Weekly Activities

This week, we focused on our Unit of Inquiry's Key Concept of Perspective - "How is colour used in visual arts to represent beauty?" The story of "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds facilitated our philosophical discussions and art activity. The story: Vashti is convinced she can’t draw. Her teacher encourages her to “make a mark and see where it takes you.” Vashti makes a frustrated mark on the page, and her teacher asks her to sign it. The next week, Vashti is surprised to find her dot displayed for everyone to see. Realizing she can draw a better dot than that, Vashti begins creating many more dots, in all different colours, sizes and styles. Later Vashti meets a boy who is convinced that he can’t draw. Vashti encourages the boy to “make a mark and see where it takes you,” which sets in motion a whole new story. Philosophical Discussion: The Dot raises philosophical questions about the definition and evaluation of art. Before re

When we mixed potions last week, some of the children were frustrated trying to make pink. As much clear water as they added to the red, it just still looked red. So this week Maple group did another colour experiment. We made predictions about what would happen if we added white to colours. The children were excited to display their findings. When we looked the at results together the children saw: "I put white and red and it turned pink." "I mixed white with black and it made gray." and "White and purple make light purple." Some of our predictions raised more questions for us. If adding white didn't turn the colours darker, then what would? Thinkers that they are, the children concluded that paint mixing test number two was the best way to find out. The teacher picked the experiment and their predictions show that they were still unsure what was going to happen. While mixing their paints the children exclaimed: "It turne

This week the children experimented and explored how colours change as they mix. We decided to be sorcerers and concoct magic potions of different colours that had special powers. Some children got "potion missions" and were given a task of creating a potion of a certain colour. Other children experimented and created a colour "free lance". Here are their final products. Many of the children named their potion after it's colour in Spanish. Making animals appear was a popular ability for our potions. More colour mixing will be tested tomorrow as we dye Easter eggs.

On possibly the greyest day of the week, Maple group ventured into the schoolyard on a journey to notice how many colours we could find. A big brown tree might have more colours in it's bark than we thought! Kasper's favourite colour is yellow. And the big school's garden still has some beets. Their roots are a bright colour! Red berries, green and yellow leaves, and Emma finds that this plant with greyish-purple leaves smells funny. We have colours right on the doorstep to our daycare. Grey rocks are exciting when they are big enough to climb up on. How many colours do you think we found all around us yesterday? This week we will continue to open up the key concept of connection by exploring the colours around us in both natural and non-natural elements.

The use of assessment FOR learning is known as “formative Assessment”.  Today the teachers started their 3 to 5 day formative assessment process.We presented a variety of experiences and then listened to the children as they spoke to one another during their explorations.  Teachers took notes of statements children made and will use these and other observations to help them determine the scope and path of the inquiry. As you can see, the learner plays a significant role in advancing their learning interests. Over the course of this process through to the Summative Assessment (due in 8 weeks), the teachers will further develop the central idea which is Exploring the world of colour helps us appreciate the beauty of the planet. The teachers will also develop ways that the children can assess their own learning over time (“I used to think that but now I think this”. They will also find ways to help the children give one another feedback

Our very excited group of children all looked their best for the generosity gathering today. Children were generous with their compliments to each other, "Wow Auggie, you look great!" and "You look SO beautiful!" were heard around the room. We started by giving out the gifts children have been making for their friends in the last few weeks. Some children gave out painted envelopes with special notes of words meant to make their friend feel good. Some children gave away paper flowers and others gave away Japanese paper dolls meant to bring the recipient good health. Finally, the most anticipated part was sharing the snacks from the families. We talked about manners in giving and receiving and children waited their turn, asked for things they wanted and used their pleases and thank yous. Special thanks to the families for sending such thoughtful snacks and for supporting us on this generosity journey from home.