We focused each day on a different animal: giraffes, hippos, ostriches, aardvarks and elephants. We learned about predator vs prey, symbiotic relationships, animal characteristics and adaptations, and animal group dynamics. I had many curious minds with lots of questions!
 
The kids made cone shaped giraffes where they had to attach brown spots and make a giraffe head, they made paper hippos with marshmallow teeth, they made and painted "ostrich eggs" (paper mâché) and pretended to be aardvarks clawing apart the termite hill to eat the termites. They also worked on an animal puzzle and learned which of the animals on the puzzles live in Africa.
 
Our letters this week were D and P. They practiced building, finding and writing the letter D, as well as drawing pictures that start with D. They popped a bubble wrap P.
 
The big kids worked on building words they have learned such as boo, fall, mom, dad, me, no, on. They also drew pictures to represent the words they wrote.

What a great week to explore weather! We had snow, fog, rain, freezing rain, clouds, sun, wind…all in one week! The weather we had this week helped us to brainstorm the types of weather we know about. We also learned about weather that we don’t, or usually don’t, experience here in Calgary like tornados, hurricanes, and floods. The current flooding in BC helped us in our learning about floods too. We talked about how flooding occurs, how it affects everyday life and food supply, and how there are so many wonderful people who try to help those affected. Learning through current events is quite captivating for little learners!
 
Together, we worked on making our own versions of windsocks, we made a tornado in a jar (much like those calming jars), and a weather mobile with drawings of varying types of weather.
 
Our letters this week were S and J. The kids stamped images that started with S, in their journals. For letter J, the kids practiced writing J on our chalkboards and wrote multiple letter Js to fish from a drawn boat. 
 
The big kids finished their work with “at” words this week. A couple of them chose to take on the extra challenge of using “at” words to write a sentence, together. I love their love of learning!

Lest We Forget
 
Thank you to all those who have and continue to help keep our country safe and free.
 
We watched parts of past Remembrance Day ceremonies; learning about how we show respect for the fallen, what the two minutes of silence is for, the instruments played, the wreaths laid and the significance of the poppy.
 
The kids worked together to make a painted egg carton poppy wreath and painted a sign that said Thank You (with a poppy). They also drew poppies in their journals and made threaded pipe cleaner, foam and paper poppies. 
 
These wonderful songs really helped us learn and talk about how we treat ourselves and others when in times of conflict. We focused on the idea of peace and how we can embody it.
 
1) I Am Peace song by Emily Arrow. We love Emily Arrow because she makes songs about books, many of which we have read! This song, and story it comes from, is good at helping us find the peace with in ourselves (manage our emotions) and make good choices, even when things are hectic. 

2) Peace In My Fingers by Susan Salidor. This song is a great conversation starter about how we can choose not to use physical violence toward others and instead use our hands for kind things, how we can choose to use kind and considerate words when we talk to others, and how we can choose to show others the love that is in our hearts.  

Our letters this week were Q and G. We listened to letter songs, put together letter puzzles, built letters with magnets/fabric pieces/poppies and brainstormed what words start with Q and G.

Happy Diwali!
 
We were excited that it was once again time for the Festival of Lights! The kids made white glue and glitter fireworks, popsicle stick fireworks, paper diyas and fancy tissue paper flowers to wear. We all also made rangoli with coloured sand, for good luck.
 
The kids looked and touched the beadwork on a Sari and danced around wearing bangles.
 
The kids practiced listening to and following instructions, by threading the type and quantity of beads asked. And of course, after we practiced this, they got to thread any sort of beads onto the string they pleased. They always like to see how many they can fit on before all the beads start sliding off!
 
Our letters this week were C and O. Magic C bunny made an appearance and playing had some magic tricks up his sleeve…well in his hat. He’s quite the clever magical bunny!
 
For Word Work Wednesday, the big kids practiced reading “at” words, as well as completing many “at” words by writing the missing letters. They can even read at words with no picture clues!