Why Wednesday?

General:

1. Students received a Workshop Wednesday form last night.  Please sign and return them ASAP.  This is good for students who are thinking of coming in on Wednesdays for extra work time or extra help from now until June.
2. Adventures Childcare form went home today.

Social:

1. Ancient Athens project due Monday, January 18th.

Language Arts

1. Narrative stories will be return on Friday.

Science:

1. Science quizzes were returned today.  Please sign and return green sheets by Friday.
2. Trees of Canada project due Monday.  Students were given a booklet they can complete for their project if they choose.  The most important part of the project is to justify one tree that should be the national tree of Canada.  As a class we went through the three examples below and graded them based on the rubric provided in the assignment overview package.

Mrs. Tam’s Justification Examples

Example 1 (Level 1)

I believe the Banyan tree should be the national tree of Canada because it is big and really cool looking!  It’s just so awesome!  I really like Banyan Trees.  Even the name is cool!  Everything about it is just so…COOL!  Cool eh?

Example 2 (Level 2)

I believe the Banyan tree should be the national tree of Canada because the tree produces figs, which is popular amongst birds and monkeys.  They also produce flowers that attract wasps for pollination purposes.  Older trees can reach more than 200 metres (656 feet) in diameter, with a height of 30 meters (98 feet).

Example 3 (Level 3 or 4)

Banyan trees should be the national trees of Canada for a couple of reasons. 

First off, these trees were originally found in South Asia.  They were frequently planted near villages, homes, temples, and roadsides as it provides shade to relax, an area to discuss issues and make decisions.  Canada is known for its beautiful landscape, friendly people and democracy.  Having Banyan trees in this country can represent and symbolize these important values of Canada.

Banyan trees are also known for their widespread root system that can sprawl across a considerable area.  Having trees that have a strong root system helps with the prevention of erosion.  This is especially true for the shorelines across Atlantic Canada as they often experience erosion, a wearing away of the land by water, waves, ice, and wind.  The Banyan tree roots can help improve these problems.