IO Project

Curriculum

Science

Topic A: Creating Colour
1. Identify colours in a variety of natural and
manufactured objects.
2. Compare and contrast colours, using terms
such as lighter than, darker than, more blue,
brighter than.
3. Order a group of coloured objects, based on
a given colour criterion.
Topic B: Seasonal Changes
2. Identify and describe examples of plant and
animal changes that occur on a seasonal basis:
· changes in form and appearance
· changes in location of living things
· changes in activity; e.g., students should
recognize that many living things go into a
dormant period during winter and survive under a blanket of snow as a seed, egg or hibernating animal
· production of young on a seasonal basis.
Topic E: Needs of Animals and Plants
4. Classify some common local plants and
animals into groups on the basis of visible
characteristics; e.g., adaptations for survival,
such as claws, beaks, prickles.
5. Identify examples of plants and animals that
are normally under human care
(domesticated) and those that are normally
independent of human care (wild).
6. Identify the requirements of animals to
maintain life; i.e., air, food, water, shelter,
space; and recognize that we must provide
these for animals in our care.

Curriculum

Mathematics

Number Concepts
1. Count orally by 1s, 2s, 5s,and 10s to 100
2. Estimate, then count the number of objects ina set (0-50)and compare the estimate with the actual number
3. Recognize, build,compare and order sets that contain 0 to 50 elements.
5. Represent and describe numbers to 50 in a variety of ways.
Number Operations
8. Use manipulatives and diagrams to demonstrate and describe the processes of addition and subtraction of numbers to 18.
Patterns & relations
1. sort objects, using a single given attribute determined by the student.
Shape & Space (Measurement)
5. Estimate, measure, record and compare the volume/capacity of containers, using nonstandard units.
Shape & Space (Transformatios)
21. Describe the relative position of 3-D objects and 2-D shapes, using such words as near, far, left, right.
Statistics & Probability (Data Analysis)
1. Collect, with guidance, firt-hand information by counting objects, conducting surveys, measuring and performing simple experiments.
2. Construct, with guidance, a concret/object graph and a pictograph, using one-to-one correspondence.
3. Compare data, using appropriate language, including quantitative terms, such as how many more.
4. Pose oral questions in relation to the data gathered.

Curriculum

Fine Arts

A. Drawing
· Make drawings from direct observation.
· Use drawing to add details and textures,
or to create pattern.
B. Painting ALL
C. Print Making
· Explore the use of print-making materials
and the application of paint, using brushes
and rollers (brayers).
· Explore found object printing and the
making of pattern through stamping.
· Use print-making images in making
pictures or compositions.
F. Photography and Technographic Arts
· Take advantage of the visual art
implications of any available
technological device, and explore the
potential of emerging technologies.

Curriculum

English Language Arts

1.1 Choose to read and write for and with others
1.2 ask questions to get additional ideas and information on topics of interst
2.1 identify the main idea or topic of simple narrative and expository texts
2.2 participate in shared listening, reading and viewing experiences using oral, print and other media texts froma variety of cultural traditions and genres, such as poems, stortytelling by elders, pattern books, audiotapes, stories and cartoons
illustrate and enact stories, rhymes and songs
retell interesting or important aspects of oral, print and other media texts

2.4 generate and contribute ideas for individual or group oral, print and other media texts
write, represent and tell brief narratives aboaut own ideas and experiences
recall and retell or represent favorite stories
3.1 ask and answer questions to satisfy information needs on a specific topic
3.2 find information on a topic, using a variety of sources, such as picture books, concept books, people & fieldtrips
match information to research needs
3.3 represent and explain key facts and ideas in own words
recognize and use gathered information to communicate new learning
4.1 rephrase by adding or deleting words, ideas or information to make better sense
check for obvious spelling errors and missing words
explore and use the keyboard to produce text
use words and pictures to add sensory detail in oral, print and other media texts
4.2 complete statements, capital letters and periods
phonetic and conventional spelling
periods, exclamation marks and question marks
4.3 present ideas and information to a familiar audience, and respond to questions
5.2 work in partnerships and groups
recognize personal contributions to group process

Curriculum

Career and Technology Studies

C-1
C-3
C-4
C-5

All but C-2

Activity

Create the Invitation

Have you ever flushed a fish?
Goldfish are a common and seemingly effortless pet, yet somehow they are often committed to a watery grave with the flick of a wrist. What can we learn about fish that would help make their lives longer and more pleasant? Other fish available to pet owners are bettas and danios. Is the current practice of keeping a betta in a small bowl with a plant being kind to these small animals? Fish can't tell us what they need, so how will we know what to do for them?

Students will hear stories about fish and read articles and view photographs of real fish. From this information, students will begin to create works of art depicting fish including some of their functions, habitat and necessities for life. Students will continue to observe our classroom fishes as well as studying fish as a food source. The option of writing an informative letter to the editor regarding the proper care of pet fish and possibly offering our services as "foster" pet fish caregivers to pets in danger will be offered to students. As the work progresses, it will be made available for viewing on the web.

Finally, the students will have the opportunity to re-tell the story of Jonah and the Big Fish. The learning gained from students' research will aid in an account based on real fish facts.

Kick Off the Project With Your Students

Consider:

smelling real fish (whitefish?)

preparing and cooking the fish

flaking and discovering the bones

tasting the fish

applying paint and printing with fish skin

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Task

Jonah and the Big Fish

Teacher reads the story of Jonah and the Big Fish.

Discussion - Students will draw and/or re-tell the "good bits" from this legendary tale.

Students work on different parts of the story by illustrating their favorite part through a drawing, painting and/or re-enactment. Captions are created to go with each of the student drawings or re-enactments. Students are invited to re-tell and audio record the part of the story illustrated by their artwork or re-enactment.

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Activity

Fish Bones Students will cook and eat fish and discover the skeleton. Take pictures of the fish skeleton. Record student observations with video or audio recorder.
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Task

A Virtual Aquarium Create a virtual aquarium to appear on our website. Viewers will use this simulation as a tool to help them choose fish for an unheated, freshwater, home aquarium with tips on how to set up and maintain a healthy home for fish. Students will draw, paint, sculpt, and print fish to represent the particular species of fish they are learning about.
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Task

Fish Research

Students will look at specific sites, which will be posted on the web, to gain information about fish. Information will be stored in a folder (pictures & words) that will be used for the students to create a class PowerPoint presentation. Parents, aides and any volunteers (older students, grandparents) will be invited to scribe for the children, recording their ideas.

Students would have the opportunity to borrow fish books from the public library and have parents help them record information.

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Task

Class Letter to the Editor - Fish Foster Care Class could help compose a collaboratively written letter to the editor with a plea to pet owners of fish to treat them respectfully. We would also offer to accept unwanted pet fish to be cared for in our classroom. Students could also provide details about how to access our virtual aquarium as an additional resource to help in caring for pet fish.
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