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LEGO ZIPLINES!!
LEGO ZIPLINES!!
Recently during 'building time' we challenged the students to make Lego zip lines. Each child chose a minifigure, then set out to make a brick creation that would hold the minifigure and travel down a line. Each creation needed to have a removable top to easily attach it to the line. A lot of trial and error occured before the children succeeded! We experimented with parachute cord and curling ribbon. The ribbon made the fastest zip line!
Recently during 'building time' we challenged the students to make Lego zip lines. Each child chose a minifigure, then set out to make a brick creation that would hold the minifigure and travel down a line. Each creation needed to have a removable top to easily attach it to the line. A lot of trial and error occured before the children succeeded! We experimented with parachute cord and curling ribbon. The ribbon made the fastest zip line!
So many unique creations!! The children shared ideas and helped each other. There were a lot of broken creations and they all pitched in to help rebuild! It was one of the best examples of teamwork we have see all year! We are so very proud of our amazing students!!
So many unique creations!! The children shared ideas and helped each other. There were a lot of broken creations and they all pitched in to help rebuild! It was one of the best examples of teamwork we have see all year! We are so very proud of our amazing students!!
We had four different zip lines set up in our classroom!
We had four different zip lines set up in our classroom!
Ahmad
Ahmad
Usman
Usman
Ahmed
Ahmed
Ayden
Ayden
Bahaa
Bahaa
Lilly
Lilly
Romal
Romal
Thorsten
Thorsten
Building our Community
Building our Community
Another recent building challenge was to create four distinct spaces in our school community: Knoxdale P.S., the woods we visit, the Metro grocery store and the local police station. Students worked in teams to select the blocks they needed to create their space. This challenge incorporated social studies, math and language.
Another recent building challenge was to create four distinct spaces in our school community: Knoxdale P.S., the woods we visit, the Metro grocery store and the local police station. Students worked in teams to select the blocks they needed to create their space. This challenge incorporated social studies, math and language.
Ahmed and Romal created our woods, using brown, yellow and green blocks.
Ahmed and Romal created our woods, using brown, yellow and green blocks.
They added our gathering spot!
They added our gathering spot!
Ahmed and Romal added a wagon that Usman often uses to get to the woods. :)
Ahmed and Romal added a wagon that Usman often uses to get to the woods. :)
Ayden and Hayade made Metro - they made it red, just like the logo!
Ayden and Hayade made Metro - they made it red, just like the logo!
Bahaa, Usman and Lilly created our school
Bahaa, Usman and Lilly created our school
Ahmad and Thorsten created the Ottawa Police Station. The used all blue blocks!
Ahmad and Thorsten created the Ottawa Police Station. The used all blue blocks!
The boys added a police car, motorcycle and helicopter to their station.
The boys added a police car, motorcycle and helicopter to their station.
Our students have opportunities every week to develop and strengthen their spatial sense by building puzzles. This is a favourite time for all!
Our students have opportunities every week to develop and strengthen their spatial sense by building puzzles. This is a favourite time for all!
Did you know that spatial sense is REALLY important for success in almost all aspects of school (and life)? Spatial sense is critical in our adventures in the woods because spatial awareness allows us to be conscious of the things in our environment as well as our position relative to them. Spatial awareness helps keep us safe when climbing, using sticks, ducking under branches and walking along narrow logs. Spatial reasoning predicts students' later success in higher levels of mathematics, such as proportional thinking and algebraic reasoning. Spatial sense also helps us plan routes for our robots when we are coding. Building puzzles helps our students focus on small details, colours and shapes AND it teaches them to flip, slide and rotate puzzle pieces in their mind.
Did you know that spatial sense is REALLY important for success in almost all aspects of school (and life)? Spatial sense is critical in our adventures in the woods because spatial awareness allows us to be conscious of the things in our environment as well as our position relative to them. Spatial awareness helps keep us safe when climbing, using sticks, ducking under branches and walking along narrow logs. Spatial reasoning predicts students' later success in higher levels of mathematics, such as proportional thinking and algebraic reasoning. Spatial sense also helps us plan routes for our robots when we are coding. Building puzzles helps our students focus on small details, colours and shapes AND it teaches them to flip, slide and rotate puzzle pieces in their mind.
We have a wide variety of puzzles to match each child's ability.
We have a wide variety of puzzles to match each child's ability.
Proud puzzlers!
Proud puzzlers!
Bahaa enjoyed the alphabet puzzle!
Bahaa enjoyed the alphabet puzzle!
Ayden and Hayade are perfect puzzle partners. They share ideas and pieces. What a team!
Ayden and Hayade are perfect puzzle partners. They share ideas and pieces. What a team!
Introduction to coding:
Introduction to coding:
We had a chance to program Blue Bots, which are floor robots. Our students needed to plan a route on the grid avoiding obstacles. They also had to count accurately, and program the count and directions (forward, backward, left, right) on the Blue Bot.
We had a chance to program Blue Bots, which are floor robots. Our students needed to plan a route on the grid avoiding obstacles. They also had to count accurately, and program the count and directions (forward, backward, left, right) on the Blue Bot.
Ahmed's Blue Bot in action!
Ahmed's Blue Bot in action!
Each week the children have 'BUILDING TIME'. They explore and play with a variety of different types of blocks and building materials. Building develops fine motor skills, encourages critical thinking and reasoning and it builds spatial awareness which is very important for life! Building with a partner encourages sharing of materials and ideas and considering others' perspectives. Building also develops focus and concentration and it allows children to try and try again - it builds perseverance!! We create challenges for the children based on picture books we read, science concepts we learn and math skills we are developing.
A recent 'Building Time Challenge' had the children re-tell the story "Where Are You?" by author/illustrator Sarah Williamson . After we read the book, the children were challenged to create a structure with a partner and play hide and seek with their worms (characters from the book). This allowed them to learn and use positional language. "Where are you?" "I am above/under/behind/beside the tower". (Click the hyperlink above to listen to the story!)
Romal loved this book.
Romal loved this book.
Romal and Ayden
Romal and Ayden
Ahmad hid his work IN his structure
Ahmad hid his work IN his structure
Ahmad hid his work UNDER his structure
Ahmad hid his work UNDER his structure
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