Nov 25 - 29

In math we looked at fact families.We noticed how the 3 numbers can take alternate positions in an equation to make it true. (i.e. 1+2 =3,  2+1 =3, 3 - 2 =1, 3 - 1 =2)

In science we did an experiment to determine what material would be the best to make an umbrella out of. Me made predications & then tested them to get our results. We also discussed even if the material is waterproof what would be the BEST to make an umbrella out of. Ask me what absorbent means.

I can compare the amount of water that will be absorbed by different materials.

I can identify if a material is likely waterproof or not.

I can tell you what materials would be goo at carrying water in.

We looked at some paintings of Ted Harrison.  He is a well known British-Canadian artist that highlights the beauty of Northern landscapes. This connects to us studying Iqaluit, Nunavut in social.

"Life is a rainbow road, multicoloured with the most brilliant hues and contrasting with the darkest tones. It is illuminated by the light of success, and rutted by the tracks of failure. Tears of sadness and joy wash its surface while the clouds of doubt and insecurity dapple its course. As we traverse this highway we can reach the highest pinnacles or descend to the darkest valleys."

- T. Harrison

I can identify & compare the geographic region of Iqaluit including landforms and bodies of water in relation to Alberta.

I can think about how the cultural characteristics of the Inuit people contribute to Canada’s identity.

This week we managed to get to spend some time in our learning commons' maker space. 

"It is a place where young people have an opportunity to explore their own interests; learn to use tools and materials, both physical and virtual; and develop creative projects."

-L. Flemming

On a side note:
Last year I worked as the resource teacher & although I blogged weekly many of my posts were not viewed all that much because I was not attached to a classroom. In light of an event that happened at my brother-in-law's school this past week I would like to reshare one of my posts from April 2019.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

On average more then 10 people die daily of suicide in Canada. 
Suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in Canada.
For every suicide death there are 5 self harm injuries / hospitalizations reported

This week I had the opportunity to take part in a 2 day workshop for suicide prevention.  There were 30 educators from across the Calgary Board of Education that took part. Just as Standard First Aid & CPR are meant to save lives, ASIST is a different kind of first aid but the goal is the same. 

Goals of the course:
- recognize the signs that someone is thinking about suicide or killing themselves
- understand the stigma  & cultural implications around mental health & suicide 
- understand how personal attitudes affect views of suicide & not allowing these to imply judgements
- identity the elements to creating a safety plan & the actions required to support a person's  immediate safety
- learn the importance of self-care & promoting life

Vulnerable Populations:
- teens
- LGBTQ community
- indigenous
- mid-life crisis
- divorcee
- homeless
- incarcerated
- widower
- addicts

Gems I took away:
- talking means HOPE
- anyone is capable of suicide - no age or race or demographic is not effective
- you do the best you can in the space you are in to support others
- ones perception is their reality
- you are NOT there to solve the problem, you are there to hear, listen & create a plan from them to be SAFE RIGHT NOW
- the language has changed: you now say "a person has completed suicide OR has suicided"

KIDS HELP PHONE: 1800-668-6868
Calgary Distress Centre: 403-266-1601

Nov 18 - 22

This week we celebrated Drop Everything & Read. Every morning for 20 minutes we dropped our work & we all read for 20 minutes!

In word work we practiced making items plural. Some words you can add "s" or "es" & some words are irregular & they change completely.

In science we did an experiment to see what substances would or would not dissolve in water. We first made predications & then tested the items.

In social we are studying the community of Iqaluit, Nunavut. This time of year we get about 2 more hours of sunlight a day then they do. We have been comparing our daily temperature as well. We started by looking at their traditional clothing. Coats were called ANORAKS or PARKAS & made from caribou & seal skins. They were sewed together with sinew & bone needles.  Boots were called KAMIKS & made from sealskin, making them waterproof.

I can identifying the main differences in climate between Iqaluit & Calgary.

We read The Dot by P. Reynolds & created masterpieces of our own. Everything starts with a dot.

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Choice in Education Survey for public education

you can do the online survey or a written submission

https://www.alberta.ca/choice-in-education-engagement.aspx

Fun lunch - Nov 27

Teacher's Pet - Dec 5 - $16 (in school field trip)

Nov 12 - 15

In science we have been experimenting with water, oil & food coloring to see how they react or interact with each other. We observed if the different liquids would mix or not. We then placed a piece of celery in the coloured water to see if the celery would absorb the dye or not.

I can see that water & food coloring will mix together & stay mixed.
I can see that water & oil will separate after they have been mixed together.
I can see that oil beads in water.
I can recognize that water is a component of many materials and living things.

Our word work this week has been focused around word families & rhyming. We can use this understanding to help us spell more words correctly.

In math we learnt about the greater than & less than signs to compare numbers. For a challenge we could add the 2 dice together before we compared them.

Nov 4 - 8

This week we had our Remembrance Day assembly. In preparation each class made a wreath to lay during the ceremony. In class we talked about how important it is to show our thanks for the courage and sacrifice that many men & women demonstrated, that allows us to live in a safe & peaceful place.

In gym we have been trying our hand at bowling.

In Science we did an experiment to see what happens when we boil water & what happens when we put a cold spoon over the steam. Ask me what evaporate & condense means.

I can recognize that water can boil, changing from a liquid to a gas.

I can recognize that steam (gas) can cool down & turn back into a liquid.

I can recognize that I can freeze water (liquid) to become ice (solid).

I can recognize that ice (solid) can melt & become a liquid.

I can identify real life examples in which water is changed from one form to another.

In literacy we learnt about alphabetical order & how that helps us to look up words in the dictionary.

In art we did some perspective drawing & drew what the top of a pumpkin would look like if we were looking down at it.

We practiced a lot in preparation for Math Night. Thanks to all that were able to join us.

Check out the following website to give you a better understanding of report cards & assessment.

How well is my child doing at school?

Upcoming dates:

Thursday November 21^st-  Student Led Conferences 

Start Time: 4:30 PM – End Time: 8:00 PM

November 22^nd - Non-Instruction Day & Student-led Conference

Start Time: 8:00 AM – End Time: 1:00 PM

Oct 28 - 31

Monday was cold. cold, cold.  With it being minus 22 with windchill we stayed in side for recess.  We had some fun though & tried to be active. It was a good reminder to come prepared for a drop in temperature - boots, coats, snow pants, mittens & scarves are needed.

In word work we are looking at word families as well as the different sound that short & long vowels make.

We had a visit from Mrs. Watkins, our Indigenous Learning Leader.  She shared the story "The Sharing Circle" by T. Larsen Jonasson. 

When two red foxes have an argument which breaks apart their community, a gentle buffalo decides to take a braid of sweetgrass to a local elder and asks her to help with a sharing circle for all the animals.

In Math we learnt a new game called Addition Wars.  

Ask me to show you how to play it!

I can apply mental math strategies for basic addition facts to 18.

In Science we looked at the different density of liquids & objects.  We used maple syrup, water & oil. Then we predicted which objects would sink, semi-surface or float between a grape, a tiny cork & a piece of lego.

0. I can compare water with one or more other liquids, such as cooking oil, maple syrup, honey or rubbing alcohol. Comparisons may be based on colour, ease of flow, density, tendency of drops to form a ball shape (bead), interactions with other liquids and interactions with solid materials.

On a side note....
Last week I had the pleasure of attending a 1/2 day workshop about learning from the land at Fort Calgary. Mohkinstis - is the Blackfoot name for Calgary & means elbow. It is the name given where the Bow & Elbow Rivers meet. 

As part of the afternoon we saw a new statue called Wolfe & the Sparrow.

The artist Brandon Vickerd called the piece a gateway to Inglewood — the “identifiable landmark” is transformative and doesn’t celebrate a historical figure. “It talks about nature and how this urban centre also is connected with the nature around it — not just with the Bow River here and the parkway but also with the birds and other animals that occupy the city with us,” he said. “At its core, it’s addressing the notion of a monument and how we relate to monuments in our culture and the types of myths that they perpetuate in our culture and what we think about when we walk by them and connect with them,” he said.

Next we saw "The Ripple".

This nearly 10 metre diameter walking circle is designed to be a meaningful way to consider the river. It consists of an east entrance facing the rising sun. Seven walking pathways wind in towards a central meditative space which has a buffalo, eagle, otter and beaver motif, representing the four compass directions and the four seasons: birth (eagle/east), youth (otter/south), middle age (beaver/west) and wisdom age (buffalo/winter). The seven paths also represent the seven teachings of humility, respect, truth, courage, honesty, love and wisdom. The artists spent several days meeting with various members of the Inglewood community, representatives from The City of Calgary, Blackfoot and Cree Elders and local historians. The intention was to better understand the community’s relationship to the river and to create relationships for the extent of the project.

We finished the afternoon at Esker Art Studio. They offer free art programs for children & families.  Check out their site.