Welcome to the “Hug Boat”: The How & Why of Deep Pressure Therapy

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is the “alert” system in the body. This is the one in charge when we face a stressful situation during learning, playing, or making overwhelming decisions. Situations causing stress may be positive or negative. When our SNS is in charge for too long we experience frustration, anxiety, anger, tiredness, and overstimulation. We need to activate our parasympathetic nervous…

Is Cursive Writing Still Valuable?

      It is  that time of the year! Students in grade 2 anticipate the development of their cursive writing skills. Finally, the day has arrived and the cursive writing packages are handed out and the learning begins. Students embrace the curves and loops with steadiness and care. As we learn one letter, and another, and another; the loops…

Cool Cows

    Grade 1/2 has been studying animals, with special focus on God’s creation of the cow. In this part of Ontario, one doesn’t have to venture too far to see a tall standing barn with silos, and cows roaming the fields around it. Because cows are so common, they can be passed over for the study of more exotic…

Did You Know?

Professor Sjaarda, a scientist from Queen’s University paid a special visit to our class. We revisited our prior knowledge of States of Matter while engaging in some awesome experiments. As Professor Sjaarda taught us about sublimation, we got to observe the process in action. We also got to see some really neat chemical reactions when different solids, liquids, and gases…

Genesis in Action

Recently our class had the pleasure of visiting Ripplebrook Farm near Napanee, owned and operated by Kevin MacLean.  Mr. MacLean was prepared and excited to share his farming experience with us. Students learned about all the responsibilities a farmer has in taking care of his animals. Mr. MacLean has 130 dalry cows and calls each one by name. He and…

Mixing Matter – The Chocolate Chip Cookie Experiment

As we come to the conclusion of our States of Matter Unit, students apply their knowledge and make hypotheses regarding the mixing of solids, liquids, gases, and the application of heat in baking chocolate chip cookies. Students quickly observed reversible and irreversible changes that took place: The flour and sugar went through an irreversible change of state and could not …

Matter Matter Everywhere – “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28

Grade 1/2 students have been exploring “States of Matter”. We used our bodies as molecules to demonstrate how molecules make up a solid, liquid or gas.  Our bodies moved close together as we became a molecule packed solid. We moved farther apart as we became liquid to experience how  molecules flow and move more freely. When we became gas, students filled the…

You Belong

The words “You Belong” greet students upon entry into the classroom. We are  learning that everyone belongs in the Kingdom of God. We are created in God’s image to mirror His love. Just like the earthly families to which we belong, we also have another family to which we belong – The body of Christ. Students share their thoughts about belonging:…