What are you curious about? What are you wondering? Are there any experiments you would like to try? Feel free to jot down any new ideas you think of or interesting facts you uncover. See if you can answer a classmate's question.

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What if there was no gravity in space suddenly? If the Earth fell and we are still on Earth would we go through the galaxies? (Ewan)

Is Space cold enough for your ears to fall off? (Aleksei)

When do stars die? (Jillian)

How do stars die? When was the sun born? (Jillian)

Why is the sun not the hottest or the biggest star? (Lucy)

Does the sun make all of the planets that use our sun? (Lucy)

How was dark matter formed? (Lucy)

Why do we have a teaspoon of star in our bodies? (Jaden)

Do the stars explode in your body? (Jaden)

Are there stars in animals? (Jaden)

How are the atoms in stars made? (Jed)

What are dwarf planets made from? (Jed)

How do stars make atoms not blow up and make a supernova? (Jed)

If a meteorite hit the Earth, would it break because of the atmosphere? (Yash)

How does the star in your body help you and what does it do? (Yash)

How big are supernova? (Yash)

What happens to supernova after the death of the star? (Yash)

How many stars are there? (Amanda)

Can we take the star dust out of our body? If we can take the stars out of our body, could we collect some of the sun and moon and water and things like that and make a mini version of the earth and maybe connect all of the stars in everybody’s body and make a larger Earth? (Jenny)

If there was no atmosphere, would there be no Earth because the meteors would have smashed it? (Eli)

Does the Milky Way galaxy look like milk? (Jillian)

What star is the hottest? What star is the least hottest? (Jillian)

If meteoroids fell in the ocean what would happen? (Alyza)

If the gas that made the stars be born, then what made the gas and how did it begin? (Alyza)

When you die, does the star dust in your body die too? (Alyza)

How are planets made? How old can a star get? What will happen to Earth if the sun blows up? How old is the sun? How old is Earth? What was the first planet ot be created? When was the dark matter created? How fast can a star blow up? (Khayali)

IN a thousand years, will the sun be any bigger? (Kaden)

When was the Earth born? (Lucy)

What will happen to the Earth when the sun blows up? (Sahra)

How old is our galaxy (Sahra)

How do scientists know about things in the past? (Amanda)

Who pays the budget for the rocket ships? (Adrian)

How far can you go in space? When the earth ends 5 billion years later what creatures will live? (Adrian)

Why is Earth called Earth? (Jaden) How are planets named?

When did space form? Jillian

Why is Earth colored blue, white, and green, and why is it shaped as a circle? (Alyza)

Will the sun get bigger or smaller? (Jillian)

How far in  is the core of the sun? How thick is the atmosphere? Was the atmosphere formed when the earth was formed? How mnay years ago did the first people go to space? (Yash)

How did space form itself and was there something before space? (Jenny)

How do black holes form? (Jillian)

Why is there no sound in outer space? Why is outer space dark? How do the stars survive if it is freezing in outer space? Where does outer space start and where does it end? Is there any way stars can help you survive longer? What are planet’s history names? Are there different mixtures to make different stars? (Gabi)

Who was the first man in space? (Nicholas)

Why do black holes look like faint blue stars?

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We are midway through our Unit of Inquiry on Space and used a double block on Monday to host our second class debate. This time our debate statement was:

NASA should eliminate all funding for manned space exploration.

The Friday before, we engaged in some pre-thinking about space exploration and wrote journal entries on why we think humans explore space and whether or not we would ever want the opportunity to explore the solar system ourselves.

Here's Jillian's entry. I like how she explains that learning about space also helps scientists learn about Earth and the materials needed to create our planet.

Here's another two paragraph journal entry:

'Ladies and gentlemen - let's have a big round of applause for...the Moon!'

After watching live footage from the 1969 moon landing and the 1986 explosion of the Challenger, we took part in a carousel activity to brainstorm some thoughts about our reaction to the clips, and well as some initial thoughts about the advantages of manned and unmanned space exploration.

Here were some of our thoughts:

Reaction to the Challenger clip

-I felt bad for the kids. They had to watch their teacher die.

-I felt angry because they wasted a lot of money because the rocket broke.

-People died and they were very young. They risked their lives for knowledge.

-It must have been sad because of how hard they worked to make it happen.

-I was so shocked when it just disintegrated. How?

Reaction to the moon landing footage

-It really gave me a feeling of wow these people are brave and they have accomplished something very, very important. It's very rare that you wake up and say 'let's go to space'.

-Children can have more bravery for the world

-I felt like the Canucks just won the Stanley cup!

-Caught my attention and made me wish that one day I could go to space

-I thought they must have used lots and lots of tech to do this. Even seeing the video was so exciting

Advantages of manned space exploration

-Humans can tell us what they felt

-They can see it with their own eyes

-They can get samples on the moon

-They can share information

-They can know exactly how humans react to different space environments first hand so they can find a planet similar to Earth to live on in the future

Advantages of unmanned space exploration

-They can stay in space and don't have to leave space like a human so they can see things that maybe a human can't because they have to travel back to Earth soon

-Lives won't be at risk

-The robot can collect more knowledge than humans

-You wouldn't need food which costs money

-They can go to gas planets

Why do scientists want to learn more about space?

Find other DNA

-Find life on other planets

-So we know more about what's around us

-So mankind can collect more data

-So they would know how stars live and how stars are born

-Because space can tell us a lot about mankind

After the carousel, we split up into two groups and got ready for the 2nd annual official debate coin toss. We had 20 minutes to share our thoughts and discuss how to respond to the opposing team's arguments. Here's Adrian's group (should not eliminate funding for manned space exploration) engaging in discussion (p.s. 3C - LOVE that I can hear someone say "Let's let Adrian speak, he hasn't had a turn yet.")

space_debate_movie.MOV Watch on Posterous

Jillian - We can replace a robot, but we cannot replace a human. How would you feel if a family member died in space?

Khayali - From the Challenger's explosion, scientists have learned something. We learn from our mistakes, so there is a less likely chance people will die in space. Technology gets better every day. 

Jillian - Robots can visit places with extreme temperatures

Lucy - On the hottest planets though, robots will still melt

Alyza - Humans can see things robots cannot

Yash - NASA Control sees whatever the robot sees. They can control it

Jenny - Robots have better memories. Humans can get their thoughts and observations mixed up.

Gabi - Humans have to go into training facilities which costs money.(this sparked a lot of discussion about finances (food for astronauts? salaries for astronauts? even if people didn't go into space, the NASA people at ground control still need salaries? ). I wonder how we can find out the cost difference between manned and unmanned space exploration. Any ideas?

In the end, the strength of the group supporting the elimination of funding for manned space exploration's arguments gave them a slight edge and they were declared the victors. Everyone is doing a much better job at supporting their thinking with examples Well done guys! Check out the pic I emailed you from Kaden's mom - her sister got to see the landing of Discovery, which signals the end of manned space exploration in the United States.

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/humanity+abandoning+future+space/6499330/story.html

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/Space+shuttle+Discovery+makes+final+flight/6476490/story.html

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Mulgrave's first winter running club has been hard at work the past four months. Running through rain and even snow, we finally made it to our goal race: the Mundy Park trail race!

The race was hosted by Athletes in Kind (http://www.athletesinkind.com), a fantastic organisation supporting families who are having trouble financially while their children are being treated for cancer. They hosted an excellent event, and fun times were had by our Mulgrave runners.

Enjoy some pictures from our afternoon in the sunshine :)

Eli and Ewan all warmed up

Congratulations on some awesome running today, Thunderbolts! Hope to see everyone back next year!

p.s. you're welcome to join us on Friday mornings for triathlon practice (just running) even if you are not signing up for the NS triathlon. We meet in 3C at 7:30am.

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Symbol_Gabi.pdf Download this file

Gabi - The Beaver

Symbol_Khayali.pdf Download this file

Khayali - The Orca

Symbol_Adrian_Nick.pdf Download this file

Adrian and Nicholas - The Polar Bear

Symbol_Aleksei_Jillian.pdf Download this file

Aleksei and Jillian - The Igloo

Symbol_Jenny_Victoria.pdf Download this file

Jenny and Victoria - Niagara Falls

Symbol_Kaden_Amanda.pdf Download this file

Kaden and Amanda - Provincial Flowers

Symbol_Eli.pdf Download this file

Eli - Salmon

Symbol_Lucy_Alyza.pdf Download this file

Lucy and Alyza - The Inukshuk

Symbol_Sophie_Sahra.pdf Download this file

Sophie and Sahra - Birds

Symbol_Yash_and_Ewan.pdf Download this file

Ewan and Yash - The Olympic Torch

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Read all about our salmon dissection on our salmon blog: http://mulgravesalmon.posterous.com/our-salmon-dissection 

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March April News 2012.PDF Download this file

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Here are minute-long clips from the book talks you gave after finishing your eBook clubs. Skills we worked on included: preparation, giving a brief summary, supporting an opinion about a book, and using a loud and clear presentation voice.

 The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale

Penderwicks_Book_Talk.MOV Watch on Posterous

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Edward_Book_Talk.MOV Watch on Posterous

Fudge-a-Mania

Fudge_Book_Talk.MOV Watch on Posterous

Harriet the Spy

Harriet_Book_Talk.MOV Watch on Posterous

See ya later, Gladiator

Gladiator_Book_Talk.MOV Watch on Posterous

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Today we practised descriptive writing. We worked on expanding an event and on showing emotion rather than telling. We also talked about VOICE. Here are some of the lines I really enjoyed from your journals today.

Our topic: The Cypress boys vs. girls snowball fight last Tuesday.

Victoria

The girls were jumping up and down. Some of us were gasping for air, and lots of toes were numb.

Jenny

Everyone snapped to attention and ran outside.

The boys were throwing snowballs with the light of fight in their eyes.

Jillian

We could feel the heat on each other's bodies and the tension in each other's faces.

The girls would not be denied.

Kaden

And now, I've got to go - the girls are coming!

Nicholas

We ate our snack to get ready for battle.

Our arms were like cannons, our snowballs like cannonballs (good simile!)

Alyza

My heart was racing, I had a shiver down my spine

I jumped up and fell to the snowy ground.

Khayali

Nicholas's hands formed into fists, but he still surrendered.

The hair was standing up on the backs of their necks, but they were ready for battle.

Gabi

Ewan shot a dirty look at the girls and the fight for justice began.

Eli

It was just me and Chuck Norris.  (??!)

Adrian

I quickly threw a snowball and Gabi fell over like an avalanche (another fitting simile!)

Ewan

Just then we heard thumps.

In the misty, icy forest we came upon a wide snow valley.

Sahra

If there was one day to live for, it would be today.

The boys immediately got to work, hearts pumping, ready for an invasion.

With not the slightest hint of fear, the girls advanced.

Sophie

My heart pounded like an eagle furiously flapping it's wings.

I clenched my fists. I picked up an icy snowball that felt cold against my soaked hand.

Lucy

Tears fell down our puffy faces.

Yash

Our fearless captain, Ms.Cannon yelled with joy, "there it is, the Hollyburn lodge!"

Jed

Deadly snow was flying, burning like fire crackling on trees, painful, relaxing, warm, and cold. The girls were going in for an attack, but I said "No, fight back. Never stop."

Aleksei

She was as tall as the frozen trees. We all knew this was not going to be easy.

They were tired. Their eyes looked down as if they were crying. They tried not to show it.

Amanda

The girls shouted as loud as they could, hands in the air jumping up and down. They jumped so high it looked like they were going to touch the sky.

Awesome job, 3C! I love the way you are bringing your writing to life with description and VOICE! It looks like we will have to have a rematch in the snow one day :)

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3C, you did an outstanding job on your travel brochures for your provinces! To help you understand what fully meeting or exceeding expectations looks like, here is a sample for each category: conventions, information, illustrations, and persuasive writing. Each of these students received 4/5 or 5/5 for their category.

Conventions: (Adrian)

 Why do you think these students met/exceeded expectations?

What did you do well on your brochure?

What could you improve on for next time?

What was the most interesting fact you learned about your province?

What are you still curious about?

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Enjoy a slideshow of our snowshoe trip today! Thanks to our Outdoor Ed. coordinator, Ms. McTavish for hooking us up with a class set of snowshoes, and a HUGE thanks to Jese, Paula, Yoko, Andy, Chi, Farah, Brenda, and Marcie for helping us out on the trails. What a fun afternoon!

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We are midway through our UOI on Canada. Last week we began looking at geographical regions of Canada. We looked at the Appalachian Highlands, the St. Lawrence Lowlands, the Canadian Shield, the Interior Plains, the Arctic, and the Western Cordillera. Each group was responsible for researching about the following: land, climate, wildlife, vegetation, and natural resources. Now we are beginning to make connections between the resources and industries in each region as well as the landscape and activities that take place. Some of us made connections from our Grade Two unit on trade, importing, and exporting.

Here is a picture of us mapping our information and photographs:

regionvidpla.MOV Watch on Posterous

regionvidcas.MOV Watch on Posterous

We also thought about this question: Why are people on the North Shore and in Vancouver generally healthier and fitter than people who live in northern communities? Here are some of our initial ideas:

-They have to wear heavier clothes and coats to keep themselves warm, so they can't go out for a jog like that. We can go outside in our lighter clothes. (Ewan)

-Maybe the weather. If you're in the Arctic, it's too cold to exercise. People smoke less here. (Jenny)

-There's not much free range food. (Yash)

-It's really cold and you can't grown stuff, you have to import it, so they don't eat as much veggies. (Adrian)

-It's too cold and icy. You could slip and injure yourself. (Nick)

-Maybe there's less pollution here and the air is cleaner. (Jed)

Do you have any other thoughts? What about the landscape?

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Here is your math assignment tonight. Log into Posterous. Click on the comments and read the last story problem. Solve the problem. In your comment, you will need to give the answer in a sentence, and then leave your own word problem for the next 3C student to solve. Remember two things – One: You must ask a question at the end of your story. Two: The story problem you make up must be able to be solved using three digit addition! Good-luck, math superstars!

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Today we continued our West Coast photography project. We each chose our favourite photograph taken from our picturesque school grounds and wrote a few descriptive sentences about our choice of place. I'm impressed with the powerful verbs and juicy nouns you are now using in your writing. So impressed, in fact, that a new issue of the 3C West Coast Impressions is coming soon to a desk near you! Soon enough you will be able to see the full Canadian edition co-produced by Mr. O-C.

Here is a sneak preview with editions from Yash, Ewan, and Victoria:

photo_yash.pdf Download this file

Photo_Ewan.pdf Download this file

photo_Victoria.pdf Download this file

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Our multiplication challenge is in full swing. On Tuesdays and Fridays each week we have a timed multiplication quiz, and we work at our own pace to make it to the legendary ULTIMATE MIXER. We have three minutes to complete thirty questions. If we get at least 28 questions correct, we move onto the next number. Because we work at our own pace we also keep the province we are working on confidential (that means not bragging or asking others what province they're on - though we're always allowed to encourage our classmates!). Here is a picture of a challenge sheet in progress. Way to go, Jaden! 

Ways to practice our Multiplication Tables:

-The practice worksheets we bring home

-The flashcards we made at school (if you're working on the fours, take all your four cards. If you get the answer right away, put the card in the yes pile. If it takes you awhile, or you get the answer wrong, put it in the no pile. After you go through the deck, pick up the no pile. Repeat, until every card is a y-e-s!).

-Have your parents quiz you, or make up a thirty question practice challenge for you

-Listen to a Multiplication rap C.D (we'll try this tomorrow!)

-Play the challenge card game. Compete with a sibling or parent. Have someone hold up a flash card. Whoever shouts the answer out first wins the card. Whoever has the most cards at the end wins.

-Explore the many, many multiplication iPad apps out there. If you find one that you think is really helpful to you, email some information about it to your friends so they can try it out too.

Good-luck, 3C! You're doing a wonderful job so far :)

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3C wishes you a fantastic ninety-seventh year! Three more til the big 100!

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On Friday, Ms. Ullman, Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Jamieson, and I presented a workshop to 44 teachers from other schools about our iPad program at Mulgrave. Lucy, Jed, Gabi, Melissa, and Amin generously gave up part of their day off to come help us out. They walked teachers and principals through some of the work that we've done this year on our iPads, and they also answered many questions. One of the exciting moments came when Gabi and Jed got to meet Mrs. Rees (the teacher who commented on our blog) in person. Thanks grade threes - you were wonderful representatives for our school!

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2. What does it mean to have a multicultural Canada? Use what you learned from your communities book yesterday and from what you already know. How does having different groups of people benefit a country?

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Feb_2012.pdf Download this file

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