Investigating Small Crawling and Flying Things

After visiting our school garden, we were filled with new questions about the creepy crawlies of the world.

"What do beetles eat?"

"Where do bugs go in the winter?"

"How long do ants live?"

Putting on our entomologist hats we continued to investigate these questions and others, through scientific sketching, and reading many informational and non-informational texts. We also wrote in various ways, and used our mathematical skills to count the many insects and arachnids around Glendale School. 

  

Exploring Our School Garden

As the season began to change, we went outside to explore the school garden.  

What small crawling and flying creatures live there?

Where can you find them?

What are they doing?

We pretended we were little entomologists, studying the smallest animals of our planet.  We used magnifying glasses to observe the small creatures up close and used pictures and words to document our observations.  

                                                 

Home Reading

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." ~ Emilie Buchwald

We were so excited to get our home reading bags and fill them with "just right books."  Each day we will choose two leveled books that are not too easy and not too hard.  We spent time in class learning how to choose a "just right book".   It is tricky to do and it might take us a few weeks to get it right!  We are looking for books that we are interested in and have some words that we can read on our own.  When we read with you at home, we will practice the reading strategies we use in class.  Reading for even 5-10 minutes a day will help me become a much better reader - and writer!

Reading Strategy of the Week: Use the Pictures!!!

The illustrations and photos in a book help to tell the story and share information.  When I come to a word I don't know, looking at the picture sometimes helps to figure it out.

Story

"There is no greater power on this earth than story. "- Libba Bray

This year we will embark on a journey to explore the power of story. Our inquiry will be guided by these three overarching ideas: 

1. Everyone has a story and everyone's story matters.

2. The stories from the past impact stories in the present and in the future. 

3. Stories have the power to create change.

To begin, our learning community came together to discuss our feelings, thoughts, and wonderings. It was an exciting conversation, these were some of things that were said:

"Stories are for sharing."

"Stories teach us new things."

"Stories can make us feel happy, curious, sad, and excited." 

"When you read a good book, it makes you want to read more."

"There are lots of different kinds stories."

"Stories can take us to different places."

These were some of the questions asked:

"How do stories get made?"

"How does the author come up with an idea?"

"How do you get your own story?"

"How do the author and illustrator work together?"

"How do stories help us?"

The Story of Terry Fox

"Who was Terry Fox?"

"Why is Terry Fox so important?" 

"What is cancer? If you have cancer do you have to stay away from other people?"

"What do they do with the money we raise?"

We have been learning about Terry Fox and the important role he played in 

raising awareness about cancer.

We have read stories, watched videos and participated in conversations about Terry's life and his Marathon of Hope. 

We have learned interesting facts about his story and used our new knowledge to help us communicate our understandings, thoughts and feelings.

On September 30th, we participated in a school-wide run for the Terry Fox foundation. Our whole school ran 1280 kms and we raised over $600!

Have a look at what we've done! 

Running for Terry

Counting our laps (1 lap = 500m)

Sketching Terry