Long Time No Blog

So, I've been using a different iPad lately and I'm struggling to import photos.  Somehow I managed to import some of my recent photos today (but I can't seem to figure out how to get the rest onto the computer).  So, here are some of our recent activities.

Saleema Noon was in on tuesday and spoke to all the Kindergarten students together about sexual health.  The students were great audience members, listening well and asking very good questions.

The kids have been really engaged during block play.  I've noticed a huge change in the kinds of structures they are now creating.  They are working together, with a plan in mind and making some really cool things!  

We have also been exploring with mirrors, building on top of mirrors.

Brooksbank's resident scientist came in today to teach us all about what a compass is and how it works and what it is used for.  

He brought in the materials to demonstrate how to make a compass.  First, he showed us how to magnetize a piece of metal (in this case a needle).  Then he put the needle in a sealed piece of drinking straw.  He explained that this was important because otherwise, the needle would sink to the bottom of the bowl of water.  He floated the needle/straw on top of the water and it moved to point North.  

The kindergarteners had lots of questions for our scientist, and he answered them all!

After the demonstration and a few more questions, our scientist showed us some images of different compasses.  Then we went back to our tables and drew a compass, showing what we learned.  If your child is overheard saying "never enter stinky washrooms" don't worry, he/she is just reciting a trick to remember the directions on a compass!

Finally, we moved to the carpet to use some other materials to create a compass.  This one was the result of an outstanding group effort!

Rhena came in and taught us 5 new signs.  Ask your child if he/she can share them with you….

Here are some visuals to help:

water

focus

dirty (fun fact, "dirty" and "pig" are the same sign)

 wash hands

smart (first part, touching forehead with middle finger)

smart (second part, rotating hand away from face)

Hopefully, I'll get this technical challenge under control and resume regular blogging as soon as I can!

Have a great weekend, stay dry!

Baby Beau is Growing!

Baby Beau came for a visit today.  We haven't seen him since before Christmas and he has grown and changed so much.  He can sit up now and hold things by himself.  He likes to put everything in is mouth and he is making lots of different sounds.  Here are some photos of his visit:

After Beau's visit, we went outside to enjoy the beautiful day.

A Day Full of Visitors (and photos!)

Today was quite a day.  We had tennis with Marcus this morning.  It was so much fun, our tennis skills are really improving and the kids continue to concentrate and try their hardest to learn the skills.

Ater recess we had a special scientist come in and teach us all about Magnets.  Ryan from Mrs. Mitchell's class came in to share his knowledge with us and lead us in an experiment. Ryan taught us about the poles of a magnet and how the poles can attract and repell each other.  Then he set out many different objects and asked the Kindergartens to predict which items they thought would be attracted to the magnet and which ones would not.  Then they sorted and talked about their thinking.  Ryan then handed magnets to each group and had them test their predictions.  Then, after we had some time to play, we came to the carpet to talk about our discoveries.  We discovered that some metals are attracted to magnets, but not all.  Finally, Ryan did a really cool demonstration with iron filings and a magnet.  Here are some photos:

We discovered that Ryan had a magnet in his pocket!

Sorting objects, making predictions

testing our predictions

Experimenting with iron filings and a very strong magnet

Iron filings on top of a piece of glass

magnet under the glass

moving the magnet around and watching the pictures appear

After lunch, we were lucky to have another signing lesson from Rhena.  We learned how to sign the words for a winter poem.

"early"

"morning"

"morning"

"snow"

"winter" and "cold" are the same sign

"North"

"blow"

Then, we had MORE visitors!  Our buddy class, Mrs. Nykyforuk's Grade 3s, came in and read us some stories.  What a lovely time we had together.

Phew!  What a great day we've had!