Field Trip with our Pen Pals!

Team 24,

So I finally sent our field trip photos to my computer, after hoping for an easier route and failing- I am hoping this justifies me getting a new phone pretty soon ;)

So here they are! Candids from our amazing field trip adventure last Thursday:

 We started the day at the Golf Dome to meet our pen pals for the FIRST time!

 A game with our pen pals:

After playing mini-golf like hockey, students finished a 45 minute game in 15minutes. Needless to say, we had some downtime with our pen pals. Here we are colouring doodle sheets and working through puzzle booklets while enjoying a snack: 

Next we headed to the Children's Nature Playground at the Assiniboine Park for lunch and to play with our pen pals:

Possibly the best candid of the day

Despite the heat and humid, we had a great time! Thanks to our pen pals from Salibury Morse Place in River East Transcona!!

~Ms. Burland

It's that time of year again...

It's that time of year again, when I receive lovely, aromatic bouquets of Dandelions each day!

Entomologists at Work

Dear Team 24 Families,

Team 24 is full of budding entomologists! Students have been observing and caring for their Painted Lady Butterfly larvae and geez, they are growing quickly! Next week will be exciting as our larvae will most likely be ready for the next stage in their life cycle. STAY TUNED!

Previously, we have been observing the larvae with the lids off the vials using magnifying glasses. They were too delicate to handle so we learned to estimate their length with our rulers while they remained safely in their vials. 

Friday was the first time we gently removed our larvae from their vials.We discussed how to carefully do this in order to be respectful to these amazing living creatures. Removing them with a large popsicle stick ensured we did not get the "school germs" from our hands onto our critters and prevented anyone from pinching or squishing them. Without carefully handling their larvae and keeping a close eye on them, students discussed how quickly the larvae could wander away and that that would be a cruel end to our larvae as they are not equipped to survive in our classroom. 

Here are some pictures of the entomologists measuring and record the changes in their log books.

~Ms. Burland

Our Final Theme Studies Unit starts…. NOW!

Team 24 Families,

Time to start another exciting study! Our final Theme Studies unit is entitled Life Cycles (Growth and Changes in Animals).

Throughout our exploration, students will observe and care for frog eggs and butterfly larvae! Here is the frog egg mass we received: 

After a few issues with the early arrival and lack of instructions, our frog eggs did not flourish. We will receive a replacement batch this upcoming week. Fingers crossed, we have a better outcome. Nevertheless, this was still a learning opportunity… we were able to discuss the challenges frogs have continuing their life cycle in their natural environment.  

Here are some pictures of us preparing the Painted Lady butterfly larvae. We discussed ethical care of our living organisms and how to provide the best environment for their growth and development. More pictures to come!

I LOVE this unit and hopefully the students will too :)

~Ms. Burland

Artists Galore!

Team 24 Families,

It's that time of the year again, TIA time! Time to learn through The Integrated Arts, our fantastic opportunity to merge our classroom learning with an art form. This time, we are working with Daina, a performer and mime! During three sessions with Daina, we will explore stages in our life cycle and the need for healthy eating for growth and development. 

Here is Daina leading us through the rules of mime:

Sadly, Daina has had some back issues and we have had to post-pone our final 2 sessions with her. Hopefully we will see her again within the next couple of weeks!

Later that day, students met Michael, a Metis soapstone carver! Students were successfully able to follow step-by-step instructions while infusing their carving with their our creativity to make 2 soapstone carvings. Students did a great job! We may have some future artists in our midst!

~Ms. Burland

Volunteer Tea 2014