Before we head to the Coquitlam Watershed on an exciting field trip, we will be learning more about what watersheds are. These ecosystems are vital, as ultimately water flowing through this area ends up becoming the water we use for drinking, washing our hands, cooking and bathing. This week we looked at satellite maps of our area and located different landforms and landmarks. We found mountains, rivers, lakes and cities.  We even found Trout Lake using the SkyTrain line as a reference!

We are exploring the following in conjunction to the watershed visit:

• Monthly water use versus water demand,
• Daily water use within our household,
• Water cycle,
• Studying satellite maps to see how water travels from our mountains to our rivers, lakes and watersheds,
• Seeing how water travels from our watershed to our homes and buildings.

Metro Vancouver has implemented Stage 2 water restrictions already in our area. This is because we had very little snow over the winter, especially in the local mountains, which will reduce the amount of water ending up in the reservoir for local use. We must greatly reduce our water use now so that we can conserve water for the hot, dry summer months.

https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/understanding-watering-restrictions.aspx

It’s hard to believe that an area with so much rain can be short of water! Can you think of one thing you can do in your home to conserve water?

This term both classes are learning more about 2D and 3D shapes in our Geometry Unit. We are learning to name the shapes using a fun game. This week, the intermediates also tackled word problems in geometry. Check out some of our work!

We welcomed “Growing Chefs” back in our classroom. The radishes we planted last week are already sprouting! We learned about food preservation, local and global food, and expanding our palates by trying new food.  We tasted several preserved items such as pickled onions, dried apples, and mangoes.

After, we learned about knife safety.  Discuss “claw” and ‘bridge” cutting with your child. We used these skills to grate carrots and cut cucumbers for pickling. See our process in the photos.

We also welcomed Brian from “Let’s Talk Science” back to our class. This week we learned about electricity – currents, circuits, and electrons that move through a conductor. We discussed the need for creating a “circle” for our circuits so that electricity can flow. We learned the difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit. Then, we had a chance to make several electric circuits. After experimenting with circuits, we were tasked with several challenges. It was a fun, hands-on way of learning about electricity!

Other Learning Opportunities:

Join Sierra Club BC for their “Learn to Draw” to kick off summer! For this webinar, they will be diving in the deep end to talk about incredible migrating marine mammals. Together, you will learn all about humpback whales!

Join scientific illustrator Dr. Julius Csotonyi and Sierra Club BC for a guided art lesson where you’ll learn how to draw these whales and discuss the pressures that they face throughout their ocean travels! If you register, you can watch the webinar at a later time.

Register here to weave art and science together on Thursday, May 21 at 1 p.m. (PT)!