Sunday, February 23, 2014

Weekly Update: 21 February

Another busy week!

To finish up our plants unit, students 'discovered' new plants, 
and created seed packets and flowers from their imaginations!

Some of the plants from our experiments are doing quite well!

We performed Pharrell Williams' "Happy" for the closing ceremony.
We've got an excellent group of singers! 

A local school group came and performed traditional Rwandan dance for us.

Watching the performance.

Oliver and Simon learn traditional dance.

A local school group came and taught us some moves!

Bente and Adrienne dancing.

Malcolm and Simon show off their moves!


Monday, February 17, 2014

Arts & Culture Month

We had a week full of arts & culture!

We visited Uburanga Arts:



We learned to Morris Dance:






We did some improv:

We planted our germinated seeds with Ms. Caitlin's class:



We did some print making:

We made found art sculptures:




We sewed puppets:

We learned how to weave traditional Rwandan baskets:


Excited for another busy week!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Queen's Weekly Update: February 14


        This fun week celebrated Arts and Culture Month! WE also sold val-grams for Valentine's Day! We weaved bracelets and danced and made statues! It was a FUN,FUN,FUN WEEK!

Friday, January 24, 2014

Systems of the Body!

The students have been working on their body systems projects and they turned out so well!
Each group completed a poster and a model of their system.

On display in the hallway.

Bente and Unai's muscular system.

Malcolm and Connor's respiratory system.

Oliver and Simon's digestive system.

Queen and Ian's circulatory system.

Andrew and Danielle's nervous system.

Daniel and Adrienne's skeletal system.

I will try and upload the videos of the presentations when the internet is working a little better!


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Math Ninjas!


We have been practicing math facts all year, but now it is time to get serious! Ninja serious.

We are starting again from the x2s, and going all the way to x12 and x2-12. Each time a student passes a test (2 minutes to do 40 problems), they move up a ninja belt color!


We will generally do one level a week, but if they do not pass a level, they will be able to re-take the test in their own time that week, or during testing time the next week. Most students have passed the white belt (x2) and have moved on to working toward the yellow belt (x3). 

Students are making flashcards and practicing in class, but practice makes perfect! Help your child study at home by testing them with their flashcards!

Ways to practice:
1. Practice flashcards! Go through them as quickly as you can by yourself or with a family member or friend. Put the cards you got wrong in one pile. Practice them extra!

2. Write out your facts. Go through the progression...3x1=3, 3x2=6, 3x3=9, etc. The more you write them, the more it will be solidified in your brain!

3. Use the tools and clues we discuss in class. x2 is doubles! x3 is doubles+1 of the number (8x2=16. 16+8=24. 3x8=24!)

4. Practice with fun online games!


Here are some fun websites where students can practice their math facts. These are good on the computer, but also great on an online ipad (touch screen!)

*If you have any other great sites, please let us know!
Online flashcard practice:

Meteor Multiplication - solve multiplication problems to defend your spaceship!

Multiplication Grand Prix - solve problems to win the race!

Penguin Jump - solve problems to jump the icebergs!

Tug Team - Answer facts to win at tug-of-war:

More games:



More Typing Practice!

** Make sure you have the correct finger placement. No picking with only your pointers!!! **

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/
http://www.gamequarium.com/keyboarding.htm
http://games.sense-lang.org/