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

Friday, November 7

 Classroom Update

Math -  In math this week, we started to explore multiplication as equal groups.  Multiplication questions can be figured out in a variety of ways and we will be exploring 3 different ways in the upcoming weeks.  When practising, 3 x 4 can also be 3 groups of 4.

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.  There are a lot of great beginnings with suspense and mystery.  We also talked about word prefixes and how they change the meaning of words (appear - disappear).  Students were given the following word list and sentence list to read.  

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

Science - We continued our study of Earth Systems by exploring the kinds of landforms created by slow changes from water, ice and wind.  Landforms like arches, ravines and caves are formed over a long period of time.  We also started a project to show our understanding of landforms and quick and slow changes.

Social Studies - Students continued to explore the regions of Alberta and are now taking a closer look at a particular region and the animals and plants that exist there.  Students began a research project and have been looking closely at how animals have adapted to living in Alberta.

Upcoming Events

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

Friday October 31

 Happy Halloween

Classroom Update

This week we spent time doing some Halloween math and art.  We jumped back into our science Earth Systems unit and started writing "spooky" stories.

Next week we will be talking about Remembrance Day.  Students will be given a poppy on Thursday.  There will be a donation container in the office if they would like to donate to the poppy fund.

Upcoming Dates

November 4                 PICTURE DAY!!!

November 10-12          Fall Break - NO SCHOOL

November 26               Fun Lunch - Subway

November 27 & 28       Parent/Teacher Conferences

December 3                 Heritage Park Field Trip - Bossenberry's Class

Friday, October 3

 Classroom Update

Math - In math this week, we worked on solidifying our understanding of multi-digit addition and subtraction and continued working with money.  

Home Practise:  It would be great to review addition and subtraction of multi-digit numbers.  For example 843 + 497 or 93 - 27.  A few questions after school to solidify understanding will support the students when we start using larger numbers.

Language Arts - We started writing our stories this week based on a cave picture that students picked.  Students created story beginnings that "hook" the reader.  

Science - We continued to look at events that have the potential to change the landscape quickly like landslides, blizzards and floods.  Students watched short videos and took notes about 3 natural events that cause quick and lasting changes to Earth's surface.

Social Studies - Students used Google Earth to answer questions about Alberta.

Friday, September 26

Thank you so much for all of your support for our Orange Shirt Day assembly.  The students did a fantastic job of representing the story and sharing their learning.

Classroom Update

Math - In math this week, we continued reviewing place value up to and including the ten thousands place.  We continued to practise skip counting by 2,3,4,5,10 and worked on skip counting backwards.  During math warm-ups we have been working on telling time on analog clocks, completing algebra questions and showing our understanding of addition with 3-digit numbers.

Home Practise:  It would be great to review addition and subtraction of multi-digit numbers.  For example 843 + 497 or 93 - 27.  A few questions after school to solidify understanding will support the students when we start using larger numbers.

Language Arts - This week we completed a paragraph and visual journal page about the meaning behind Orange Shirt Day.  We also started working on vocabulary for a story we will begin writing next week.

Science - We continued to focus on the Alberta landscape features like mountains, rivers, hills, hoodoos, lakes, grasslands, deserts etc.  We also began to look at events that have the potential to change the landscape quickly like landslides, blizzards and floods.  Students shared their experiences of places that have experienced this like Frank Slide in southern Alberta.

Social Studies - We spent time focusing on Orange Shirt Day and residential schools.

Upcoming Events

September 29             Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL

September 30             National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - NO SCHOOL

October 1 - 14            Alien In-Line Residency - Grades 3 & 4 (details below)

October 8                   Picture Day

October 13                 Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL

In-Line Skating

Our class skates Wednesday October 1, Tuesday October 7, Friday October 10 and Tuesday October 14.  Equipment is provided but students are encouraged to bring an extra pair of socks and a helmet.  

Coming Up: Inline Skating in the Gym!
We're excited to let you know that Alien Inline Skating will be starting a residency in our gymnasium for Grades 3, 4 and EES students starting Wednesday, October 1st.  This is a fantastic opportunity for students to build confidence, coordination, and have a ton of fun while learning to inline skate.

A few important notes for skating days:

• Students are encouraged to bring a CSA-approved helmet (bike helmets are best).  I will post the schedule so you know what days to bring in helmets. 
• Please do not send full-face helmets, football helmets, or hockey helmets.
• If your child does not have a helmet, one will be provided for them.

Since the gym will be used for skating, all PE classes will continue to be held outdoors next week, weather permitting. Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather and ready to move!