Hola!

The Grade Ones are on a great adventure around the world.  They will be answering the big question: How are our traditions the same and different than other families around the world?We began our trip by traveling south to Mexico on our Polar Express "sleigh."  While it was really hot in Mexico today and we really wished to hit the beach, we decided to read about the "Legend of the Poinsettia."  Though

there are different variations of this story, we read one by Tomi dePaola.  Students made a craft and retold the story in a mini book.  They also made beautiful poinsettias at the art center today.

Are there really crabs in Winter?

Are there really crabs in Winter? There sure are! (At least pet hermit crabs) One of our friends brought his hermit crabs to school and the Grade Ones were keen scientists, as they observed the crabs' habitat, how they move and how the play.  They also learned how to care for the crabs and know that crabs need water, food, space, care and little bits of water sprayed in their habitat throughout the day (even in winter!).  A big thank you to our friend who shared his pets with us!  *high five*

Marvelous Mathematicians

Grade Ones are becoming marvelous Mathematicians. After working with numbers and making number equations that equal to 23, they were engaged in a number of learning centers to practice their Math skills. Using the "Power of Ten" visual tools such as playing cards and place value cards, the students played games to learn and retain patterns. They played card games including: "Zap," and "The Squeeze," with the Power of Ten cards, subitized different objects on the smartboard and made puppet plays with frogs, titled "A Day at the Pond."

Weird-Bird by Shel Silverstein

Birds are flyin' south for winter.
Here's the Weird-Bird headin' north,
Wings a-flappin', beak a-chatterin',
Cold head bobbin' back 'n' forth.
He says, "It's not that I like ice
Or freezin' winds and snowy ground.
It's just sometimes it's kind of nice
To be the only bird in town."

The Seasons

We have been learning about the four seasons.  We  use our senses to describe Fall.  We can see that the trees have changed colour and are starting to lose their leaves.  Animals prepare for winter and some animals, including bats, will hibernate. While bats hibernate, some birds like geese are migrating south for the winter and will be back in spring.

Students are beginning to see that it gets darker sooner and it is still dark when they wake up, unlike summer when it seems bright when they fall asleep at night and when they wake up.

We also know that we need to dress warmer in the Fall since it feels cooler than it was in the summer. We wear jackets to play outside at recess and running shoes.  Some Fall days have been especially chilly and we needed to wear our toques and mitts!

I wonder what winter will look like?