Welcome back!
It sounds like many of the P1 families had some great adventures and also found time to relax over March Break.
Today, we started a visual arts project to support Earth Hour. Earth Hour is a worldwide event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Households and businesses are encouraged to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change.
This year's Earth Hour is Saturday, March 23 at 8:30 p.m. Swansea will hold our own Earth Hour Friday, March 22 from 2-3 p.m.
Earth Hour 2013 Official Video
Monday, 18 March 2013
Friday, 1 March 2013
More Messy Science
We wrapped up our unit on rocks and minerals with a few quick hands-on activities today.
The first was our graham cracker earthquakes. The graham crackers represented the tectonic plates (part of the earth's crust) and we used blobs of white icing as the earth's mantle. The experiment demonstrates the forces that create earthquakes. It also shows the tension that can build up before a quake and the resultant debris created along a fault.
Our grand finale was the baking soda-vinegar volcano. Though it doesn't really demonstrate a true volcanic reaction, it was a fun way to wrap it all up.
I promised the students I would post the directions so they can, with permission, try a larger volcano at home (I kept them quite small and contained -- minimal cleanup!)
So, here they are:
1/4 cup vinegar (up to a cup if you have a large bottle)
2 tablespoons baking soda
jello granules (about a tsp or two; add more if you want more colour)
Mix the baking soda and jello crystals and use a funnel to get the mixture in the bottle. That's it. When you're ready for the erupting volcano, use a funnel to pour all the vinegar into the bottle at once, then take the funnel out quickly. The key is to get all the vinegar into to bottle as fast as possible and move out of the way. It won't explode, but lava bubbles do ooze out pretty fast once the reaction starts.
Have fun!
The first was our graham cracker earthquakes. The graham crackers represented the tectonic plates (part of the earth's crust) and we used blobs of white icing as the earth's mantle. The experiment demonstrates the forces that create earthquakes. It also shows the tension that can build up before a quake and the resultant debris created along a fault.
Our grand finale was the baking soda-vinegar volcano. Though it doesn't really demonstrate a true volcanic reaction, it was a fun way to wrap it all up.
I promised the students I would post the directions so they can, with permission, try a larger volcano at home (I kept them quite small and contained -- minimal cleanup!)
So, here they are:
1/4 cup vinegar (up to a cup if you have a large bottle)
2 tablespoons baking soda
jello granules (about a tsp or two; add more if you want more colour)
Mix the baking soda and jello crystals and use a funnel to get the mixture in the bottle. That's it. When you're ready for the erupting volcano, use a funnel to pour all the vinegar into the bottle at once, then take the funnel out quickly. The key is to get all the vinegar into to bottle as fast as possible and move out of the way. It won't explode, but lava bubbles do ooze out pretty fast once the reaction starts.
Have fun!
Monday, 25 February 2013
Wear Pink on Wednesday
Just a reminder that Wednesday is our Pink Day. Students are asked to wear pink in support of anti-bullying. The entire school will participate in an assembly Wednesday morning where the Grade 4s (and Grade 3) will perform Stand Up (Make Some Noise.)
Also, another reminder to send your contact information to our classroom parent Kathy Richmond (kathy@nafor.com) if you haven't already done so. Thanks!
This week's dictée sentences are on the dictée page.
Bonne semaine!
Also, another reminder to send your contact information to our classroom parent Kathy Richmond (kathy@nafor.com) if you haven't already done so. Thanks!
This week's dictée sentences are on the dictée page.
Bonne semaine!
Friday, 15 February 2013
Make Some Noise!!
Good news!
The Character Education assembly has been rescheduled so that we will be able to participate. I am attaching two links to Stand Up (Make Some Noise): the official video and a second copy of the video that has the lyrics. There are some spelling and grammar mistakes in the second video, but it gives you a starting point to learn the song.
Practise, practise, practise and we'll show Ms Vlassis what great performers you are at the next Grade 4 choir practice!
Stand Up (Make Some Noise) -- official video
Stand Up (Make Some Noise) -- lyrics
Stand up and make some noise! :)
If you see this link, please let other P1 students know. Not everyone checks the website regularly. Merci!
The Character Education assembly has been rescheduled so that we will be able to participate. I am attaching two links to Stand Up (Make Some Noise): the official video and a second copy of the video that has the lyrics. There are some spelling and grammar mistakes in the second video, but it gives you a starting point to learn the song.
Practise, practise, practise and we'll show Ms Vlassis what great performers you are at the next Grade 4 choir practice!
Stand Up (Make Some Noise) -- official video
Stand Up (Make Some Noise) -- lyrics
Stand up and make some noise! :)
If you see this link, please let other P1 students know. Not everyone checks the website regularly. Merci!
Get Connected
Swansea School Counci is starting up a class coordinator program.
Each class coordinator is a parent in your child's class who will help the teacher and school council communicate with parents and recruit volunteers as needed. They will also collect and share contact information with parents.
Our coordinator is Kathy Richmond, Hannah's mom. If you want to be on the class list, please email Kathy with the following information:
Kathy's email address is kathy@nafor.com.
Each class coordinator is a parent in your child's class who will help the teacher and school council communicate with parents and recruit volunteers as needed. They will also collect and share contact information with parents.
Our coordinator is Kathy Richmond, Hannah's mom. If you want to be on the class list, please email Kathy with the following information:
- Your child's name
- Your name
- Your phone number
- Your email address
Kathy's email address is kathy@nafor.com.
Friday, 8 February 2013
Buses cancelled, schools open
As of 6:00 this morning, TDSB has cancelled buses but the schools will remain open.
Updates will be posted here: TDSB main page
Updates will be posted here: TDSB main page
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Let it snow, let it snow...
Bonne fête Gian.
Enviornment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the city of Toronto. Parents and/or students can check a variety of sources in the morning for bus and school updates:
The Weather Network
The TDSB main page
CP24 and Breakfast Television both carry updates on air and on their websites.
I will try to post any updates here, as well.
Stay safe if you are on the roads tonight, and I hope to see everyone in the morning.
Enviornment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the city of Toronto. Parents and/or students can check a variety of sources in the morning for bus and school updates:
The Weather Network
The TDSB main page
CP24 and Breakfast Television both carry updates on air and on their websites.
I will try to post any updates here, as well.
Stay safe if you are on the roads tonight, and I hope to see everyone in the morning.
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