Science World Fieldtrip

What a great day at Science World!
It was great to see so many students and parents. I thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Sampling a Purdy's chocolate while learning about cocoa and the manufacturing of chocolate, to testing my ability to relax and move a ball through 'Mind Power' ,to going to the Omnimax and seeing the force of nature, to examining live insects at the Eureka Lab...I had a fabulous time.

Those of you who were able to join us, I'm sure you had an enjoyable experience also. I'd like you to share one thing that impressed you on the field trip. It may be one fact that you remember from watching the Omnimax film, or it could be something you learned at the insect or chemistry workshop, or it could be something you discovered at one of the galleries.

Those of you who were unable to join us, I'd like you to share an interesting fact or observation about a special place of interest that you may have visited recently. You may be overseas and visited a tourist attraction or you may tell us about something interesting in your neighborhood, perhaps a statue in a local park.

Books...Television...Computers...?

Here it is, the year 2007 and the world keeps changing and changing. We have no control over the speed in which things change. First it was books. Then we moved onto televisions. Now computers are everywhere. As you get older, you will have more and more decisions to make as to how you want to spend your time. I'd like you to rank the three(books, television, computer) in the order in which you spend your free time, from most to least. Also, a brief explanation telling why you spend your time in this way would be good.

As always, I'll start.

During the school year, given the 3 choices (books, t.v., computers) I spend more time watching television. This is partially because I'm a big hockey fan so this means watching games on television. In second place would be using my computer. I spend so much time on my computer at school, it's not as appealing to me after school. I spend the least of my time with books. This is because it takes me some serious time to find something I really want to read. Once I find something to read, I want to have the freedom of reading whenever I want throughout the day until I finish it. This usually means that I save reading until the summer.

So, that's me. What about you?

Happy New Year!

2007---Here we come!
A new year, a new start, and, a chance to make some New Year's Resolutions. What is a resolution? It's a commitment to try and make changes for the better. It gives you an opportunity to start fresh with renewed energy. So, now, let's do it. Let's decide what each of us wants to change for the better and how. When you've decided, post your New Year's Resolution.

What's my New Year's Resolution?

My first resolution is to deal with things sooner rather than put things off. I want to make a decision and follow through within a reasonable period of time---sooner rather than later.

My second resolution is to take at least thirty minutes a day to do some form of exercise. It's time to get moving!

Alright! It's your turn. What's your New Year's Resolution?

Fun Times!

One of my favourite times of year is Christmas. I love Christmas for lots of reasons. First of all we have holidays so I have time to relax and sit in front of the fireplace on cold evenings maybe read a little and sip hot chocolate. Secondly, we always get together with our family and friends and talk, and eat, and talk, and eat some more. Everyone is happy and the children are excited. The seasonal music adds to the whole holiday feeling.
What about you---what time of year or what celebration is one of your favourites. What is it that you like most about it?

O.W.L. Presentation

Wow! What an excellent presentation! It was great to see that many of you were able to attend the presentation by the O. W. L. (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation) society, and had the opporunity to learn about the fabulous work that they do. I know you all enjoyed seeing a live owl and a Mexican hawk. Ted Williams, the presenter, shared a wealth of very interesting information. Additional photos taken at the presentation can be viewed at http://www.gvdes.ca/~jmattu/fieldtrips/owl/owl.htm

Let's start this year's blog by sharing one thing that you learned from attending the presentation. Those of you who were not able to attend can also add to this by looking up information about Canadian hawks and owls and give one interesting fact you learned through your research.

This is a 'live' blog in that you are able to add your comments here directly. So, decide on an interesting fact about hawks or owls that you'd like to share. Then add your fact by clicking on 'comment'. Only give your first name when you leave a comment. I look forward to reading your interesting facts.

Cruisin' the Fraser

What a great experience!
The elementary GVDES students rode down the Fraser on a paddlewheeler! It was a wet, soggy day, but this did not dampen the spirit of the participants.

Enjoy the video!

Connor Meets Manatees

This photo of a manatee was taken by Connor when he was in Florida. Connor writes that he went out on a boat, and with a wet suit and a mask on, jumped into the water to swim with the manatess for over an hour and a half!
Another unforgettable experience for one of our classmates!

Caroline Visits the Penguins

Caroline sent this photo taken during her visit to the Strait of Magellan.This is a penguin colony---what a super experience!
Do you know where the Strait of Magellan is?

Many of you are studying in various parts of the world and are visiting some very interesting places. E-mail me your interesting photos with a brief write-up explaining the photo, and I will post it here for everyone in our class to enjoy.