Star light, star bright

For the past few days, the students have been presenting their constellations projects. They are out of this world! I especially loved hearing about the origin of the constellation, especially the myths and legends associated with them. It's pretty cool to think there are 88 constellations up in our sky!


Monday's Awesome

Rocking a baby

Alright, maybe she's not exactly a baby anymore, but I do enjoy rocking my little girl every night before bedtime. Snuggling and singing is the best part of my day. I don't even mind that we've gone from one song to four (she is a master manipulator!) since I know this special time won't last forever. It is totally precious and totally AWESOME!

Today's awesome

When someone smiles with their eyes

I love a great smile as much as the next person, but there is just something about seeing someone smile with their eyes. Their whole face lights up and in that moment you know have experienced someone else's true happiness. So go ahead and SMEYES, you just might make someone's day! AWESOME!

S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G B-E-E

Thursday was the big spelling bee and I would like to congratulate Katarina, Sarah and Caitlin for their hard work in preparing for it. You all did an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G job and the whole class was very proud of you!


Thursday's awesome

Getting a cheque in the mail

Bill - Bill - Bill - Cheque! AWESOME!

Friday's awesome

Chocolate fondue

Strawberries, bananas, apples, Lindt chocolate... Best. Dessert. Ever. AWESOME!

Snowshoeing!!!!

At the end of the day, Mrs. Stiff took the students out snowshoeing. It's pretty cool when you think that this was one of the methods of transportation of early Aboriginals. I can't wait to hear about your adventures tomorrow!

Today's awesome

Reading the last book in a series

Woohoo! There are few things I love more than finishing a series that you have thoroughly enjoyed reading. Speaking of which, I better get going... Titanic: Book 3 is sending me an S.O.S. as we speak! I better go, I can't wait to find out how this one ends. I'm on pins and needles. AWESOME!

Family Literacy Day

In anticipation of Family Literacy Day on Friday, today, Councillor Hubley visited our school and read the book "How Full is your Bucket?" by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer. This book demonstrates how our actions and words impact ourselves and each other, both positively and negatively. I am glad to say that I have a class full of bucket fillers!

Today's awesome

Hearing your song of the moment on the radio

I know you've been there. All of a sudden a smile spreads across your face, you crank up the radio and sing aloud whether you know the lyrics or not. 3:39 seconds of pure AWESOME!

PS in case you are wondering, my song of the moment is by one of my favourite singer's Gavin Degraw "Not Over You"

What is the biggest problem in the world today?

A couple of weeks ago, I asked the students what the biggest problem in the world was. We brainstormed a huge list of ideas and began to formulate our own opinions on the matter. We have been reading books about Social Justice; poverty, war, discrimination, slavery, global warming, human rights violations, etc. While these are not always easy books to read (especially when they don't have the happy ending we long for!), they all provide us with signs of hope for the future. When I look around the classroom, I see my very own signs of hope through your words and more importantly your actions. You have the ability to change the world, together we can all make a difference :)

Beginning of the week awesome

The sound of a bird chirping in the middle of Winter

Such a beautiful sound, especially when you least expect it. Look up in the sky, chirp, chirp...AWESOME!

Lawren Harris MART

Using the famous Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris' work as inspiration, the students created their very own MART (short for Math Art). They created beautiful images of the Arctic using angular lines. Once complete, they identified and measured acute, obtuse, straight and right angles within their works of art. I think they turned out beautifully! It just goes to show you how Math can truly be found everywhere!

Looks like I owe you some awesomeness... Again...

Wednesday Awesome

Hearing your baby's heartbeat

Dup-dup..Dup-Dup...Dup-dup... AWESOME!

Thursday awesome

National Popcorn Day

Who knew this existed? Well, I can tell you it does and the date is January 19th. The theater's say it is the most POPular day of the year. AWESOME!

End of the week awesome

The Magic Bag

Sore back? Aching neck? No problem. Magic Bag to the rescue. Less than 2 minutes in the microwave and it is ready to soothe my pain. Awwwww..AWESOME!

Snow Day!

I had a very lovely, albeit quiet, day with the three students who decided to come to class :) We got caught up on some work and spent lots of time in the computer lab! We missed the rest of you though, can't wait to see you again soon!

Snow Day Awesome

Not being alone on a snow day

I got nervous as I was outside on duty this morning and not one person from our class showed up. Just as I began to feel rejected, I walked in to see a smiling face, quickly followed by two more :) Getting to spend a snow day with 3 fantastic students? AWESOME!

Spicing things up!

Today we talked about the importance of spices to Early Explorers. They used spices to preserve meat, for commerce, for medicinal purposes as well as for cooking. In fact, they were so important that one of the main reasons for early exploration was to find another sea route to the spices in Asia. To learn more about the popular spices of the time; cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pepper and nutmeg, we described them by explaining what we saw, smelled, touched, and tasted. Judging by many of your reactions, I don't think you would be prepared to take on the dangers of exploring just so you could get more of these spices :)

Today's Awesome

The face someone makes when they taste something they don't like

Not only is it funny in the moment, but it is also funny when you stop and remember the face they made :) AWESOME!

Look! Up in the sky!

Today we drew the eight phases of the moon with white chalk. They turned out beautifully! Make sure you look for yours in our gallery! We also talked about a project to be done at home on the constellations. Each student picked a different constellation and is responsible for presenting that constellation to the rest of the class. The project is due on Wednesday January 25. Click below to see the details of the project!

Constellation Project

End of the week Awesome

PEZ

How could you not love these collectible dispensers that come in so many neat little packages? Darth Vader, Hello Kitty, Disney Princesses, there is a PEZ for everyone! Not to mention those tasty little PEZ candies that magically pop out! Can't help but find that AWESOME!

Math Network

Today our class was the site of a Math Network. Many teachers from other schools came in to observe the students during a geometry lesson based on angles. All the teachers (me included!) were so impressed with your meaningful conversations , your ability to collaborate and draw conclusions. I am so proud of you all!

PS I found some angle games (played them for quite a while!) that I thought you would like. Check them out under our Math links!

Now for some awesomeness

Wednesday's Awesome

Our super cool new water fountain

I know Mr. Scott says it taste the same as the tap (it just might). But there sure is something special about filling your bottle up from water from our new fountain that keeps track of the number of plastic water bottles that are being saved from a landfill! Totally refreshing and totally AWESOME!

Today's Awesome

Angle Kung Fu

So. Much. Fun. Seriously. Just wait until you become the Master of Angles. Master of Angles? Wait, make the the Master of AWESOME!

Exploring explorers

Today we discovered the motivations of early exploration. We also looked at the many difficulties that early explorers faced along their journey. It would have been pretty fantastic to discover new land, but I'm not convinced I would have been willing to take as many risks as they did ;)

Tuesday's Awesome

Geometry

I know what you're thinking. Pretty weird, but it's actually pretty cool. I find it really neat that one shape can be classified so many different ways. Quadrilateral, Parallelogram, Rectangle, Square, AWESOME!

Back at it!

What a busy day we had! In Science, we learned about the relationship between the Sun, the Moon and the Earth, we even had some students act it out! Don't forget to keep track of the phases of the moon by drawing it on your calendar which will be handed out tomorrow.

First Awesome of the New Year

Sharing the news that your little girl is going to be a big sister

AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME! :)

Happy New Year!

Well, hard to believe that our break is over! I hope you all got lots of rest because we will be getting right back into the swing of things tomorrow morning :)

PS Looks like I owe you some 2011 Awesome! Don't want to get this year started off on the wrong foot, so here goes:

Thursday December 22nd's Awesome:

Finishing a big project you've been working on

Finally and just in time. A sense of relief and pride comes over you. AWESOME!

Friday December 23rd's Awesome

Last day of school before Christmas Break

Need I say more? Woohoo! AWESOME!