Jingle Bells

Boy was the wind cold, but we still got out for a sleigh ride today. 

Our two-horsepower engine was named Mike and Pilot. 

It was smiling faces all around as we sang Jingle Bells in our two horse open sleigh. 

I feel so blessed to have views like this at my job:

Everyone off! 

What's inside?

Our learners put in their scientist hats today and worked with the inquiry process. 

We offered a provocation of old electronics, safety gear, and tools. We asked: "I wonder what's inside?"

The scientists got to work finding out. They observed and explored the items. 

Jaydyn said "look I'm doing it! And I'm a girl! Girls can do it too!" Her pride was evident. 

Taya worked diligently to remove all the screws from an old keyboard. 

Once inside, she discovered a circuit board and took that apart too. She tried to get it back together again, but there were too many loose parts. Instead she broke it down further, prying off the keys. 

Ethan worked on an old discman. We had a challenge that our tools didn't fit the tiny screws. 

Instead he carefully pried it apart and used pliers to bend it open. He was delighted he could break it as he explored!

So what are we learning here?

Curiosity

Cooperation

Using tools

Fine motor skills

Observation

Questioning 

Principles like leverage

A sense if accomplishment

Communication

What could you take apart at home?

Crazy pancake day

Our little learners were excite to show off some crazy hair and hats today. 

The teachers got into the spirit too!

Can you tell who's birthday it was?

Later on, we watched Pancakes Pancakes by Eric Carle and were treated to a wonderful pancake breakfast!

Special days are what we remember about school years later. We hope it was memorable for our little people!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our little readers were excited to read their valentines this morning!

Valentine deliveries

There's been a lot of excitement around the Valentine's Day mailboxes. As each set of cards came in, the children read the names they so labouriously had written, and wished a little bit of love to each member of our familiy of friends.

I was impressed at how much they wanted to help each other deliver the cards. No one had to work alone.

Gravity + ramp = motion

As a part of the ramps and pathways inquiry, we introduced some long clear tubes to the building carpet.

At first, the boys experimented with how they could use them.

Once they discovered that a marble ran through them smoothly, and that you could see the action, it became ramp time! Click HERE to see a video of Charlie's experiment.

Snow ball building

Some new scoopers came in handy today at the water table, which was filled with snow.

As they worked, the children built their hand muscles used in writing and cutting. They co-operated towards a common purpose, and they spoke a lot to each other. 

They shared their observations about the snow and their difficulties getting the perfect snowball. As a team, they helped each other solve problems.

Remembering a picture from one of our building books, the children were inspired to build an igloo.

Ethan was very proud of his creation, and was careful to say it wasn't just a pile of snowballs. It was an enclosure, with space inside for a family to live.