Animal Reports

The first graders have been working hard to collect, record, and organize information about different kinds of animals, for their Sharing the Planet unit of inquiry. They have created some really interesting videos to present their research findings.

Grade 1 EAL Students Final Stories and Graduation Party

Throughout the year, the EAL students have been persevering, working on their writing, reading, speaking and listening skills.  Now, all three of them they are ready to graduate from the EAL program.

The grade 1 EAL students working on their final stories.

Congratulations Jian, Himeka and Euginia!  What an achievement!

The students celebrated by having a graduation party today.

The proud grade 1 EAL students receive their graduation certificates.  

Holding the flowers Himeka made for the graduation party.

Memorable Math Moments

Fraction Bowling

Division Stations

Working on our Research Skills

The first graders have been working hard to collect, record, and organize information about different kinds of animals, for their Sharing the Planet unit of inquiry. They have created some really interesting videos to present their research findings.

St. Raphaela Day of Service

On Friday, May 20, 2016 the Seisen community commemorated the Feast of St. Raphaela with a whole-school day of service. The Grade 1 students enthusiastically participated in a variety of activities to serve both the school and local community. Class 1A helped Ms. Lea clean and sanitize books in the Media Centre, while Class 1B made cards and treats to thank Seisen's support staff. In the afternoon, both classes sang and dance for the residents at the Nakamachi Day Home.

Seisen Sports Day 2016

The first graders thoroughly enjoyed their very first elementary school Sports Day on Thursday, May 12, 2016. They all demonstrated amazing enthusiasm, commitment, confidence, and cooperation. Congratulations to everyone for their outstanding effort, and well done to the Ontake team for their first place finish.

Many thanks to Ms. Brittany and Mr. Hawkins for organizing 

such a fun event and for taking the time to help us get ready.

Developing a sense of Measuring

So how what a six or seven year old understand about measuring capacity? Well it turns out quite a lot!

In Mathematics we broke the learning of capacity down into steps:

Step 1: Learning to compare the amount of liquid held in different sized containers against benchmark container - in our case a box container.





Step 2: The next thing we did was to introduce a non-standard measure. We used 'cupfuls'. We predicted how many cupfuls each container would hold and then tested it out.




Step 3: Next we made our own measuring devices. We realised it took too long using cups so we thought we needed more cupfuls. We wanted to make a measuring device that could measure several cupfuls at once. Unfortunately we didn't have lots of cups so we used bottles instead and did bottlefuls!




Step 4: Finally after we had learned about using bottlefuls, we saw the problems with it - it wasn't so accurate and some water was spilling out. We learned about the standard measurements of millilitres and litres. We then measured the same containers in ml and litres.





By breaking down the steps in this way, the girls learned the need for having a standard measure. By making their own measuring devices before using millilitres they had a direct experience of how a measuring device works.

Developing the learner profile: Respect and Caring and Appreciation

Today, we were lucky to be allowed to go along to the visiting Petting Zoo at the Kindergarten. It was a great way for the girls to get up close and personal to these animals and observe their behaviour and features.

What special features can you see?