Month: September 2013

grade5, science1 Comment

Grade 5 Classroom Chemistry

Deirdre Bailey

BECOMING A CHEMIST!  Igniting Curiosity through the power of observation. Jocelyn Monteith ~ Grade 5 Math/Science Last week students spent time in the science lab testing a variety of materials (salt, sand, oil, and an Alka-Seltzer tablet) to see what happens when they are mixed with water: what dissolves, what reacts and what remains unaffected. Students hypothesized what they thought would happen based on what they already knew about each of the materials. While conducting each test, students captured their observations in words, images and videos. As you could imagine, the lab was buzzing with excitement, students eagerly calling their … Continue reading Grade 5 Classroom Chemistry

grade6, math3 Comments

Co-Constructing Criteria in Mathematics

Deirdre Bailey

Erin Couillard and Carolyn ArmstrongGrade 6 Math/ScienceNot two weeks into this school year, my math teaching partner, Carolyn Armstrong, and I were lamenting the disarray and disorganization of student math journals. We commented to each other that the work that some of the students were producing was very disorganized, diagrams were drawn without rulers, answers were buried deep within the work and we were finding it hard to get a good sense of the student’s overall understanding of the problem. I had the good fortune of attending a two-day Anne Davies workshop in Canmore last week and she reinforced the importance … Continue reading Co-Constructing Criteria in Mathematics

grade5, math2 Comments

Grade 5 Math Problem

Deirdre Bailey

Valerie Barnes and Jocelyn MonteithGrade 5 Math/Science Grade 5 students were recently given the following math problem. The assignment, feedback, submission and assessment steps are taking place in Edmodo. It has been great to see the comments on the assignment page where students are offering feedback, asking questions, and assisting with technical support. Assignments are due this week may the force be with them. Use your Problem Solving skills to solve this problem. Once you have completed the THINK time (independent work) and proved that you have solved the problem during PAIR time (getting and giving peer feedback) you are … Continue reading Grade 5 Math Problem

grade8, science, technology2 Comments

Science Mentorship with Telus Spark and RVSD

Deirdre Bailey

Our grade 8 students and teachers are very fortunate to be working with Telus Spark and schools from the Rocky View School Division in the Science Communication Mentorship Program. Our students will be working with Telus Spark Exhibit Developers, members of APEGA, and Telus Spark Facilitators in creating exhibits for a public celebration of learning at Telus Spark on December 4, 2013. Our RIG “You be the Wires”  Teachers from the two divisions met at Telus Spark on August 30, 2013 to discuss the project and participate in a RIG process (Random Idea Generator) in their prototype lab. The Calgary … Continue reading Science Mentorship with Telus Spark and RVSD