Category: STEAM

Posted in General Studies, STEAM

Let’s Talk Science….. Playful Machines

Posted on by Andréa Black

Earlier this week, the SK class once again participated in another super fun Let’s Talk Science virtual lab with Nia and Alex from the University of Ottawa. They taught us about 3 different kinds of simple machines: a wheel & axle, a lever, and an inclined plane.  Then they led the kids through the construction of a playground where each structure was one of these machines built out of everyday materials, such as pipe cleaners and popsicle sticks.  The students were so engaged and enthusiastic as they built their merry-go-rounds, teeter-totters and slides and they were so excited to bring their  playgrounds home!!

Here’s a really fun video/song from Scratch Garden that we have been watching and listening to to remember the different types of simple machines we learned about:

The Simple Machines Song – Scratch Garden

Don’t forget, next week is Ruach Week at the OJCS.  Check out our previous blog post for each day’s theme!

Posted in General Studies, STEAM

Let’s Talk Science….. Fat, Fur and Feathers

Posted on by Andréa Black

Yesterday was a very exciting day in Kindergarten.  We had special virtual guests join our class and lead us in a Let’s Talk Science virtual lab. Nia and Alex, Science students from the University of Ottawa, led us in a discussion about how different animals get ready for winter and the SK students are already experts thanks to the many books we have read and the activities we have done in class.  They told Nia and Alex that many animals adapt to get ready for the cold weather by eating a lot of food to gain more fat or by growing thicker fur or feathers to stay warm.  The kids asked great questions and knew a lot of answers to the questions they were asked.  Then we experimented with Fat (vegetable shortening in a baggie), Fur (faux, of course!) and Feathers to see which kept their hands the warmest when touching ice.  The students were so engaged and enthusiastic as they tried different combinations to see which would keep their hands warm…. the combo of fat and fur was the clear winner.  Thanks to Nia and Alex for leading this special, super-fun experience!  We can’t wait to do it again in the winter!

Posted in General Studies, Jewish Studies, STEAM

Global Maker Day 2021

Posted on by Andréa Black

October 12, 2021 was #GlobalMakerDay and the Kindergarten kids certainly rose to the challenge!!

After listening to a Virtual Storytime with Miss Brigitte, who read “Be a Maker” by Katey Howes, we investigated different types of ramps based on one of the many challenges provided…. What ramps are on our playground? What ramps do we use everyday? Why do we need ramps?  Then the kids were asked to make their own ramp using a variety of recycled materials.  The innovation and imagination in our classroom was astounding!!!

In the afternoon, we shifted our Maker mindset to the Parashat Hashavuah we read last week: Noah’s Ark.  Using only tin foil, the kids were asked to make an ark that could hold small toy animals and stay afloat.  We then tested each ark to see how many animals they could hold without sinking…. Believe it or not, Levi’s ark held a record 49 toy animals!!

What an inspiring, incredible day!!