Farewell frogs!

Well it was bittersweet today as we bid adieu to three friends. 

Hoppy, Lightening and Thunderous have been with us since November, when they were mere pollywogs. We spent the winter feeding them, cleaning their water, changing the filters, and watching them carefully. 

As they grew legs and turned into froglets, we sacrificed our water table. It became a frog habitat, since the ponds outside were still frozen. 

Today, the weather was just right to say goodbye. Not too hot or cold, and nice and wet. We scooped them into bug boxes for the journey. 

The spot we chose, with lots of help from Isabelle and her mom, is a froggie oasis behind the fire station. 

After saying a goodbye, off they went. They were so quick I couldn't get a picture!

Already camouflaged, they settled right into their new pond.

Farewell froggies!

A lot to do with Water

You know spring has sprung when the water river system comes out of storage.  The children investigated every inch of it, discovering how the water moved through it, how deep it was and what they could put with it.

We then moved ourselves outside in the nicer weather to explore things that sink and things that floats.

We then moved things outside with the arrival of nicer weather to take a look at things that sink and float.  Andrew became very excited to discover that his empty yogurt container floated.

We recorded our findings.

Once we had tested our predictions of things that sink and float and developed further our understandings, we again moved inside to use this knowledge to help us build boats that floated.

The children made their construction plans and then set to work.

Boats were created, tested and then re-adjusted and then once completed, enjoyed.

One boat even made it home to try in the bathtub.

Our inquiry into the mechanics of water and then boat building was of interest to many and enjoyed by most.  The children were themselves scientist, inventors and engineers in their work of play.

More fame for our students

I (Krista) was at a meeting on Friday at the Board Office in Peterborough. When I walked in the main doors, look what I saw!

Three posters promoting kindergarten at Kawartha Pine Ridge schools, two of them featuring our students!

(as an aside- it's pretty jarring to see your own face looking back at you unexpectedly!)

Hopefully their smiling faces will welcome many families into kindergarten for years to come.

To see the promotional video our students starred in, click here. It is used in kindergarten orientations across the whole KPR area and on the website. So proud of the hard work our students do every day!

Groundie Ground Cutie

A special thanks to Kol and his Nona for sharing a baby red squirrel they are rehabilitating at home. He was found nearly dead from dehydration and cold before his family took him in and nursed him back to health.

For a video of Groundie having his lunch and, click here.

Whatever floats your boat

We've been working hard to build boats that really float. The children are using STEM - science, technology, engineering and math - to tackle the problem. We tested them indoors (and Jacob even did at home in the bath!), but it was time to take them out for their maiden voyage!

We also wondered how deep is the stream? The children used non-staandard measuring tools (sticks, fingers) to explore.

We also observed some new growth in the trees.

The children were very satisfied to see their creations work in the real world. It was a meaningful way to bring our boat inquiry to a close.

Pedal for Hope

As usual, Pedal for Hope was a rousing success! Thanks to everyone one who donated through our special Friday theme days, buying raffle tickets, and supporting someone shaving their head.

The great head shave/pony tail cut!

Our very own Austin was brave enough to do it this year.

Maci brought her friend and her Mom up on stage to shave Detective John's head!

And they got to do the frozen yogourt eating contest too. Lots of fun!