Friday, January 9

 Classroom Update

Math -  In math this week, we worked on division with remainders and started working with fractions.  Our fraction work was focused on parts of a whole.  Students played a fraction game where they made two fractions and then had to figure out which one was bigger.

Home Practise:   Students can work on multiplication and division facts to increase speed and accuracy.  They are encouraged to quickly review some that they already know and spend more time with facts they find more challenging.

Language Arts - We have started a new read aloud called Ollie's Odyssey.  Just like Ollie is a favourite toy in the book, we did some journaling and writing about our favourite toys.  We were able to celebrate our favourites by bringing them to school.  Next week we will be creating our "creeps" so remember to bring recycled materials.

We also focused this week on words that start with a silent "k" like knot, knock, knew, knowledge.

Science - In science this week, we focused on Matter.  Students reviewed what makes up a solid, liquid and gas.  We also discussed the scientific words for when states of matter change (example - a liquid to a gas is evaporation).  We completed a science experiment where we created borax crystals.

Social Studies - We are now focusing on the history of Alberta and the groups of people that originally populated our province.  We started to look at old fashioned pictures and try to place the pictures on our map of Alberta.  Students are creating a slideshow about how they fit into Alberta.  We started with family, special things about McKenzie Towne and special things about Calgary.  Some students were able to begin choosing 3-6 old pictures that they would like to focus on.

Upcoming Events

January 28                               Fun Lunch - Subway

January 30                               Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL

February 11                              Wear Red and Hearts for Valentine's Day

February 12 & 13                     Teacher Convention - NO SCHOOL

Friday, December 19

I hope you all have an amazing winter break!  See you on January 5th. 

Classroom Update

Math -  In math this week, we continued to work on multiplication and division.  We were able to find some winter themed work where we could sharpen our skills.

Home Practise:   Students can work on multiplication facts to increase speed and accuracy.  They are encouraged to quickly review some that they already know and spend more time with more difficult facts.

Language Arts - Our focus this week was on finishing our research in science and social studies using research from books, printed booklets and sources on the computer.  Students completed their Alberta regions pamphlet and their dinosaur cards.

Science - In our Earth Systems unit this week, we explored what is below the crust of Earth.  We talked about the mantle, outer core and inner core.  We finished our dinosaur cards and also our dinosaur posters.

Upcoming Events

December 22 - January 2        Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

January 28                               Fun Lunch - Subway

January 30                               Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL

Friday, December 12

 Classroom Update

Math -  In math this week, we continued to work on multiplication and division.  Students are practising their facts and showing they can figure out problems using multiplication and division. 

Home Practise:   Students can work on multiplication facts to increase speed and accuracy.  They are encouraged to quickly review some that they already know and spend more time with more difficult facts.

Language Arts - Our focus this week was on continuing our research in science and social studies using research from books, printed booklets and sources on the computer.  Students also started writing a "winter" story.  Many have chosen the North Pole as their inspiration.

Science - In our Earth Systems unit this week, we continued to explore the crust of Earth.  We continued to focus on fossils this week and how things become fossilized.  We worked on dinosaur cards and also created our own dinosaur based on what we learned.  There are some incredibly ferocious, huge dinosaurs forming in grade 3.  We also built fossils (see below)

Social Studies - Students finished working on a pamphlet of their favourite Alberta region.  We have learned a lot about the 6 regions of Alberta.  So many amazing places to see and hopefully visit someday!

Here are a couple of our "dinosaur" fossils.

Upcoming Events

December 16                           Carolling - 9:00am

December 17                           Fun Lunch - Coco Brooks

December 18                           Carolling - 1:00pm

December 19                           Pajama Day - NEW DATE!!

December 22 - January 2        Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

January 28                               Fun Lunch - Subway

January 30                               Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL

Friday, December 5

 Classroom Update

Math -  In math this week, we worked mostly on division.  Our focus was on drawing pictures for division facts and showing groups to figure out answers.  

Home Practise:   Students can work on multiplication facts to increase speed and accuracy.  They are encouraged to quickly review some that they already know and spend more time with more difficult facts.

Language Arts - Students finished writing paragraphs about a character from Silverwing.  They wrote two paragraphs showing that they understood what their character was like in the book.  They had to chose a trait and come up with 3 different times in the book that the character demonstrated that trait.  Students have also been working hard on research in science and social studies.  They have been using research from books, printed booklets and sources on the computer.

Science - In our Earth Systems unit this week, we continued to explore the crust of Earth.  We focused on fossils this week and how things become fossilized.  Our discussions of fossils immediately led to talking about dinosaurs.  So we have begun a short project researching dinosaurs and imagining what their lives were like.

Social Studies - Students continued working on a pamphlet of their favourite Alberta region.  They are putting all of their knowledge of the region into their pamphlet (cities/towns, animals, plants, special places, fun facts).

Upcoming Dates

December 8                             Picture Retakes

December 11                            RED & GREEN Day

December 17                           Fun Lunch - Coco Brooks

December 18                           Pajama Day

December 22 - January 2        Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

Thursday, November 27

 Classroom Update

Math -  In math this week, we practised all three ways of figuring out multiplication.  We also began to explore division.  We talked about fact families and how division is just the opposite of multiplication.  If you know that 3x4=12, you also know 4x3=12, 12 divided by 3 equals 4 and 12 divided by 4 equals 3.  

Home Practise:  It would be great to review subtraction of multi-digit numbers.  For example 932 - 278.  A few questions after school to solidify understanding will support the students who are challenged by subtraction using large numbers.  Students can also start working on multiplication facts to increase speed and accuracy.

Language Arts - Students started writing paragraphs about a character from Silverwing.  They chose their character and picked two character traits to write about.  We then talked about paragraphs and how they have a topic sentence followed by evidence and ending with a concluding sentence.  Students are currently writing a paragraph that states the character trait they chose followed by three times in the book where that trait was demonstrated.

Science - In our Earth Systems unit this week, we continued to explore the crust of Earth.  We focused on igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.  Students finished their landform projects.  Next up: fossils!

Social Studies - Students began creating a pamphlet of their favourite Alberta region.  They are putting all of their knowledge of the region into their pamphlet (cities/towns, animals, plants, special places, fun facts).

Upcoming Events

December 3                             Heritage Park Field Trip - Bossenberry's Class

December 8                             Picture Retakes

December 11                           Grade 1 Winter Concert - 1:30pm

December 17                           Fun Lunch - Coco Brooks

December 22 - January 2        Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 21

 Classroom Update

Math -  In math this week, we added multiplication as repeated addition.  Students have been showing how to figure out a multiplication equation using all three methods (drawing equal groups, arrays and repeated addition).  Next step......solidify multiplication facts up to 10x10. 

Home Practise:  It would be great to review subtraction of multi-digit numbers.  For example 932 - 278.  A few questions after school to solidify understanding will support the students who are challenged by subtraction using large numbers.  

Language Arts - We practised reading words with prefixes and figuring out how the meaning of the word changes when a prefix is involved.  We also wrote another story. 

Students are encouraged to practise reading the following word list and sentences at home.  

Science - In our Earth Systems unit this week, we started digging into the crust of Earth.  We explored the components of soil and began talking about the rock cycle.  Students also continued working on their landform changes projects.

Social Studies - Students continued to work on their animal research.  The animal must live in Alberta.  Students have been focused on features of the animal and how those features help it survive in our varied Alberta climate.

This week we combined math and art to create Origami Snowflakes.  Students used their origami shapes to create a pattern of shape and colour when creating their snowflakes.  Here are a couple of snowflakes that were created.

Upcoming Dates

November 26                          Fun Lunch - Subway

November 27 & 28                  Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 28                          NO SCHOOL

December 3                             Heritage Park Field Trip - Bossenberry's Class

December 8                             Picture Retakes

December 17                           Fun Lunch - Coco Brooks

December 22 - January 2        Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 14

 Classroom Update

Math -  In math this week, we started to explore multiplication arrays.  Arrays show squares and rectangles on a grid and lead nicely into concepts like area.  When practising, we say 3 rows of 4 = 12 or 3 columns of 4 = 12 which can be shortened to 3 x 4 = 12.

Home Practise:  It would be great to review subtraction of multi-digit numbers.  For example 932 - 278.  A few questions after school to solidify understanding will support the students who are challenged by subtraction using large numbers.

Language Arts - We continued writing our spooky stories this week.  We are almost finished and are looking forward to sharing these with you at conferences in two weeks.  The vocabulary students are trying to use and spell is very impressive.

Students are encouraged to practise reading the following word list and sentences at home.  

Science - We continued our study of Earth Systems by exploring the kinds of changes that humans, animals and plants make to the surface of Earth.  We also continued to work on our landform change project.

Social Studies - Students continued to work on their animal research.  The animal must live in Alberta.  Students have been focused on features of the animal and how those features help it survive in our varied Alberta climate.

Upcoming Dates

November 26                          Fun Lunch - Subway

November 27 & 28                  Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 28                          NO SCHOOL

December 3                             Heritage Park Field Trip - Bossenberry's Class

December 8                             Picture Retakes

December 17                           Fun Lunch - Coco Brooks

December 22 - January 2        Winter Break - NO SCHOOL