Learning Intentions: I can transfer and apply learning to new situations.
Learning Intentions: I contribute to group activities that make my classroom, school, community, or natural world a better place.
Chantrell Creek Division 2 |
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Today the grade 6s were in for a special treat and explored the physics of many rides at Playland. This enrichment experience is designed to enhance our knowledge and understanding and to demonstrate how the science we learn in the classroom applies to the world around us. It was such a beautiful, sunny, and exciting day to be a part of! Learning Intentions: I can transfer and apply learning to new situations. We also had our Parent Appreciation Tea earlier this week, where we had the opportunity to thank all the wonderful parents who support us through our learning journeys. The students of division 2 wanted to create an extra special banner just for them, and I was super impressed with their final product!
Learning Intentions: I contribute to group activities that make my classroom, school, community, or natural world a better place.
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In Science, the grade 6s have been busy learning about electricity this term. One of our questions this week was which materials conduct electricity? We tested out different materials using MaKey MaKeys. With just a circuit board, alligator clips, and a USB cable to connect to your computer, we were able to transform any object that can conduct electricity into a "key" for our computer. This was a really inventive, creative, and FUN way to investigate materials that would work. One group decided to use themselves to create a human piano! Learning Intentions: I can test a variety of materials using direct current circuits to test for conductivity. For more ideas on how you could use the MaKey MaKey, check out this video! Wow, we had a busy week again... this seems to be our usual! We kicked off the week with some fun science experiments. The grade 6s were experimenting with charging materials (using static electricity), while the grade 7s were busy measuring the mass and volume of random classroom objects. Learning Intentions: I can design an experiment to test whether different pairs of materials become charged when rubbed together. I can conduct investigations into properties of matter, such as determining the mass and volume of common classroom objects. On Tuesday we were invited by the Nicomekl Enhancement Society to participate in the live salmon release. Despite the cold and rain, and went down to the creek with our little buddies to help. We were each given a bucket of about 50 salmon fry to pour into the stream... all in all, we helped to release 20,000 chum salmon fry into our local creek! What a great opportunity to participate in our local ecosystems! Learning Intentions: I can experience and interpret the local environment Finally, today we had our class and group photos (coming to you in the next few weeks!) and we met up with our little buddies once again for Jump Rope for Heart! Jump Rope for Heart is a fundraising and physical activity program based around skipping, and boy did we ever skip! We stayed extra fit all while having fun in the beautiful weather Friday afternoon. We are still raising funds for heart disease research and education so be sure to bring those donations in ASAP!
Learning Intentions: I can participate in physical activities at school, at home, and in the community that can influence my health and fitness. We continued our learning celebrations with a field trip to Science World! Learning Intentions: I can demonstrate a sustained curiosity about a scientific topic or problem. I can identify influences and contributions of ancient societies to present-day culture. I can conduct investigations into properties of matter and measure substances and solutions according to pH. When we first arrived, we had free choice time to explore the galleries, such as the Sara Stern Gallery, where we could crawl through a real beaver lodge, sniff out the aromatic scent of cedar, sink our fingers into a bear's furry coat, listen to the buzz of bees, play out a tune on a stone lithophone, and stand beneath a towering T. rex. Another fun gallery was the Eureka! Gallery, where we could launch a parachute, capture our shadows and move ourselves with a giant propeller as we experimented with water, light, sound and motion among the colourful and lively exhibits. After our free time, we went up to watch 'Mysteries of Egypt' on the largest OMNIMAX dome screen in the world! At an incredible 5 storeys high and 27 metres in diameter (can't escape the math either!) we felt like we were right in the middle of the action. Mysteries of Egypt is about a grandfather explaining the Egyptian archeological wonders to his inquisitive granddaughter. Gorgeously composed shots linger over the pyramids, the Sphinx, temples and the Nile. Re-enactments of events, such as the building of the pyramids, the burial of King Tut, and the 1922 opening of his tomb spark went hand in hand with what we had learned all throughout term 2. This was a spectacular way to wrap up our Egypt unit! But our day wasn't even close to done yet. We then went to the lab for our Chemistry workshop! Chemistry is all about atoms—but atoms are too small to see. Chemists use the observable properties of substances to deduce their atomic structure. In this workshop, we used indicator chemicals that distinguish acids from bases, carried out safe chemical reactions, and looked for signs of chemical and phase change. This hands-on discovery encourages students to try new things and ask "What would happen if...?" It really brought out the curious scientists in all of us!
Learning Intention: I can collaboratively plan a range of investigation types, including field work and experiments, to answer questions or solve problems identified.
Meanwhile, the Grade 6s have begun their term 2 Science unit on Exploring Extreme Environments. In the first chapter, we are learning about how extreme environments are places where human survival is difficult or impossible. They were busy planning for an extreme environment expedition. They were told that they were part of a team of scientists that will join Dr. Schmidt on a 30-day expedition to Mount Logan. Mount Logan is 5959 m high. It is Canada’s highest peak and the second highest peak in North America. They were asked to work in groups to figure out what they would need to take on their expedition, including air, warmth, food, and water.
To be successful on their expedition, the list must include: • equipment to help you breathe at the top of the mountain where the air is thinner • ways to protect yourself from the cold, wet, and wind • food and water, as well as ways to cook the food • ways to transport yourself and any equipment you may have • equipment for communication Here's one of the group's iMovie showing what they learned. As you can tell, they not only learned a lot, but had a lot of fun doing it as well! Learning Intentions: I can generate and introduce new or refined ideas when problem solving. I can co-operatively design projects. I can communicate ideas, explanations, and processes in a variety of ways. This week we went on an exciting and educational field trip to the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre! Learning Intentions: I can demonstrate a sustained curiosity about a scientific topic and make observations in familiar or unfamiliar contexts. First on our schedule of the day was a hands on workshop on Extremophiles. Using the Drake equation as our guide, students contemplated the chances of contacting intelligent life. By analyzing the information gathered by the Kepler telescope, information released by the SETI Institute as well as NASA discoveries, students came to their own conclusions on whether alien life exists somewhere in the galaxy. We then relaxed with a Planetarium Show on Exploring Extremes... a sneak peak into our next Science unit! We discovered more about how scientists use Earth-based environments as analogues for studying environments on other planets. During the show we went to one of Earth’s driest deserts, Antarctica’s largest subglacial lake, and Pavilion Lake in our own backyard to look at how scientists use technology to study extreme environments. After the show, we had our lunches and then went to see a GroundStation Canada demonstration called Planet Hunters, where we discovered more about planet-hunting techniques astronomers use and their quest to find signs of life in the Universe. We finished off our day exploring the Cosmis Courtyard Gallery, which is a space-themed, hands-on gallery where students can morph into an alien, touch a Moon rock or a meteorite. No wonder we were exhausted by the end of the day!
Both grades designed their own science experiments this week. It was a lot of hands on fun! The grade 7s were determining what factors limit yeast growth. They tested their hypothesis by planning and conducting an experiment that controls for two or more variables. Yeast is a single-cell fungi that will rapidly reproduce in the right conditions. It requires a form of sugar as food and a moist environment in which to grow. The best temperature for yeast growth is about 43-46 degrees Celsius. Learning Intentions: I can measure and control variables through fair tests. The grade 6s were determining what factors affect the growth of a potato by manipulating and controlling a number of variables in their experiments. Tubers, the edible part of the potato, consists of about 80% water and 20% primarily solid starch material. Tuber growth depends on the right environmental conditions. Potato plants have a quality called tropism. They will grow toward light, toward water, and upward to break through the soil. Please remember to return your Burns Bog field trip permission slips, due Wednesday, October 14. This field trip will be an excellent hands on experience that will enhance our ecosystems and living things units. It will take place rain or shine so make sure you are dressed appropriately for the weather and wet bog environment! As you may have noticed, I love photography, and this will be a great opportunity for you to practice your photographer skills in a beautiful, natural environment. We will be taking photos for a mini photography unit. You will be allowed to use your own cameras and personal devices to take photos at various times during the field trip. Afterwards, we will be editing the photos. I recommend the app 'Snapseed'. You can download and play with this app now if you like. :) Please check to see if your parents are available to drive on Friday, October 16th. We will be leaving the school at 9:30am and returning for lunch. I am really looking forward to this field trip!
WOW, I can't believe it's already October! Time sure flies when you're having fun! Thank you everyone for returning your consent forms so quickly!! You are all awesome! Please take the time to explore, fill out the Parent and Student info forms, and check out what's going on with Division 2! Science Both grades have been learning about Earth Sciences, with a focus on organisms and ecosystems. We are so blessed to be living in this beautiful environment and took the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. We explored the local organisms and ecosystem, making what we are learning in class more tangible. I can't wait until we go to Burns Bog later this month to further strengthen our connections! Learning Intentions: I can make observations aimed at identifying their own questions about the natural world. Social Studies The grade 7s have begun their Early Man unit, starting with learning about archaeology. We created our own excavation sites and buried artifacts for eachother to dig up. We learned we had to be patient and take special note on coordinates and depth in order to give us more accurate clues on how old these "ancient artifacts" were. Meanwhile, the grade 6s have been going on a "virtual safari" to Kenya (where the Lion King takes place!) and had the opportunity to listen to our very own Ms. Kilbride's stories and photos of her journeys there. How lucky is that!? Fun fact: The oldest stone tools and first humanoid fossils have been discovered in Kenya! I wonder what other connections the 6s and 7s will make with eachother... I can't wait until we all share our final projects at the end of the term. Learning Intentions: I can use Social Studies inquiry processes and skills to ask questions, gather, interpret, and analyze ideas; and communicate findings and decisions. Language Arts We have been concentrating on writing mini stories with a focus on connecting to our readers. We have learned that one of the purposes of writing is communication and that authors write in order to connect with their readers. We have been focusing on using more detail and voice in our pieces, and experimenting with similes to keep our readers interested. The students have been enjoying the student lounge during our writing sessions, and we played relaxing instrumental music to help keep us focused. When the nurse visited us this morning, she commented on how lovely it was! We think so too! Learning Intentions: I can use writing and design processes to plan, develop, and create engaging and meaningful literary and informational texts for a variety of purposes and audiences. We have been hired into our team jobs and have been busy deciding how we will work together to keep our classroom community running smoothly while giving us independence and a sense of responsibility. I saw some great leadership from the Health and Wellness Committee today during P.E. They ran our stretches, set up our equipment, and taught us a really fun new game! I have also noticed how nice and organized the class is becoming, a special thank you to our Sanitation Commissioners for re-educating us on our new recycling program, and to everyone for remembering to change into your indoor shoes. Learning Intentions: I can contribute to group activities that make my classroom, school, community, or natural world a better place. Terry Fox Run Unfortunately, I was at a workshop at the Surrey Teachers' Office and had to miss out on the Terry Fox Run. I was super disappointed as I believe this is an amazing cause and one I would have liked to support in person. Cancer is too rampant these days and seems to have touched many of us in one way or another. I truly believe that one of you could discover the cure for this nasty disease one day if that's what you want to do. THANK YOU to the extremely talented Caroline Vasica for taking these amazing shots during the event! Learning Intentions: I can identify how my actions and the actions of others affect my community and the natural environment and can work to make positive change. |
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June 2016
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