Butterflies in the classroom

Our class has a goal to create and care for a butterfly garden. Much of our learning in the early weeks of the term was to find out the best way to achieve this. The students work below is a good reflection of their understanding and interest in this topic. See the students blogs for more.

Kai's facts about the Monarch Butterfly. Made with popplet

Rhy's life cycle of the monarch butterfly. Made with Pic Collage. 

Class art project. The butterfly was first cut into segments and then coloured by each student.

A Butterfly emerging from it's chrysalis in our classroom.

Our Lantern

I was given a large wish lantern last year and I thought it would be an interesting way to define the student's interests and goals for the year. The students wrote their 'wishes' on the strips of paper which we then attached to the lantern. It was a hot sticky day when we released the lantern which once lit, soared swiftly upwards carrying our wishes and hopes for the year. We looked at the science around what caused the lantern to lift. We found that the lantern rose upward because the flame heated the air inside the lantern. This hot air was lighter than the cold air surrounding the lantern, so the lantern itself began to rise. It was exciting to watch - as you can hear from the screams of the kids.

A positive start to a great year ahead

One of the first activities each student did this year was to make an online jig saw puzzle of themselves. First the students had a buddy take a picture of them using the iPad. The students then selected 10 positive words which best described them. They put it all together and by using the website 'Jigsaw Planet' the students were able to create an interactive puzzle. Check out the children's blogs to try a puzzle online. Have fun!