Rec Center Tour -- Beyond Recycling

As part of the Beyond Recycling program, our class had a tour of the Rec Center.  When the Rec Center was built, energy efficiency was extremely important.  Students learned that

•  lights and heat can come on by the use of sensors (example:  near the hockey dressing rooms)
•  using specialty windows to trap in heat/cold
• use of specialty light bulbs to reduce energy
•  heat that comes off the system that keeps the ice rink cold can be used to heat the pool
• the use of ultraviolet lights to kill bacteria in the pool, thus reducing the amount of chlorine that needs to be used
• the importance of insulating pipes to keep warm/cold in the pipes

Above are a few of the big ideas covered.  The students enjoyed seeing the "inner workings" of the Rec Center and some students provided suggestions on how they could make improvements!

                                      Students learned that the whole system can be ran from a phone.

                              The sensor that controls both lighting and heating by the hockey change rooms.

                                          Stu giving us a tour of the mechanical room.

Egg Drop

The Egg Drop was a fantastic time for students to have some fun and to use their problem solving skills.  Students were given criteria on what they could use to build their egg drop contraption.  Once created, it was dropped from 15 meters.  It is always exciting to see what creative ideas students are able to come up with.  Below are some of the pictures of students who participated and kept their contraptions after is dropped.

See Mr. Blick's Humorous Video on Loyalty

Students will have the opportunity to start working on Goanimate4schools.com/school/ares on Thursday and Friday.  Trying to get into the computer lab has been a challenge but I am hopeful we can increase the time next week.  Over the next two weeks, students will read four different stories showing how to use humour.  Students will learn that humour can be obvious or quite subtle.  Humour can definitely be complex and hard for many students to pick up on.  With Goanimate.com, students will be asked to create a humorous dialogue between two characters.  For those students looking for a challenge, I will show them how to move from short videos to longer videos.  The section on longer videos gives the student a lot more options to take their videos to the next level.

Access to Goanimate4schools.com/school/ares

Hello,

I have recently signed up our class to use Goanimate4schools.com.  Each student has a personal log in and password.  This will be written in their agendas.  If your child is interested in exploring the site and saving their data, please feel free to enjoy the site.  Next week, our class will be given some additional time to explore the site and share their knowledge/experiences with each other.

Copy and paste the link below in the address for student sign in:

http://goanimate4schools.com/school/ares

The goal for using this program is to allow students another avenue to share their learning.  Students will be asked to create a Humorous Skit for a Grade 5 audience and we will negotiate the criteria in class.  Once students understand how to use this program, students will have the option to show their learning in our upcoming unit on Government and Immigration. 

If students have problems accessing their account, please send me an email at mblick@sd8.bc.ca.  I generally check my email 2-3 times daily, including weekends.

Thanks,

Mr. Blick

Water Conservation -- The Five Minute Shower Challenge

In class students have been learning about where, what and why we use water.  As students clearly recognize the importance of water for our daily activities, students have been challenged to reduce their use of water.

A worksheet will be sent home asking students to show:

1. Where does their family's water come from?
2. How do you heat your water?
3. How many ways does your family use water?

Lastly, students ark as to take the Five Minute Shower Challenge.  Students will be asked to take three showers.  On the first shower, simply have your child shower normally.  On the second challenge, see if they can shower using less time than the last.  On the third challenge, students are to try taking a 5 minute shower.

 Please have the form completed and handed in by Tuesday April 8th.  Since this challenge is in connection with BC Hydro and Fortis, prizes will be given away for those who complete the assignment.  Below, you will see which students won a new Low Flow Shower head!

Assembly Presentation: Tuesday April 8

Hello,

Our class will be doing the upcoming assembly for Loyalty on Tuesday April 8th.  Only those students who wanted to be part of the presentation will be presenting.   The students participating will be expected to memorize their roles and will explain Loyalty.  Following this presentation, I plan to use Goanimate4schools.com to produce a short humorous dialogue on the importance of responsibility.

Students who volunteered to speak at the assembly:

Cheyann, Andreas, Mackenzie, Tiana, Madison, Jada, Lauren, Kelsey (MC), Kate and Anika.

Real Food Lunch

As part of Beyond Recycling, students have been looking at the environmental foot print that is often associated with many foods that travel great distances.  In addition, students have been learning about the "extra" stuff that is being put into food (food colouring, preservatives, etc.).  The goal for this lunch was to eat local, healthy food.  Thanks to all the students and parents for sending in food and drinks!  The students had a great time and have been learning a lot!

                                         Our Menu!

                                        Rhyann, Rocco and Jet

  
                                       Kate, Tiana and Sydney

                                       Logan, Heath, Spencer and James