Learning from the Land: Community Walk to Mohkinstsis

Today we walked to Mohkinstsis and back. Mohkinstsis is where the Elbow and the Bow rivers meet. Mohkinstsis means elbow in Blackfoot and Cree. The Bow River was named the Bow because it is lined with chokecherry bushes that were used to make the bow of a bow and arrow. The Elbow river was named the Elbow because of the shape it makes where the Bow and Elbow meet. Mohkinstsis is important because it is a traditional meeting places for many Indigenous groups. The Science word for this is the confluence.  

While we were at the meeting of the rivers, we completed a learning task where we drew and wrote important memories we each have at the rivers. Ms Elder brought watercolour pencil crayons and water brushes that we could use.

After snack and recess at the East Village playground, we completed some work for Science on Earth Systems. We took the opportunity of being at the river to study the hydrosphere, the animals who make their homes there, and how humans have impacted it. We filled in a chart to explain the human impact on the river and how we could respect it.

At the end of our walk, Ms Elder taught us the word reciprocity. This means giving back when you receive something. We showed reciprocity to the land by giving it back carbon dioxide from our breaths, a splash of water from our water bottles or thanking the land by saying something we learned.

Showing reciprocity

Student Quotes:

"I enjoyed not having to stare at the Smartboard all day." ~ EF

"I liked that we walked a lot and breathed a lot of fresh air." ~ Marko

"I saw a bunch of stuff outside that I've never seen before." ~ HC
"I saw some ladybugs and some natural items." ~ AA

"I liked moving my body and seeing different stuff." ~ VG

"I saw lots of plants and bugs." ~ Gillian

"I saw some berries and a squirrel." ~ Kaira

"I learned that when you're moving around, you think better." ~ Oscar

"I learned the word reciprocity." ~ Wynn

"I saw so many natures and plants but I didn't have enough water to plant them." ~ Ekagra

Reminder: Earth Systems Quiz on Sept 25

Hi Students,

This is a reminder that you have a Science Assessment for Earth Systems coming up.

Quiz date: Thursday, Sept 25.

Here is what you are expected to know for the test, in case you'd like to review at home. You can use the resources on Google Classroom and re-read our class blog posts for help.

• Name and define the 4 spheres (lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere).
• Explain how the spheres are interconnected. If we impact one, all are impacted.
• Explain why water is so important to humans (5+ reasons)
• Explain how humans are dependent on each sphere, as well as how we impact each sphere.
• Communicate ideas clearly, in full sentences, using scientific language discussed in class.

If you have any questions, reach out to Ms Elder.

Marshmallow Challenge

We took part in Ms Elder's Marshmallow Challenge! Our goal was to build the tallest possible structure using 20 pieces of raw spaghetti, 1 m of tape, and 1 meter of string. We were allowed to use scissors. You can't lean the tower against anything and if it falls down, it doesn't count. After we're done building it, we have to put a marshmallow on top.

Our tallest tower was 89 cm. We had three groups score above 80 cm, which is as good as engineers and architects do on this challenge!

Here are some pictures of us building our towers:

Student Quotes: 

"It was hard to make the base of the tower because the spaghetti was so delicate and snapped very easily." ~ Gillian

"My group decided to use triangles and it worked really well for the first one. For the second one, I think we made it too tall and heavy." ~ EF

"Our group got the supplies. When we were building it, we did not really need the rope because we thought the tape would make it strong." ~ HC

"On the first one, our design was really bad because people were arguing way too much. On the second one, we figured out a better design. It kept on leaning so we had to keep adding spaghetti to hold it up." ~ CB

"We had to be patient to do this because our first tower, we weren't so patient and it fell down. We didn't give it support and we were nervous about time." ~ AA

"While we were stacking the spaghetti, it kept leaning over. So we put some spaghetti on the side so it wouldn't bend over." ~ Fatima

"We were using little bits of tape at the end because we didn't have much left and then at the last minute, it just fell." ~ EK

"On the first structure, we had to combine all our ideas together and that made it really strong 'cause a lot of people wanted to make it really strong but I also wanted to make it be able to stand." ~ Wynn

"We just started to make a pyramid then we started to make the tower, then put the marshmallow. The next idea was to make another tower and connect the marshmallow with the spaghetti and then it didn't balance so we added that extra thing then it was leaning." ~ Ekagra

"We started with a tipi, then when we made it taller, it started to fall over so we made two things to like support it." ~ Oliver

"I think it's not that your group picks a leader, I think somebody just starts leading." ~ JR

"We made a big base but we added too much spaghetti on the top so it leaned a lot." ~ KD

"We used support beams and we taped them to the ground to keep them standing up and that worked." ~JA

Here are some pictures of us working on our journal entries. We needed to write a paragraph describing our challenges and successes as a team, as well as draw and label a sketch of our tower. 

If you want to watch the video describing the Marshmallow Challenge, click here. 

HOMEWORK: Bring nature items for Andy Goldsworthy Art on Monday

Dear Parents,

The Grade 4 students are reviewing the 3 Pillars of Care, which will help build community within our classroom.

In connection with our pillar, Care For This Place, we will begin to look at the work of artist Andy Goldsworthy who creates temporary natural art. 

Over the weekend, please have your child gather some natural artifacts that we will use to create our own ‘Andy Goldsworthy’ inspired nature art.  Please have the artifacts at school by Monday, Sept. 15.

Artifacts to consider could include leaves, twigs, stones, berries, flowers, or anything else that may be found in the natural environment.  Please try not to harm anything ‘living’ in your search for artifacts.

Thank you,

Ms. Elder

Collecting Data through Math Games

Today, Ms Elder taught us a game called Clockominoes. In this game, you draw a domino, add the dots together, and place the domino with that total on the arm of the clock. 

We calculated as a class what the smallest number of dominoes was that you'd need to win (12), and the greatest total you'd need to win (27). We started a chart to show who in our class was the luckiest (needed the fewest dominoes to win). Then, we played to collect the data!

Student Quotes
"I like that this game is about luck." ~ MZ
"I like that it is a game you can do with a friend or by yourself." ~ Wynn
"I like that if you win, you can let the other person have one more try." ~ HC
"I like that it's a game about pure luck. You don't have to be good at anything, just lucky." ~ EF
"I was the unluckiest person." ~ Oscar
"Overall, I like the game." ~ JR
"This game teaches us about counting." ~ AA
"I liked that this game is about Math and also about just fun." ~ EK
"I like this game because I got the chance to make with dominoes." ~ EJ
"I like this game because it teaches you a little more about the numbers on a clock." ~ Oliver
"Me and Oscar were the most unlucky people." ~ JA
"I like it because it's fun and easy." ~ CB
"I like how it's testing me a little." ~ Fatima

"I like this game overall. I thought it wasn't fun but then I played it and it was fun." ~FA

What Do You Hope For?

Today, we watched a video on What Do You Hope For? It is linked to our Google Classroom so we can re-watch it at home. Here are some photos from all of the Grade Fours and our ideas: