Windseekers!

Today we continued our experiment about what object in the classroom could produce the most amount of wind. We followed the scientific method.

Question:  What device creates the fastest wind?
Hypothesis:  I think...
Observations: What did you see happen?
Results:  Accept or reject hypothesis and why?

 Yesterday the students tested their hypothesis by attempting to blow a straw on a string, but there was very little success.  Today, we tested our hypothesis again with pinwheels (thank you Wendy Hall!).  Very interesting observations were made during this!  CH noticed that when she moved her folders side to side, there wasn't much wind, but when they moved up and down, it created more.  She believes it's because she was moving the wind away from the pinwheel the first way.  DS couldn't get his paper fan to move the pinwheel when facing forward, so he attempted to fan it from the side.  He then discovered that his object was not as effective for making wind as it kept falling over.  NB's result was that his paper ripped when using his number scroll and that was the problem for creating more wind.  AD and JE tried running, but AD felt his legs were creating the wind, and the pinwheel was up towards his chest.  JE thought they just needed more space to run and could create a better wind. They rejected their hypothesis and decided a fan was the best object.  Here are some pictures taken during their experiement.  Their experiment sheet will go home on Friday for you to look over.

A Map of Ourselves

We are SO lucky to have Katy come in and teach us to appreciate art, as well as learn art techniques.  We have done art associated with feelings and music.  This week, we did self portraits, incorporating our understanding about placements on maps, and introducing scale.  The medium used was oil pastels.  Enjoy!

Map studies

Last week, the Sharks were cut loose and asked to create a "map," to include symbols and a legend.  It was amazing the different maps that were created, and how much time they used (they worked diligintly for over an hour!).  In the end, we had four different types of maps to share with the group. 

Math continues to go well if the Sharks have access to manipulatives to model the process of regouping.  It get a little tricky when they have to show their work on paper.  We will continue to work on this skill as well as continuing using a thermometer for our weather tracker.

We had a great art lesson last friday from a Shark parent.  She incorporated music into the creation of art using circles, pastels, and string.  The final product will be hung up this week in the class.  I invite you come see it!

I have put spelling lists on hold for the moment.  The needs vary dramatically within the group, so  I am addressing their individual needs in the classroom. 

Budding Meteorologists!

Happy New Year!

We have hit the ground running this week.  We are beginning our new topics of study relating to maps and weather.  The Sharks have already had so much fun just looking at maps, and learning how to use the fun meteorologist tools! 

This week I introduced subtraction with regrouping.  If you have pennies, legos, etc. that could be used to represent groups of 10 and 1's for homework, it would really help.  Overall, if the manipulatives are out, the Sharks have a great grasp of the concept of borrowing a group of ten to subtract the ones (regrouping the math world).

Sharks share their Community Projects

Thank you to all the families that came out to see your Shark's wonderful project of how they are a piece of our community.  It was a great turnout and we had lots of fun!  Students from other classes also came to see our presentation and they were so positive and overall showed great interest and enthusiasm for our younger students.  Here are few pictures from that afternoon.

Seabury Students Spreading Holiday Cheer

A few weeks ago, the Seabury students gathered and made homemade holiday cards for residents at the Frank Tobey Jones retirement home.  A few sharks, as well as a few from each class joined me today as we sang carols and passed out our cards.  The students had a great time, and the residents lit up with all the young and happy faces.  Here is a few pictures of our morning.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I know all of you are probably running around more than usual, and believe, the Sharks are feeling the same way in school.  We have been doing a lot of writing around the winter holidays, and are currently publishing one piece using Microsoft PowerPoint.  Math groups are working on 2-digit addition problems with regrouping.  Reading groups are finishing up their chapter books before the holidays.  On Thursday we have our music performance and today the students travelled downtown for a dress rehearsal.  (For good seating, the Sharks will be standing to the left of the stage to sing and will be playing instruments in the middle). 

Next Friday we have early dissmissal for the Winter Vacation, and we will be having a holiday party that morning.  Please contact our class representative if you would like to help out.