A Quick Greeting...

And the Learning Continues...

GI drew a self-portrait as she looked at herself in a mirror.

GI compared the size of her footprint to some toy chicks.

PM used her own footprint to measure the length of her body.

Then PM and her brother L measured Mommy using P's footprint.

MM listened to this week's read-aloud and then responded by drawing this picture and writing a story to explain what she liked best about spring.

MD solved the 'Tricycle Problem Solving Task.'

On a family walk, WM found a stick and created a compass. He pointed in a 'northerly' direction.

Wednesday Blog Post

Activities for April 29-May 6

Belonging and Contributing

• Throughout the CoVid 19 crisis, we have become keenly aware of the sacrifices that our ‘First Responders’ (e.g., doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, PSW’s, firefighters, EMT’s, etc…) are making in order to keep us safe and meet the needs of those who find themselves requiring medical attention for whatever reason. We are humbled by their bravery, sacrifice and care for all of us. Have a discussion with your child about the role that these individuals are playing in the midst of this season of isolation and waiting. Talk about what they might be able to do to recognize and honour their contribution. Possible suggestions might be to have your child make cards which can be dropped off at a Fire Hall, Police Station or Hospital which recognize and thank these individuals for all that they are doing. Your child can participate in creating a ‘family designed banner or sign’ which can be displayed on your front door, front window or on a fence which is highly visible from the street as a tribute to their efforts. Delivering a small treat (e.g., cookies, candies, etc…) with a card or note from your child to some of these folks would be an added expression of kindness and gratitude.

• Many of us are finding that we are unable to connect with close family members due to isolation restrictions. Children are missing important people in their lives such as grandparents, aunts/uncles, older siblings living away from home and teachers. Discuss with your child the possibility of him/her creating a short video which includes a greeting, a little song, a funny joke or simply a quick “I love you and I miss you.” message. Send these greetings out as often as your schedule permits. They will be deeply appreciated and cherished by those who receive them.

Self-Regulation and Well-Being

• Being a good friend requires several things from each of us. Have a talk with your child about ‘what makes a good friend.’ Help your child think of words that name some qualities that good friends have (e.g., is a good listener, shares, is kind, takes turns, is a helper, is honest, etc…). Create a word cloud using the words that you and your child generate. Cut out a large heart from a piece of paper or construction paper. Have your child write the words that s/he has come up with inside that heart. Try to fill the entire space with these words. Place the ‘word cloud’ somewhere in your home where everyone can see and read what is written inside it. Your child may even wish to give their word cloud a title with words such as ‘A GOOD FRIEND IS SOMEONE WHO…’

• Make sure you are getting exercise and moving each day. Here is a YouTube link that provides you with nearly an hour of ‘child friendly’ movement and music guaranteed to pump your heart rate and improve your overall mood and disposition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29TR33moqUA

Demonstrates Literacy and Mathematics Behaviours

• Watch and listen to the non-fiction text, How Do You Know It Is Spring? By Lisa Harrington. You can access the text by clicking on...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_fIEWViJyE

At the end of the book, the reader asks the question...What is your favourite thing to do in spring? Draw a picture that shows what your favourite thing to do in spring is. Write a sentence which tells about what you have drawn. For example, 

My favourite thing to do in spring is splash in rain puddles. 

• Much earlier in the month, you were asked to create an APRIL calendar and track the weather each day. If you did that, you have collected a lot of information (data) by now. Tomorrow is the last day of APRIL. Count up how many days of each type of weather we had throughout APRIL (rainy, cloudy, windy, sunny, partly cloudy). Which type of weather did we have the most of? Least of? Can you show your data in a different way? You can...make a graph! Talk about what you found out with an adult.

• This Friday marks the first day of MAY. You may want to repeat this activity again by creating a new calendar and tracking the weather throughout the month. If you choose to do that, you might want to COMPARE what you found out in April with what you will find out in May. 
• Go on a ‘3-D Figure Hunt’ in your home. Using a tally chart, record how many cubes, rectangular prisms, cones, spheres or cylinders you are able to find? Once again, you have collected ‘data.’ Which figure did you find the most of? Least of? Was there a figure that you were NOT able to find? If so, which one? Show your data using a picture, chart or graph. 

Problem Solving and Innovation

• Be a ‘Rock Collector.’ Listen to the book, Rhonda’s Rock Hunt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gNiF_VEq1c. Over the next several days while going on walks with a parent or your entire family, have your own rock hunt and begin a collection of interesting and unusual rocks you find along the way. Look for rocks with unique shapes and markings. Pay attention to their different colours and textures. Look for smooth rocks and rough textured rocks. Can you find rocks that sparkle or that look glassy? Over time, you can add to your collection. This is not about finding and saving EVERY rock that you see. Rather, look for rocks that are really interesting and ‘one of a kind.’ Take a picture of your collection and share it with the class. Make a list of words that describe your rocks (e.g., large, small, speckled, bumpy, smooth, glittery, etc…) 
• Rock Challenge:  After collecting some rocks, see how high you can stack some of them. Can you make a stack with 5 rocks? 6 rocks? 7 rocks? More than 7? Take a picture of your ‘tallest stack’ and send it in for all of us to see. Have fun collecting!

PROBLEM SOLVING TASK:

If a tricycle has three wheels, how many wheels will 3 tricycles have in all? How do you know? How can you show your answer?

USING QUESTIONS TO PROMOTE INQUIRY AND EXTEND THINKING IN YOUR CHILD

     Good questions lead to good conversation between yourself and your child. Here are a few things to consider saying when you are working with your child/children at home...

     In response to children’s questions and ideas, parents and educators can pose questions such as: 

     • What do you think? 
     • What would happen if …? 
     • I wonder why your measurement is different from Jasmine’s? 
     • How are you getting water from one container to another? 
     • How could you show your idea? How can we find out if your idea works? 
     • I wonder if we could make our own marble run? 

     Children ask questions that lead to inquiry. For example: 
     
     • How can this car go faster down the ramp? 
     • Where are the biggest puddles? 

     Children communicate ideas and ask further questions while they are experimenting and investigating. They might describe materials they are using, indicate a problem they are having, or ask a question such as “I wonder what would happen if I …?” They begin to listen to their peers and may offer suggestions to them. Through these interactions and as parents and educators extend children’s thinking through their questions and observations, children also learn to make predictions and draw conclusions:

     • “I think if I use a bigger block on the bottom, my tower won’t break. See, it worked! I used this big block and it didn’t fall over.” 
     • “I thought it would take six footprints, but it took ten.”

     As you continue to facilitate learning at home with your son or daughter, consider using more questions to spur on ideas as s/he comes to you with their work. 

More Hard-Working Kinders...

JP and his family wanted to remind everyone what was truly important about this unusual time we currently find ourselves in.

It is so much fun colouring Easter eggs with my big brother! JP and LP create beautiful spring colours with their eggs and dye.

JP puts his creative building skills to great use with Lincoln Logs. Can you guess what it is?

H H-D drew up a 'plan' before setting out to build her fort. Check out the finished product. Note the 'social distancing.' 

AM and her older brother took on the 'Fort Building Challenge' indoors. With a little help, AM put together a list of what was needed and a simple diagram outlining the construction plan.

MP is thoroughly enjoying on-line learning. 

WM enjoys reading a good, non-fiction book. 

 Keep up the great work!

Measurement Challenge Book

You may recall last week that there was a 'measurement challenge' included with the activities posted on Thursday. Here is a book that supports that activity nicely. Some of these things you may have already done if you chose to engage in last week's challenge. If not, click on the link below and get some great ideas. As always, HAVE FUN!

https://read.bookcreator.com/QSIEC6dV5WOcIjarVihG6LD6Wm43/LAWMZ3COS6-mk5DpuSoPLA

Modern Art from an SK

MM created a modern art collage from some 'found' natural materials which she picked up on her walk earlier today and some craft supplies and assorted objects she discovered around her home.

Hot Off the Presses...

Work & Wonderings

LS accepted the challenge to get creative with recyclable materials.

He made a garage for his model cars.  

PM used marshmallows and toothpicks to create a house with a front door, chimney and roof. There is even a person standing outside the house. This was a challenge issued a couple of weeks ago.

LS created a new couch for her Barbie dolls using recyclable materials. Plans are in the works to 'renovate the doll house.' 

HH-D decided to treat her stuffies to a K-1 morning circle activity. The discussion centred around learning about each animal--what each ate, where they lived, what they actually looked like in real life, etc...

 When the thinking was offered that Bear's main food was 'humans,' Bear kindly set everyone straight and gave them the proper answer.

MD used Duplo as a 'representative tool' to support his thinking after he answered this week's problem solving task.

MD also kept busy with our toilet paper roll building challenge. This is one of several structures which he was able to create.

After cutting out a traced footprint, MD estimated and then measured how many footprints it would take to measure his mother from head to toe.

 MM decided to give the 'fort challenge' a try.

Love the mask, MM!

New Learning Activities for the week of April 23-30

Belonging and Contributing

--  Children need to see themselves as contributing members of our society. As we all journey along these next weeks/months practicing social distancing and isolation, consider the needs of those around you in your neighbourhood. Perhaps there might be a special person in your life who is elderly and unable to get out of the home. Discuss as a family some things that you/your child can do to lend a helping hand and brighten the day of those close by. Consider making a baked good together and leaving on their porch. Create a ‘CoVid19 Care Package’ which might include a bottle of hand sanitizer, a few rolls of toilet paper, a crossword puzzle book, a Sudoku puzzle book, a package of hard candies, a deck of cards, a gardening magazine, a home baked food item (e.g., cake, pie, cookies, scones, etc…), a puzzle, a fresh potted bulb plant and a card made especially by your child. Deliver the ‘Care Package’ to the recipient’s front door and leave it for them to find.

--  Involve your child in folding laundry and putting it away this week. Have him/her sort socks, fold t-shirts and fold towels and face cloths. 

Self-Regulation and Well-Being

--  Give your child a bucket of sidewalk chalk and have him/her go outside on a sunny day to create a game, write a message or create a pretty picture that will be an encouragement to someone walking by your home. 

--  Include your child in meal planning for the upcoming week. Give him/her a simple chart to complete which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make sure that each meal has at least one vegetable or fruit, a protein source and a carbohydrate.

Demonstrates Literacy and Mathematics Behaviours

--  Watch Franklin Plants a Tree on Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB0t0IITJ54

If you have a copy of this book at home, ask a parent or older sibling to read it to you.  

After watching or hearing the story, here are a few things to discuss…

--Who were the characters in the book?

--What happened to Franklin’s tree as he was taking it home?

--What did Franklin learn from Mr. Heron about what trees need?

--How did Franklin get his tree back?

--Franklin was given a sugar maple tree to plant. What can you learn about a sugar maple tree on the internet? What is the sap of a sugar maple used to make?

--  Measurement:  Today’s activity involves measuring and comparing. Trace your foot onto a piece of heavy paper or cardboard. Cut is out with scissors or have an adult help you. 

  --  Find something in your home that is about the same length as your foot. 

  --  Find something in your home that is shorter than your foot.

  --  Find something in your home that is much longer than your foot.

  --  Using the cut-out of your footprint, have someone in your family lie down and allow you to measure them using your footprint. Before measuring, ESTIMATE (make a good guess) how many ‘footprints’ long the family member will be. What do you need to do when using a unit of measurement like your footprint to get an accurate measurement?  

How do your estimate and the true measurement compare? Were you close in your estimation?

What else could you measure with your footprint?

Problem Solving and Innovation

--  Everyone seems to have a ‘stockpile’ of toilet paper in their homes these days. If your family is like mine, the cupboard has quite a few rolls of toilet paper stacked up, waiting ‘to be needed.’ Your building challenge this week is to ask for permission to use those full rolls of toilet paper to build a structure of your choice. I would LOVE to feature your pictures on our blog in a ‘K-1 Toilet Paper Roll Building Challenge.’ Get creative and have at it. Please, just don’t unroll any of them…!  ;o)

--  Here is your PROBLEM SOLVING CHALLENGE for the week… Rhys built a spaceship with his Legos. He used 4 blue Legos and 5 black Legos. How many Legos did he use in all? Draw a picture of what his spaceship might look like.

Some New Learning for You to See...

LP and her siblings document all of their mathematical learning on chart paper.

HH-D conducted a scientific experiment. Would an Easter egg that had been decorated a number of days ago be rotted or would it still be fresh if cracked and opened?

SC counted to 100 using pony beads. She created groups of 10 out of different colours and strung them on a string. 

PM used stickers and drawings of recycling containers to do some 'sorting of recyclables'.

MM created an obstacle course outside on her driveway to work on her gross motor skills.

It's Been a Busy Thursday

Learning at Home

Baking with Mom leads to all kinds of great 'math talk.' Measuring, weighing, counting...with a tasty treat waiting for you at the end. MD is fills muffin liners after making batter with his mother.

Great writing, MD. Were you inspired by something that you saw on a walk or outside your window in your yard?

LP created an adorable Easter bunny using artist's clay. 

Great Things Continue Happening in K-1

LP practices her reading. 

LP is a cunning strategist when playing Monopoly Deal. 

Climbing trees never seems to lose its appeal. 

"Look! I made my first friendship bracelet."

New Learning Activities for the Week of April 16-23

Belonging and Contributing:

-April 22 is Earth Day. All throughout the month of April, we can do things to help conserve energy, avoid waste and help keep our neighbourhoods and community clean. Here are a few ideas to consider doing over the next several days/weeks… 

1. Help out the family by tidying up your yard. Rake up dead leaves and bag them, collect and bundle sticks and small branches which have fallen from the trees, tidy gardening beds and prepare them for planting. You might also help a parent plant grass seed if there are bare spots on your lawn that need to be filled in with grass.
2. Turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth to avoid wasting water.
3. Turn lights off when you leave a room in your home.

-Be a recycling helper in your home this week. Help organize and sort the materials which will go out for recycling. When sorting waste items, keep in mind to place paper and cardboard together in the gray bin. Place plastics, glass containers and metal cans together in the blue bin and organic waste in the green bin. By doing this, you are not only helping your parents, but you are taking care of our planet, too.

Self-Regulation and Well-Being:

-Learn how to be safe around strangers in your neighbourhood. Join the Berenstain Bears as they Learn About Strangers by watching this short cartoon on YouTube. Follow this link:

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY7NMg-DrdI

Afterwards, have a conversation with a parent or guardian about how you can stay safe around strangers.

-Earlier this week, Mr. Smelle posted a song/video which has been uploaded on our Parnall Website. He wrote a song to accompany the Parnall Pirates Collage Photo Message sent out to all of our Parnall students. If you haven’t had an opportunity to see the picture or hear his song, log onto www.DSBN.org. Search Parnall School under the ‘Schools’ hyperlink. There, you will find a link to our webpage at the top of the screen. Click on that link and you should see the song posted on our website. Know that we are all missing each other and looking forward to a time very soon when we will be able to reunite and be together again. Until then, know that you are loved, cared about and thought of often by your teachers and principal.

Demonstrates Literacy and Mathematics Behaviours:

-This very special time in our world is a historic event. Think about making a ‘Time Capsule’ or ‘scrapbook’ with pictures, lists, stories and photos of various things that are happening in your life right now. Here are some things you might want to write about or collect for your capsule/book: Make a list of games that you and your family are playing together. Write about some of the things that you learned about while doing school work at home. Write about your ‘at-home’ school experience. You might want to print off this list and place it with your collection. Take pictures of yourself and other family members wearing gloves and masks if you have them. Make a list of the foods you particularly like eating at this time. Take pictures of some of your art creations you are making and include them in your collection. Have family members write down something that they have enjoyed about this time at home and something that they have found challenging/difficult. Have a parent cut out newspaper articles about CoVid 19 so that you can add them to your collection. Talk about WHY we are having to stay at home and WHY it is important. As you collect various pieces to keep, either place them in a shoebox or put them in a scrapbook. Add a title to your collection and MAKE SURE you write the date somewhere so that it will be obvious to someone coming across it years from now. This SPECIAL TIME  is ‘history in the making.’

-This week, plan to do a survey. Remember that a survey involves asking a question in order to collect information or ‘data.’ You can decide what you want to learn about. Here are a few suggestions to inspire you…

   -What is your favourite house pet?

   -What is your favourite ice cream flavour?

   -What is your favourite sport?

   -What is your favourite colour?

   -What is your favourite season of the year?

There are an endless variety of topics that you can choose from in order to come up with your question. After figuring out what you want to learn about, decide how you are going to collect and show your information. Usually, we show data on a graph. We can use pictures, tallies, stickers, clothespins or other objects to create the graph. Ask ten people your ‘survey question.’ You will want to ask your question to people who live in your home and/or call grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. on the phone and ask them. You could also have a parent help you email your question to important people in your life like...your teachers! Collect your data (the answers that people give you when you ask them your question) and show your data on your graph. Once you have collected all of the information and organized it in a way that is easy to see and understand, what does it tell you? What have you learned? Talk about this with a parent. Write down one ‘conclusion’ you now know from the answers that people gave you. For example, Most people liked chocolate ice cream. OR  Less people liked basketball than hockey. 

Have fun and post your graphs on REMIND. I will upload them onto the BLOG. 

Problem Solving and Innovation:

-Here is a problem for you to solve:  On Monday, you get two letters in the mail. On Tuesday you also get two letters in the mail. If this pattern continues each day thereafter, how many letters in all will you have gotten in the mail by Friday? Show how you know. 

-Using small marshmallows and toothpicks, create a structure, object or animal out of them. Write a sentence about your creation. Take a picture of it and share it on REMIND. I’ll upload it to the BLOG.