STEAM – Page 2 – OJCS KINDERGARTEN / GAN

Global Maker Day 2022

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Andréa Black

October 20, 2022 was #GlobalMakerDay and the Senior Kindergarten kids certainly rose to the challenge!!

After celebrating Simchat Torah earlier this week, the kids were tasked with making their own torahs out of recycled materials. They painted their own torah covers, rolled them onto their “scrolls” and added straws for the handles. We are so excited to start the Torah over again this Shabbat and hear the first of many Parashat Hashavuah tomorrow!!

After listening to a Virtual Storytime with Miss Brigitte, who read “Be a Maker” by Katey Howes, we introduced 3 different Maker Day challenges that the kids could choose between: creating a dinosaur (or other creature), building a bridge, or constructing a tower. Using all of the recycled materials that we’ve been collecting (we nearly covered the entire carpet with stuff!!!), each child completed the challenge and they were super proud of what they accomplished. The innovation and imagination in our classroom was astounding!!! Make sure to ask your child about their creation!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Friday, Oct. 28 – Dress Down Day and 3:00 pm Dismissal begins

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!!

General Studies, Reminders, STEAM

We Need Your Recycled Goods!

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Andréa Black

Hi SK families,

We need your recycled goods!

We are collecting items for the OJCS Global Maker Day coming up on October 20th. We are looking for any cardboard boxes (think cereal boxes), toilet paper tubes, paint stir sticks, popsicle sticks, and plastic tubs (think yogurt pots, sour cream tubs – clean, please!) or any other items that may help with our creativity. The class that brings in the most recycled items will win a prize!!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Monday, Oct. 17 & Tuesday, Oct. 18 – NO SCHOOL for Simchat Torah

Friday, Oct. 28 – 3:00 pm Dismissal begins

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!!

General Studies, Reminders, STEAM

Innovation Day is almost here!!!

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Andréa Black

This year’s virtual INNOVATION DAY is just 2 days away!! It is a day to celebrate STEAM here at OJCS, so make sure to join us on Thursday, April 7 at 11:45 am to see what SK has been busy building and learning.…. check out the poster below for the day’s schedule and links for the SK meet. We look forward to virtually welcoming you to our Kindergarten classroom!

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General Studies, STEAM

Let’s Talk Science….. Playful Machines

Posted on March 10, 2022 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!

General Studies, STEAM

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

Posted on November 24, 2021 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!

General Studies

Innovation Day 2021

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Andréa Black

Thank you so much to everyone who was able to join us for Innovation Day in KA and KB yesterday!! The students worked so hard to create their planet sculptures and to learn space facts and they were so proud to share what they had learned and created with you. If you were not able to join us, you can watch both KA and KB’s Solar System Presentations in the videos below…..

Today, we wrapped up our Outer Space unit by talking about stars and constellations and then the kids built their own constellations out of marshmallows and toothpicks. Their imaginations were in full gear and the different structures they created were truly stellar!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to Asher A. (KA) who turns 6 on March 26th

and to Ariel (KA) who turns 6 on March 30th!!!

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and safe Passover – chag Pesach sameach from the K team!!

General Studies

Polar Bear Den STEAM Challenge

Posted on January 13, 2021January 13, 2021 by Andréa Black

Over the last week or so, the kids in Kindergarten have been learning all about polar bears….. where they live, what they eat, how they hunt, and how they stay warm in the Arctic temperatures. Unlike most bears, polar bears do not hibernate, but mother polar bears do build dens under the snow to have their babies during the winter months. Together, we discussed what these dens might look and how they would need a hole for air and a tunnel for the bears to get in and out. Then we all crafted a polar bear den design using different materials (white paper, cotton balls, white paint, etc.). Afterwards, the kids were challenged to build their own polar bear den with whatever materials they could find at their houses. Needless to say, we were bear-y impressed with the results…. Check out these paw-some polar bear dens!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to Ethan (KA) who turns 6 on January 13th

to Asher C. (KA) who turns 6 on January 20th

and to Judah (KA/B) to turns 6 on January 25th!!