Raptor Ridge: Stomper and Zippy Visit

If you are interested in seeing other Raptors from Raptors Ridge go to Amsterdam Greenhouse Center Saturday March 17th at 10:30am!  It's free to see them up close! If you have older children interested in Owls you will want to go and see Kim and Karen as they may have some opportunity for them.

Owls are amazing animals and we learned so many amazing facts.  Did you know that Owls are found on all continents except Antarctica?  They can fly silently through the air.  Their ears are not exactly across from each other so they can triangulate where a sound is coming from.  Have you ever wondered why Owls can move their heads so far around unlike us?  Well its because they can not move their eyeballs like we can so they have to move their heads to see from side to side.  And did you know that Owls are the only birds with their eyes facing forward like ours?

We also learned what the most common causes that have put Owls on the "Watch List" for endangered animals:

#1 is cars!  People throw garbage out of their cars.  How does this affect Owls?  Well, it is what the garbage (especially biodegradable) attracts.  The garbage attracts mice and what do Owls eat... MICE.  So when they swoop down to catch the mouse/rodent they get hit cars :(

#2 is rat poison!  People use poison to get rid of rodents, but who eats the rodents... Owls do.  An alternative is traps for the rodents.

What do you do if you ever see a Raptor in need of help.  Phone a wildlife rescue number to let them know so trained people can help them.  Kim from Raptors Ridge with several others just recently saved a Bald Eagle.  Kim said the most important thing the lady did to save this bird was to keep an eye from a distance so the rescuers could come and find it.  Covering the bird with a blanket will keep it calm.

Video on Stomper:  http://youtu.be/Fg-Vf7XvFxw

Video on Zippy:  http://youtu.be/Dna3i6uMaLI

Video on Owl Joke: http://youtu.be/VSzgO2fTru0

Stomper stretching her wings!

Zippy showing off his pretend eyes at the back to scare off predators!

When Zippy was found his right wing was crushed and had to be removed.  Now he is an Educational Owl.

After Spring Break we still have some Owl Pellets (from Raptors Ridge) to dissect!!!  Thank you to Nicolas' Mom and Dad for sending in gloves and gowns for us to wear like real SCIENTISTS!  We will keep you posted...

Native Spirit!

Over the weekend my family and I went to Stanley Park to walk on the beach.  We went by the Totem Poles and the kids wanted to visit the Totems.  While we were at the Totems, we discovered a little shop called Legends of the Moon. 

Wow!  What a wonderful Native art, stamps, books, CDs and pictures.  I had to buy some things to go along with our First Nations Curriculum and stories.  Mrs. Hall will be joining our class next week for three days.  We read the new story I got and listened and made connections to the Native Spirit CD.

Here is some of our hands on activities for studying Canadian Animals

Here is a caption of us listening to our new CD:

http://youtu.be/t2NsxbiqNzo

Community Mystery Sharing

Yesterday Jake Mc.'s Mystery Sharing was the Mayor of Maple Ridge!!!!  Mr. Daykin came and read a Berstein Bear story about running for Mayor.  Mama Bear said, "Instead of complaining, why don't you run for Mayor!"  Div. 18 loved the story and the personal stories about being the Mayor of Maple Ridge.  Mr. Daykin even participated in SmartLearning and was impressed with our class!  "Reading with the kids today was the highlight of my day", said Mr. Daykin.  Mr.  Daykin proudly wore his “Mayor Necklace” and enjoyed the questions from the class.  Some of the questions included: “Do you have a limo?,” “Do you like oranges?” and “What’s your favourite ancient animal?”  The first two questions were easy, the third, Daykin paused, then responded, “T-Rex!”  The students giggled and roared at the Mayor’s clever response.  The Mayor wrapped up his time with the grade one students with a cookie… or two?  And so he drove away in his truck… sorry kids, no limo.

 

A big thank you to Mrs. McClelland  and Jake for inviting and organizing Mayor Daykin to visit our class.  I never knew he was so personable and he truly loves reading to the kids!

 

 

 

Very Special Guest!

Today we had a very special guest in our class.   Today Div. 18 and Ms. Meedin taught Mrs. Unwin, who is Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Superintendent, SmartLearning!  Both Ms. Meedin and Div. 18 wowed her with how engaged and confident our Grade Ones are.  She was amazed at their deep thinking skills and vocabulary skills.  Great job Div. 18 and Ms. Meedin.  I'm so proud of all of you!

Gears and Pulleys...

Thank you Mr. Popovic for sharing his expertise on Airplanes.  I never knew how delicate and expensive parts for a plane is.  The children were amazed with all the measurements and stories.  Thank you for trusting us with a $12 000 gas cap!

After Mr. Popovic was here our students started building with gears and pulleys.  They are all having so much fun creating and experimenting. 

Parent Reading

It is so wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents, and caregivers coming in on Tuesdays and Thursdays to read with us.  I love how everyone looks out for all the kids in our class.  When ever someone doesn't have someone to read with they are always invited to read with others.  Thank you all for supporting your child's reading and learning.

We Survived 100 Days of School!!!

Were does the time go????  Div. 18 has been working so hard all year!  Here are some of the great things we created together as a class on the 100th Day of School!

100 piece puzzle!

100 chain links!

Thank you Mrs. Garay for the beautiful and yummy cake!!!  It looks too good to eat!