Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Last week, we celebrated Dr. Seuss's Birthday in our classroom.  We noticed features of Dr. Seuss's books (rhymes, nonsense words, funny characters) and had fun making as many rhyming words as we could.  We played some fun Dr. Seuss themed math games that helped us practice our adding facts and we read Dr. Seuss books with a buddy!  We also read my favourite Dr. Seuss book, "Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are".  After reading the book (and laughing at the pictures), we discussed all the things that we are lucky to have and the things we are lucky we don't have to worry about!  The writing we did on this topic was a pleasure to read.  We really are a lucky bunch!

Buoyant Boats!

It was a busy week in our classroom!  Students applied their knowledge of buoyancy to create a boat out of modelling clay.  Each student was given the same amount of clay.  Initially, we noted that the clay would sink, but with some creative changes, students could alter it's 'shape and density' to make it float.  The goal was to create a boat that would float and hold a number of gems before sinking.
After our initial testing, students were encouraged to change their boat design in order to improve its performance.  Many students were able to use their knowledge and observations of more successful boats to successfully change their boat.  We had a lot of fun cheering for each other.  Eventually, everyone managed to create a boat that would float!  Great job everyone!

Ministry Expectation:  
By the end of Grade Two, students will :
-use technological problem-solving skills and knowledge acquired from previous investigations, to design, build, and test a structure that involves interactions between liquids and solids (e.g., an object that floats)
Sample guiding questions: What did you build? How does it use the properties of liquids and solids? What changes might you make based on the testing that you did on your object? Who might find this information useful?