LEGO Christmas Tree

SPOTLIGHT

 

Our class constructed a LEGO Christmas tree. 
Here is how we did it...

First, we made a plan.

Next, we made a model using big LEGO blocks.

We sorted the blocks...

...a pile for bigger blocks,
and a pile for smaller blocks.

Our tree looks more like
a space shuttle.

We talked about how Christmas trees
are usually wider at the bottom
and narrower at the top.

Then, we partnered up with our buddy to make models using the little LEGO blocks.

We can work together!

Here are the Christmas trees we made!

We made one more model using the big LEGO blocks.  

Wider at the bottom.

Narrow at the top.

Here is our final model.

Finally, we used a variety of boxes to make our LEGO Christmas tree.

We sounded out the word LEGO.

We counted how many boxes we used
to make our LEGO Christmas tree.
We used 17!

We talked about the 2-D and 3-D
shapes that we could see when we
looked at the tree.  Squares,
rectangles, triangles, cone,
pyramid, cube, rectangular prism. 

Not Just A Bear

Spotlight 

On November 29, our school will be hosting the Toronto Catholic District School Board We Day workshop for all west end elementary and secondary Me to We teachers.  This is the third year that our school has opened its doors and hosted this inspiring event. 

In order to prepare for this occasion, each division was asked to submit student artifacts that reflected a particular theme.  The primary classes were asked to focus on Education, the junior classes were asked to focus on the Catholic Graduate Expectations, and the intermediate classes were asked to focus on the Year of Hope -anchor symbol. 

Knowing that our focus was education, Ms. Marrella and I immediately thought of the TCDSB logo/symbol.  The TCDSB symbol, which was designed by internationally-recognized design artist Allan Fleming, is made up of a cross, anchor and heart, representing the virtues of faith, hope and charity.

TCDSB Symbol: A community of FAITH, anchored in HOPE with HEART & CHAIRTY

Ms. Marrella and I showed our students the TCDSB symbol and explained its meaning to them.   Our 3, 4 and 5 year old kindergarten students thought it looked similar to a bear’s nose and mouth.  What an amazing connection!  After some discussion, we decided to create a bear for this event.

A few weeks ago, Ms. Pascot, our fantastic librarian, performed for us the story of Alexander the Bear.  This was a special story for our class because Ms. Pascot drew the story!  We remembered this story and decided to model our bear after Alexander from the story. 

Alexander the Bear

Here are some pictures that show the process of our students creating the bear.

 

Reflection

You may be asking what the connection is between the theme Education and the bear.  Well it goes beyond using the TCDSB symbol as the nose and mouth of the bear.  In my opinion, it was the process of actually creating the bear that allowed students to further their knowledge/education.  After learning about the TCDSB symbol, students were required to critically think and make a decision about how they could incorporate that symbol into something meaningful.  They were challenged to be creative in terms of the materials they would use and the placement of those materials.  Finally, our students were responsible for communicating and collaborating with each other during the entire process of this project.  Most importantly though, our students had fun working on this project because they were involved every step of the way, and it was meaningful to them. 

Boxes and Sticks Inquiry

We have started a new inquiry called Boxes and Sticks.

Our inquiry began with a pile of branches and boxes.  The branches were collected from a recent nature walk.  The boxes were found in the hallway when Ms. Johnston (our creative and funny neighbour) moved into her new classroom across the hall.

Our inquiry question is… What can we make with these boxes and sticks? 

Inquiry Corner

Before we can build anything we need to explore the materials we will be using.  Here are some pictures of the students investigating boxes and sticks. 

"Look! This box opens."

"This box looks like a present"

"I think this box is bigger than me!"

Students building a "bumpy road"

Our next step is to decide on something to build and construct with all the boxes and sticks.  Stay tuned for more posts on our box and stick inquiry.