Tuesday 29 September 2015

Living things

Science Big Idea
Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.

We started our inquiry into living things by representing living and non living things using loose parts. We then studied garden clippings, observing the changes that occur as the garden clippings decompose. We are focussing on looking closely at the objects using our thinking, communication and observational skills. We are learning that all living things have important roles in their ecosystem as producers, consumers and decomposers. Each role is important to keep a balance.  We are very interested in creating food chains and webs.  We are learning that everything in nature is interconnected. 

A fish is living because it can breathe and move.

A moose is living.

A rainbow isn't living because it can't move or breathe.

Using the senses to investigate  the September garden clippings.



Using the Zoomy to investigate the lemon decomposing.

Noticing the changes in the sunflower after a week of being in the classroom.

The flowers are drooping and the leaves are very dry.

Researching and creating food chains.

Investigating nature and sorting living things into producers, consumers and decomposers.  What role do trees play?

Sunday 27 September 2015

Beginning story telling

Big Idea in Language Arts
Language and stories can be a source of creativity and joy.

We have been using our creativity, loose parts and oral language skills to retell stories. We started with the story Smelly Louie. Smelly Louie is a great story about a dog that has been bathed in rose water and wants to find his original smell.  He goes on a journey to find his unique smell.  After we finished retelling Smelly Louie we began the read aloud My Father's Dragon.  First we created our own dragons using paint, crayons, sharpies and markers and then we created our own versions of Tangerine Island , using loose parts. Some of us recorded our stories on the iPads.  Next we are going to create the wild animals that also play a role in the story.  Do you have favourite stories that you like to retell? 

Elmer is on a journey to find a dragon.

Using loose parts to create Tangerine Island.



Retelling the story Smelly Louie.

Working together to retell Smelly Louie.