April 2016 – Mrs. Black's Class Blog

New Classroom “Study Lounge”!

Margaret BlackApril 18, 2016April 20, 2016Leave a comment

In an effort to make learning more fun and to help students focus, the centre of our classroom has been transformed into an alternative seating area. We rolled out our new "study lounge" this morning, and the response was very positive!

Groups of students were given an opportunity to choose alternative seating, this morning, to give them a break from sitting at their desks.

At the end of the morning, students were asked to write down what they liked about the new, alternative seating, how it helped them, plus suggestions about how the set up could be improved.

Aspects of the study lounge that students "liked" varied. Some enjoyed being able to choose where to sit, others appreciated being able to change seating locations a couple of times during our 100-minute literacy block, some students mentioned favourite new seating areas, and several said the alternative seating was very comfortable.

Almost every student said the new seating area helped him/her relax, focus, work, or be more productive.

Suggestions from students included more study lounge time, more or bigger cushions and turning the classroom lights off to foster calming.

When we need to use the centre of our room for building projects or drama, etc., the entire study lounge packs away neatly onto one of the Muskoka chairs.

We also have four "portable podiums," for students who would rather stand at their desks, while working.

Students have already come up with other ways to use the "podiums":

In the future, Mrs. Black is planning to add balance balls at some of the student desks.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for visiting our class BLOG. If you have any questions or comments, feel free e-mail me (Margaret Black): mblack@scdsb.on.ca or to add a comment to this page.

Ice Storm Survivor 2016: Social Studies, Collaboration & Drama! 1

Margaret BlackApril 6, 2016April 7, 20161 Comment

Last week, during Literacy and Social Studies periods, our class participated in an ice storm survivor simulation. The exercise was designed to consolidate learning in Social Studies and Science, while stretching students’ ability to work collaboratively in assigned groups, and providing them with an opportunity to engage in role play.

Students were placed in "cabin groups" of four to six. They were asked to imagine what they would do if we were on an overnight school ski trip and, in the morning, they woke up to find themselves isolated, with their cabin power out and a freezing rain storm raging outside. Each cabin group was provided with a list of items they could use to help themselves keep warm, hydrated and fed for several days, and asked to create a plan that included a decision-making structure, rules, and strategies to ensure their survival while creating as little damage to the cabin and property as possible.

These were their imaginary cabins:

During the game, a few curves were thrown at each group. They were asked to choose from a deck of "calamity cards" that listed injuries and illnesses, accidental loss of tools or loss of food for which they needed to compensate with their plans. Then, "life imitated art" when Mother Nature dropped a major ice storm on Central Ontario... an ice storm that caused power outages, the cancellation of school buses, and delayed the completion of our ice storm survivor game! 🙂

These are pictures Mrs. Black took near her home, during the "real" ice storm:

This map depicts extensive power outages, south of Barrie, the day after the ice storm:

Once we were able to return to school, we shared our real-life ice storm experiences, and then continued with planning and problem-solving related to our fictional ice storm game:

These are the maps that groups drew of their cabins and surroundings:

After student groups were "rescued," they were invited to share their survival plans and experiences at "press conferences":

"Life imitated art" a second time when this student, who was assessed as having a fictional hand injury during the game, later sustained a real-life hand injury (she's going to be fine!):

Students in our class served as members of the press gallery, when they were not busy presenting. Members of the press gallery posed questions in the role of reporters, and evaluated group presentations and chances of survival.

Students critiqued their collegues' chances of surviving more than a week on their own, based on the plans they presented:

Jesse: 52% chance of survival
Girl's Weekend Cabin and Ice Warriors: 54% chance of survival
Kiki-waka: 56% chance of survival
Ice Gladers: 64% chance of survival
Ice Crew: 70% chance of survival

Congratulations to The Ice Crew, winner of this year's Ice Storm Survival Competition!

"Ice Storm Survivor" was a fun, interactive team-building activity that helped students learn to cooperate, collaborate and seek consensus, while role playing themselves in a survival situation. Through our sharing of real and imagined ice storm strategies and experiences, students also took away some practical power outage preparedness ideas to share with their families, making "ice storm survivor" a valuable experience on several levels!

Thank you for visiting our class BLOG. If you have any questions or comments, feel free e-mail me (Margaret Black): mblack@scdsb.on.ca or to add a comment to this page.

Helping Local Residents Combat Flooding 2016

Margaret BlackApril 5, 2016April 6, 2016Leave a comment

Today, Grade 5-8 students from Rama Central P.S. helped local residents protect their homes from spring flooding, by walking to the public works yard to fill sand bags. Our Grade 5 class worked alongside the Grade 8 class and filled over 150 sand bags in 100 minutes. In total, students from our school filled over 500 bags throughout the day.

CTV Barrie dropped by to interview people at the public works yard, while covering the story of local flooding.

Students in our class:

Mrs. Torrey, who organized our first sand-bagging day, four years ago:

Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke:

Our class, after completing their 100-minute sand-bagging shift:

These pictures depict high water about a kilometre south of the school. The blue "lakes" are actually flooded farmer's fields:

Spring flooding was the lead story in tonight's Barrie newscast:

http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=839589&binId=1.1274844&playlistPageNum=1

Our school's efforts to help were also featured in the Orillia newspaper:

http://www.orilliapacket.com/2016/04/05/rama-central-students-prepare-sandbags-for-residents-in-anticipation-of-flooding

Thank you for visiting our class BLOG. If you have any questions or comments, feel free e-mail me (Margaret Black): mblack@scdsb.on.ca or to add a comment to this page.

Trip to the Ontario Science Centre!

Margaret BlackApril 4, 2016April 5, 2016Leave a comment

On Friday, April 1st, the Grade 5 and 6 classes at our school took a trip to the Ontario Science Centre, in Toronto. Our class attended an IMAX film about the human body and a laboratory demonstration about changes in matter. Both are topics within the Grade 5 science curriculum. We spent the remainder of the day exploring the science centre's myriad of interactive exhibits.

Human Body Hall:

The Science Arcade:

Electricity Show in the Science Arcade:

Weston Innovation Centre:

Changes in Matter laboratory demonstration:

The Science Centre is such a great place to immerse oneself in hands-on science!

Thank you to these moms for accompanying us on the trip:

Thank you for visiting our class BLOG. If you have any questions or comments, feel free e-mail me (Margaret Black): mblack@scdsb.on.ca or to add a comment to this page.