Powers' Rockin' Rookery

This week the children started learning about arrays. They discovered that arrays are a way of organizing things into equal groups.

Check out the video showing the children creating their own arrays and number sentences.

Make your own slide show at Animoto.

Here are some activities, you may wish to try at home.
Write the number sentences to match the following arrays:

#####
#####

******
******

@@@@@
@@@@@
@@@@@
@@@@@
@@@@@

Create arrays to match the following number sentences:
3 + 3 + 3
2 x 4
5 x 3
4 x 5
10 x 1

Make your own photo slideshow at Animoto.

A big huge thanks to Kristy and Malavika for chaperoning!

Our unit on Discovery has well and truly begun. Focusing on outer space, our understanding for the unit is:
Through scientific investigation, we can discover what is beyond Earth.
This week we have focused on discussing what discovery means and sharing what we already know and what we want to know about Earth and beyond.

Our essential questions for this unit below indicate what we would like the children to know by the end of the unit;
What is beyond Earth?
Why does day and night happen?
How is the solar system interconnected?

Below is a list of key vocabulary used during this unit.
solar system, rotation, revolution, planets, stars, sun, moon, Earth, interconnectedness, systems, orbit, gravity, galaxy, cycles, quarters, halves, terrain, location, characteristics, outer space, crater, phase, waxing, waning, crescent, new moon, full moon, gibbous, satellite, sun dial, distance, observation, experiment, prediction, axis

Today we read the book Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. The main character in the story Wilfred lives next door to an old folk’s home. One day Wilfred discovers that his favorite resident at the old folk’s home, Miss Nancy, has lost her memory. As Wilfred discovers what a memory is he also finds a way to help Miss Nancy remember.

Through this story and discussion, the penguins discovered that a memory is something that you remember from the past that may make you feel a certain way when you remember it.

The children began discussing memories from their past, but discovered that sometimes it is helpful to dig up items or pictures from the past to help us remember our memories.

To help your children gain a deeper understanding of the concept of the past, memories and how they are connected to the present and future, it may be helpful for you to share memories or photos of your own, describing what you remember thinking and feeling at the time and how they make you feel today.