Learning through Play

This week we have been exploring symmetry and being creative with the iPad app,  Geoboard by The Math Learning Center.  Students were challenged to make their name, an object, or a design and just play with the app. There were many "aha" moments as students figured out how to use the many features of the app. You can try out Geoboard on your computer or download the app.  It's free!

Here are some of their creations:

Have you tried Geoboard?  

Library Learning Commons turned into a Makerspace!

This week we are reading Going Places by Peter and Paul Reynolds.  It is one of the Surrey Picture Book of the Year Nominees.  After reading and discussing the story, students worked collaboratively with a partner to build something that moves! We saw cars, planes, spaceships, submarines and even a horse and a pogo stick! Katzie kids are sure a creative bunch! Read the book, watch the book trailer, and get inspired!

That Is NOT a Good Idea!

We are starting off the new year with one of our Surrey Picture Book of the Year nominees, That Is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems.  This book reminds me of a silent movie in its presentation so we have been talking about silent movies, the music used, and the sometimes exaggerated actions of the actors. Here's a fun example of a recently created silent movie called Rapunzel's Rescue. http://safeshare.tv/w/FwVzReXNXf

One of the Surrey Picture Book of the Year nominees.

Santa is Coming to Canada

This week we have been reading a book called, "Santa is Coming to Canada," written by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Robert Dunn, and finding the places mentioned in the book on the Google Earth app. Students were excited to find they could go inside the Peace Tower in Ottawa when they used the street view feature. They also discovered that our school, Katzie Elementary was not even built when the map of our neighbourhood was made!

Genius!

Genius hour is happening in the Library Learning Commons! Some of our Grade 6 and 7 students are exploring their questions.  Here's an example of what some students are working on:  sending a rover to Ceres! They are naming it "Dusk" because it will help Dawn (the Nasa orbiter) study and learn about Ceres.   Who knows what we will find!

Deck the Halls!

Our school is beginning to look very festive and the Library Learning Commons is getting in the spirit of the season! Check out one of our Christmas books! Or try making a Christmas tree out of Lego!

Are you getting ready for Christmas? 

The Man with the Violin

This week we are reading "The Man with the Violin", by Kathy Stinson. This book is a story based on a real event and reminds us to stop and listen to the musical moments in life.  Students are enjoying watching and listening to Joshua Bell play the violin and learning about how a violin is made.

My personal treasure:  a violin made by my grandfather, Tom Tourand.

Here are some pictures of some parts of the violin.  It takes many hours of careful work to make a violin.

When I was young, I made my own stringed musical instrument with an empty tissue box, a paper towel roll and some elastics.  See how you can make your own too! You will need help cutting the hole for the neck.  This video will give you some ideas.   http://safeshare.tv/w/eFbrVQEOJM

Here's another example: 

This is an example of a tissue box guitar.  Have you ever made one?  This site from wikiHow has great step by step instructions.   http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Tissue-Box-Guitar