News for November 8

This week the children learned about Remembrance Day, linear measurement and how to fold origami paper peace cranes!

In writing, the class began a new book project using different colours and sizes of paper to create the book. The project was inspired by our read aloud book, Open This Little Book, which uses different colours and sizes of paper to tell the story. Most children have finished their rough copies and self-edited their stories. Next week, each child will edit with the teacher and create the final good copy.

In reading, the children learned from our read aloud books this week about different kinds of peace in our world. Sadako's Cranes helped the class learn a bit about the history of World War II and how origami paper cranes became a symbol of peace. Hey Little Ant aided the discussion of treating others with kindness and respect and It's Too Noisy is a folktale that reminds us what it means to have peace with friends and family.

In guided reading, the groups read the story Clouds by Arnold Loebel. (He also wrote the book the class read together, Frog and Toad are Friends.) The reading goal this week was to discuss the use of quotation marks to identify the words a character says and how readers and writers use quotation marks.

In math, the class reviewed the relationships between days/weeks/months/years. Next the children learned about linear measurement using the standard units of centimetre (cm), metre (m) and kilometre (km). The students learned how and when to use a ruler, metre stick and measuring tape. The children also practised choosing an appropriate unit to measure an object. For example, one would use centimetres to measure the length of a shoe, metres to measure the length of a swimming pool and kilometres to measure the width of Canada.

In science, the class continued to learn about air in the environment. They read and talked about how air is used by humans to do work. For example, a bicycle pump was used to put air into our class soccer balls. Clothes dryers, air conditioners, vacuums, and hair dryers all use air to do work.

In social studies, the class is now, more formally, talking about traditions and celebrations. This week we spent a lot of time discussing the history, traditions and symbols of Remembrance Day. The students identified and learned the history of the red poppy, paper peace cranes, the two finger peace hand sign, a white dove (with an olive branch) and the peace symbol. The students made poppies, folded paper peace cranes and created huge peace signs to be used for decorating the auditorium for the school's assembly on Monday, November 11th. The class learned that the time to remember those that passed away in the pursuit of peace is the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month (November). The children also learned a song, using American Sign Language, to help them remember this information. Later in the week the children took the challenge to write "33 Words About Peace". These words were videotaped as the students read them, and they are now on display in the hall outside of our classroom. The Remembrance Day video we made can be seen in a separate posting.

In art, the class created red poppies, of all different sizes, from red construction paper. They learned how to fold origami paper peace cranes. The folding procedure helps the children with their fine motor development (accuracy of fold placements), patience to complete a project that takes time and practice (almost 30 separate folds), geometry concepts (identifying shapes like right-angles triangles) and learning and memorizing the progression of a multi-step process. Some children became local experts to help their friends remember the next steps. Many children can now fold a paper crane independently!

Books read aloud this week:

Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier
Sadako's Cranes by Judith Loske
The Biggest Puddle in the World by Mark Lee
Hey Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose
It's Too Noisy by Joanna Cole