100 Books Party 2019

The 15th Annual 100 Books Party was a great success. Thanks to the students and their families for all their hard work and support.

Here is a video of some of the preparations for the day and our guests at the party:

Caterpillar Update

Caterpillars have arrived in Room 222!

This week the children started writing their observations in new science journals. They learned the types of information that scientists look for (for example, colour, size) and each day they measured and recorded the length of his/her caterpillar and looked at what was the same and what was different from the previous day.

Science is all about questions! The children recorded some of their questions in their journals and some on a poster. These questions will help guide our research. So far we've learned:

1. Caterpillars eat but do not drink.
2. The small, short light brown cylinders in the cups are called "frass" (caterpillar poop)
3. The black spiky spheres are old skin. The caterpillar gets too big for its skin and wiggles out of its old skin.
4. Caterpillars are insects. They have six thin legs (three pairs of legs) near the head and many fatter "prolegs" to help them walk and keep their long bodies off the ground.

The students learned the difference between a drawing (art) and a diagram (information). Scientists use diagrams to give information. The children are encouraged to use magnifying glasses to make and label diagrams in their science journals.

News for May 3

WOW! What a week! The class hosted our 100 Books Party, started a project raising caterpillars into butterflies and we welcomed a new student to our class.

In math, the children worked to create posters and videos to demonstrate what math they learned using the 100 books. (The video can be seen in a separate posting.) Later in the week the students used what they know about addition and subtraction to understand the "=" sign and what equality means. They also were introduced to elementary algebra concepts by figuring out the unknown in simple equations, for example, solving 10 = 6 + ? by figuring out what number ? represents.

In writing, the class reviewed the spelling and usage of 13 sets of homophones that we have studied so far in term two. The children also learned the spelling of words relevant to our caterpillar project (caterpillar, butterfly, life cycle). The class also started a new story writing activity. Each child has planned and is now writing the rough copy of a fiction story about a caterpillar.

In reading, the children made a connection to Earth Week and worked in partners to read and answer comprehension questions about how to care for our Earth.

In science, the class continued to talk about air and water in the environment. The children learned the meaning of many common weather words and they watched an episode of The Magic School Bus called "Kicks Up a Storm". (FYI - These are fun videos that demonstrate science concepts and many are available on youtube or dailymotion.)

The class began a new science project...raising caterpillars as they turn into butterflies. More photos and information can be seen in a separate posting.

In art, the students wrote about their foil sculptures and went to the display case between the lunch room and the auditorium to put their work into the case. We even made a sign using letters made out of aluminum foil!

Of course, on Wednesday morning it was our 100 Books Party! The children worked very hard to get ready for our guests and it was a fun time for everyone. Teachers, parents and students were all very impressed by the work that the children have done in Room 222. More comments, photos and videos can be seen in a separate posting.

On Thursday, the class attended a whole school assembly to hear the author Susan Aguilo read aloud her books and talk about being an author.

It was Earth Week this week and on Friday, the class attended an Earth Day assembly in the auditorium and went to the library to purchase used books. Some children also bought items at the Earth Day Bake Sale.

In preparation for our concert performance on Thursday, May 16th, the children began to learn the dance they will be performing to the song, "Upside Down and Inside Out" by OK GO. This song and video talk about gravity and the video was filmed in zero gravity. The class watched the video and at the end of the week, the children began to learn the dance steps to go with the song. Here is a link to the video:

Books read aloud this week:

Weather Words and What They Mean by Gail Gibbons
What Pete Ate From A-Z (Really!) by Maira Kalman
Julian by Dayal Kaur Khalsa
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren (chapter book)

Update from Ms. R

The homework for this week is to write a story in the homework writing journal, on the topic of the student's choice, but with some form of math words in the story. This homework is due on Friday, May 3rd.

Please note:

1. The 15th annual 100 Books Party is this Wednesday, May 1 from 9:00 - 11:45 in Room 222. Please remember to send snacks with your child as we estimated that about 280 people will visit our classroom (and thanks to those who have already sent some in). Please also try to drop by, even if it's just for a few minutes. It will mean a lot to your child. Books! Writing! Food! Music! Fun!

2. Reminder that our swim time is now on TUESDAYS (Day 2). Please help your child to remember to bring his/her swim gear.

Important Dates:

MAY 1 - 100 BOOKS PARTY! (morning 9:00-11:45)
May 2 - Author Susan Aguillo visits our school.
May 14 - Jump Rope for Heart - fundraiser for the Heart & Stroke Foundation
May 16 - Spring Concert (evening) - Our class will be performing.
May 20 - Victoria Day - no classes on this day
June 7 - P.A. Day - no classes on this day
June 27 - Last day of classes for the 2018-2019 school year

News for April 26

News for April 26

Another four-day week in Room 222 but the children were very busy, sorting books by different criteria, making sculptures out of aluminum foil and learning the steps of doing a science experiment.

In math, the children continued to use the 100 read aloud books in math activities. This week the class concentrated on ways to sort the books and how to tally the amount in each category and remember that the total should equal the number of books in the bin (20 books per bin per research group). The groups sorted the books into male/female authors, soft/hardcover, fiction/non-fiction/near fiction and they totaled up the number of pages read using calculators. We have now compiled the information from the groups and we will work on discussing the results next week. The children will present their findings to the class and a video of our "100 Books Math" will be made and posted next week.

In writing, during the two short four-day weeks the class is reviewing the term two word wall (spelling) words covered so far, with an emphasis on homophones (for example, aloud/allowed). The students finished their book reports and wrote the good copies that will go on display on the day of  the 100 Books Party.

In guided reading, the small reading groups reviewed non-fiction text strategies and learned about two famous mountains: Mount Everest and Mount Fuji. Did you know that Mount Everest is almost 9 kilometers tall? That Mount Fuji is almost 4 kilometers tall? One of our read aloud books this week was a book about the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale. The class is interested in blue whales since last week we measured the length of our 100 books at over 27 metres, with is about the length of a blue whale. Did you know that the heart of a blue whale is the size of a small car?

In science, the class explored how water works to move into areas that are dry by watching what happens when a capsule containing a piece of foam is put in water. The class reviewed the steps of the scientific method: purpose, materials, method, observations and conclusions and used this framework to write about what happened. Basically, the water moved into the capsule and the sponge soaked up the water and increased in size to break apart the capsule to reveal that the foam was is the  shape of an animal!

In art, the children had fun exploring aluminum foil and how to create figures and objects. The tricky part about working with foil is that since it is a metal, it's difficult to tape, glue or staple it. So the students learned some strategies to work with the foil to create arms and legs, for example, that stay attached to the figure and don't fall off. The children also incorporated some recycled yogurt containers (from the snack program) in their art. The students then wrote about what is happening in their art and how they made it. This "foil art" will go on display in the glass cabinet between the lunch room and the auditorium.

On Tuesday, morning, the students began swim classes again. (I am unable to post photos as pictures are not allowed to be taken in the pool area.) On Tuesday afternoon, the class went to the auditorium to see the play, "Head a Tete", a play in English and French about cooperation and friendship.

Finally, on a sad note, Mrs. Pickles our frog died over the long weekend. As I reported a few months ago, Mr. Pickles also passed away. So, there was another class discussion about the circle of life. However, on a happy note, the water snail laid some eggs! (Please see the photo in the "update" posting). I've seen snails lay eggs before and some simply dry out and were not viable. But one year, the eggs hatched and we had hundreds of baby snails! Let's see what happens this time...

Books read aloud this week:

The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond
Pelle's New Suit by Elsa Beskow
Rumpelstiltskin retold by Edith H. Tarcov

Update from Ms. R

The homework for this week is to complete the science reading comprehension worksheet on water in the environment and the math sheet reviewing written numbers from 0-100. This homework is due on Friday, April 26th.

Notes for Parents:

1. The pool has now reopened. Our swim class time is on DAY 2. Due to the recent holidays, Day 2 is now on TUESDAY of each week. Our next swim time is this Tuesday, April 23rd. PLEASE SEND SWIM GEAR WITH YOUR CHILD WHEN THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL ON TUESDAY. 

2. Our 100 Books Party is next week! We need food and snacks for 280 guests. We have permission from the principal to bring in food for this celebration. This is the only time of the year that I ask for contributions from families. Please send food snacks that can be eaten by hand. With so many guests we can't have plates or cutlery. Good choices are cookies, mini-muffins, chips, popcorn, cut up vegetables and fruit. Please send 2-3 bags of chips or other snacks. We can start to store the snacks in the classroom this week. THANKS!

Important Dates:

MAY 1 - 100 BOOKS PARTY! (morning)
May 2 - Author Susan Aguillo visits our school.
May 14 - Jump Rope for Heart - fundraiser for the Heart & Stroke Foundation
May 16 - Spring Concert (evening) - Our class will be performing.
May 20 - Victoria Day - no classes on this day
June 7 - P.A. Day - no classes on this day
June 27 - Last day of classes for the 2018-2019 school year

The Room 222 Interview Show - Episode 9

This week our guest was Mr. Pearce. He is a supply teacher at our school.