February 2 - 6

This week I surprised the students with our newest tank addition: frogs! We got two african dwarf frogs and they have been a joy to watch and learn about! We learned that they live fully underwater but have lungs not gills and every few minutes they will jump to the top of the tank for air and come back down again. We added a new piece of decoration to give them more hiding spots too. 

We also had our first buddies of the year! We got together with our ALP classroom to read some books and play centers. Our class demonstrated such patience, understanding and caring towards their buddies and are very much looking forward to visiting again soon! 

Learning Intentions:

• Grade 3:

• I can describe the geometric properties of regular and irregular polygons.

• I can sort polygons according to geometric properties and describe the sorting rule.

• I can classify polygons as regular or irregular, using geometric properties.

• Grade 4:

• I can investigate geometric properties.

• I can identify relationships between the sides of a polygon, including parallel, equal length, or perpendicular, by measuring.

• I can identify relationships between angles at vertices of a polygon, including equal, supplementary, and complementary, by measuring.

We have learned about geometric properties, angles, shapes, and have encountered a lot of new math vocabulary. We have learned about the different types of angles, lines, and the ways they can come together to form polygons. Grade 4s dusted off the protractors and measured angles, learning about complementary and supplementary angles. Next week we will begin to demonstrate our learning through an art piece.

Learning Intentions:

• Grade 3: 

• I can explain and discuss how plants use their senses to respond to sensory stimuli, including water, food, temperature, and light.

• Grade 4: 

• I can identify the external structures of plants (roots, stems, leaves, flowers) and relate them to their functions.

• I can discuss how plants detect sensory stimuli such as light, gravity, temperature, and touch which will help them grow and survive.

This week we started learning about plants! We reviewed the parts of a plant and the plant life cycle. Then we learned what the different parts of a plant's functions are in order for it to survive. We then started growing our very own plants with mystery seeds! The students made predictions of what they think their seeds might grow based on the shape, size, color, hardness and similarities to others seeds they are familiar with. We are germinating them in ziplocs on our windows and are very patiently waiting for the first growth to appear. The students have been taking great care of them so far, making sure their bags are damp and receiving enough sunlight!