What are some ways we can support Elders in our community (and globally)? As we discuss lifetimes, ancestry, and legacy, our class is investigating some steps we can take to help Elders (both those we know and those we don’t) feel connected, respected, and heard. Our class will be making cards/letters for 6 different elderly people who have been isolated due to illness, COVID-19 restrictions, mobility issues, and grief. Stay tuned to learn more about this project!

In the video above, Great Big Story follows the ‘Grandmother School’ in India where elderly women are able to attend school (some for the first time in their lives)! We discussed how many elderly people may not have had the change to go to school due to accessibility issues, financial barriers, or gendered restrictions.

Hello to our learning community! This week, please be mindful that:

-our Turkey Trot tomorrow is cancelled

-those students wanting to join Lochdale’s volleyball team, please bring in your permission forms ASAP

-we are starting our parachute STEM project tomorrow! If you are bringing (1-2) optional extra materials, please do so tomorrow

-Please return any forms for Math Buddies to Ms. Tan

Thanks to everyone for their hard work and support!

For our folks practicing Extreme Writing at home, watch the video above and then set your timers for 5 minutes. Your writing topics are:

1. Would you have given in to this dog’s tantrum and whining? Why or why not?
2. Have you (or someone you know) ever been ‘hangry’ (hungry + angry)? Explain why.
3. Write a story about a grumpy dog.
4. ‘Translate’ what the dog is saying into English. Are they complaining? Whining? Threatening?

History Mystery_ Salem Witch Trials Part 1 (1)

Witches, wizards, ghosts, and ghouls are common decorations during the month of October. But in Salem between 1692-1693 they were seen as very real threats to peoples’ safety. Our class is investigating the history of this event, where over 200 people were accused of being witches. We will look at several pieces of evidence to decide what we think happened in this small town that led to hysteria, witch-hunts, and people losing their lives.

Feel free to click the link above to see what might have gotten you accused of witchcraft in Salem at this time (adapted from History.net and the Salem Witch Museum).

 

Today, our class learned about the power of persuasion. Each student was given 2 jelly beans, with the goal of determining whether it was a regular flavour (ex: pear, peach) or one of the ‘bean-boozled’ flavours (ex: rotten fish, dog food). Our class investigating the appearance, smell, and taste of these jellybeans. Many people (about 50% of the class) thought they received one of the gross flavours… however, it was later revealed that all the flavours were from the regular jellybean pack! So if none of the flavours were actually gross, why did so many of us have an extreme reaction?

It might come down to persuasion! Our brains are powerful, but they can sometimes be tricked. Ms. Ward ‘primed’ the class to believe they might get the gross flavours, which might have influenced how we perceived the jellybeans!

We will continue to explore how our brains can be influenced/persuaded! Check out how jellybeans are made in the video below:

Some questions to discuss at home:

-Were you able to ‘trust your testbeds’ and pick the correct flavour? Why or why not?

-Do you think you are easily persuaded? Explain!

-Many Scientists believe that we are more likely to believe people who we think have power. Would this experiment be different if it was run by a younger sibling, a friend, the principal, a famous celebrity, etc.?

 

Have you ever winced when eating something sour? Our class explored why we react in different ways to sour things! We learned that some people believe in the ‘tongue map’, that certain areas of the tongue experience taste more strongly than others. This theory has been disproven, but many people still believe it! We tested this theory ourselves by investigating if a sour candy tasted stronger on certain ‘parts’ of our tongue.

Image description above: a diagram of the ‘tongue map’, which includes bitter, sour, umami, sweet, and salty tastes.

Some questions to consider at home:

-Why do you think some people are more sensitive to certain tastes (ex: spicy, sour) than others?

-Do you believe in the ‘tongue map’? Why or why not?

-Do you think the way humans experience taste is the same as other animals experience taste?

 

 

October 4th is ‘Cinnamon Bun Day’! Most of us have enjoyed this spice before, but have you ever learned how cinnamon is produced? The video below breaks down how Ceylon cinnamon is harvested, processed, and sold. It is a  very labor-intensive process!

Later this month we will discuss the history of ‘pumpkin pie spice’ and the global spice trade!

Parachute Project

In class today, we discussed the designs/inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci. Da Vinci was particularly interested in flying machines, and had many sketches of plane-like machines (many years before planes had even been invented)!

As part of our Applied Designs, Skills, and Technology unit, we are examining flying machines. But first, we must investigate how to ‘fall’ safely… by designing a parachute! We have also been investigating now NASA designed parachute(s) during the launch of the Mars Rovers!

Please click the link above for a PDF version of our criteria sheet. We will begin building this week, and hope to test next week! For more information + inspiration, watch the video below:

Today, our class continued our exploration of time and lifespans. We discussed why humans have such different average lifespans depending on factors like: age, socioeconomic status, country of origin, etc.

We watched the video below to see what countries have had the ‘longest’ average lifespans from 1800s onwards. PLEASE NOTE: this video is a quick summary that does not fully explain all of the variables that impact how long humans can live. This video was also made before COVID-19, so the predictions may be inaccurate according to our current world lifespans.

Some questions to consider at home:

-Why do you think human lifespans have OVERALL increased? Why do you think most people are living longer today than they did in the 1800s?

-Why do you think certain countries are consistently in the top 10 for ‘longest lifespan’? What factors might make it so their citizens live longer on average?

-Why do some countries have much shorter average lifespans than others? How do we think things like healthcare, colonialism, war, and accessibility play into this?

 

Hello students and families!

At this point, everyone should have received a black duotang with the ‘Everyday Authours’ challenge booklet inside! To answer a few questions about how to use this resource:

-This booklet is designed to help us practice our Writing as part of a daily/weekly routine. This way, we can build our Writing stamina & confidence! This booklet should NOT be completed all in 1 day or 1 week!

–Discuss what schedule works best for you and your family. This could be writing once per day, 3 times per week, or setting a timer for 10 minutes a day.

-Do not focus on being ‘perfect’… get your ideas on the page! We will discuss how to edit writing later, but this is just to get rid of ‘writer’s block’!

–When you have filled in the whole booklet, bring it back to Ms. Ward. We will keep this writing as part of your ‘writer’s repertoire’ and you will be given the second edition booklet.

-I will not be marking this booklet/editing/covering it in red pen. I will use this to track our growth and confidence as writers as the year progresses!

Thanks everyone, and I look forward to reading your amazing stories!

Best,

Ms. Ward