Not at a snail’s pace!

Although the days have become chilly, your kids are showing heartwarming insights as we talk about the importance of  learning to solve problems in peaceful ways. And in this context we made some music, and did some art connected to Remembrance Day. We explored the topic of ‘service’ and people who serve our country. We also explored how animals such as elephants, and horses, dogs and birds that can do many tasks to help people. Science this week involved learning about the main parts of flowers that grow from bulbs, and we got our hands dirty planting tulips and daffodils. We have discussed the sort of habitat a small creature such as a snail needs to be safe and find food. Some of us have started learning how to make felt fabric out of wool, or how to sew a simple fabric flower. Both groups will go further with the science of fiber over the coming weeks and months as well. For this project I am hoping to offset allotment spending by seeking for donations of old flat cotton bedsheets and old clean cotton towels….and a couple rolling pins. Any donations welcome. Another upcoming interdisciplinary project involves using acorns…if you live near an oak tree, please consider collecting 25-50 clean acorns; preferably acorns that still have their little ‘cap’ on top. I will also appreciate the ‘caps’ themselves, as well as small twigs.

For Science/Social Studies/Art will be studying our class pet snails quite closely over the coming months. If you would like to have a few of these snails at home to enable closer examination, please send your child to school over the next few days with a clean glass jar with a lid, and 1 or 2 layers of clean rocks in the jar. These small aquatic snails eat algae and are very low maintenance. They are large enough to see their body parts without being so large that they need a lot of space. They actually move about quite a bit and are quite fascinating! They do not need a filter or a heater. They DO need a space near a window to get sunlight to help the algae grow; but not so much light as to raise the temperature above room temperature. They will eat algae from the rocks in the jar, as well as tiny amounts of mushy lettuce/spinach from the edge of your kitchen compost! The rocks should be larger than peas, but smaller than olives. Please rinse the rocks to ensure no mud, but double rinse to ensure there is no soap in the jar. I will provide the snails, and aquarium water, water plants, and a few rocks from our tank to inoculate the algae growing process.

If you have not already done so, please go to the calendar on the blog to choose a time for a Portfolio meeting. Incidentally, I have permission to share some (anonymous) examples that may help clarify the expectations for Interim submissions for our Intermediate students going forward.

Please spread the word: The waitlist for new registrations is now open. People can find the application for on the Blog site or email me at lbaker@vsb.bc.ca.

 

 

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