All Middle Years – Groups

Landmark 10 (Grow and Eat Food)

On the weekend we harvested the last of our garden produce. Although the rabbits and chipmunks got most of our veggies this year, we still managed to pick 3 butternut squash, some carrots, and tomatoes. We are looking forward to making squash soup very soon!

The Nature Nuts – September 24, 2022

Landmark 15 (Garden, birdfeeder, insects etc.)

Over the course of our summer we released 4 monarchs! Our garden has as much milkweed in it as it does kale, and we hope they will return to our yard next year. We loved checking on these special creatures each day in our butterfly house and were absolutely delighted to watch them dance on the breeze when they were ready.

Babbling Brook Daycare – September 2, 2022

Landmark 9 (Special Outdoor Place 2X/Month)

We took the kids around the Kaawaate yard this sunny Friday to find all sorts of faces in nature! The kids ran around finding faces in items like wood, clouds, grass and rocks!☁️🌲. Definitely some needed downtime to beat the heat☀️

Trent Child Care – Kaawaate School Age & camps – July 15, 2022

Landmark 9 (Special Outdoor Place 2X/Month)

During the week of July 4th, children at Five Counties Children’s Centre explored our new therapy garden and backyard space. With the help of Nancy Doherty, Pathways Outdoor Consultant, we made plant imprint clay medallions, made paints from natural dyes, painted garden pots and made nectar basins for bees and butterflies. Our exploration morning finished with bubble play and a storytime. Thank you Nancy for sharing, creating, and exploring with us!

Therapeutic Recreation @ Five Counties Children’s Centre – Junly 6, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

We explored trees as part of the Camp Kawartha summer camp programming. We played “Get to know your Tree” where pairs of children use their senses to feel, smell, and listen, to trees. One partner closes their eyes while the other guides them carefully to a trunk which they then have to explore using all their senses except vision. After uncovering their eyes, children have to return to the same tree using their observation skills to identify it.

Outdoor Educator Ava – July 5, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate Each Season)

What’s in a name? Learning the names of some local flora is a task these friends joyfully undertake and practice each year. I wondered how I could support this further, at home and during seasons where the flora is less plentiful. Together we created a memory match game of some of our favourite flowers. We plan to expand this task in two ways 1) add more flora as we learn more and 2) create sets to go home with us, connecting our learning here with our parents.

Babbling Brook Daycare – July 4, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)
We went with Nature Nancy to Barnardo Park and studied living things in the environment. Looked for squirrel nests then extended the students knowledge and understanding by creating their own nest with a partner. Great hands-on activity with connection to the observations of daily occurrences in the students world.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 1/2 – May 30, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

We have been paying close attention to the flora that is slowly coloring our trail. Today we identified our favourite wildflowers, documenting what we found with old phones as cameras to upload onto iNaturalist. These citizen scientists found lots of daisies, bird foot trefoil, cinquefoil, salsify, cow vetch, and clover.

Babbling Brook Daycare – June 8, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

With our Grade 5 learning buddies we had the ORCA come in and teach us about the animals that live in and around our local waterways. We then painted yellow fish on local storm drains to protect these animals, and us, from water pollution.

Millbrookpath2021 – May 31, 2022

Landmark 15 (Garden, birdfeeder, insects etc.)

Today we had so much fun with Nature Nancy! We learned all about the components of soil, had an opportunity to explore the critters that live on our forest floor, and got to make our very own terrariums. We had an absolute blast this morning and can’t thank Nature Nancy enough for leading us through a tremendous morning.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 2/3 – May 30, 2022

Landmark 15 (Garden, birdfeeder, insects etc.)

Today we planted a variety of perennial and annual plants that we started from seed in the winter. We planted a variety of native seeds in order to best serve our local pollinator species.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 2/3 – May 25, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate Each Season)

We went outdoors looking for clues about the changing season (spring).

Queen Elizabeth Gr 4/5 – May 17, 2022

Landmark 8 (Nature Art Weekly)

To go along with our recent inquiry on spring birds we were inspired to sketch bird nests using pastels. Once the nests were finished we added eggs which we cut out of construction paper.

The One Two Crew – May 3, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

Today we got to meet virtually with two Ontario Parks employees from Thunder Bay. They taught us all about beavers and turtles. We got to learn about the unique parts of their bodies, their habitat, and how to help protect each species.

The One Two Crew – May 2, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

Today we started a pond study. We walked to a pond close to our school and worked through four senses- what did we see? Hear? Touch? Smell? We noticed old cattails along the edge of the pond as well as tall grasses that we want to identify back in the classroom. We also saw and heard red-winged blackbirds and frogs. Tomorrow we will be walking to another local pond to compare both habitats.

The One Two Crew – May 11, 2022

Landmark 15 (Garden, birdfeeder, insects etc.)

In our class, we have been studying how plants grow. We have learned that plants can be grown by seed, but we have also just finished an investigation on propagation. We cut up sections of pothos and philodendron plants and put the sections into water. This allowed need roots to form, and allowed for us to create 19 baby plants from my large “mother plants”. It was really interesting watching the roots slowly grow in the water. We wrapped up our investigation just in time for Mother’s Day and upcycled some plain old plastic pots in art class to make beautiful gifts for the humans who love us.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 2/3 – May 6, 2022

Landmark 15 (Garden, birdfeeder, insects etc.)

Today we welcomed Nature Nancy to enjoy a half-day of exploring the outdoors. We travelled to our favourite outdoor space in our neighbourhood to learn more about habitats. Students participated in a scavenger hunt looking for different elements of habitats. Then they explored some different nests and spent time trying to make a nest, like different creatures.

RF Downey 3/4 – 05/03/2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

On Friday, we had our very own Naturalist, Lynn Smith, volunteer to visit and walk in the woods with us behind the school! Lynn helped us identify the Scotch Pine, Trout Lily plants, and the Sugar Maple leaf. We turned over logs to find worms, centipedes, slugs and bugs, and examined bits of bark and interesting shaped sticks. We were excited by green moss and marveled at how it doesn’t have roots. We found yellow fungi and bumpy trees and felt different types of bark. Lynn was a great sport–she answered questions and encouraged us to “listen,” and “look,” carefully at our surroundings. It was a super day, full of warmth and sunshine that we have all been craving.

St Catherine CES Gr 3 – April 29, 2022

Landmark 14 (Five New Outdoor Activities)

This week our class built kites from a ‘Kites in the Classroom’ kit. Yesterday each student got to decorate their own kite and we assembled them this morning. The perfect breeze started up by the afternoon so we quickly headed outside to test them out! The class stayed out for over an hour flying them and would have kept flying for much longer had it not been time to go home!

The One Two Crew – 0April 28, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate each Season)

We discussed the signs of spring then we grabbed our clipboards and went on an outdoor scavenger hunt to look for signs of spring.

R F Downey Gr 1/2 – April 29, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

We were so fortunate to have Otonabee Conservation provide us with a wonderful presentation on pollinators today. We learned about local pollinator species and the importance of native plants. They also provided us with some seeds to start in our classroom.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 2/3 – April 22, 2022

Landmark 9 (Special Outdoor Place 2X/Month)

Today for fun Friday the students asked to visit the park, our special spot, and play outside. We enjoyed the beautiful weather, climb, did dramatic play, and got some much-needed DPA.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 2/3 – April 29, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate Each Season)

Today we participated in Loose Parts play on the playground. Using recycled materials donated by our school community, we built, did some dramatic play and made music while enjoying the change in the weather to a warmer season. What a wonderful day to get outside and explore!

Queen Elizabeth Gr 2/3 – April 22, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

Glen from Camp Kawartha took us on a squirrels life adventure! We learned about squirrel habitats and the challenges of making nests to protect them from danger and to keep them warm in the cold temperatures. We acted like squirrels and gathered appropriate materials to create nests. We were then provided with containers of warm water to see if they would stay warm in our squirrel nests … the temperature was measured before and after.

R F Downey Gr 1/2 – April 14, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

We have adopted a worm compost in our classroom. We are exploring how red wiggler worms help with the decomposition of organic waste and how they create new soil. It is amazing to see the breakdown of fruit and veggie scraps each week. Feeding days are worm Wednesday’s!

R F Downey Gr 1/2 – April 12, 2022

Landmark 14 (Five New Outdoor Activities)

Earth day scavenger hunt! In the afternoon we spent some extra time outside looking for things in nature. We went looking for things that where different colours and different textures as well. The students enjoyed looking for the different items on their list and they were sad when they were not able to find a wild flower our the school yard.

Keith Wightman Gr 1/2 B – April 22, 2022

Landmark 14 (Five New Outdoor Activities)

The students are learning why composting is important and what can and cannot be composted. We talked about green and brown compost and how it makes enriched soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests. We talked about how compost soil needs less fertilizers because the food is full of nutrients.

Keith Wightman Gr 1/2 B – April 22, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate each Season)

Our class has been talking about Earth day all week. We’ve read stories, made art, attended virtual workshops, and created posters about ways to help the earth. Today our class celebrated Earth Day by cleaning up garbage around the schoolyard.

The One Two Crew – April 22, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate Each Season)

We went on our usual walk to a local park and noticed signs of spring. As well as noticing signs of spring, we photographed items that we found that were in the colours of the rainbow.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 8 LLS (B) – April 12, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate Each Season)

We celebrated “Earth Day” by attending a Virtual Assembly sponsored by “Protect Our Winters”. We learned about the impact of Climate Change and about what young people can do to make positive change.

Highland Heights Gr 7/8 – April 22, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate Each Season)

This week the students have been using their addition and subtraction skills to make recycle boy and recycle girl. We have been talking about why recycling is important for our environment and our Earth. The students have enjoyed making these fun little crafts while learning about recycling.

Keith Wightman Gr 1/2B – April 20, 2022

Landmark 15 (Garden, birdfeeder, insects etc.)

The students were busy designing and building a birdhouse with recycled materials in our classroom. We have talked about how birds need shelter from storms.

Keith Wightman Gr 1/2 B – April 21, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

Today our class participated in the Environmental Symposium with many other classes from the public and catholic school boards. We spent the day connecting to virtual workshops and learned about local birds, turtles, animals who live near ponds, and some of the animals who live at the Peterborough zoo. It was really fun to connect live with local experts and ask questions about each animal.

The One Two Crew – April 21, 2022

Landmark 14 (Five New Outdoor Activities)

We learned five outdoor cooperative activities with a representative from the Warsaw Outdoor Education Centre.
Hula Hoop Passing Through a Circle
Organizing ourselves alphabetically blindfolded
Organizing ourselves by age blindfolded
Identifying our bird call partners blindfolded
Making large rope shapes in groups while blindfolded.

R F Downey 4-6 – April 20, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate each Season)

Since it rained last night, I went out to the pavement area before school and traced around some big puddles with chalk. For the rest of the day, the sun was out and quickly dried up the pavement. I took the class outside for science and showed them my chalk lines from earlier in the morning. Everyone had a lot of fun solving the mystery of the disappearing puddle. It was a great introduction to the water cycle!

The One Two Crew – April 20, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate Each Season)

Today we played a fun activity that connected our recent discussions about the five senses. Students had to travel along a short nature path looking carefully for items along the trail that didn’t belong in nature. I stood at the end of the trail and students whispered the number of items they counted to me. Everyone was very determined to spot all of the items and walked the trail over and over until they saw them all!

The One Two Crew – April 20, 2022

Landmark 14 (Five New Outdoor Activities)

The 3s and 4s of Ms. McConnell and Ms. Howson’s classes had a couple of big games of Instincts for Survival at Kawartha Heights today! It didn’t matter that the field was covered in snow (and a touch of mud) as the students ran around trying to find enough food and water to survive. As a couple of foxes tried to corner a speedy squirrel, he got away just in the nick of time. While finding out who survived at the end of the game, we started a discussion about how humans can help preserve habitat. One way that Kawartha Heights has helped with this is by taking care of their Nature Area which is right next to the school. It is a home to many birds today.

Think Outside with Nature Nancy – April 19, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate Each Season)

In Science, we have been studying Air and Water in the Environment.
1) Students learned about how rain is created within the water cycle.
2) Created a water cycle in a bag using sharpies, food colouring, and water.
3) Students’ water cycle bags were placed on the window. Then, they made predictions as to what would happen.
4) Students monitored their bags over several days. Evidence of Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection was noted by the class.
5) Practice the water cycle through the Go Noodle Song for brain and body breaks.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 1/2 – 04/05/2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate each Season)

1) Eggs were hidden outside in the primary yard.
2) Students were put into groups of 5 and assigned a colour. They were only allowed to touch or comment on the colour of the egg.
3) Each egg included an activity for movement such as jumping jacks, hopping, and skipping.
4) One egg had chocolate. This indicated that they could hide the colour egg for another game.
5) In the end, each student received a small chocolate.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 1/2 – April 12, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

Today we had the pleasure of learning about snapping turtles and beavers from the wonderful staff at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park. We learned how the species coexist in their habitats, and about the structural and behavioural adaptations that make them unique.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 2/3 – April 19, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate each Season)

This week we painted rocks to look like Easter Eggs in Art class. Today we took our eggs to the park to perform a hunt. Each student had painted 6 rocks with the exact same design on them. They hid their rocks, and a partner was tasked with finding their rock set. I had students paint an egg on a piece of paper with the same design on it as a reference for their partner finding the egg rocks. Students got creative hiding rocks in trees and in root pockets, they hid them under sprouting plants. Some rocks were lost in the process (I think next year I will add mapping to the activity so we can find all of the rocks), but our leftover rocks are just leaving some nature art for others to enjoy. What a beautiful way to spend a spring day.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 2/3 – April 14, 2022

Landmark 11 (Celebrate each Season)

Students enjoyed the sunshine and warmer weather outside skipping, jumping, exploring and playing together. It was nice to get outside for some extra outdoor free-choice time.

Keith Wightman Gr 1/2 B – April 14, 2022

Landmark 15 (Garden, birdfeeder, insects etc.)

With Easter quickly approaching, we decided to make bunny art this week out of recycled tin cans. We when put a biodegradable, newspaper liner in the bunnies and planted them up with pansies. We then discussed how to care for our plants. Students have the options to keep their plants in their bunnies, or plant them out, newspaper and all, in the garden at home. Happy Easter Weekend Everyone!

Queen Elizabeth Gr 2/3 – April 13, 2022

Landmark 12 (Nearby Plants and Animals)

We took our binoculars and bird field guides out on a trail walk. First, we sat quietly and noted which birds we could hear. Then we set off along the trail to see how many birds we could spot. We saw and/or heard crows, seagulls, sparrows, cardinals and chickadees.

The One Two Crew – April 12, 2022

Landmark 10 (Grow and Eat Food)

We are starting to grow flowers and vegetables from seeds. We talked about why it is important to plant wildflowers, it helps feed bees and butterflies. We talked about why planting vegetables helps up eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. You decide what kinds of fertilizers and pesticides come in contact with your food. It lets us control when to harvest our food when it is ready. It does not have to travel from different places around the world for long periods of time. Vegetables that ripen in the garden have more nutrients than some store-bought vegetables that must be picked early.

Keith Wightman Gr 1/2 B – April 13, 2022

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

We viewed the video of all the calls of frogs and toads across Ontario. The class’ favourite was the “Fowler’s Toad” which sounds like a person screaming. Students all had a turn impersonating their favourite frog! We hope to hear some of these calls on our trip to a nearby wetland next week.

Mrs. Kelly’s Grade 2/3 – April 13, 2022

Landmark 10 (Grow and Eat Food)

Today we participated in the first step of a 3-Part STEM project. We are taking part in the “Let’s Talk Science” Tomatosphere project. We have planted 2 sets of seeds, one set of regular seeds, and one set that has been exposed to the space environment for 4 weeks. We are investigating the inquiry question: “How does the exposure to the space environment affect a seeds germination rate.” We learned about a fair and a blind science investigated and we are excited to observe our plants over the next few months. Students will be able to bring home with plants at the end of the investigation, and some will be planted in our school garden.

Queen Elizabeth Gr 2/3 – April 12, 2022