measurement

We are just beginning our measurement unit in grade two. In grade one they do measurement, but they only learn to use non-standard units. That is, they measure things using blocks, or their feet, or little plastic counters or whatever. They learn to say the unit when they state the measurement of something, such as "the pencil is 9 cubes long".

So, I started them off by telling them that our custodian wants to put a carpet going up the wheel chair ramp so it isn't so slippery. How long should the carpet be? I ask them. So off they go, whispering in the hall, measuring the wheel chair ramp. We meet back at the carpet in our room to discuss the findings. I ask each group how they measured it. Some lined up rulers, others used blocks and a few groups used their feet. "We used our feet to measure the wheel chair ramp and we figured out that the wheel chair ramp is 41 millimeters long." Of course I tried to hold back my giggle. "Millimeters?" I said. "But I thought you used your feet to measure it," I say. "Yes, we did, but we decided it was millimeters."

Hilarious. So they obviously have a bit of learning to do about the meaning of a few standard units. And that your foot is not a millimeter long. And that the wheel chair ramp is most certainly not 41 millimeters long...

Here comes Valentine's! Watch out!

As of yesterday morning, the legend is growing by the minute.

I was silly enough to give into the temptation to go into the dollar store and buy some Valentine's decorations. As exceedingly simple as it would have been to make them myself, I spent a few bucks on some cheesy window stickers and some hanging shiny hearts.

I came in yesterday morning and put them up around the door. The hanging hearts are very light and move whenever someone walks by, which has a really nice effect. And I'm quite proud (although somewhat disappointed) to be the only with with decorations up...

So as the day went on, the legend came together. At first I only overheard it being talked about and then got the low down.

If you touch a pink heart - no, a red heart - no, it doesn't matter what colour it is! , you will fall in love. With the closest person around. Even if you are a teacher. Even if you are already in love with someone else. And you will stay in love with that person until Valentine's - no, until the end of February - no, until next Valentine's day! And if you touch a heart twice, you will stay in love until the Valentine's day after that!! Currently there are about four girls who are officially in love in our class. Clearly they are not being careful enough around the hearts! Oh, and there is no way to get out of being in love.

Aren't they amazing? How do kids come up with this stuff? And almost instantaneously! It makes me want to buy more decorations just to see what else they could come up with!