November - Week 2
This week we explored the boardwalk between the Minden Library and the river, a place we haven't seen since the summer. The students noticed the cattails were brown and their seedheads were exploding with fluff just like the milkweeds. They were particularly fascinated by the evidence of beaver activity: trees felled, branches stockpiled, dams and canals everywhere. And they were surprised to see a thin layer of ice on top of the mud.
Then we prepared for Remembrance Day by reading books and watching a powerpoint about the involvement of Canada's soldiers in various wars. We made paper poppies and "matman" soldiers. Although Wednesday's assembly was long, KA students sat quietly, listening and watching carefully, and were able to respond to the day's learning with detailed pictures in their journals later that afternoon.
The following day we celebrated Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. We played with geometric shapes on the light table, creating pictures and patterns, made our letter of the day with LiteBrite, and ate basmati rice and dal (curried lentil stew). We tried lighting sparklers, but it was too wet and windy, so we sent them home with the students. Hope you were more successful than we were!!
We worked on patterns, asking questions to the students with a Wocket in their Pocket, our letters of the week - M and N, reading and writing, and, as is evident in the photos, positive social skills (sharing, taking turns, cooperating, being kind and helpful). KA kids also got to read with their Grade 7/8 buddies, a highlight of the week.
Then we prepared for Remembrance Day by reading books and watching a powerpoint about the involvement of Canada's soldiers in various wars. We made paper poppies and "matman" soldiers. Although Wednesday's assembly was long, KA students sat quietly, listening and watching carefully, and were able to respond to the day's learning with detailed pictures in their journals later that afternoon.
The following day we celebrated Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. We played with geometric shapes on the light table, creating pictures and patterns, made our letter of the day with LiteBrite, and ate basmati rice and dal (curried lentil stew). We tried lighting sparklers, but it was too wet and windy, so we sent them home with the students. Hope you were more successful than we were!!
We worked on patterns, asking questions to the students with a Wocket in their Pocket, our letters of the week - M and N, reading and writing, and, as is evident in the photos, positive social skills (sharing, taking turns, cooperating, being kind and helpful). KA kids also got to read with their Grade 7/8 buddies, a highlight of the week.