Room 18
De Mattio - Grade 3
Advice from a Solar Eclipse:
- see the whole picture
- be moved by beauty
- celebrate nature's cycles
Advice from a Solar Eclipse:
- see the whole picture
- be moved by beauty
- celebrate nature's cycles
Solar Eclipse
We took the opportunity to learn all about this rare occurrence! We learned why it's dangerous to our eyes, how seldom this happens, why it is happening here, and we used a crafty music montage that Ms. Kathleen made to put on a dance show of what we know!
Solar Eclipse
We took the opportunity to learn all about this rare occurrence! We learned why it's dangerous to our eyes, how seldom this happens, why it is happening here, and we used a crafty music montage that Ms. Kathleen made to put on a dance show of what we know!
Making Moves and Dancing What We Know
If you merge part of The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" with Death Cab for Cuties "No Sunlight" you create a great opportunity for student learning, creativity, and collaboration to shine - dance style! And dance they did in the wet, but wonderful Learning Garden!
Making Moves and Dancing What We Know
If you merge part of The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" with Death Cab for Cuties "No Sunlight" you create a great opportunity for student learning, creativity, and collaboration to shine - dance style! And dance they did in the wet, but wonderful Learning Garden!
"Maple Syrup: a delicious reminder of the beauty and richness of nature."
- unknown
"Maple Syrup: a delicious reminder of the beauty and richness of nature."
- unknown
Marvels of the Maple
This year at Wilkinson, we decided to celebrate this special time of year (sometimes referred to as the Maple Moon or Sugar Moon) by tapping two maples! What better way to learn about this amazing natural occurrence then to participate ourselves right here at school?!
Marvels of the Maple
This year at Wilkinson, we decided to celebrate this special time of year (sometimes referred to as the Maple Moon or Sugar Moon) by tapping two maples! What better way to learn about this amazing natural occurrence then to participate ourselves right here at school?!
It's Maple Syrup Time (Dance Edition) 🎶
This class spent two weeks connecting with our maples! We enjoyed an Indigenous legend about why maple trees have sap instead of syrup; learned how the sap is only at this time of year and acts as food for the buds in the late winter; how it is a 40:1 ratio for sap:syrup; and how boiling away water is the way to make syrup out of sap - you don't add anything! Each day for two weeks there was information about maple syrup shared on the announcements too. One of the times we were out, we were met with a beautiful, light snow and felt like we were in a snowglobe! We thought that the best way to consolidate some of our maple syrup learning was by dancing out what we know in time to a great song called "It's Maple Syrup Time" that you can listen to here. I tweeted about our maple syrup learning here and here too. It really is such a special time that provides a great learning opportunity!🍁
It's Maple Syrup Time (Dance Edition) 🎶
This class spent two weeks connecting with our maples! We enjoyed an Indigenous legend about why maple trees have sap instead of syrup; learned how the sap is only at this time of year and acts as food for the buds in the late winter; how it is a 40:1 ratio for sap:syrup; and how boiling away water is the way to make syrup out of sap - you don't add anything! Each day for two weeks there was information about maple syrup shared on the announcements too. One of the times we were out, we were met with a beautiful, light snow and felt like we were in a snowglobe! We thought that the best way to consolidate some of our maple syrup learning was by dancing out what we know in time to a great song called "It's Maple Syrup Time" that you can listen to here. I tweeted about our maple syrup learning here and here too. It really is such a special time that provides a great learning opportunity!🍁
An object in motion stays in motion ... you just have to get the ball running!
An object in motion stays in motion ... you just have to get the ball running!
4 Small Tires on a Roll
Meet: four fickle tires that don't like to touch the ground!
Challenge: build paths around the yard where all tires keep rolling (without touching the ground) with the added goal of every classmate in continuous motion too! ground!
They prepared then got everything and everyone in motion! They were on a roll!
4 Small Tires on a Roll
Meet: four fickle tires that don't like to touch the ground!
Challenge: build paths around the yard where all tires keep rolling (without touching the ground) with the added goal of every classmate in continuous motion too! ground!
They prepared then got everything and everyone in motion! They were on a roll!
"Creativity is the art of creating nothing into a joyful something!"
- Vince Gowmon
"Creativity is the art of creating nothing into a joyful something!"
- Vince Gowmon
Imagination and Innovation for the Win!
Witnessing the growth and development of creativity and collaboration with this class is so impressive. Any time we are in the OPAL yard, these kiddos get to making something out of what starts out as nothing. They build together, they play together, the put everything away together. Sometimes they play as a big group, sometimes they naturally gravitate into smaller groups based on their interests that day, but often it ends up involving some sort of obstacle course of greatness. By truly allowing them the space to move and innovate, their imaginations take over and what they create is a wonder that is inclusive and adaptive for self-selected risk and comfort. My tweets have again incorporated some of their play and learning here.
Imagination and Innovation for the Win!
Witnessing the growth and development of creativity and collaboration with this class is so impressive. Any time we are in the OPAL yard, these kiddos get to making something out of what starts out as nothing. They build together, they play together, the put everything away together. Sometimes they play as a big group, sometimes they naturally gravitate into smaller groups based on their interests that day, but often it ends up involving some sort of obstacle course of greatness. By truly allowing them the space to move and innovate, their imaginations take over and what they create is a wonder that is inclusive and adaptive for self-selected risk and comfort. My tweets have again incorporated some of their play and learning here.
"When you hand good people possibility, they do great things."
- Biz Stone
"When you hand good people possibility, they do great things."
- Biz Stone
Escape a Deserted Island!
It was time to leave the deserted Island (one side of the OPAL yard), but the Island is surrounded by shark infested waters (fine, it was Ms. Kathleen)! The only way you can get to safety (the other side of the OPAL yard) is by using the few loose parts you've been given. It's also hot outside and any item left floating for too long could melt! Working together in 4 teams, the escape routes were challenging. Good news - everyone made it and they developed as teams, communicated well, solved some problems, and had a good time! The shark ate some supplies, but was left still hungry!
Escape a Deserted Island!
It was time to leave the deserted Island (one side of the OPAL yard), but the Island is surrounded by shark infested waters (fine, it was Ms. Kathleen)! The only way you can get to safety (the other side of the OPAL yard) is by using the few loose parts you've been given. It's also hot outside and any item left floating for too long could melt! Working together in 4 teams, the escape routes were challenging. Good news - everyone made it and they developed as teams, communicated well, solved some problems, and had a good time! The shark ate some supplies, but was left still hungry!
"The greatest invention in the world is the mind of a child."
- Thomas Edison
"The greatest invention in the world is the mind of a child."
- Thomas Edison
OPAL & S.I.F
The space at the front of the school yard is referred to as "The OPAL yard".
OPAL = Outdoor Play And Learning.
OPAL & S.I.F
The space at the front of the school yard is referred to as "The OPAL yard".
OPAL = Outdoor Play And Learning.
It's a great space offering open, free, loose parts for students to take charge of following their interests and learning. Kids can be active in this environment that supports creative expression and provides endless opportunity to create and challenge themselves. Play is the way to learn all of the things they need to know that aren't taught like cooperation, imagination, initiative, collaboration, resilience, and risk-taking.
It's a great space offering open, free, loose parts for students to take charge of following their interests and learning. Kids can be active in this environment that supports creative expression and provides endless opportunity to create and challenge themselves. Play is the way to learn all of the things they need to know that aren't taught like cooperation, imagination, initiative, collaboration, resilience, and risk-taking.
Building Bridges and Taking Risks
There are always different adventures in the OPAL yard while the students innovate, create, collaborate, and are flexible in their thinking together playing and learning! They have developed an informal process for play that naturally includes others. Children gravitate to certain areas and people but they are actively participating within their comfort zone or they can take the opportunity to push themselves to new growth. Mistakes are fun and learning always happens. Sometimes, we even get lucky and are the first to enjoy a fresh patch of snow! I tweeted about some OPAL fun, feel free to check it out here.
Building Bridges and Taking Risks
There are always different adventures in the OPAL yard while the students innovate, create, collaborate, and are flexible in their thinking together playing and learning! They have developed an informal process for play that naturally includes others. Children gravitate to certain areas and people but they are actively participating within their comfort zone or they can take the opportunity to push themselves to new growth. Mistakes are fun and learning always happens. Sometimes, we even get lucky and are the first to enjoy a fresh patch of snow! I tweeted about some OPAL fun, feel free to check it out here.
The only rule is to be SIF
Safe with our words, hands, land.
Inclusive of others.
Fun - lots of it!
Let your heart emerge, as all the wild things do, with the return of the light... HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE!
Let your heart emerge, as all the wild things do, with the return of the light... HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE!
Winter: A Solstice Story
This story is a sweet celebration of the the Winter Solstice. A group of animal friends gather in a quiet forest to celebrate the longest night of the year, each bringing something to share in decorating a beautiful tree and sharing the light of the season.
Winter: A Solstice Story
This story is a sweet celebration of the the Winter Solstice. A group of animal friends gather in a quiet forest to celebrate the longest night of the year, each bringing something to share in decorating a beautiful tree and sharing the light of the season.
Wilkinson's Winter Solstice Tree
After learning about what solstice is and how we were heading into the day with the longest amount of darkness, we took inspiration from Kelsey E. Gross' book and decided honour and acknowledge this amazing pattern of nature by creating gifts of hope for a mulberry tree in the Learning Garden that we dubbed "The Solistice Tree". Using only natural objects found in the Learning Garden and without causing any harm to the plants, students got creative! A number of classes contributed and if you happened past the Learning Garden on the Solstice, you would have been treated to flickering tea lights and nature decorations. You can see my tweet about it here.
Wilkinson's Winter Solstice Tree
After learning about what solstice is and how we were heading into the day with the longest amount of darkness, we took inspiration from Kelsey E. Gross' book and decided honour and acknowledge this amazing pattern of nature by creating gifts of hope for a mulberry tree in the Learning Garden that we dubbed "The Solistice Tree". Using only natural objects found in the Learning Garden and without causing any harm to the plants, students got creative! A number of classes contributed and if you happened past the Learning Garden on the Solstice, you would have been treated to flickering tea lights and nature decorations. You can see my tweet about it here.
"Tell me a fact and I'll learn. Tell me the truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever."
- North American Indigenous Proverb
"Tell me a fact and I'll learn. Tell me the truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever."
- North American Indigenous Proverb
The Year the Roses Died
This story is from a book about Anishinaabe Botanical Teachings called "Plants have so Much to Give Us, All We have to do is Ask" by Mary Siisip Geniusz. We learned Anishinaabemowin words for different animals including:
- waawaashkeshiwag (deer), bineshiinyag (little birds), aamoog (bees), memengwaag (butterflies), waabooz (rabbit), makwa (black bear) and more...
We also learned the Anishinaabe explanation for why roses have thorns (and why rabbits look the way they do)! Ms. Kathleen sent us in search of the wild roses growing in the Learning Garden and without flowers, we had to search for the thorns! We also found rose hips and learned all about this wild rose plant growing here!
The Year the Roses Died
This story is from a book about Anishinaabe Botanical Teachings called "Plants have so Much to Give Us, All We have to do is Ask" by Mary Siisip Geniusz. We learned Anishinaabemowin words for different animals including:
- waawaashkeshiwag (deer), bineshiinyag (little birds), aamoog (bees), memengwaag (butterflies), waabooz (rabbit), makwa (black bear) and more...
We also learned the Anishinaabe explanation for why roses have thorns (and why rabbits look the way they do)! Ms. Kathleen sent us in search of the wild roses growing in the Learning Garden and without flowers, we had to search for the thorns! We also found rose hips and learned all about this wild rose plant growing here!
The Year the Roses Died
The story is worth retelling, ask you child what they remember! Plus, the lessons in the story are many. We shared "I think the lesson is..." after hearing it the story the first time, so maybe they can share that with you too!
The second time we read this story (that has no images), we decided to use our tableau skills to support to the story. We did 'storytime on the move' in the Learning Garden after practicing inside because it was super blowy and pretty rainy. Each student participated at times as part of the audience, supporting classmates who were involved in a tableau, and other times as part of the tableau themselves.
The Year the Roses Died
The story is worth retelling, ask you child what they remember! Plus, the lessons in the story are many. We shared "I think the lesson is..." after hearing it the story the first time, so maybe they can share that with you too!
The second time we read this story (that has no images), we decided to use our tableau skills to support to the story. We did 'storytime on the move' in the Learning Garden after practicing inside because it was super blowy and pretty rainy. Each student participated at times as part of the audience, supporting classmates who were involved in a tableau, and other times as part of the tableau themselves.
"How can anyone play outside with all this rain?!"
- Piggie in "Are You Ready to Play Outside?" by Mo Willems
"How can anyone play outside with all this rain?!"
- Piggie in "Are You Ready to Play Outside?" by Mo Willems
Story: Are You Ready to Play Outside? is a great story starring Gerald (elephant) and Piggie. They are excited to play outside (run, skip, jump) then it starts to rain. Piggie is not happy. Gerald offers shelter with his ear until they notice that worms make the most of the rain and get an idea to make the most of the rain too! When it stops raining, and disappoitment surfaces again - Gerald has a plan. Elephants do make the best friends...
We are Ready to Play Outside
We love to mingle and when Ms. Kathleen stops singing the mingle song and calls out emotion, we freeze and show her our best full body representation of that emotion. We learned about what a tableau is (still, silent picture) and worked with a partner to make a scenes and show them to our classmates. We had a blast guessing them! Next, we moved into making tableaus from the Piggy and Gerald story. We have some excellent picture makers here - the Piggy and Gerald show (well, it was still and silent) for each page was a lot of fun to make. We <3 drama!
We are Ready to Play Outside
We love to mingle and when Ms. Kathleen stops singing the mingle song and calls out emotion, we freeze and show her our best full body representation of that emotion. We learned about what a tableau is (still, silent picture) and worked with a partner to make a scenes and show them to our classmates. We had a blast guessing them! Next, we moved into making tableaus from the Piggy and Gerald story. We have some excellent picture makers here - the Piggy and Gerald show (well, it was still and silent) for each page was a lot of fun to make. We <3 drama!
"In some Native languages the term for plants translates to 'those who take care of us'." - Robin Wall Kimmerer
"In some Native languages the term for plants translates to 'those who take care of us'." - Robin Wall Kimmerer
Story: The First Blade of Sweetgrass is a Own Voice Indigenous picture book story about Musquon who learns to distinguish sweetgrass from other grasses when going with her Grandmother for the first time to harvest sweetgrass for basket making. She learns that her ancestors have done this for centuries and she's careful to leave the first blade she sees for future generations.
Story: Braiding Sweetgrass shares a story about how sweetgrass is the first plant to grow on Turtle Island. The author (Robin Wall Kimmerer) explains that it is still an important ceremonial plant for many Indigenous cultures - the braid similar to the hair of Mother Earth.
Breathing it all in
We listened to the story inside (it was too much rain for the book!), then we went out to meet the sweetgrass growing in the Learning Garden. We passed around some braided sweetgrass from the Learning Garden, moved our bodies like sweetgrass dancing in the breeze and 'letting go' with just a light pull when it was harvest time, being careful to leave the first blade of sweetgrass that was looked at, of course.
Breathing it all in
We listened to the story inside (it was too much rain for the book!), then we went out to meet the sweetgrass growing in the Learning Garden. We passed around some braided sweetgrass from the Learning Garden, moved our bodies like sweetgrass dancing in the breeze and 'letting go' with just a light pull when it was harvest time, being careful to leave the first blade of sweetgrass that was looked at, of course.
Happiness is found in harvesting vegetables you did not even know were there!
Happiness is found in harvesting vegetables you did not even know were there!
Sunchoke
The photo is lovely, but looking around the Learning Garden we noticed that these flowers had changed - in their place what looked like dead plants! To our surprise, we were able to harvest it's tuber! Link here for some more info: link
Sunchoke
The photo is lovely, but looking around the Learning Garden we noticed that these flowers had changed - in their place what looked like dead plants! To our surprise, we were able to harvest it's tuber! Link here for some more info: link
Fall Plants
We have gotten to know so many plants in the learning garden. Along with harvesting sunchokes (also known as Jerusalem artichokes), we went in search of the highbush cranberry plants that were recently added to Wilkinson's 'food forest', and also cedar, sweetgrass, asters, golden rod, red osier dogwood, and the compass plant.
Fall Plants
We have gotten to know so many plants in the learning garden. Along with harvesting sunchokes (also known as Jerusalem artichokes), we went in search of the highbush cranberry plants that were recently added to Wilkinson's 'food forest', and also cedar, sweetgrass, asters, golden rod, red osier dogwood, and the compass plant.
"Nature is not just a place to visit. It is home." - Gary Snyder
"Nature is not just a place to visit. It is home." - Gary Snyder
Story: Shi-shi-etko is a story about a young girl who leaves for residential school in 4 days and takes us on her journey as she counts the days down. Shi-shi-etko means she loves to play in the water. In the story, we see how she connects with her family who share valuable teachings with her and how she treasures the beauty of her world which she gathers bits of to remember while she is gone away. The illustrations let us know that it is the fall and we relate to the beauty around her while we look around our own school yard. I tweeted about it here.
Learning Garden Plants
We were inspired by how Shi-shi-etko wanted to know the plants that were in her familiar space. Ms. Kathleen gave out boards with a photo on it and we set out to find it in Wilkinson's Learning Garden. Like Shi-shi-etko, we also wanted to know: is this plant used for medicine? can this plant be food? We also learned some interesting facts about the plants here. Ask your child, they just might impress you with their plant knowledge!
Learning Garden Plants
We were inspired by how Shi-shi-etko wanted to know the plants that were in her familiar space. Ms. Kathleen gave out boards with a photo on it and we set out to find it in Wilkinson's Learning Garden. Like Shi-shi-etko, we also wanted to know: is this plant used for medicine? can this plant be food? We also learned some interesting facts about the plants here. Ask your child, they just might impress you with their plant knowledge!