Land-Based Learning: Mohkinstsis

Today, we went on a long walk to Mohkinstsis, where the Elbow River and the Bow River meet. Mohkinstsis is a Blackfoot word that means "elbow". The reason the Bow River is named the Bow is because along the Bow River, you will find chokecherry bushes which used to be used to make the bow of a bow and arrow. Mohkinstsis is a very special place to many Indigenous groups.

When we got to the river, Ms Elder did a land acknowledgement and we talked about how our stories connect us. Our memories of the river connect us to each other, and also to place. We spent time walking around the confluence, and sketching in our journals. We wrote about a memory we each have on/in the river. We also drew pictures and used watercolour pencil crayons to illustrate.

After a recess break, we sat on the bridge to St Patrick's Island and looked for ways humans have impacted the river. For example, we saw someone fishing. They are impacting the river by disturbing fish and the nature in the river. We saw a lot of garbage in the river that harms the habitat of the river animals. 

Then, after a long walk back and a short stop at Rainbow Trout playground, Ms Elder led us in a moment of reciprocity. Reciprocity means giving back once you've gotten something. We thanked the land by breathing carbon dioxide back on a plant, or pouring a splash of water on a plant, or saying thank you. 

Some observations we had that show that the seasons are changing are: 

- the leaves are changing colours

- the leaves are falling off the trees and getting dry and crunchy

- there is less light in the day

- the water level of the river was lower than summer

- the grass is changing colours or dying

- the insects are leaving

- the birds are migrating

"When we visit nature, nature gives us a welcome for visiting it." ~ Mateo

"Nature is our home." ~ Ridhi

"We need nature. Nature doesn't need us." ~ Oliver

"I liked the rivers because some animals can have a home." ~ Ryder

"We learn from nature. Nature doesn't learn from us." ~ Georgia

HOMEWORK: Prepare for Earth Systems Quiz

Hi Students,

This is a reminder that you have a Science Assessment for Earth Systems coming up.

Quiz date: Thursday, Oct 1.

Here is what you are expected to know for the test, in case you'd like to review at home. You can use the resources on Google Classroom and re-read our class blog posts for help.

• Name and define the 4 spheres (lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere).
• Explain how the spheres are interconnected. If we impact one, all are impacted.
• Explain why water is so important to humans (5+ reasons)
• Explain how humans are dependent on each sphere, as well as how we impact each sphere.
• Communicate ideas clearly, in full sentences, using scientific language discussed in class.

If you have any questions, reach out to Ms Elder.

HOMEWORK: A Memory From the River

We have a Community Walk on Thursday, September 24. We will be walking all the way to East Village and back! To prepare for the walk, please discuss this with your family:

What is a memory you have that connects you to the river? 

Your memory could be an activity that you like to do as a family (example: walking your dog along the river pathway, rafting the river, biking the pathways, etc) or it could be of a specific place like St. Patrick's Island splash area or the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Come prepared on Thursday, September 24 with an idea to share with the class.

If you are new to Calgary and you have not spent any time on the river yet, we ask that you try to go out over the next week so that every child has a personal connection to the river outside of school. 

 What do you hope for?

What are our hopes and dreams for grade 4? We were inspired by a video to think about how we'd like for our year to go. Please hop on over to google classroom if you'd like to watch it.

Ravin - i hope math is fun

F A - my school year hope is that I get to learn a lot.

Oliver - I hope to learn long division.

Tianlang - I hope we have the best year ever!

Ridhi - Have good grades and be the best student🐬

A L - l hope I have a good year.

Ayma - i hope school is fun and l hope people are nice to me and i hope that i get good grades

M M - To make more freinds

M O - I hope that this school year is challenging, fun and I learn more amazing things :)

T O - I hope this year is gonna be fun.

Georgia - I hope to have a great year.   I hope to make a new friend. 

M P - I hope this year is a great year for every one and l hope for more times tables.

David - i hope that recess is good.

Astrid - I hope that I learn lots of new stuff this school year

A S - i hope in grade 4 i will have the best semester this year!

Mateo - I hope to have the greatest year ever!

Ryder - to meet new friends

Ishanvi - I hope I get more friends this year

Land-Based Learning: Andy Goldsworthy Nature Art

In class, we have been learning about Andy Goldsworthy. He is an artist who does not use paints, coloured pencils, or markers to make his art, instead he uses nature. When he comes to a place, he doesn't just start making stuff; he sits, listens, and looks at his surroundings. He also doesn't take his art with him. Once he's done making it, he leaves it for other people to see and admire. It might get destroyed by nature. He makes near impossible things.

We collected materials from nature to make our own artwork, like Andy Goldsworthy. Today, Ms Elder took us on a short community walk to make our art on the river pathway. Many of us left it just like Andy does. Some of us tried to balance our objects to make a sculpture like Andy. If you get the chance, visit the river pathway at the base of the steps to Scotsman's Hill to see our beautiful and creative pieces.

"We tried, we helped, we did it. Sometimes, it falls down, we help people with their art, and we did it." ~ MOC

"Nature is our home and nature will be with us forever." ~ RJ

"We went down to the river pathway and we got stuff from the community and built structures." ~ AL

"Failure doesn't mean it's not perfect." ~ Ishanvi

"If it falls, then just try again." ~ GP

"It might be hard but try it." ~ TC

"The best you can do is just try." ~ Mateo

"Never give up; you will master it." ~ JW

"Nothing is perfect." ~ TO

"It might seem impossible but just keep trying." ~ Astrid

Here are photos of our artwork:

HOMEWORK: Gather items for Andy Goldsworthy-inspired Artwork by Thursday, September 10

Dear Parents,

The Grade 4 students are reviewing the 3 Pillars of Care, which will help build community within our classroom.

In connection with our pillar, Care For This Place, we will begin to look at the work of artist Andy Goldsworthy who creates temporary natural art. 

Over the weekend, please have your child gather some natural artifacts that we will use to create our own ‘Andy Goldsworthy’ inspired nature art.  Please have the artifacts at school by Thursday, September 10.

Artifacts to consider could include leaves, twigs, stones, berries, flowers, or anything else that may be found in the natural environment. Please try not to harm anything ‘living’ in your search for artifacts.

Thank you,

Ms. Elder

Marshmallow Challenge

Yesterday, Ms Elder gave us a challenge in Science: to build the tallest tower we could using spaghetti sticks, tape, and string. The tower needed to support a marshmallow on top. We had 15 minutes, and we were working in groups of 3 or 4, picked by Ms Elder. We had two tries: most groups did better on the second try because we had more experience. 

Ms Elder said that what really mattered about this challenge was if we worked together, not if we "won" by having the highest tower. She was listening to our teamwork skills. We used a lot of teamwork, which helped a lot. 

After the challenge, we discussed successes and challenges while building, and while working as a team. Then, we completed a visual journal page where we got to write about our own experience, and draw a diagram of our tower. 

Student Quotes:

"What I liked about it was that it was really challenging and that made it really fun." ~ INS

"It was fun to see who our teams were because we got surprised and we couldn't plan who to be with." ~ MM

"We had a lot of fun because we did it altogether." ~ Ayma

"Teamwork makes the dreamwork." ~ RJ

"We had separate groups and that really worked out." ~ MP

"We had lots of fun, we tried our best, and we made the best out of it." ~ MOC

"I think it was really fun seeing who got the tallest tower." ~ JW

"It was fun just doing it to see that failure is ok." ~ AL

"I learned that working with your teammates can make a giant difference and will make your tower better than if you were by yourself." ~ Mateo

"It was fun doing it." ~ FA

"Most of us did better on the second try/Two times the charm." ~ GP

"I liked seeing how everyone used sort of the same strategy but how different they all looked." ~Oliver

"Even if you didn't win, you still didn't fail." ~AS