The students of Portable 5 have been exploring the themes of grief and loss as part of their health curriculum this term.  They have had the opportunity to read and discuss children’s literature about loss, and to write about and reflect on their own experiences. Together as a class they designed and created a mural on the theme.  The images and text in the mural represent places and people that we can go to for support when we are experiencing grief or loss; the messages in the tree leaves express ways that we can help loved ones who are suffering.  Please feel free to come by and take a look!

 

In Room 8, we have been learning about magnetism. We have been investigating about what magnets are attracted and not attracted to. We tested objects that we used and see every day in our classroom. We tested these objects in between cardboard, paper, books and tin foil to see if the magnet would be attracted to the object even with an obstacle (like paper) in its way.

 

To further our learning, we created games in 4 groups that involved some sort of magnetic feature.

 

The criteria that had to be met was: 

 

1. The game had to have magnets that showed magnetic attraction in it.
2. It could not be too small or too big.
3. It had to be a game that could be played multiple times.

 

We had some pretty neat games that were made and we tested them this week!

 

Game 1 

Fisherman Game 

(Magnets: The Fishing Rods & Fish)

 

Game 2 

Candy Maze 

(Magnets: When you pick your character it attaches to a magnetic piece on the pole)

 

Game 3

Magnet Run

(Magnets: A stick that you use underneath the game with an attracted object (like a paper clip) so you can get through the maze)

 

Game 4

Haunted House

(Magnets: A magnet underneath the game with an attracted object on top (like a paper clip) so you can get through the maze)

 

Feel free to come and check out our games and ask the students in Room 8 how they made them!

Over the past few weeks, Room 14 has been exploring the elements of a sturdy structure and comparing the building qualities of various materials (strength, flexibility, durability, water/weather resiliency, density, etc.) We have more recently undertake three Design Process challenges to showcase our learning, and to expand on what we know through small-group collaboration.

Our first challenge was to build a support bridge that spanned the width of a single floor tile, and could suspend at least 5kg of weight in the air.  The groups’ focus was on testing the strength and stability of different materials, and how they could be used to counter the force of gravity.  Initial designs were simple, and we had a blast watching the successes and challenges of different groups!

The second challenge was to build a support bridge that focused on using strong shapes in its design so that 10kgs of weight could be evenly distributed throughout the structure during testing.  With some experience under our belts, the different prototypes started getting put together with greater intention and uniformity.

Our third challenge escalated quickly, requiring groups to reorganise and come up with blue prints for how to design a structure that spanned the width of two floor tiles and was capable of supporting 50kgs in the air!

Project and task-based learning is a great opportunity for kids to take control of their learning and share their unique ideas with one-another.

Room 7 has been enjoying zipping, sliding, and gliding at weekly ‘Learn to Skate’ lessons! We have been learning a lot and having A GREAT TIME!

Karman says, “it is so much fun to skate!”

Aisha says, “we learn how to do tricks”.

Daiwik says, “we get to play games”.

In Kindergarten we have been building classroom community and celebrating diversity. We respect each other, their culture, language and their festivals. We make connections and have been exploring each other’s culture. In connection with this Mrs. Buttar’s class celebrated Diwali by lighting candles. Candles symbolize victory of knowledge over ignorance. This is the significance of Diwali, victory of light over darkness.

“We are here for a reason!” chorused by Grades One, Two and Three students in Room 6. Our students share a united voice of agreement to Nancy Tillman’s masterpiece: “You’re Here for a Reason”. Known for their artistry, the students started to express their thoughts through a ‘hands-inspired’ cut-out artwork celebrating their uniqueness and individualities yet intertwined together to create a distinct community of learners. The entire process showed their individual understanding of the very reason of their existence in a community school, AE Wright. Their little actions proved that they are voices to reckon with in the very near future. Their enthusiasm, laughter and joy are elements that were not captured in their artwork but rather imprinted in the very words they wrote, in the artwork they designed, and the coordinated effort they employed. Alas! A masterpiece proudly hanging in Room 6 is a showcase of how young minds expressed the reason of their ‘being’ and ‘belonging’… of their right for a space they can confidently and safely call their own.

Classes at AEW carved pumpkins last week for Halloween!  Classes kept the seeds and Ms. Richards class turned them into a healthy snack for the whole school!.

Here’s what they did:

• clean and let the seeds dry overnight
• drizzle with melted butter or olive oil
• season with salt & pepper to taste,
• season with curry& chilli powder to taste
• bake at 400 30-45 mins or until crunchy
• Enjoy!

 

 

Throughout the first part of the year, the grade 5 – 8 physical education classes have explored movement concepts of space awareness through a variety of games and activities. One of the activities that we used to explore space awareness was flag football. Arthur E. Wright students had an opportunity to demonstrate some of the things we learned at the Seven Oaks School Division Flag Football Jamboree. It was a great day of activity and fun! The students participated in a number of flag football games at the brand new North Winnipeg Soccer Complex. It was a great experience for all!