We are busy learning about three places in Canada as part of the Alberta Program of Studies: Alberta, Nunavut, and Nova Scotia. Our class learning began with an activity in which we did our best to identify and organize unique objects that could be found in each province. We are now completing research through books and the internet that is helping us gather information in order to compare the similarities and differences between the three Canadian provinces. Our learning adventure took us into Alberta as we began talking about the hoodoos and badlands, as well as the Burgess Shale. These places make Alberta unique because fossils are found all over these regions. Fossils are the remains of a prehistoric animals saved in rocks or rock sediment. ![]() After sharing what we had learned our conversation lead to a desire to create our own fossils based on the prehistoris ones we would find in our own province, Alberta. As student found a fossil making project in an art book, so Ms. Bates made salt dough and we begin representing our learning through this artisitc medium. ![]() We used websites to find actual Alberta fossils, learn their names, and understand interesting facts about them. Each student then chose a fossil to create. We began learning how to manipulate the salt dough. Using several different tools we poked, carved, cut, and shaped the inside of our lumps of dough, each student creating the fossil chosen. ![]() Several of us had to work with the salt dough for some time to learn how to etch and carve a fossil in a realistic way. We used patience and shared tips as we created our individual fossils. ![]() When the fossils were complete, we shared them with our parents as part of our November parent and teacher conferences. We have had many compliments from teachers, students, and parents on our scientific and creative work. In understanding the land formations of our province (Burgess Shale and the hoodoos), and the unique contents of these places (prehistoric fossils) we see how our history influences our present. As we move forward in our learning, we will make connections between people and our first ancestors in Alberta, how scientific research and tourism in these areas support our communities, and ways in which fossils connect us to other Canadian communities. Students were very involved and excited about this work, took the creation of their fossil seriously, and generated some well made fossils based in our art and science skills. Excellent work making fossils to represent Alberta grade two's! - Ms. Bates Comments are closed.
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June 2017
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