We've Gone Buggy!

That's what happens when 20 students start researching all about bugs! We have been up to our elbows in glue and newsprint but we all think it was worth it! This is the display right across from the gym!

Mrs, Chapman's class also made bugs. Ours are on the bottom. Here are some closer views!

This week we also finished reading "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford. We enjoyed some popcorn with the movie "Homeward Bound" which was based on the book. We certainly enjoyed both! We recommend you read the book if you haven't!

Finally we finished off our Father's Day craft. We read the aboriginal creation story retold by David McLimans called "Big Turtle". We painted yogurt cups with acrylic paint. Next planted onion seeds or grass seeds and waited a long time for them to grow. Today we added the head and feet to make it look like a turtle. We thought it looked pretty neat. Some of us did have trouble getting the feet to stick though!

Next week we are having our Care Home Concert here at the school. If you are in the neighbourhood....

We would love to see you!

We're Going Buggy!

We have been doing some research on insects. They have 3 body parts: the head, thorax and abdomen. Insects have 6 legs, some have antennae, and most have wings. We read some books, saw some videos, we drew and labelled some diagrams, and now we are making a 3D model of our insects out of paper mache.

YOU can see some of our diagrams! There are some legs we have drying for our bugs. The bottom corner is the body of a dragonfly. Just wait until we add them to the thorax. We still have to cut out our wings! Then comes the paint! 

Grade Three Swimming!

There were a few nervous students but they all learned a great deal and FUN was had by all. Judge for yourself! Here is a peek at our first class!

On our second visit many students were trying new things!

All students learned a great deal about safety and building their stamina!

Our grade two classmates can look forward to all this fun next year!

We Are Working With Clay!

We have been working with a visiting artist, Ms. Jen McCurry. She has been teaching us how to work with clay. The students were surprised to learn that clay is mud. It is smooth, soft and mushy, but it dries out quickly! We had to learn to work quickly as well!

Our practise pieces top left were falling apart because we didn't attach them properly. We had to learn how to score properly. To add a piece of clay to another piece you have to scratch both surfaces and put a dab of water on them to make them stick together.

Clay pieces that dry are called greenware. They will feel grainy when dry. Ms. McCurry will take our greenware and fire them in a kiln. A kiln gets as hot as a volcano! Once the piece has been fired it is called bisque ware. It feels a little smoother and harder. Our next step was glazing, which is the same as painting. Glaze is made of glass and sand. It will make our pieces soft and smooth after they have been fired. 

Students were asked the think of some of the symbols that Canada is known for like the etchings on our coins. They were challenged to chose two symbols that would share the same habitat and create a sculpture representing them. Just look at their wonderful pieces!

Be on the lookout! These pieces will be on their way home and they are fragile. (Broken pieces can be glued back on.)