Artist in the School

Reston School was pleased to have Dimitry Malman visit for a week to instruct us in Mosaics through the Artists in the Schools program.  We learned that making a mosaic takes time and patience.  

We learned how the large tiles are cut and nipped into small pieces and then everyone made their own picture or design on a square of pre cut plywood.  Next, masking tape was applied over the top of all the work so it could be lifted off in one piece to glue it down to the plywood later. 

The glue reminded us of white icing and we needed to put pressure on the pieces to be sure they were well stuck in.  The next day, we applied the grout, which reminded us of chocolate icing!  We needed gloves to wipe and polish the grout off the places it didn't belong and then let it set up.  

Next we used acrylic paint around the sides and then decided on a title for our Art Piece.  Then they will be on display in the hall later in the week!

Balloon Day!

As a wrap up to our Science Unit on Matter, October 22 was dedicated to the properties of gas with Balloon Day!  Too start things off, we talked about some things they would like to find out using helium and regular balloons along with some other materials that had been provided.   

 Then the experiments began!  Some students used vinegar and baking soda to create a gas that could blow up a balloon while others tested how much a helium balloon could lift. Later on in the day, some students tried building balloon powered lego cars and rocket balloons with a piece of string. 

We had read the Robert Munsch story called Where is Gah-Ning? last week and we wondered if 300 helium balloons could really carry a person away! A number of other Science books gave more ideas to try with balloons.   Rubbing them to make static, twisting and tying them to make different shapes and letting the air out slowly were all self- directed experiments that the students tried out.  It was great to see them working together and helping to solve problems. 

Writing descriptive words was next and we will use these words to make sentences later in the week.

It was a fun filled and educational day in Grade Two!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The idea for the coffee filter turkeys shown above was found at this website. http://afaithfulattempt.blogspot.com/2011/11/turkeys.html

Each one is unique and will be sent home on Friday to decorate students' homes for Thanksgiving. 

Grade Two has enjoyed some turkey great read aloud this week!