February Update

The students have been very busy throughout this month. Here are just a few of the highlights:

The 3's did a fantastic job creating and organizing a very successful winter carnival for all of our grade 1, 2, and 3 students. All of the students had a terrific time and enjoyed the hot chocolate treat at the end of the carnival. Well done!

We continue to investigate different points of view using fairy tales and the students are creating some very influential arguments for our Fairy Tale Court scheduled for the end of the month. Parents: please check your child's agenda for a "jury duty summons" this Friday.

The students are also extending their point of view study to the Arts. Students will be designing props and sets and performing in three different fairy tales for our kindergarten classes. All of our actors and narrators are working hard to add expression and body language to bring the performances "to life."

Math: We have completed our study of time, temperature, and length and will be moving on to three dimensional solids. Students will be constructing solids using a variety of materials. Use of correct mathematical terminology: face, edge, vertex, etc. will be emphasized as students compare and contrast 2-d and 3-d shapes.

The students will be participating in an international web based math contest called World Maths Day on March 1st. All students will be given a user name and password to log in and practise prior to the live event. The math contest allows students to build mental math skills. Students are matched according to age and performance level. We will be using the math contest as an opportunity to enhance our geography and time zone knowledge through mapping the countries opponents live in and graphing results.

Science: With spring approaching, we are focusing on our study of plants and soils. The students will "kick off" our plants unit through the examination of our personal Eco-footprints and how day to day living is affecting the environment. The students have voted to enter an Eco voyageurs contest in which they will examine the local neighbourhood and develop strategies for reducing our impact on the local environment. We will continue our environmental impact study through the participation in the Tomatosphere project. We will be growing tomato seeds from a simulated space environment and a control group and posting our results along with students across the continent. The goal is to find a sustainable food source for astronauts travelling to Mars.

Social Studies: We are combining our study of Eco-footprints and urban and rural. Students will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of urban and rural living. Each student will be asked to select the community that he/she would choose to live in a as an adult and support his/ her choice using evidence from our class investigations. Students will also examine international urban and rural areas through our participation in World Maths Day.


Awards assembly: Our awards assembly will be held on March 1, 2011. Award winners will be notified the week of February 22, 2011.