Unit - Save the Planet

 Save the Planet coincided with our Green Schools initiative. In literacy, pupils focused on writing persuasive essays to various audiences. They wrote letters to other schools, politicians and environmentalists. Pupils read articles on environmental initiatives and studied The Lorax as a cautionary tale.

In science, pupils collaborated in groups to create their own eco-systems. Students were responsible for all aspects of their projects. They researched, wrote, designed and presented their work. They became their own eco-warrriors, becoming experts on a cause they were passionate about (animal extinction, pollution, whaling, shark finning etc.) Pupils practiced their debating skills with mock committees; learning how to construct an argument and defend their point of view. Pupils also learned about adaptation, food chains and webs, creating their own webs to fit the environments they had chosen.

 In numeracy students learned about data management and probability. They collected and organized data using line graphs and other graphical representations. Students communicated their thinking orally, visually and in writing.

To finish off the unit pupils used their motor skills and creativity to design and create recycled mother's day purses made out of recycled clothing.

Unit - Under the Sea

                                              Under the Sea

In this unit children learned about fiction and non-fiction. Reading the Little Mermaid (but their are many other sea themed stories to choose from) as well as various non-fiction books about animals that live in the oceans. Pupils were introduced to non-fiction websites such as National Geographic for Kids where they were able to research an ocean animal of their choice. Children created their own under the water scenes, learning to mix paints to create various shades of blue. In science students studied materials, they learned about pollution and began to develop their sense of social responsibility. Children made water bottle fish and were introduced to their own classroom pet fish.

Unit - Friendship

 This is a great unit to begin the new school year with. In literacy children discuss what makes a good friend. They begin to read stories about friendship as well as learn to write pen pal letters. Having children write letters to students in another school/grade/country motivates them to learn proper formatting, it encourages neat writing, punctuation etc. It also teaches them about the writing process. This is also a great way to develop social skills.

                                                                           Letters!

 Learning about the parts of our body and comparing and contrasting our friends' similarities and differences. This is also a great way to build confidence in children, discussing each child's uniqueness, likes, dislikes and strengths.

 Friendship contract.

Using different computer programs to draw our friends.

Unit - Toys

Toys! This unit coincided with Christmas time making it very topical and engaging for the students.

Some of the ways in which the topic was integrated into the curriculum; Children learned about money in numeracy; buying toys and getting change. We even created a toy shop in the classroom where pupils were shop owners and customers. In science children learned about weather. We made our own toy kites and flew them on a still day and again on a windy day. In music children created their own musical instruments (tambourines, guitars and maracas). In art pupils created clay figurines. In history children learned about toys throughout time. This was also integrated into literacy with children reading about toys from the past. Children practiced their oral skills by bringing in their favourite toy and comparing and contrasting it with a toy in the past. Children were encouraged to talk to their parents/grandparents about what toys they played with. The culminating activity for this unit was a trip to the Toy Museum.