Space

As you know, our class has been studying space this term. A really neat space site to explore is NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day. You can click on any date since June 1995 and see the picture NASA posted for that day. I like asking students to check out the picture from their last birthday.

In our space unit, students need to learn what causes day and night and what causes the seasons. We have been working with a Wikispaces site that I set up: Space Wiki. If you go to the pages entitled Night and Day or Seasons, you will see some videos on these subjects. Your child has seen each video, but I'm sure he or she would love to watch them again with you.

While we were at the Planetarium, some of the parent volunteers noticed a display dedicated to Astronaunt Bob Thirsk. Thirsk was born here in New Westminster! To read about his life, visit his biography page using this link: Bob Thirsk.

How Many People are in Space Right Now? is a site that lists the astronauts currently in the International Space Station (ISS). If you click on the astronauts name, it will take you his or her biography page.

Even though he isn't in space anymore, Chris Hadfield's Website contains some interesting information about life on the ISS.

Below is a video of Hadfield and musician Ed Robertson playing a song together while Hadfield is in space and Robertson is on Earth.

I hope you enjoy these space links and please let me know if you come across any other space related games or sites that the students might enjoy. I love teaching this unit as there is so much information out there!

Pajama Day

We had a fun pajama day at school today. Many students dressed in their pajamas and brought their stuffies.
We also had chess club.

First Weeks of January

Planetarium

Last week we went to the Vancouver planetarium. We learned things about the solar system like how the moon was created. We also learned about how astronauts live in the International Space Station. There was a demonstration on how astronauts eat and go to the washroom. While in the Cosmic Courtyard, we touched one of only 5 pieces of moon rock on the Earth.

By Evan and Faisal

Outside of the planetarium in front of the crab statue.

Touching the moon rock.

This Week

This week we had a visit from a parent. She told us about rats. We learned that rats are very clean and only go to the bathroom in one part of their cage, so owners only have to clean the cage once a week or so. The rats were being fostered by a family because the New Westminster Animal Shelter has too many rats for adoption right now.

In school we created First Nations moons and in the library we learned about the different genres of stories.

by Erin and Selena

Rats sleeping

A very curious rat.

 Rats in their cave.