“When we are grateful, we are always in the present moment…”

Dear Families,

Believe it or not, but we’re entering our last week in April!  Wowie, I just felt like we had “April Fools” day!  Time is zipping by, but this being said, we’ve made the most of our learning time J  Students have been keen, enthusiastic, and caring towards their academic work in class – a delight for any teacher to see and be part of! 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new student Mikayla to our class!  She arrived Tues. from Shanti Bay Public School and has been a wonderful addition.  I hope you’ve enjoyed your first week at our school making new friends!  We are fortunate to have such inclusive and kind children here; I have observed many reach out to her to make Mikayla feel welcome.  Thank you boys and girls for being extremely kind, caring, and thoughtful!

Earth Day Celebration:

Earth Day Cookies!  Taking care of our Planet!!!

On Tuesday, I shared an informative picture book titled “Taking Care of Our Earth.”  In this book, the author suggested ways that we can help conserve energy, minimize pollution, and keep our Earth clean.  Please ask your child how you as a family can make a positive difference and help our planet.  During our Earth discussion, Josie shared with us all how her family went out in their community and picked up garbage.  Thank you Josie for sharing this experience with us all, I know you’ve inspired your peers!

As a consolidating task, we made “Earth Cookies” and talked about how the green icing represents the land/continents and the blue icing represents the water/oceans.  It was a yummy, yet, meaningful experience.  Please take a moment to enjoy the pictures of our creations.  

Jax & Trista

Izzy & Alexander

Anjoli, Steven & Josie

Bradely, Eryn, Owen & Carrie-ann

Mikayla, Mikaila & Jakob

William, Grace & Wyatt

Alex, Julia, & Eagen

Daniel, Alexandra, & Ryan

Baby Chicks:

I mentioned in my previous post that I would let you know about this process and I do have an update! Unfortunately, none of our chicks hatched L  However, we discussed the various factors that may have contributed to this.  We had a rich inquiry and whole-class discussion about this!  Some of the factors may have included:  temperature, humidity, eggs not fertilized, and the power outage on the snow day.  With Ms. Hartley’s assistance, we opened a few eggs to investigate how far along some of the eggs developed.  Each student had the right to participate or the right to pass in this opportunity, and to our amazement, each scientist (student) participated with an open-heart J  The learning from this was remarkable as everyone was engaged.  In the end, Ms. Hartley and I shared with our students that like John Parkes, we are going to persevere and try and try again!  So we will be hatching another batch of chick eggs soon.  Stay tuned!

Here are a few pictures from our inquiry on Thursday.

Thank you Ms. Hartley for being part of our investigation!!!

OELC April 30^th – May 3^rd:

On Wednesday evening, I will be attending an Exploring Leadership Conference with 5 of our New Lowell students in Gr. 6 and 7.  I will be away from school on Thursday and Friday, Mrs. Draper will be in for me.  She is a wonderful supply teacher and has worked in my classroom before.  I know she is looking forward to teaching and getting to know your child further.  Please reinforce with your child the importance of maintaining their best behavior in my absence.  Thank you.  I look forward to sharing my experiences and some of the activities from OELC (Ontario Educational Leadership Conference) upon my return!

“Inclusiveness – including everyone in your play even if you’re not friends with them.” 

Thank you Steven for sharing your quote with US!

Namaste,

Miss Gill

“The Earth is what we all have in common.”  --Wendell Berry

Dear Families,

I hope you’re all having a wonderful Easter weekend with all your loved ones on this gorgeous, bright, sunny weekend!  We were showered with love (rain) this morning, but now the sun’s beaming J  YAY!   On Thursday, students had the opportunity to share their ‘Easter traditions,’ it was lovely to hear about these as I could visualize their experiences and excitement!   I am certain many more cherished memories were created over the weekend and I look forward to hearing about those this week!

Earth Day & Chicks Arrival:

On Tuesday, we will be celebrating Earth Day!  I believe it is such an important day to honour as we are so very blessed to live in an area that is safe, beautiful, and FREE.  To connect this celebration to our language learning, we will be writing letters to Mother Earth about ways to help keep our schoolyard, community, and Earth clean. 

Cheep!  Cheep!  The newly born sounds and chatter of our baby chicks will be heard throughout our library oh so very soon J  We have been highly anticipating their arrival since the beginning of the month!  Ms. Hartley and I have prepared the brooder box and feed for the chicks to begin their new life.  Please stay tuned!!!

Mad Scientist Visit:

Owen & Jessie - sound waves experiment

Scientist Jessie teaching new vocabulary

Due to the snow day on Tuesday, our scientist visit occurred on Wednesday morning with Jessie.  We welcomed Ms. Czerny’s grade fours into our learning community as this was a Grade 4 Science Curriculum related experience.  The students were exposed to various experiments that had to do with Light & Sound.  I would like to acknowledge and thank our scientist Jessie on a spectacular learning experience as all students were engaged, excited and enthusiastic throughout the learning.  It truly helped consolidate their thinking as we have focused on this strand of science over the past couple of weeks.  Please ask your child about the following terms: opaque, translucent, transparent, artificial/natural light, shadows, penumbra, umbra, and sound waves. 

William, Grace, and Wyatt

Constructing a "Pan Flute"

Izzy diligently working hard on making her flute

Sean and Josie working together to get the job done!

Kendra, Alexandra, Paige, and Ryan focused scientists

Steven and Anjoli

Xavier and Sean testing their vision

Jakob, Mikaila, and Carrie-ann cooool shades!

Kendra, Paige, Alexandra, and Ryan

Sammi, Jax, and Trista

Bradley, Owen, Makayla, and Eryn

Sean, Steven, Anjoli, and Laila

Xavier, Alexander, and Izzy sound experimenting

Fit 2 Dance:

Jenn Litt leading "Strike a POSE!"

Tyler Boyle engaging one and ALL :)

As part of our dance learning, we had the privilege of having Tyler Boyle and Jenn Litt both teachers in the surrounding area come into our school to promote DANCE, FITNESS, & WELL-BEING!  Both these individuals have a gift for connecting and promoting dance as a means to health & wellness.  The students from K-8 were involved in this program and I can say with every confidence that most students were up and groooooovin’ with their minds and bodies to the up-beat tunes.  As a teacher, I too was inspired by Tyler and Jenn, and will carry on their enthusiasm into my own dance teaching practice.  I especially liked when at the end of our dance session, we all had a moment to regroup, relax and meditate by lying down on our backs to soak in the experience.  It was extremely calming, relaxing and rejuvenating.  Thank you Mr. Boyle and Ms. Litt, “YOU BOTH ARE AWESOME!!!”

Jenn Litt gathering all students to de-brief and encouraging us all to respect ourselves and each other

Meditation to calm our minds and bodies

“Make happiness a habit.”

Namaste,

Miss Gill

  

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched they must be felt within the heart.”  --Helen Keller (Thank you Julia for sharing this quote with US).

Wacky Hair Day Enthusiasts!  Way to go boys and girls

Dear Families,

As you can see from the picture above, on Thursday we celebrated “Wacky Hair Day” at our school!  I love seeing staff and students get into the spirit and display their creativity and funk!  My morning started off with a smile when I saw Ms. Hartley’s hair J  You know at the Science Centre how you can touch that electric ball and your hair stands up tall?  Well, Ms. Hartley’s hair resembled that, it was fantastic!  In our class, many students went all out by dying, adding gel and slicking their hair up, down, back, sideways  – well done boys and girls!  Continue displaying your ‘SPIRIT’ as you’re contributing to lots of points for your HOUSE TEAMS!

Egg Candleing:

Scientist Ryan investigating the inside of an egg

On Friday, it was Day 11 for our chick and duck eggs.  This was an opportunity for us all to use the egg candler to see their progress inside.  To our amazement we could see the blood vessels clearly indicating that there is a live embryo inside and developing well J  Everyone was so excited!  I was particularly proud of my students as they handled the eggs with such care and gentleness.

Alexandra & Bradley - sibilings candleing with care :)

Duck Egg!  Big and Bold :)

 

Social Studies Inquiry Process:

In our Social Studies learning, Ms. Hartley has had the students work in pairs to inquire, investigate, and gather information for an Ancient Civilization of choice such as Medieval Times, Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, China.  They have been working very enthusiastically and hard to learn about the ‘past’ and how it relates to and differs from life in Canada now.  Students will then compare the life of a young boy or girl to their life today.  I truly believe this will be a purposeful and eye-opening inquiry!  Please take a moment to ask your child about this process and what Civilization they’re researching and what facts they have gathered thus far.  I think you will be intrigued as well.  Thank you for your support!

Ms. Hartley (librarian) guiding and supporting Eryn, Sammi, Julia, Alexandra, Trista, Anjoli



Mikaila, Izzy, Josie, and carrie-ann



Wyatt independently researching and recording facts :)

Steven, Xavier, and Eagen

Owen & Jax working hard on their inquiry

Jakob, Bradley, Alexander, and guess who?  Daniel :) Love the shirt by the way.

Just a reminder that this is a shortened school week as we celebrate Good Friday and Easter Monday.  I wish you all a cherished and loving time with your family and friends.

“The happiness in your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”

Namaste,

Miss Gill

“The benefits of reading, writing, and math does not outweigh the need for children to learn to work and play together.”  --John Wilson

Dear Families,

I hope you’ve had a lovely weekend with your family!  Today (Sunday) is sunny and bright J I hope you get lots of time outside to enjoy the sun and soak in the much needed Vitamin D!  I always feel so refreshed and rejuvenated with clear skies and the sun beaming its energy upon us.  After this post, I’ll be venturing into the woods for a nice afternoon walk!  I can’t wait J

Character Recognition Assembly:

On Monday we will be having an assembly to celebrate all our recipients for the Character Trait of INTEGRITY – “We can always be trusted even when NO ONE IS WATCHING!”  I have shared with my students how I feel this trait encompasses all our character traits that we have focused on thus far.  I believe if a person demonstrates integrity they also possess respect, caring, cooperation, inclusiveness, empathy, and responsibility.  I am comforted in knowing that WE at New Lowell are truly surrounded with many students who consistently model integrity in their actions.

Congratulations to Anjoli, Mikaila, and Alexander for being recognized for displaying Integrity in your thoughts, words, and actions.  You all have worked diligently hard to demonstrate this trait and I am so very proud of your efforts!  Continue to be your best selves in all that you do!  This month’s (April) character trait focuses on OPTIMISIM– “We believe we can DO IT.  We never give up” From very early on in our school year, I have encouraged my students to always put in their level four personal best in all their academic, social, and behavioural experiences.  I am never looking for “perfect” only your child’s best efforts.  I am delighted to share that most students do their BEST and listen to constructive feedback to improve their achievements!  In addition, we were fortunate that Mrs. Bell invited a keynote speaker by the name of John Parkes to help reinforce the powerful message of PERSEVERANCE - “We try and try again!”  This truly has remained in our hearts as many fondly think of and remember Mr. Parkes!

Hatching Baby Chicks!!!

Incubator (Mother Hen) keeping our eggs warm & cozy!

Fiction & Non-Fiction texts to help reinforce and consolidate our learning!

It is with excitement and joy that I share with you all the newest members of our school community – fertilized chick and duck eggs!  In March, I celebrated my birthday and one of the gifts that I received from my dear friends Mr. and Mrs. Roth was an incubator!  I am so grateful for this because I get to share the journey and life cycle of these wonderful animals with my current and future students!  Thank you so much to the Roths! 

On Tuesday, your child had the opportunity to carefully place one fertilized egg on the rotator in our incubator.  I was so impressed with their gentle and respectful ways as all wanted to ensure that the eggs were safely placed and ready to begin their journey …

30 Fertilized Eggs!  Can you spot the 'Ducks?'

Mrs. Roth

Mrs. Roth thoughtfully engaging all students through the use of technology and using purposeful resources!

On Thursday morning, Mrs. Roth joined our learning community to inspire, guide, teach, and support our Chick Development Learning!  When I shared this news with your child, his/her face lit up as many have connected on an endearing and loving level with her.  Mrs. Roth is a retired educator, but still puts in countless hours to continue supporting me (and various other teachers) in my teaching.  It is because of her that I have shared this new experience with this year’s class.  Exciting times!!!  In her lesson, she shared many important facts about the life cycle of chicks, new scientific vocabulary, engaging songs, an eye-opening video clip, and many interesting non-fiction texts to help us all get an understanding of this process (we were also fortunate to receive 'egg' treats from her visit - yummy!).  I know I learned a lot too!  The students were then given the opportunity to record some of their new learnings to share with their peers.  THANK YOU, Mrs. Roth!  Your teachings and compassion reached the hearts and minds of every learner.  You are a gifted and amazing educator!  We’re so fortunate to have YOU part of our Classroom Family.  We look forward to your next lesson and visit!

Carrie-ann, Steven, and Grace recording new learnings from their science lesson

    

All eyes, ears, and hearts ready to learn!

"Boom, boom, down in the barn yard, down in the barn yard BOOM!"

Mrs. Roth engaging all in "The Seed Song!"

A moment of sharing and consolidating with Jakob :)

Doing what she does best - always listening, engaging and making TIME for children to share their VOICE!

           

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the LIFE IN YOUR YEARS!” 

-- Abraham Lincoln

Namaste,

Miss Gill