Buzz about Bees

In anticipation and preparation for our upcoming trip to the Richmond Nature Park for the Bees in the Bog program we've been doing a whole lot of thinking, wondering, reading and leaning about bees! Here's a peek at our exploration table. We keep adding more things as we go. 

Today we focused on the life cycle. We repurposed Sabrina's birthday cupcake trays (thanks) to create the cells of a colony. We added Pom Pom bees including a large queen, a drone and several worker bees. After this mornings work we added clear beads to represent the eggs and felt to act as wax to cap each cell once the larvae are ready to turn into pupae. 

There's a felt puzzle of a bee with labels of the body parts for the kids to put together, a sequencing activity for the life cycle, lots of books and photos too. We're learning lots of interesting things!

Drawing with Wire

Following our lesson on looking closely, students chose one favourite nature inspired thing to 'draw' or sculpt with wire. 

We looked at some examples together on the Smartboard and talked a little about the importance of planning and thinking things through. 

They each selected a colour of wire to start with that was about a foot long. They were able to use more wire of various colours and lengths once they'd created their main shape. 

There was a lot of exploring and experimenting with this new medium. The wire was pliable enough to bend easily with their hands but firm enough to hold shapes, lines and patterns. Flowers were popular. Daisies, dandelions and a buttercup. Insects too. Spiders and webs. Feathered friends as well. 

After sculpting it was time to draw their masterpieces. Again, focusing on the details, students used sharpies to recreate their wire drawing on paper. Many were exact replicas. Amazing. 

Finally, together with the students we finished up with a 'talk and type' session where they were invited to talk about what they'd made as I typed their thoughts. These were then printed onto address labels and added to their drawings.

The wire art is being displayed in the glass showcase in our front hall. They're quite something!

Looking Closely

We spent almost an entire afternoon just outside our classroom door, looking closely at living things all around us. When asked to slow down and pay attention to what catches their eye, it was amazing how observative, thoughtful and purposeful they were. 

Equipped with clipboards and notepaper, these explorers were quick to find interesting things right underfoot to sketch, label and ponder. 

Before long, the children were gathering and collecting treasures. Some only made it ten feet from the door but the field notes they recorded were plentiful. I've never seen such a focused and engaged bunch. Tapped into their senses, they were able to explore and observe things on a different, more intimate level. 

Back inside, after much coercing (they didn't want to come in) they shared their findings and treasures with their tablemates. 

The following day, we revisited our notes and looked through photographs we'd captured from our outing. Students chose a photo that spoke to them and spent some time drawing, writing and reflecting on their experience. 

The display board outside our classroom highlights their learning and the process involved, from clipboards notes, to sketches and photographs and writing. 

Peacocks

Oil pastels on black paper were used to create these stunning, vibrant peacocks. Students followed a directed drawing lesson which provides step by step instructions. Aren't they gorgeous?

Mother's Day

The children did such a beautiful job painting flowers on their vases. They created the paper roses by cutting red card stock in spirals and rolling them up. They were so excited to bring them home for mom!

Jellyfish

The first thing that caught our eye when we arrived at the aquarium was a beautiful art installation. The jellyfish pieces were hanging in a glass enclosure on our way in. They were beautiful and handmade and inspired us to make our very own jellyfish. Here is what we saw.....

After revisiting the photos from the day, we came across the jellyfish and thought we could make our own. 

Day one involved painting tissue paper onto balloons with watered down white glue. In partners, the children rolled their sleeves up and got the sticky job started. Peeling the dried glue off their hands was almost more fun than the actual painting and layering of tissue so a second day was needed for a final layer! We wanted to ensure they would be strong enough.

After a very final coat (thank you Miss Jennifer) of the glue, to smooth down the loose pieces, they dries solid and were ready to pop and cut in half. This was pretty exciting! (Insert ooohs and ahhhhs here)

Then it was time for the tentacles. We set up two help yourself ribbon stations and strands of colourful ribbon were carefully stuck to packing tape before being fixed to the bottom side of the domes. Some kids couldn't get enough ribbon and we even curled some of the extra long pieces for some texture and boing!

Our jellyfish will be swimming tomorrow. Can't wait to see what they look like up! 

....here they are! The kids were so excited to see them hanging around the classroom. They are so vibrant and fun. The gentle breeze from the door propped open moves and twirls them and they look like they're dancing in water.