For the Brave at Heart

This past Monday morning, an interesting creature awaited the students as they returned from their weekend of relaxation. The tarantula, preserved under glass, received mixed reviews as students checked out the science centre. Thrill seekers flocked around the table while others dared not go anywhere near it. Students will be given the opportunity to write their own 'I See...' books as an extension of this investigation.

As an added bonus, Mrs. Tenyenhuis brought in two beautiful spider puppets for the children to enjoy on Thursday. Those boys and girls who were a bit reluctant at first found the puppets to be a delightful and comforting addition. Thanks so much, Mrs. Tenyenhuis!

Fond Pumpkin Patch 

Memories Live On

Though our Bry-Anne Farm field trip is only a distant memory, an S/K student enjoys creating her own pumpkin patch out of materials found in the classroom. 

I am certain that Bryan and Anne would be honoured!

Which Might Sprout First?

On Wednesday, students created a bracelet to help them better understand the life cycle of a pumpkin.
The bracelet was made out of a chenille stem and some coloured beads. Students began by learning that the brown chenille stem was representative of the rich soil needed to grow the pumpkin. Next, a tan coloured bead was placed onto the chenille stem to represent the seed being planted down in the soil. Afterwards, a light green bead was strung onto the chenille stem to represent the sprout and tender stem that emerges from the soil. Then, a peach coloured bead was placed next on the stem to remind us of the blossom that forms on the vine. Another dark green bead was then placed on the chenille stem to signify the 'knob' or baby pumpkin as it begins to form and take shape. Finally, a bright orange bead was strung onto the chenille stem to represent the fully ripened pumpkin. The bracelets were sent home in each child's Zippy Bag at the end of the day. Be sure to review the stages with him/her when you have time.

Following the bracelet lesson, an idea was raised that we might want to do our own 'pumpkin growing experiment.' Mr. Pickett cut open one of the larger field pumpkins and scooped out many, but not all, of the seeds inside. Several cups of potting soil were placed into the bottom of the pumpkin and it was taken over and set on the Science Table for ongoing observation. Wonderings were shared among the group as to whether the seeds could be grown in other mediums. The experiment took on greater complexity as suggestions were made to try growing pumpkin seeds in a cup of water, in a cup of soil, in a cup of rice, in a cup of moist cotton balls and in a cup of play dough. Several seeds were placed in each different growing medium and placed beside the pumpkin at the Science Table. Students were asked to go home and talk about what we had done with their parents. Tomorrow, the children will be asked to respond to the question, 'Which of our containers of seeds do you think might sprout first?' Stay tuned for updates on our pumpkin growing investigation.  

Sorting

All around the classroom, students have the opportunity to sort and organize materials and learning tools in various ways. Students require sorting skills in order to classify, organize and group various objects according to their given attributes. Whether putting blocks away appropriately in the block centre or tidying up markers and crayons at the art table, sorting plays a significant role in our everyday learning in Kindergarten.

After reading the book 'The Button Box', students were presented with a classroom 'button box'. Inside are hundreds of buttons in various sizes, shapes and colours. Some buttons have four holes while others have only two holes or perhaps only a button shank. Intrigued by the endless variety of buttons found inside the box, students sort the contents of the box in many different ways. 

To further practice sorting skills at home, children might help by sorting and pairing socks when folding clean laundry. They can also put silverware away after doing the supper dishes or organize toys in their bedroom. These types of experiences at home enable students to make purposeful connections between what they are learning at school and how that learning transfers over into their daily lives.

What Awaits You at the Science Table?

A new creature awaits you Monday morning in the classroom. Be sure to check it out. It has eight legs, two fangs and is larger than your hand. What do you think it might be?

November Calendar

You can quickly download a copy of the November Calendar by clicking the hyperlink under 'Downloads' found to the right of this post. Hardcopies will be available in the classroom if you are unable to print them off at home. Just ask Mr. Pickett or Ms. Campbell and they will be glad to provide you with one.

Pumpkins are EVERYWHERE!

Last week, our young scientists put our classroom pumpkins to the test by engaging in a range of investigations which were educational and FUN!

We began by predicting whether or not our pie pumpkin would float or not when placed in a tub of water. Each scientist made a prediction and recorded it on a chart. We learned that scientists call these predictions 'hypotheses.'

When all of the hypotheses were in, we were ready to conduct the experiment.

After discovering that our pie pumpkin FLOATED, we couldn't wait to see if our field pumpkin and our Jack-be-Nimble pumpkin would float, too. They did!

A new day brought another investigation. How many seeds would we find in our pie pumpkin? Hmmm...??? Well, there was only one way to find out. Again, students made predictions as to the total number of seeds we'd find in our pumpkin and recorded them on a chart. Wow, our predictions covered quite a range. Carefully, Ms. Campbell cut the top off of the pumpkin and everyone peered inside. There were A LOT of seeds! The counting began. With the use of double ten-frames, students worked with partners to arrange the seeds carefully onto the frames so that an accurate total could be reached.

There were 467 seeds in all!  Whew!!!

Children delighted in other pumpkin activities found around the classroom.

Throughout the past several weeks, we have read a number of both fictional and non-fictional texts pertaining to pumpkins. We gathered some of our learning and recorded it on a classroom anchor chart.

More pumpkin investigations await us this upcoming week as we plant pumpkin seeds and create bracelets which will serve as a reminder of the life cycle of a pumpkin.