I am so very happy to see so many students wanting to learn to knit. The classes have begun and they are wanting to even stay in at lunchtime. So many colours of wool, the enthusiasm fills the air and they are so proud when they have completed a row of knitting. It is heart warming to see some of my last year students attending this year with their projects. Gender doesn't matter, some of my students are boys and they are interested in creating and completing a project on their own.
Let the needles begin....
Happy Knitting!
Mrs. Lummiss & Karly Mitchell (student volunteer)
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Would it be a snail?
The Grade 1 class was full of smiles on their little faces, ready for library class to begin today!
I shared an outstanding science book with them called "The Snail's Spell" by Joanne Ryder and pictures by Lynne Cherry. I asked the children to listen carefully to all of the words of the book because it was going to answer an important question: what is it that is in the garden? The children listen intently to the words and half way through the story most of the children had the answer. They did ask to see the front cover of the book before I began reading, but of course, I declined and told them I would tell them why at the end of the book.
Playing the riddle game and learning about this very interesting creature was informative and FUN. Did you know that small black eyes rest at the tips of the feelers of the snail? He can tuck his eyes inside his feelers and hide them from danger. Impressive!
After we talked about this creature, I shared another book with the class called "Snails" by Jen Green. This book is from a favourite series called "Nature's Children." I shared a photograph and information about the sea slug. The colourful creature is pink, white and yellow. They also had an opportunity to see a Giant African land snail, which is the biggest snail in the world.
The Grade 1 students and myself will look at the snails now knowing how unique they truly are.
I shared an outstanding science book with them called "The Snail's Spell" by Joanne Ryder and pictures by Lynne Cherry. I asked the children to listen carefully to all of the words of the book because it was going to answer an important question: what is it that is in the garden? The children listen intently to the words and half way through the story most of the children had the answer. They did ask to see the front cover of the book before I began reading, but of course, I declined and told them I would tell them why at the end of the book.
Playing the riddle game and learning about this very interesting creature was informative and FUN. Did you know that small black eyes rest at the tips of the feelers of the snail? He can tuck his eyes inside his feelers and hide them from danger. Impressive!
After we talked about this creature, I shared another book with the class called "Snails" by Jen Green. This book is from a favourite series called "Nature's Children." I shared a photograph and information about the sea slug. The colourful creature is pink, white and yellow. They also had an opportunity to see a Giant African land snail, which is the biggest snail in the world.
The Grade 1 students and myself will look at the snails now knowing how unique they truly are.
Tuesday, 25 February 2014
Voices of the Wild
Yesterday, I shared a book with the Grade 4/5 class called "Voices of the Wild" by Jonathan London and illustrated by Wayne McLoughlin. When I read this book aloud I never tell the students what the animal is. I incorporate reading the descriptive words with the important mystery question: what am I? Students need to listen intently to the words of the book to answer the question. It is fun to hear all the different answers and to hear the excitement in the room when it is time to answer the question.
"This marvellously imagined look at man - through the eyes and vices of wild creatures - combines bold narrative with breathtaking wildlife art to create extraordinary portrayal of the North American wilderness" (inside cover of the book)
It is a fun game to play and the person reading will have as much fun as the students guessing the animal.
"This marvellously imagined look at man - through the eyes and vices of wild creatures - combines bold narrative with breathtaking wildlife art to create extraordinary portrayal of the North American wilderness" (inside cover of the book)
It is a fun game to play and the person reading will have as much fun as the students guessing the animal.
Monday, 24 February 2014
Knitting Club begins in March
The Knitting Club begins the first week of March. All Grade 3-8 are welcome to attend if they bring knitting needles and some wool to make a scarf. I'll be showing the students how to cast on their stitches and how to knit. Last year, I offered this club and many students came and were proud of their creations. Students that already know how to knit are also welcome to attend. Some students will make scarfs while others might make dish clothes. Monday & Tuesday morning recess is the only time I have available. It is my hope to continue this club until the first or second week of April.
The Knitting Club will meet in the Library.
The Knitting Club will meet in the Library.
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Pinduli
Janell Cannon is one of my favorite children's book authors. I shared her book called "Pinduli with the Grade 5/6.
Pinduli is a young hyena who is always complimented by her mother. When Pinduli goes out into the African land she is met by many animals on the savannah who make hurtful comments about her ears, her hair, and her stripes. She transforms her appearance with mud and she keeps her ears down so no one would recognize her. On her way home she meets the animals that insulted her appearance. Luckily, they did not know who she was and thought she was a ghost spirit. This gave her an opportunity to ask them to meet with one another to talk about how bad their name calling is. So, when she went home and bathed, her ears stood up and she was once again her mother's pride and joy.
I chose this book to share with the middle grades so they would have empathy for the situation that Pinduli was in. A few words can be very painful when someone's appearance is insulted. This chain of events had a happy ending on the African savannah lands.
Pinduli is a young hyena who is always complimented by her mother. When Pinduli goes out into the African land she is met by many animals on the savannah who make hurtful comments about her ears, her hair, and her stripes. She transforms her appearance with mud and she keeps her ears down so no one would recognize her. On her way home she meets the animals that insulted her appearance. Luckily, they did not know who she was and thought she was a ghost spirit. This gave her an opportunity to ask them to meet with one another to talk about how bad their name calling is. So, when she went home and bathed, her ears stood up and she was once again her mother's pride and joy.
I chose this book to share with the middle grades so they would have empathy for the situation that Pinduli was in. A few words can be very painful when someone's appearance is insulted. This chain of events had a happy ending on the African savannah lands.
When wishes have wings
This week I shared a book with the Grade 1 class called "The Sheep fairy : when wishes have wings" by Ruth Louise Symes and illustrated by David Sim. This is a wonderfully imaginative book about a sheep named Wendy Woolcoat. Her favorite pastime is to eat grass, eat grass, eat grass, eat grass, eat grass, eat grass, sleep, eat grass, eat grass, eat grass. Now you know what she likes to do!
Wendy helps a fairy in distress and she is granted a wish, and her wish is to fly. Her sheep wings helps her to fly in the sky among the stars, and also to save her friends from a wolf. The illustrations are colorful and the children laughed when I read what Wendy Woolcoat liked to do most of all. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and Wendy Woolcoat is one of them.
Wendy helps a fairy in distress and she is granted a wish, and her wish is to fly. Her sheep wings helps her to fly in the sky among the stars, and also to save her friends from a wolf. The illustrations are colorful and the children laughed when I read what Wendy Woolcoat liked to do most of all. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and Wendy Woolcoat is one of them.
Thursday, 6 February 2014
The Very Cranky Bear
On Monday, I shared the picture book called, "The Very Cranky Bear" by Nick Bland with the Kindergarten class. I asked the children if anyone could read the title of the book. With pride and amazement one student read the entire title out loud and many knew some of the words.
This book is about a bear who wants quiet while he sleeps in his cave. The other animals want to play inside his cave to stay warm and dry, though. It has funny illustrations to show the children in words as well as pictures of the different solutions the animals came up with to share Bear's cave. I'm always pleased to share a book where the "smallest animal" finds the solution and changed Bear's mood from Cranky to Content by the end of the story.
Cozy up with a good book!
This book is about a bear who wants quiet while he sleeps in his cave. The other animals want to play inside his cave to stay warm and dry, though. It has funny illustrations to show the children in words as well as pictures of the different solutions the animals came up with to share Bear's cave. I'm always pleased to share a book where the "smallest animal" finds the solution and changed Bear's mood from Cranky to Content by the end of the story.
Cozy up with a good book!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)