1908 VS 2011 - The Verdict Is In!!!

We had an interesting discussion first period today about whether students would trade spots with one from 1908. The consensus right away was that they wanted to go to school in 1908. Some of the perks were that you got to have your own animals, and play on stilts. They even said they would be alright with getting up at 4:30 am to do all their morning chores before they went to school (remember that one parents when you need to wake them up early to tidy up their room)!

However, this afternoon students completed a Venn diagram comparing their school experience to that of a student from 1908. They then used this information to help them answer the question, "Would you rather be a student in a 1908 classroom or in a 2011 classroom?" Funny enough, each piece of writing explained why they wanted to be a student in a 2011 classroom!

Time Travel

What a fantastic adventure we had today! The threes travelled back to 1908 and lived a school-day in the life of another student. We had many fun experiences: tug-of-war, slate drill for math work and straight-pen and ink work to name just a few. The students dressed the part, ate the part and acted the part. Your teachers, Miss Welsted included, couldn't be prouder of you! Special thanks to our parents, neighbours and grandparents who helped with our costumes and lunches and to our volunteers who drove and acted with us at school today (they did such a great job that they got into character and earned two days worth of detention:)
Stay tuned for more about our trip...

Test Writing Ideas

After looking at students' work today here are some suggestions to keep in mind when you are responding to questions.
Written Answer
reread  the question - put it in your own words
reread your answer part way through answering to make sure you are answering the question that was asked
check to make sure you have included at least 2 examples from a piece of reading to support your answer
check to make sure you have included your own ideas to support your answer

Check out this awesome adventure story from our class...

Great job Quinton!
I am looking forward to reading the sequal to this story. The author has made me very curious about what kind of treasure it was, an what Zack and his dad did with the treasure after they found it.
Any ideas?

Pioneer Lunch

When you are packing your lunch, forget about the plastic bag, or the zippered thermos bag! Instead, empty out a pail and cover it in tinfoil, or find a small basket or clothbag. You can include a small tin cup and get water from the water crock at school. Wrap your food in a clean cloth or brown paper (I miss the tupperware and ziplock already)!

Some popular 'dinner' items include:
carrot sticks, raw turnip or potatoes
boiled eggs
fresh native fruit - in season (no bananas, oranges or kiwis)
dried fruit (apple rings, raisins)
cold meats
cheese or curds
homemade breads, rolls or muffins
homemade cookies, cakes or tarts
home preserves - pickles, relishes, jams
water, milk, lemonade or cider (brought in a glass jar)

Here are some recipes to try out (if they turn out, Mrs. F. will be happy to sample them for you:)

Cheese Straws from The Early Canadian Galt Cook Book (Toronto, 1898)
Mix two tablespoonfuls butter, four of flour and four of soft cheese grated, one egg, half a teaspoonful of salt, and a tiny pinch of cayenne. When all these ingredients are mixed together, roll them out as thin as you can, and cut out in strips about a quarter of an inch wide and three inches long... Bake about ten minutes.

Chocolate Marble Cake from The Early Canadian Galt Cook Book (Toronto, 1898)
One and a half cupfuls sugar, half cupful butter, half cupful milk, two and a half cupfuls flour, one egg, one teaspoon cream of tartar, half teaspoon soda, flavour with vanilla. When well mixed take half of it in another dish and stir into it one square of melted chocolate, have your tins ready and put in a spoonful of light and dark alternately.

Dressing the Part

Here are some suggestions for what you can wear for our upcoming trip.

Girls
-dress with fancy or sailor-look collar
-frilly white blouse with skirt
-white pinafore
-dark tights
-hair pulled back, braided, or worn in a bun or ringlets
-large ribbons or bows for hair
-dark shoes or short boots
-no make-up, jewelery or nail polish  (oh no!!)

Boys
-white shirt buttoned to neck
-sailor-look collared shirt
-bow ties, neck ties
-suspenders
-overalls and a shirt
-suit jacket or vest
-tuck trousers into work socks for knickerbockers
-dark shoes or boots

All students would carry clean handkerchiefs. We will be playing outside and working with India ink, so it is inadvisable for children to wear their best clothes.

Snow Day

Enjoy your snow day! Looking forward to seeing you all bright and early on Thursday!