A Sense of Europe

Grade 1/2 has been quite busy since returning back from the winter break. Last week we started a new unit of inquiry titled “A Sense if Europe”. This unit will focus on providing the class with a general understanding of European geography and a look into what life was like in Switzerland in the 19^th century.  To begin, the class discussed the definition of a continent and was then asked to draw a map of what they think Europe looks like, including as many details as they wish. There were countries, cities, rivers, islands and even erupting volcanoes!  Afterwards, Grade 1/2 had the opportunity to examine a real map of Europe and learn about the other world continents.

 

 

Kind regards,

Ms. Christine Aberley
Grade 1/2 Classroom Teacher



Happy Holidays

Happy holidays from Grade 1/2.  

 

Enjoy the well deserved break and see you in the New Year!


Kind regards,

Ms. Christine Aberley
Grade 1/2 Classroom Teacher

Xiu Xiu

Grade 1/2 is becoming quite the group of multi-linguists!  This week, Mrs. Xu dropped by to teach the class some basic greetings and numbers in the most spoken language around the world - Mandarin.  Mrs. Xu teaches in the MYP and is famous for her kinesthetic language lessons and mere minutes after her arrival she had Grade 1/2 moving their arms in time with the tonal language.  Overall, it was a very enjoyable lesson and hopefully, some of the boys and girls were inspired to study Mandarin as a Language B course when they enter the MYP.

Xiu xiu Mrs. Xu! 

Kind regards,

Ms. Christine Aberley
Grade 1/2 Classroom Teacher

Happy Diwali

This week, Grade 1/2 had the pleasure of yet another guest visit.  Mrs. Damle kindly agreed to come and share about how Diwali is celebrated in India, one of the biggest and most popular holidays for Hindus.  The class learned about the different days of the celebration and their special meaning.  Afterwards, she showed Grade 1/2 how to make patterned paper lanterns to symbolize the lights that are used to scare away spiritual darkness.

Thank you very much Ms. Damle.

 

 

Kind regards,

Ms. Christine Aberley
Grade 1/2 Classroom Teacher



Ciao!

This week, as part of our inquiry into different languages, Grade 1/2 had a very special guest come teach them some basic Italian - Ms. Carta from the MYP/DP.  Ms. Carta is originally from Sardinia, Italy and was a wonderful language teacher.  Grade 1/2 learned how to say hello, goodbye, days of the week, months of the year and how to count to 10 in Italian.  The class was quick to make connections between English and their different mother tongues to Italian. Grazie Ms. Carta!

 

 

 

Semester Artwork to Go Home

The first semester is quickly coming to a close and there is a lot of wonderful artwork to go home. Please have your child bring in a large shopping bag (ex. from Coop, Ikea, etc.) on Tuesday December 10^th 2013.  Together, we will pack everything up so that it can be brought home on the last day of school before the holidays.

Kind regards,

Ms. Christine Aberley
Grade 1/2 Classroom Teacher

Happy Hanukkah

This week, as part of our inquiry into how different members of the class celebrate the holidays, Grade 1/2 had the opportunity to learn about the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah from Mrs. Frenkel.  She was kind enough to share a short story in Hebrew and talk about the history and special traditions of Hanukkah.  The class even had the opportunity to play with some dreidels that she had brought all the way from Israel.  Grade 1/2 then took turns lighting the candles on a menorah and made some colorful Hanukkah themed artwork using melted candle wax.

A big “toda” to Mrs. Frenkel for her visit.

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

Ms. Christine Aberley
Grade 1/2 Classroom Teacher

Roy G. Biv

This week Grade 1/2 turned once again to the outside world for inspiration and learned about the colours of the rainbow. To help remember the colours and their order, the class was introduced to a mysterious man named Roy G. Biv - or an acronym for red, orange, yellow, blue, indigo and violet. Grade 1/2 also learned about the basic Science behind a rainbow and why we only see one when there is rain and sun. The class then made their own rainbows using objects found in the classroom.

If you can remember any of your own acronyms or mnemonic devices to remember the colours of the rainbow, we would love to hear them.

Kind regards,

Ms. Christine Aberley
Grade 1/2 Classroom Teacher