added strings to hold them back while the performance would be happening.  Haley added a colourful rainbow on the inside to make it decorative.

Over two periods of play the children would add ideas and build on to what others had started.  They discussed, collaborated, made decisions and took action all the while respecting each person's contribution.

And then many enjoyed the theatre that was created excitedly taking turns and doing their own thing as a puppet performer. 

Shaving cream and paint

Children were invited to blend red paint with soft and supple shaving cream. It created some Valentine fun in the art studio. 

Using paper, the children made prints of their work. 

Take apart time

Today we opened up the take apart centre. At this inquiry centre, children take apart old technology to learn about using tools safely, working together, and how things work. 

Taking apart requires attention, focus, and fine motor skills. They are using simple machines such as screws and levers for a purpose. 

They learn to work together, and to discover new things through investigation. There was absolute delight when a microchip was discovered!

They also learn to communicate their investigations. Violet compared the mother board to a tiny city, and other students described their findings. "I cut three wires!" "I found a magnet!" "Why is this spinning?" "There's a piece of paper in there!"

If you have any small electronics you are getting rid of, please send consider donating them to science! We would love to dissect them. 

Pomelo inquiry

The class fairy brought a mystery item to inquire about today. It was so big we compared it to our heads!

We did lots of measurements and observations about the mystery object. Some said it smelled yucky, others noticed it had the size and heft of a baby's head. Most people were able to discern it was some sort of fruit, like a yellow orange, and huge pear, a big lemon, or a pumpkin. 

Students recorded their observations and guesses with some help from the teachers. 

We opened it up in front of the wondering class to reveal the insides. Isabelle took pictures to document the experience. 

Next was the taste test. About a 5 people loved it, another ten were on the fence, and the rest weren't brave enough to try. 

Austin noticed the rinds looked like boats, so he and Nick ran off to the water table to test them out. 

So much fun and learning from a simple piece of fruit!