Teacher's Blogs: Grade 3 & 4
Strength and Stability
The early part of the engineering unit focused on what makes structures strong and stable. Our first lesson was learning about the force that is always acting on the world – gravity. The students were given a similar number of marshmallows and toothpicks and their challenge, within the time limit, was to build the tallest …
Light and Sound
One of our science units is very interactive and is split into two main focuses: principles of light and sound. Among other activities and experiments, students created their own pinhole camera, wore diffraction glasses to see the spectrum of colour in white light, and explored lasers and mirrors, a broken straw, and a disappearing penny. …
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14th in the Grade 3/4 classroom is an opportunity to celebrate friendships. This Valentine’s Day, we shared ideas while creating a craft, gifted each other with cards and treats, and just enjoyed spending time together! Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…. Forgive …
Art Gallery Field Trip
During two recent field trips to the Agnes Etherington Art Center, I was reminded of the enormous benefits of visiting an art gallery. As the 3/4 and 7/8 classes viewed and discussed paintings and prints, they were inspired in subtle and inspirational ways! They engaged with people in the arts community and were able to …
Tree Friend
The beautiful, old silver maple tree that sits just on the other side of the fence at the school’s east-end doors has been a “tree friend” to many Grade 3/4 classes during our Trees of the Field science unit. It has allowed us to appreciate the wonder of trees and marvel at the creativity of …
Winter Art Awards
Congratulations to Zoe D. (Gr. 3) and Aanya A. (Gr. 4) for receiving art awards from the “Students’ Art Gallery” at Hotel Dieu! Zoe and Naomi used oil pastels to create whimsical cat pictures! Their artwork is being exhibited in the hospital’s gallery, which lines the hallways of the Children’s Outpatient Centre and the KidsInclusive …
Christmas Craft Day
Christmas Craft Day in the Grade 3/4 class is always a lot of fun! With 1 teacher, 1 Educational Assistant, 26 Grade 3/4 students, 5 parents, and 6 Grade 7/8 helpers, this day was a perfect example of creativity, cooperation, and COMMUNITY! Thank you to all of my students for sharing your talents and helping …
Student Art Awards
This autumn, four KCS students received awards from the Students’ Art Gallery at Hotel Dieu. Congratulations to Naomi S. (Gr. 4), Ian H. (Gr. 4), Jubilee B. (Gr. 5), and Naomi D. (Gr. 6), whose artwork is a beautiful representation of the colour that God uses to decorate the fall season! The students’ artwork is …
Reading Day
Reading Day is a much-anticipated tradition in the Grade 3/4 classroom. The students come to school prepared to snuggle in for an entire day of reading (minus recess, of course!) They wear their pajamas, and bring in sleeping bags, comfy blankets, and pillows to lounge on. They also bring their stuffed animal friends, snacks, and …
Sculpty Dragons
This week, the Grade 3/4 Class crafted tiny dragons using Sculpty modeling clay. This project was a lesson in creativity, and also patience, listening, and extreme fine-motor skills! Thank you to former KCS student and Sculpty expert Katie Dove for planning and leading us through this project.