Signs of Spring

Today was one of those days that help us learn that sometimes plans change.  We were scheduled to go to visit Loutet Farm today and at the last minute, that was changed because the farm leader was not able to make it.  So we decided to go for a walk and look at the farm any way to see what kinds of things we could see.  On the way, one of our classmates was sick, so we returned to the school to take care of him and then we headed out again.  We were left with only a little bit of time because we had to be back in time for Music.  So, we walked through the gardens behind the school and looked for signs of spring.  In a very short time, we found quite a few interesting things ….

snowdrops blooming

leaves emerging from the ground

snails coming our of hibernation

crocuses!

buds on branches 

We spent our time between recess and lunch in a frenzy of painting fun!  We put beaks, feet, bellies and eyes on our potato print penguins.

and we painted an icy blue background for them

Reminder: tomorrow is library day.

Groundhog Day!

We were pretty excited to find out if the groundhog saw his shadow this morning.  Many kids had already listened to some reports before arriving at school.  We watched Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog in Pennsylvania) and saw that he did not see his shadow (early Spring, yeah!) and then we watched a short video telling us more about groundhogs.  We read several stories and made decorated a little groundhog poem with a groundhog puppet that pops in and out of his burrow.  

Tomorrow is Pp sharing day and we are going to be going to Loutet Farm.  Please dress your child for the weather.

Reminder: this Friday is a Professional Development Day (no school for students) and Monday is Family Day (no school for anyone).  

New Gym Game and Buddies

We played a new game in gym today.  I call it "Mountains and Valleys" and there are two teams (yep, the "mountains" and the "valleys").  The goal is to have the most cones for your team.  So, the cones are spread around the gym, half mountains, half valleys and the teams flip the cones.  When the whistle blows, we stop and count all the mountains and valleys.

this is a valley

this is a mountain 

This was our first time paying a gym game where there is a team that wins.  We had a long talk about what is most important in gym: that we give our best effort, that we have fun, that we follow the rules, that we move our bodies and that we have good sportsmanship.  Winning and losing isn't something that we should worry about and certainly not something that we should make others feel badly about.  There were a few people who felt badly because their team didn't have the most cones, so we practiced saying things like "I had fun playing with you" and "wow, you really worked hard".  We'll keep practicing.

After gym we got together with our grade 3 buddies and Mrs. Mitchell had a great activity for us to do. We really worked on our cutting skills today and made some lovely Valentine's mobiles.  (We also practiced saying "ValentiNe's not ValentiMe's).  They are hanging in our classroom.  Come and take a look!

I only have photos of half of our class because the other half was working in Mrs. Mitchell's class.  You can check the Brooksbank website for Mrs. Mitchell's blog address.  There may be some photos of the other half there sometime soon.

A asked the kids to keep their ears peeled for any news on the groundhog tomorrow.  Most of us are hoping he doesn't see his shadow!  We'll find out tomorrow!

Oh, just a little heads up, we are going to be visiting Loutet Farm on Wednesday….check the weather forecast and dress your children accordingly!  Boots are a must!  I'l remind you again tomorrow.