Class Trip to the Gardiner Museum

Today was our last class trip of the year.  We took a school bus downtown to the Gardiner Museum.  It is a ceramics museum.  We had a little tour and then spent the rest of the morning in a clay workshop.  We learned how to make 3-dimensional animals with the clay and used some different tools to create texture.
The Gardiner Museum offers drop-in clay classes at a cost of $5 for children.  A fun activity for summer vacation!  For more information check out their website www.gardinermuseum.com or call 416-586-8080.

 Orientation in the Ceramics gallery

 Ian, our instructor

 

 Busy at work

 

Class picture!



Royal Ontario Museum

Last Friday was our class trip to the ROM.  We all really enjoyed ourselves.  I was so proud of the girls and boys when we were travelling on the TTC.  Everyone was safe and careful during the entire trip.  Check out the pictures below!

 On the subway

 Walking to the museum

 The ROM!

 Dinosaurs

 The Rocks and Minerals Exhibit

 Checking out the beautiful rocks and minerals

 Fish Tank

 Honey Bees

 Class Picture

 Touching a live cockroach. Yuck!

 An actual python's skin

 Busy digging for fossils

 Costume party

 Inside a mummy's tomb

 Strike a pose!

Waiting for the subway train home



Storyteller

Last week, we had a storyteller come and visit with us in the library.  She told us wonderful and funny stories from all around the world.  Some students volunteered as actors to help tell the stories! She gave us passports with a website address so we can listen to more stories at home.  Make sure you check them out!



First Nations Performance

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Last month, some of you sent $2 to school to cover the cost of a First Nations performance.  Unfortunately, the performance was cancelled.  I have kept track of all the students who brought in the $2.

I will be returning the money to the families who sent it in.

Class Trip Next Week

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Next Friday, June 14th, our class is going on a field trip to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).  We are very fortunate because this trip is free of charge!  Our school was offered this special promotion on a first come, first serve basis.  So Ms. Mabey and I acted fast!
As always, please make sure your child comes to school that day prepared with a healthy lunch, water bottle and weather-appropriate clothing. 
It seems that we have many parents who are interested in volunteering to come with us to the ROM.  Unfortunately, I can't take all parents.  But we do have another class trip coming up the following week - June 20th - and we will need parent volunteers for that trip as well.  Details to be shared soon...

Please return signed permission forms back to school as soon as possible.  Thank you!

Scientist Visit

Last week, a scientist came to our class to teach us about the six Simple Machines - lever, wedge, screw, wheel & axle, pulley and inclined plane.  Some Grade 5 students came to volunteer as our group leaders.  It was a wonderful learning experience for us all!

Scientist Murphy is reviewing the different Simple Machines

At the pulley station

 

Learning about levers

 

 Getting our safety gear ready

 

Using a screw to crush a pop can

 



Exploring inclined planes and wedges

 



Using wheels and axles to make cars

 

The grand finale - Scientist Murphy uses a machine that is made with 

4 simple machines to peel an apple!

 

Word Wall Words: May 6 - 10

Our word wall words to practise this week are:

thing

left

before

men

live

Scientist in the School

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Next Thursday, our class is lucky to have a Scientist come to our class to teach us about Simple Machines.  She will have hands-on-learning activities prepared for our students where we will be exploring and creating the 6 simple machines.  This is an excellent program that I have had visit my class in previous years.
The cost per student for this program is $10, however our school has generously offered to subsidize the cost.  We are asking each student to bring $5 and the school will pay the rest.
Thank you for supporting your child's learning!

Word Wall Words: April 29 - May 3

Our word wall words to practise this week are:

last

friend

give

every

found

Officer Marcie Visit

Last week, Officer Marcie came to our class to talk about personal safety.  She gave the students good advice on how to stay safe.  Please ask your child what they learned from her and discuss as a family different ways that they can stay safe.



Math - Probability

In math, we are learning about probability.  We are discussing the likelihood of possible outcomes of events or games (i.e. It is likely going to rain tomorrow.)
Please review the probability words with your children and ask them to describe the probability of everyday events at home.  For example:
What is the probability that you will have a sandwich for lunch tomorrow?
What is the probability that you will read a book today?
What is the probability that you will go to bed at 8:00pm tonight?