A Blog Post From Jack

This week I taught my class Irish dancing, but first I danced for them. It was fun! Then, it was time for me to teach them how. This week we also read chapter one and two of Flat Stanley. It's called Flat Stanley because Stanley got squished by a bulletin board. We also worked on our TWAS and this is my TWAS blog post this week. Have a great weekend!

Spirit Week Events

Jackson Pollock Creations

Have you ever heard of Jackson Pollock? Well, we have!! Today we learned that Jackson Pollock used action painting to create abstract expressionist art. Jackson Pollock was an american painter who is no longer alive. 

Before we went into the art room, we made our "thinker pose" and studied some of Jackson Pollock's famous artwork. Then we headed to the art room and took the "Jackson Pollock pledge of art." We promised to not walk around while holding our paint brushes or artwork, not splattering other peoples artwork and not getting anyone painted.

Then it was time to paint! We decided our theme which included a background colour. 

We loved that :

- we got to use a splatter technique

- we could do whatever we wanted (in a certain abstract style)

- we got to use straws to spread the paint

- we had some different painting techniques/strategies that we shared 

- we experimented with brushes and acrylic squirt bottles 

We had an awesome and fun morning of Jackson Pollock creations! 

Lakewood's Read In Breakfast

This morning we had an amazing Read In Breakfast! We ate muffins, drank juice (our parents had coffee) and read some great books! To find all the pictures we took at the Read In Breakfast, follow our school @lakewoodwpg on Instagram and check out all the fun!

New Math Games

This week at school we played place value scoot. In this game, you set up your tables  in a certain way. Then, you put the cards that have place value blocks down on the tables face down. People  are all around the tables and everyone moves around when Mrs.Cantafio yells "SCOOT!!!!!!!!" Another thing we did was Math Boggle. In this game you have to fill in your own math questions that match numbers in a box. You only get 9 numbers but you can use them multiple times. These numbers have a relationship when you put them together. We had a great week.

By: Mason, Sam and Lexie

Board Game Fridays???

Yes! They're happening! On Fridays your child is encouraged to bring in a board game to share and play with the class? 

WHY YOU MUST ASK??  MOUSTACHE?

Well, check out all the positives board games provide! During choice time, students sometimes get caught up with the same games or activities every week - which is okay when love what they're doing.... but .....our Monsters are encouraged to explore and take risks and try new things!
Here are a few shots (and educational highlights) from our Board Game Friday on January 23rd:

 For the students who brought in the game (maybe 2 - 4 kids per week)
- they felt proud that they had this game to share with their peers
- they could talk about the game, describe the rules, explain what happens if, etc.
- sharing with others & providing a fun experience for their peers

 For students who were enjoying the board games:
- they learned how to play something new / acquire a new skill
- trying something new / taking risks
- encouraged students to play with different kids (mixed groups)
- assist in cleaning up (providing help and support to student who brought the game)
- active listening
- thanked the students who brought in their game to share with others

For all students:
- positive social play and interaction
- sharing
- respect for other peoples' property
- turn taking
- learning how to agree, disagree, ask questions, seek clarification
- learning new skills required by the game (counting, problem solving, critical thinking, etc).

DATE DAYS bring about LOTS OF LEARNING!

Today our students in Room 14 and 15 started their "Canadian Story Wheel" project! We don't want to spoil any surprises, so we can't say too much just yet! All we can truly say, is that our students LEARNED A TON today!

We were SO proud that everyone acted responsibly and put "first things first" by researching their famous landmark at home, and returning their homework back to school.
Both classes worked fabulously well with each other (as per usual) and now know WAY MORE about Canada than they did a few days ago!

Check out our e-brainstorming pages for our first 10 provinces below.
Feel free to comment on our blog and send feedback to our students!
Thanks So Much!
Mrs. Cantafio & Mrs. Yard