In our last Science unit of the year, we’ve been learning about plants and soil. We’ve examined a soil sample up close and divided the various treasures we found into different sections including roots, twigs/branches, leaves, rocks, bugs.

We’ve learned about the parts of plants such as the stem and leaves along with the process of photosynthesis. Plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy in the form of glucose.

But most excitingly we grew our own plants from seeds!

We began with 2 different types of bean seeds: pinto and kidney beans. We put 4-5 beans in a plastic bag with some cotton balls and kept them in the window. We kept them moist but not too moist using a spray bottle.

We observed both beans did well germinating, however, the pinto beans seemed to flourish and sprout faster than the kidney. We’ve already taken home our beans now. 

What did you choose to do with them?

We also decided to plant some herbs including basil, parsley, and dill. They all grew quite well in soil. Finally, we planted tomato plants. Half the class planted tomato seeds that had been to outer space (at the International Space Station) and the other half had not. Thank you to Tomatosphere for providing the seeds! We did not notice much of a difference between the plants in the early stages, but perhaps if we had observed them over a longer period of time, there could be some differences. Hmmmm.

We are now researching our own plant and will present the information in a Google slideshow. We can’t wait to learn all about each other’s plants. Mrs. S also has a plant she’ll present about as well!

Some of the plants we are researching include:

• Mint
• Pitcher Plant
• Redwood tree
• Mangrove
• Lily of the Valley
• Monkey Orchid
• Sunflower

Last week, our class took a trip to a nearby indigenous site called SkaNaDoht. This is a recreated Haudenosaunee longhouse village and museum that allows students to get immersed in the history of our area and explore what we’ve learned about in class in new ways. Our guide was Alison who was a wealth of knowledge. Thanks to Mr. L and Mrs. P. for joining our class on the trip!

Ska-Nah-Doht is an Oneida word meaning “the village stands again”

In our science unit, we’ve been learning all about light and sound. 

We’ve been introduced to science words and concepts such as:

• transparent
• translucent
• opaque
• refraction
• reflection
• absorption
• natural and artificial light sources
• light pollution
• How light travels
• How sound travels
• frequency and amplitude?

We’ve done several experiments involving flashlights, paper cups, pencil in water, and sugar on a bowl.

What was your favourite experiment?

Students have been given some choices for their final project. Some students have chosen to make a guitar, some others want to make a harmonica. Others have chosen other research projects.

In grade 3, we have been learning about our province, Ontario. We know the different landform regions in Ontario including:

• The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Lowlands (where we live)
• Hudson Bay Lowlands
• Canadian Shield

Recently, we each got to choose one particular landform region to showcase by using plasticine on a paper plate. For instance, in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, you might find polar bears, marshy, wet land, and migratory birds.

We first brainstormed various items could be included on the plate and then off they went. Have a look at our hard work! We presented to the class afterwards.

Here are some fun facts about Ontario:

• Ontario has more than 250,000 freshwater lakes, which hold about one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. That’s more lakes than most countries have!
• The official flower of Ontario is the White Trillium
• At over 1 million square kilometers, Ontario is so large that it could fit France, Spain, and a few other countries inside it and still have room left over.
• At Niagara Falls, there’s a cool attraction called “Journey Behind the Falls” where you can walk through tunnels and stand right behind the giant waterfall—it’s loud, wet, and super fun!
• The Polar Bear Habitat in Cochrane, Ontario is the only place in the world dedicated just to polar bears. You can watch real polar bears swim and play—sometimes even in the snow in the summer!
• Canada’s Wonderland, just outside Toronto, has Leviathan, a roller coaster that zooms at 148 km/h (92 mph) and is one of the tallest and fastest in the world!

We also are learning all the province and territories in Canada. Can you name them all? Can you name all the great lakes?

Where have you traveled to within Canada?