Balloon Rocket!

As scientists, we are learning about air.  Our recent experiments have all shown us something about the properties of air.
Last week, we blew up a balloon and let it go.  As we all predicted, the balloon flew all around the classroom and then fell to the floor. We know that the air inside a balloon is crowded and squishy and it just wants to get out of the balloon as fast as possible.
This week, we made a Balloon Rocket.  We put a long string through a short straw and tied the string to a chair.  Then we taped a blown-up balloon to the straw.  When we let the balloon go, the balloon and the straw rocketed all the way down to the far end of the string.  We used air to power our rocket!
Many of us predicted that the balloon would pop along the way but luckily it didn't.  We were able to repeat the experiment over and over again.

Ready,  Set ....

Go!

It didn't even pop!

(Sorry about the rotation...I can't seem to rotate it!)

Try it at home!

Supplies Needed:

4 ft of string or thread

1 balloon

1 straw (cut in half)

two pieces of scotch tape

Method:

Tie one end of the string to a chair leg

Feed the other end of the string through the straw

Blow up the balloon and tape it securely to the straw

Hold on to the free end of the string and let go!

We're Thinking About You, Ms. Croonen!

Each week, we have Writer's Workshop time.  The students are given a topic to draw and write about.  They draw for 10 minutes, they colour for 10 minutes and then they write for 10 minutes.  Writing may look like adult handwriting (squiggles or loops) or it may be a string of letters they know.  Sometimes students write their name or other words found around the room.
This week, we wrote about Ms. Croonen. A month has passed since she moved to Valley View Elementary and not a day goes by when her name isn't mentioned.  We decided to write about her, in hopes that she would see some of our pictures here!

James wrote all the Jolly Phonics letters  he has learned and a picture of Ms. Croonen with a sunflower.

James found lots of words to copy from around the room and remembered most of the alphabet too.

Sadie copied Ms. Croonen's name and spent time colouring the background of her picture.

Keira did adult handwriting and drew a picture of Ms. Croonen.

Lucian drew a giant teddy bear which we had just learned, and  wrote his name and Ms. Croonen's name.

Exploring shapes with Geoboards!

We are exploring shapes by using geoboards (wrapping elastics around pegs on a board). We made animals, houses, 16-frames, ships, stars, and many more creative and awesome shapes! The kids had a great time.

More Pumpkin Patch

Here are a few more photos from our trip:

 

Math in the classroom!

In math, we have been learning a lot about sorting and subitizing. Below are some photos of the kids on Thursday, Nov. 1 demonstrating their learning.

Subitizing is the ability to ‘see’ a small amount of objects and know how many there are without counting. Subitizing is what tells you what number you roll on a six sided dice – most adults no longer have to count the dots after playing board games for a while.

Subitizing is a fundamental skill in the development of students’ understanding of numbers. Students use patterns recognized to discover properties and skills such as counting 1-to-1 correspondence, counting on, composing and decomposing numbers, as well as understanding of arithmetic and place value.spa

Here is a link to a great concentration game that practices subitizing skills - Concentration with Subitizing. The kids have really developed their ability to subitize and it has been exciting to watch them learn!  Have your child teach you the game.

Sorting by colour!

Sorting objects by colour!

Playing the concentration - subitizing game!

Sorting dinosaurs by colour!

Pumpkin Patch Fieldtrip

Hi everyone!

The pumpkin patch was a great time for all.  There was plenty of laughter, excitement, and of course, pumpkin picking.  Thank you to those parents that helped on the trip.  Here are some wonderful photos taken by Ethan's mother - I had a difficult time selecting which ones to put on our blog.

Waiting for the bus.

Watching the salmon spawn in the creek beside the school.

                   

                     

                     

                               

On the bus to the pumpkin patch.

                             

In the chicken pen.

Finding our way through the strawbale maze.

Looking for eggs in the chicken barn.

Petting goats!

Pumpkin display at the farm.

Learning about pumpkins from the farmer!

Thanks for the wonderful memories!