Measuring Capacity

Over the last couple of days in our classroom we have been exploring capacity.
We estimated how many popcorn kernels would fit in to a cup then we made the popcorn to see how the capacity would change. We discovered that we could fit more uncooked popcorn in the cup.
Yesterday we were given the challenge of creating our own boxes using tape and cover paper. We were able to use the nets of other boxes to help us with our creating. After we had made the boxes then we had to estimate how many unifix blocks would fit in the box. We then put the blocks in to check our estimates.
Our final challenge was to make another box with a greater capacity.
We found that this activity was great for problem solving, estimating and checking estimates.

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Problem Solving at St Lukes

To celebrate Literacy and Numeracy Week we walked around the school to solve problems.
We discovered that it would take 4 hexagons to cover the shape.
The numbers were 4 and 7.
We could have 50c and 50c in one hand and a $1 coin in the other hand. Each hand would have the same amount of money.
We coloured in a quarter of 16 squares and discovered that a quarter would be 4.
We discovered that many numbers could have a difference of 5. Some of the numbers we chose were 2 and 7, 1 and 6 and 13 and 18.
We worked out that the cheapest was silver, then gold, followed by white gold and the dearest was diamonds.
We found out that these four numbers would total 78 (3, 45, 19 and 11).
We had to use 4 5's to make an answer between 1 and 10. We discovered that 5+5+5-5 =10.

We had a great time wandering around our school to solve the problems.

Problem Solving at St Lukes on PhotoPeach

Playdoh Fractions

Today we discovered how to show fractions using playdoh shapes and plastic knives. We made a circle, square and rectangle to divide in to fractions.
Using the playdoh helped us to remember what 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4 are. We found it easier to remember the fractions after making them.

While investigating different fractions we learnt that ~
1. Halves are two equal parts of one whole
2. Thirds are three equal parts of one whole
3. Quarters are four equal parts of one whole

Masterchef Mums

WOW! We have been so lucky to have 5 Masterchef Mums who came and cooked in our classroom with us. They made delicious apple crumble, healthy rice paper rolls, yummy san choy bow, scrumptious homemade raspberry and white chocolate icecream, delightful spinach pies and crunchy double choc chip cookies. We were so full that we didn't need to eat our lunch yesterday!

During our cooking experiences we made some new discoveries.
Raw vegetables are healthier than cooked vegetables. (Tessa)
The darker the green colour of the vegetable the healthier it is for us. (Piers, Jack, Jamie, Angus and Peter)
When you cook apples and spinach the amount gets smaller. (Ben, Grace)
We discovered how to make crumble using flour, sugar, coconut and butter. (Ruby,Kitty and Ava)
I learnt how to roll up the cookies. (Connor)
I tasted and discovered new recipes. (Natasha)
I learnt how to use a fork to press down the cookie dough. (Josen)
I learnt that when you put the cookies in the oven their shape changes. (Jasmine)
We need to be careful working in the kitchen with hot ovens and frypans. (Jack)
I learnt that when you use self raising flour in your cooking it helps it to rise. (Ben)
Herbs give our food taste and colour.

Masterchef Mums! - free slideshows

Guest Chef - Kim

Today we were very lucky to have another guest chef in our classroom.
Kim came in today and made 'pork dumplings' with us. She used pork mince, a carrot, ginger, spring onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornflour and won ton wrappers. Kim told us that she bought some of the ingredients from the Asian Grocery store that we visited at Forest Hill.
While Kim was cooking with us we made some new discoveries about cooking ~

*chefs use different sized graters for different foods
*steaming is another way of cooking food
*chefs put water on the edges of the won ton wrappers to help them stick together
*to steam food you need to put the steamer over boiling water
*we found out the difference between boiling and simmering - boiling water has bubbles with steam while simmering water just has steam

Thank you Kim for coming in to enhance our learning.

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Our People

We are investigating how to make a healthy meal to share at St. Luke's so we thought that we would use fresh ingredients to make people that we could eat later. This activity gave us the opportunity to taste some fruits and vegetables before they are cooked. We discovered that potatoes and brussel sprouts need to be cooked before we eat them!
We used round fruit and vegetables for the head and sometimes parts of our bodies fell off. When we poked the toothpicks in we were squirted with juice! Long, thin vegetables were great to use for arms and legs. It was tricky cutting with plastic knives!
Our people were colourful, healthy and delicious!

Our People - flash slideshow

Guest Chefs

As part of our inquiry unit we have invited our parents in to be guest chefs. This week Jennine came to our class and cooked fried rice and sausauge rolls with us.

Sausage Rolls and Fried Rice on PhotoPeach