Exploring Nature

We have reflected many times on how lucky we are to have such a beautiful new school with many great learning spaces.  Our outdoor spaces are just as beautiful!  Unlike many schools we are privileged to have a pond close by which allows for lots of wonder and exploration.  We love to walk over and observe the seasonal changes throughout the year.  Some students draw what they see, while others write down what they see, smell, hear and feel. We even have a few students who are in charge of documenting what we see by taking some pictures.  

Prior to going on our nature walk, we discussed what the signs of Fall were and brainstormed a list of what we may see.  We read some books to gather more ideas about Fall and possibly spark some new wonders.  Once at the pond, students were excited to share what they noticed.  Our students were not the only ones who were curious...the geese came up from the water to pose for some pictures and spent quite a bit of time just looking at us!  Students wondered what the geese were thinking while they watched us!!

Mix it Up - A Look at Colours

Our students express interest in many topics throughout the day.  One of the interests that emerged and remained fairly consistent is a fascination with rainbows and colours.  We decided to take a closer look at colour and colour mixing.  

At first, we became creative while using the primary colours - red, yellow, and blue.  Beautiful paintings were being made and some discussion developed around the need for other colours.  Some children found that other colours were created when paint was accidentally mixed!  Several Sk students gathered around and explained some key points to the Jk students: 

yellow + blue = green

blue + red = purple

red + yellow = orange

We decided to experiment using coloured water. Food colouring and water were mixed to make the primary colours.  Using the primary colours the students helped us to mix some of the colours to see what would happen.  Secondary colours were created!  We now had our very own rainbow made from the original 3 primary colours! 

A curious student asked: what happens if we mix all the primary colours together? "We made black!"

What do you think will happen if we place paper towel over rainbow jars and allow the paper towel to dip in each colour? 

“We will have a rainbow snake!” EF

“The paper towel will soak up water and the colour will go on the paper towel” CW

“Maybe it will be like tie dye” AA

When water is ‘sucked’ up by the paper towel we learned that this is because the water is being absorbed.  Students immediately began using the word absorbed when describing what they were seeing.  As the day went on the students spent quite a bit of time observing and wondering what would happen next with the water and colours.  

What do you think will happen if we placed one side of paper towel in the yellow water and the other side in the empty jar?  What if we placed another piece of paper towel in the blue water and the other end in the empty jar? 

“Maybe something will turn green?” 

Teacher: What do you think will turn green? 

“I don’t know!  There is no water to change colour”

Teacher: Let’s try and see what happens!

Students were fascinated that the water was absorbed into the paper towel and began filling the empty middle jar.  Since water was coming from both the yellow and blue jars the result was green water!  

As we continued to experiment with colour we shared in another experiment.  Using some common household items together with the class we set up the experiment then questioned the students as to what they thought would happen next.  

Baking soda was poured into empty jars.  Then coloured vinegar was slowly poured into each jar at the same time.  The mixture erupted and overflowed - as the coloured liquids began mixing a new colour formed.  We now had some purple forming in the middle of the container.  

We look forward to more colour exploration as the year continues! 

Around the Bend Farm

Rain or shine we were heading to the farm!  Students and fabulous parent volunteers came to school dressed for the rain and were determined to have a wonderful time on our field trip. Although it appeared Mother Nature was not on our side and the rain was coming down hard, we caught a break and it barely rained on us!

It was such a pleasure to watch the students engage in all aspects of the trip.  They enjoyed all of the hands on experiences and learning opportunities provided by the farm.  Some even wished that we could move our school to the farm!  

We visited the green house and had the chance to plant some seeds.  Each student planted a sunflower seed, 2 types of corn, and romaine lettuce.  Then they learned that Marigold flowers are a farmers friend as they help to keep insects away because their leaves taste bitter.  We also learned that despite the green house being white everything inside is green and that is where it gets its name.  Over the course of the week students have been sharing with the class that some plants are growing strong!

Students then had a lesson about bees.  We saw many pictures that illustrated the process of how honey is made, saw some of the clothing and tools used by a beekeeper, followed by a yummy taste of honey.  

Next up on our adventure was a bumpy wagon ride!!

While on a bush walk we learned about some of the special plants that were growing around us like the Trillium Flower, as well as, some of the animals that would be found within the bush.

Our final stop at the farm was to see some baby animals.  They were so cute and we even had the chance to touch some of them.  Some of the animals we saw were: baby chicks, poults (baby turkeys), kids (baby goats), baby lambs, bunnies, baby cows, and baby pigs.

Our trip was a HUGE success and no rain was going to hold us back!
Thank you to the parent volunteers who helped make the day so much fun!