Celebrating Tu B’Shevat in Grades 1 & 2! 🌳🌿
On Wednesday, our Grade 1 and 2 students came together to celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees! It was a wonderful day of learning, discovery, and appreciation for nature.
The children enjoyed listening to stories about trees, learning how they grow and why they are so important. They also got their hands dirty planting seeds, a perfect way to connect with the holiday’s theme of renewal and growth. We thank Moreh Liad from SK for teaching us about planting and bringing us so many seeds to plant.
In the classroom, students worked on Hebrew and French activities related to Tu B’Shevat, strengthening their language skills while deepening their understanding of the holiday. They worked on puzzles, practiced unscrambling sentences and completed tree-themed word searches, making learning fun and engaging. In French, they explored the names of native trees in Canada, the parts of a tree, and different leaf colours.
They also took part in a fascinating discussion comparing trees in Israel and Canada at this time of year. While Canadian trees stand bare in the winter cold, many trees in Israel, like the almond tree, are already beginning to bloom! The students reviewed their colours in French by learning what colour
To end the celebration on a joyful note, the children gathered together to sing songs and do tree yoga an in honour of Tu B’Shevat. Their voices filled the room with warmth, reminding us all of the beauty and importance of nature.
Tu B’Shevat was a meaningful and engaging experience for our young learners, helping them deepen their appreciation for the environment and the world around them. Ask your child about their favourite part of the celebration—we’d love to hear their thoughts!
Grade One Innovation Day
Creating Wildlife Crossings
Our Innovation Day projects were inspired by the book Make Way for Animals! A World of Wildlife Crossings by Meeg Pincus. A special thank you to Brigitte, our librarian, for recommending this wonderful book as the starting point for our exploration.
After reading Make Way for Animals, we learned about wildlife crossings from around the world and how they help animals navigate busy roads safely. This sparked a big question in our class: Could we design and build our own wildlife crossings to help animals? The students were eager to take on the challenge! Each child selected a specific animal to support and began designing a crossing that would allow their chosen species to travel safely.
The Challenge
The goal was to design and construct a sturdy wildlife cross
ing that could span at least 30 cm and support a weight of 100 grams. Students chose partners to tackle the challenge set before them.
With excitement and determination, the class got to work—planning, designing, cutting cardboard, and gluing pieces together. Along the way, many students refined their designs as they encountered challenges, demonstrating patience, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Our classroom truly embodied one of our North Stars: We Learn Better Together, as students helped one another navigate building challenges.
Innovation Day Success
Innovation Day was an incredible experience! Families joined us in the classroom to celebrate the students’ hard work and creativity. It was wonderful to see the children proudly showcase their final projects to parents. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and now they are eager to take on even more STEM challenges.
As a teacher, I have to say—these projects are just as fun for me as they are for the students! Watching their curiosity, teamwork, and resilience in action is inspiring.
Highlights of Our Journey
- Designing and Planning
- Building and Problem-Solving
- Applying the Scientific Process
- Showcasing Our Final Wildlife Crossings
Our Innovation Day proved that learning can be both meaningful and exciting. We can’t wait for our next challenge!
A quick sneak peak!
After the break, our first graders will take on an exciting STEM and storytelling challenge! Inspired by Making a Windproof House for the Three Little Pigs by Sue Gagliardi, students will design and build a sturdy house that can withstand the huffs and puffs of the Big Bad Wolf. Using creativity and engineering skills, they will test their structures and then put their imaginations to work by writing a brand-new ending to The Three Little Pigs. What happens when the wolf can’t blow the houses down? This engaging project blends STEM, Language Arts, and narrative writing, making for a fun and meaningful learning experience
