Awesome week of special events

It's been an awesome week to be in Room 202:

First, we had Milo's dad come in and introduce us to a variety of new instruments last Friday. Students were especially riveted when they got to play pieces of songs from Star Wars with them.

Next, we had our belated November cooking session on Tuesday. I'm trying to alternate between savoury and sweet. Last month, we made Apple Crumble. This time, we made pizza. 

First we kneaded the dough.

Then we rolled it out, and grated cheese.

Some students helped shred kale, slice peppers and cut fresh basil

We spread olive oil and tomato sauce

Added some cheese

And all the fresh veggies. 

Eating together as a group.

I was surprised at how many students ate all the veggies on the finished pizza, perhaps because they'd put so much work into it. My camera was having issues this day, but all the students participated and enjoyed their hard work.

Thanks go out to Olivia and Cheryl and especially Diane, who organized it all, brought in all the ingredients, AND picked out two pizza themed books. Pete's a Pizza is a newfound favourite! (The parents decide to turn their child into a pizza in order to cheer him up! So perfect for this age where everything is about the power of the imagination.)

And then, today, we had a Radiologist (Julia's grandmother) come in to talk about Bones. She brought some actual human bones, a light box and many sample X-rays to share. Students were fascinated:

Looking at all the bones in the foot

Leg bones

Noticing the spongy structures where blood used to flow.

Hipbone connects to the leg bone: ball and socket joints

Some students continued to ask questions: 
Others reflected in their own ways: 

Drawing skeletons

Making a leg bone

Measuring was a favourite activity. Students compared the weights of different bones and also measured their length or compared them to their own bodies.

The Radiologist visit was especially relevant because we've been thinking about the human body for so long and many students are still interested in this inquiry. The Grade 5's are also looking at the Human Body right now, we were able to share the Radiologist and hope to visit their classroom in order to learn more about different systems in the body. 

The only challenge with all of this awesomeness is maintaining a sense of routine for the students. Several of them have complained that they didn't get enough time to play, or they haven't finished their journals yet this week. 

Here's what's going on between times: 

Building using triangles, the strongest shape.

Mixing colours

Shared writing

And lots of silly fun. 

Tomorrow is Library. There has been recent issues with the circulation computer, so if books are not sent home tomorrow, the library may still be working to resolve this issue.

Yours in learning,

Ms. Goegan