While some were busy making cards or writing poems, others were putting the finishing touches on gifts for their moms. The kindergarten students even treated their moms to a lovely Mother's Day concert on Friday. Under the guidance of their teachers, the students had practiced for many days to perfect their presentation. The students did a great job of singing songs like Hey Baby and Hug Bug. It was a lovely afternoon and the students enjoyed singing and having a special photo shoot with their moms. It’s hard to say who had more fun, students or moms. Having the opportunity to watch your child perform is always a memory maker. The little ones were also anxious to share a special treat and a handmade gift with their moms.
Swimming lessons are well underway for Grade 1 and kindergarten classes. All SES students have the opportunity to participate in swimming lessons during the school year. Older students go swimming in the fall while younger students have their turn in the spring. Learning to swim provides students with a valuable life-long skill and it fits with the physical education curriculum in all grades.
The swimming also fit nicely with the ocean theme studies that kindergarten students are presently engaged in. They have been learning about sea life and are proud of the many ocean creature crafts they have made. Mrs. Thorne has decorated her classroom with blue streamers and colourful fish; the students pretend they are swimming in the ocean as they enter the classroom. What a wonderful way for prairie students to “visit the ocean.” In Mrs. du Toit’s class, they have a new fish whose name is yet to be determined. The children are delighted to have the Siamese fighting fish join their class. They have been suggesting names and will soon be voting on their final choice. Suggested names include: Ninja, Fishy, Nemo and Sharky. After the votes are counted, the class will announce the name.
In science, Mrs. Jackson’s Grade 1 students looked inside a bean seed and learned the parts of the seed. The students also planted sunflower seeds this week and are anxiously waiting for the first sign of the seeds to sprout. Meanwhile, Mrs. Sylvester’s Grade 1 students planted bean seeds for their science unit. They are observing the sprouting and growth of their beans. Each student scientist has a journal in which they sketch and write down their daily observations.
Ms. Nielsen’s Grade 4 students are having lots of fun learning about decimals and comparing tenths and hundredths. It is amazing how many interesting activities their resourceful teacher can come up with to help them learn the concept of decimals. Even more amazing is the creativity of the students as they apply their knowledge when comparing tenths and hundredths. Good work all around!
If it seems like there are lots of elementary students on the track these days, there are! Every May, Ms. Limpert organizes a spring running program. The program is off and running again this year. Thus, most classes have begun spending their daily physical activity period running the track and collecting toe tokens. The students really enjoy both collecting the tokens and being outside in the warm weather. Although it is not a requirement, some students get quite competitive, setting individual goals for the number of laps they can run each day. Running and walking are another great life-long activity that students can use in their adult life long after they have finished school.