Week of March 17th

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!      
Nothing says "Welcome Back" like some good old "Irish" school spirit. The Healthy School Committee has asked students to bring a green fruit or vegetable in honour of celebrating St. Patrick. Students are also welcome to wear green. Please keep in mind that it is only a non-uniform day if you choose to wear green.

I hope you all had a wonderful March Break! I spent mine celebrating my niece's birthday, catching up with family and friends and a couple of days away shopping.  I can't wait to hear about all of your family vacations & stories.

 
Rescheduled Carnaval tubing is Friday, March 21.

March Madness

Religion:    
 

Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Tuesday:
We will be sharing a pancake snack before first recess on Tuesday.  I will be making pancakes first thing in the morning. I am asking for students to bring in a toonie to help provide the  syrup, plates, cutlery etc.  Thank you:)

Ash Wednesday:
We will be having our Ash Wednesday service on Wed. at 1:30. 


Math:
This week we will continue with multiplying and dividing basic fact families.  Our test will be this coming Thursday. We will be starting a new unit after the March Break, however, we will still be continuing our Minute Madness challenges daily as we will get into more difficult multiplication/division, fractions etc., in the months to come.  You can further support your child at home by reviewing the following strategies:                                                  
*doubling 
* grouping
*using arrays for fact families                                     
* repeated addition

Chapter 6: Multiplication and Division Facts

Review

Test Date: Thursday, March 6^th, 2014

1.    Using Doubling to Multiply: using repeated addition and doubling to multiply.

2.    Sharing and Grouping: Use 2 meanings from division to solve problems. Sharing (knowing the number of groups) and Grouping (knowing the number in each group)

3.    Arrays for Fact Families: describe arrays using fact families.

4.    Using Facts to Multiply Larger Numbers: using basic facts, patterns, and mental math to multiply.

5.    Halving Strategies: Facts with 5 and 10-Finding patterns in multiplication and division facts with 5 and 10.

6.    Adding On: Facts with 3 and 6-using addition to multiply and divide with 3 and 6.

7.    Subtraction Strategy: Facts with 9-Using counting patterns to multiply and divide with 9.

8.    Number Neighbours: Facts with 7 and 8-Use facts to multiply and divide with 7 and 8.

Language:
We have begun the novel study, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.  We will read this story together focusing on vocabulary, reading with expression and comprehension.

Mid-Week Update

Gymnastics

Congratulations to our very own classroom gymnasts. After weeks of hard work, planning and preparation our fellow class members put on wonderful performances. Congratulations to all of you.

Math

We are working away daily on our multiplication facts and slowly introducing division. Please continue to help your children practice their multiplication fact families daily.

Language

The students have been working away learning about persuasive writing. They have enjoyed writing letters to convince family members why they should have a pet and why they shouldn't share a particular toy with a sibling, cousin or friend. The graphic organizer they have been using to remind them what is included in a persuasive writing piece is below.

 

Friendly Reminders & Requests

A friendly reminder that Friday February 28th is dress down Friday.
There have been many sniffles and sneezes lately, so we are running low on kleenex. Many thanks to the families who have donated kleenex and paper towels to our classroom.

Tubing Tuesday ~ Cancelled :(

Happy Family Day!

Wow! Friday was quite the Valentine's day; with Math tests, the Cake walk raffle, dancing fun, Valentine exchange and treats. A day filled with love, caring and laughter.




Bonhomme Carnavale: Tubing Tuesday ~ Don't forget to bring your warm winter gear; including layers of winter clothing, snacks, lunch and drinks. An extra pair of gloves/mitts and maybe a pair of  socks to keep at school for the afternoon.  The weather is supposed to be "wintery" which is exactly what we need for our outdoor activity. 
**Please refer to the note sent by Mme. Juhasz, for any additional information.**
 

The Week of February 10th.

Library

Please return all library books by this Thursday.




Math Update: 
 

This week we will wrap up unit 6: 2-D Geometry.We will continue to review and practice with comparing angles, using protractors and triangles. I have added a new, educational-link to the blog, which has review quizzes and games to help reinforce math skills. Please have your child log onto KS3 Bite Size Math Practice. Who would have thought Geometry would be fun?

Our Math test is this Friday, February 14th. Your children should bring their Math Journals, duo-tangs and Math text books home each night to review concepts.

 

  2-D Geometry   Review

What to study for...

Classifying Quadrilaterals

Congruent Shapes

Similar Shapes

Measuring Angles

Lines of Symmetry

Classifying 2-D Shapes

 

Valentine's Day

Students will be celebrating Valentine’s Day this Friday, February 14^th. On this day students will enjoy going to the gym for a Valentine’s Day Dance in the morning and exchanging Valentine cards in the afternoon. Students are also invited to wear red, pink and white. 



Gymnastics Meet

Just a reminder to all gymnastics team participants, that once you recieve your permission form and note at this weeks practice, you are to return your permission forms as soon as possible.  Please note the change in location from the first note that went out the beginning of last month. The meet is not at the Western Fair Agriplex, it is located at Carling Community Centre.
Thank-you for your understanding. :)
 

February

Where has the time gone? February is upon us and it is the beginning of a new term.  We've been stuck indoors for most of January, so hopefully February will warm up, just a little bit. Although, it looks like good old Wiarton Willie has seen his shadow, so winter won't be leaving us any sooner.


Family Life ~ We have been discussing Living in Relationships and the challenges families and friends may experience. Here is a prayer for your families.

A Family Prayer

Blessed are you, loving Father,
Ruler of the universe:

You have given us Your Son as Your Leader,
And have made us temples of Your Holy Spirit.

Fill our family with Your light and peace.
Have mercy on all who suffer,
And bring us to everlasting joy with You.

Father,
We bless Your Name for ever and ever.

Amen.

 Interviews - Thursday February 7, 2014

 

For interviews, there will be 10 minute time slots to sign up for. A note was sent in your child's report card envelope. If you have any questions or concerns, please sign up for times as soon as possible. This round of interviews will not be student led, however, your child is encouraged to come with you for the interview, but it is not required. I have already met with a few parents, as I know there are many extra-curricular activities and other responsibilities that need tending to. If you are unable to attend this Thursday, please send a note with your child and we can arrange a better time and date. :) 

Report Card Envelopes and Signature

Please return report card envelopes as soon as possible with your signature along with your child's signature.

Curriculum Update

Math ~ We are still working away at 2D Geometry. 

Multiplication and Division will be our next chapter. So working away at multiplication facts each night will help in your child's learning.

Language ~ We are at the tail end of learning about Adventure fiction. This month we have been learning about revision techniques, describing events (cinquain poems),  making dialogue sound better, synonyms (said), using quotations and speech tags. We will be putting it all together this week when we begin our rich performance task, writing a comic strip adventure.  

Next in Language, we will be focusing on;

Persuasive Paragraphs

Parts of speech (grammar) 

Reading Groups 

Art ~ The students will be working with a variety of textures and materials to make pieces of art.

Drama ~ Use of voice in skits and storytelling will be our focus.

Social Studies ~ Canada's Landscapes (continuing and completing)

Physical Education ~ Gymnastics (focus until March Break)

  

 Enjoy your weekend!

It's Super Bowl Sunday and even though I know nothing about the sport, I will be attending my nephew's Super Bowl Party today. Enjoy the rest of your weekend with your families, and for you Football fans...good luck to your teams!