Friday, 18 December 2015
Wow! What generous students!!
I am so, so, so, proud of all of the students in our class! In keeping with our discussions about empathy and in the spirit of giving, rather than having a class auction this month, students agreed to donate some of their class cash to help others! I told the students that for every $100 of class cash donated, I will donate $10 (real cash) to Toys for Tots in our Community. Their donations were anonymous and completely voluntary in any amount, and together they donated a whopping $535.00!!! In turn, I will be donating $53.50 worth of toys to the community toy drive this weekend on their behalf. Way to go, grade 4's!!!
Baby Avery Visit #3
The students noticed Baby Avery is much stronger now. She can hold her head up high on her own, and tighten her core muscles to reach for things and almost roll! This week, students discussed the pros and cons of cloth and disposable diapers, and observed a diaper change (over clothing) with particular focus on safety and the bond between mother and baby. We sang for Avery and she loved it! Our class made Avery a beautiful holiday card with a variety of textures and sounds for her to play with.
Our Gingerbread Houses!
The students had a blast creating these amazing houses! And I think they learned some math along the way!
Thursday, 3 December 2015
December News!
Hello December! It's hard to believe that there are only a few weeks left until the holidays! I hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved rest, and some wonderful holiday fun! The following is an overview of what we're working on this month:
Math
Number Sense & Numeration:
Math
Number Sense & Numeration:
- multiply to 9 x 9 and divide to 81 ÷ 9
- explore multiplication by 10, 100, 1000
- add & subtract two-digit numbers using mental strategies
- add & subtract 4-digit numbers using algorithms
- solve problems involving all of the above
Ask your child to sing their 6 or 7 times table to you!
We will also be designing and building gingerbread houses! This will include some measurement, and the addition and subtraction of money amounts as students will be given a budget (completely separate from our class cash) to work within as they choose their building / decoration supplies. More details will follow soon.
We will also be designing and building gingerbread houses! This will include some measurement, and the addition and subtraction of money amounts as students will be given a budget (completely separate from our class cash) to work within as they choose their building / decoration supplies. More details will follow soon.
Language
- Reading Workshop continues (guided reading and language centres)
- Writing "Holiday" narratives
- Media: finishing our anti-bullying posters
Social Studies
- Canada's 7 physical regions: location, description of land features & natural resources
- Province / Territory project: students will research and create a pamphlet about their assigned province or territory. Some criteria they will need to include are its region, physical features of the land, natural resources, climate, capital city, tourism, recreation, cultural groups, and any other information they wish to provide.
The Arts
- Music: Singing holiday favourites
- 2-part songs to create harmony
- Dance: A Hanukkah Dance / song
- Art: Stain-glass windows & other festive crafts
Congratulations to Lily, Chantal, Sean, and Lukas who have finished Reading Across Canada and have begun again! Keep up the great home reading everyone!
Happy Holidays!
Mrs. Hale
Wednesday, 2 December 2015
Fun with Baby Avery!
Our last Roots of Empathy lesson was a visit from Baby Avery and her mom Lisa. The students enjoyed observing how Avery has grown and changed over the past three weeks. She can now hold her head up on her own quite well! She also loved watching the students' faces and their black and white name tags!
Monday, 9 November 2015
Welcome to Grade 4! 2015-2016 School Year
The students in our class have settled into routines nicely and are hard at work! The following outlines some of the curriculum and programs that we are currently working on.
Language
Over the past few weeks, students have been working through the process of writing a report on an endangered species. After examining the features of non-fiction reports (such as headings, photographs, captions, glossary etc.), students began researching, making jot notes, and creating prezi’s or flip-books of their findings. Presentations began on Friday of last week, and continue this week. So far they are very interesting and informative! Next week, we will begin our “Reading Workshop” whereby students will rotate through language centres, one of which is guided reading with the teacher.
Math
We are working on patterning. Students have been identifying and creating patterns with two or more changing attributes and describing how they change. Students also need to be able to extend increasing and decreasing number patterns, and state pattern rules. A big part of this unit is being able to use T-charts to solve problems, some of which involve growing and shrinking patterns.
Social Studies
We have begun our Canada unit. Students need to know the provinces and territories, as well as the capital cities. We will be learning about the different regions and what they have to offer in terms of industry.
Reading Across Canada
As you are likely aware by now, students are reading their way across Canada for our home reading program. For every 200 minutes students read, they receive $5 class cash, and can move on to the next province or territory. One student has already completed the entire country and has begun again!
Roots of Empathy
This is a wonderful program designed to teach empathy to children through observing the emotions and growth and changes of a baby. Our class met our baby “Avery” last week. She was 10 weeks old at that visit, was 58cm tall and weighed 12 pounds. Avery and her mom Lisa will visit our class every 3 weeks throughout the school year. Mrs. Young, the Roots of Empathy teacher, will visit every Thursday to discuss Avery and conduct activities around empathy. Our class was very fortunate to be selected to take part in this exciting and unique learning experience!
A few reminders…
- Gym is on Day 1 and Day 3
- Please sign and return all tests
- Book orders - cheques only please
Rather than sending out monthly newsletters, I will be updating our class blog. This way I can include photos and links to helpful websites etc. To get to the blog, visit the Admiral website and click on classes and then Mrs. Hale. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school or by email (ahale@scdsb.on.ca) if you have any questions or concerns. Please continue to use the agenda to communicate time sensitive information such as a change in home time arrangements, as I usually check my email after school.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hale
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
June News!
Hello families!
It's hard to believe it's June and the school year will soon be coming to an end! I've truly enjoyed working with your children this year and watching them learn and grow in so many ways!
The following outlines some of the work we are finishing up this month:
Language
Students have been reading and writing poetry over the last couple of weeks. We have some favourite class poems which students can recite by memory! Students have now been taught and written seven diffferent types of poems, and we are compiling them in good copy into a "Poetry Collection". Students are also being asked to pick two poems to present to the class, one of their own poems, and one of their favourites by another author. They may need to rehearse these at home.
Math
Our final two math units are Probability and Transformational Geometry. Students are conducting simple probability experiments in class using dice, spinners, drawing tiles etc. We are discussing how to represent probability as a fraction. In geometry, students will explore translations, reflections, and rotations. Of course, continued practice of times tables is encouraged!!!
Social Studies
Students are enjoying learning about life 200 or so years ago. For their final project, they are creating lapbooks in the form of a non-fiction report about the early settlers and aboriginals.
Please see the side panel for important dates and special events taking place at school this month! It is a busy one! Thank you for your continued support this year and I wish you all a wonderful, warm and relaxing summer!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hale
It's hard to believe it's June and the school year will soon be coming to an end! I've truly enjoyed working with your children this year and watching them learn and grow in so many ways!
The following outlines some of the work we are finishing up this month:
Language
Students have been reading and writing poetry over the last couple of weeks. We have some favourite class poems which students can recite by memory! Students have now been taught and written seven diffferent types of poems, and we are compiling them in good copy into a "Poetry Collection". Students are also being asked to pick two poems to present to the class, one of their own poems, and one of their favourites by another author. They may need to rehearse these at home.
Math
Our final two math units are Probability and Transformational Geometry. Students are conducting simple probability experiments in class using dice, spinners, drawing tiles etc. We are discussing how to represent probability as a fraction. In geometry, students will explore translations, reflections, and rotations. Of course, continued practice of times tables is encouraged!!!
Social Studies
Students are enjoying learning about life 200 or so years ago. For their final project, they are creating lapbooks in the form of a non-fiction report about the early settlers and aboriginals.
Please see the side panel for important dates and special events taking place at school this month! It is a busy one! Thank you for your continued support this year and I wish you all a wonderful, warm and relaxing summer!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hale
Monday, 4 May 2015
May News!
May is a very busy month in grade 3!
Swimming:
Our class will be participating in the "Swim to Survive" program at the YMCA for the next three Friday afternoons. We will be walking there and back along the trail, leaving the school around noon and returning around 3pm. Please ensure your child has a swimsuit and towel on these days.
Language:
We have been reading "The Witches" by Roald Dahl, which the students are thoroughly enjoying, and completing a novel study along with it. Students are continuing to work on developing good answers to comprehension questions, using strategies such as looking back to highlight key information in the text to support their answers. In writing, we are reviewing the different forms of writing such as narratives, letters, paragraphs, persuasive, and procedure, many of which will be asked of them on EQAO. We will also be starting a poetry unit.
Math:
We are finishing up a quick algebra unit whereby students had to find missing numbers in equations and balance equations. We will focus on Money, Probability, and problem solving over the next few weeks. Students should still be practicing and memorizing their times tables as we will continue to drill them in class.
Social Studies:
We have begun our unit on "Early Settlers". Students are learning about the Aboriginals and Pioneers as well as comparing life now to life in the early 1800's. We will be creating lapbooks in the form of a report in answer to student inquiries about different facets of life in that time period. We will be going on a field trip to the Simcoe County Museum on May 13th to further investigate the early settlers. The permission form will be sent home shortly.
EQAO:
The provincial grade three assessment will begin on May 27 at Admiral and continue until June 3rd. Students will be writing the test the first block of each day. The test focuses on language and math. Please ensure your child has a big, healthy breakfast and arrives at school on time on these days. Students will be allowed to chew gum during the test.
Congratulations to Hassan and Emma, our April recognition award winners for improved cooperation and attitude! Well done! Congratulations as well to Emma for completeing "Reading Across Canada", and to Leah for completing it a second time!! Super job!
I will be sending home a "bag" of your child's work later this week. Please look through it, and sign and return it. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Enjoy the warmer weather!!
Mrs. Hale
Swimming:
Our class will be participating in the "Swim to Survive" program at the YMCA for the next three Friday afternoons. We will be walking there and back along the trail, leaving the school around noon and returning around 3pm. Please ensure your child has a swimsuit and towel on these days.
Language:
We have been reading "The Witches" by Roald Dahl, which the students are thoroughly enjoying, and completing a novel study along with it. Students are continuing to work on developing good answers to comprehension questions, using strategies such as looking back to highlight key information in the text to support their answers. In writing, we are reviewing the different forms of writing such as narratives, letters, paragraphs, persuasive, and procedure, many of which will be asked of them on EQAO. We will also be starting a poetry unit.
Math:
We are finishing up a quick algebra unit whereby students had to find missing numbers in equations and balance equations. We will focus on Money, Probability, and problem solving over the next few weeks. Students should still be practicing and memorizing their times tables as we will continue to drill them in class.
Social Studies:
We have begun our unit on "Early Settlers". Students are learning about the Aboriginals and Pioneers as well as comparing life now to life in the early 1800's. We will be creating lapbooks in the form of a report in answer to student inquiries about different facets of life in that time period. We will be going on a field trip to the Simcoe County Museum on May 13th to further investigate the early settlers. The permission form will be sent home shortly.
EQAO:
The provincial grade three assessment will begin on May 27 at Admiral and continue until June 3rd. Students will be writing the test the first block of each day. The test focuses on language and math. Please ensure your child has a big, healthy breakfast and arrives at school on time on these days. Students will be allowed to chew gum during the test.
Congratulations to Hassan and Emma, our April recognition award winners for improved cooperation and attitude! Well done! Congratulations as well to Emma for completeing "Reading Across Canada", and to Leah for completing it a second time!! Super job!
I will be sending home a "bag" of your child's work later this week. Please look through it, and sign and return it. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Enjoy the warmer weather!!
Mrs. Hale
Tuesday, 7 April 2015
Welcome Spring!
I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Easter weekend with their family and friends! I'm also hoping we will soon begin to see more signs of spring!
Congratulations to Piper who has completed Reading Across Canada! Congratulations also to Tai and Jocelyn, our March recognition award winners! Well done!
In Math, we have finished up our Geometry unit and are beginning our next unit in Number Sense. This unit will focus on representing, comparing and ordering numbers to 1000, addition and subtraction of 3-digit numbers, and multiplication and division facts to 7x7 in problem solving situations. We will begin with understanding the concept of multiplication as repeated addition or "____ groups of ____." We will first focus on the 2, 3, 5, and 10 times tables as most students can skip count by these numbers. At home, students should practice counting by 4, 6, and 7 and begin to memorize these times tables. Later we will investigate how multiplication and division are related.
In Writing, students have written a descriptive dream house paragraph. I'm excited to read about all of their creative ideas! We will continue to write paragraphs regularly, and will also work on persuasive writing. Students will be writing a letter to Mrs. Dillon attempting to persuade her to purchase either new gym or new yard equipment.
In the last few months of grade 3, our focus in reading switches from "learning to read" to "reading to learn". This means that the focus is on comprehension and written responses to texts. Students will be given a checklist to ensure they Answer, Prove and Extend their answers.....Go APE! They are encouraged to answer the questions using their own ideas, find proof in the text to support their answer, and relate to the text by making connections. Their reading mark for this term will reflect not only their ability to read grade level texts, but also their ability to clearly formulate these written responses.
Happy Spring!
Mrs. Hale
Congratulations to Piper who has completed Reading Across Canada! Congratulations also to Tai and Jocelyn, our March recognition award winners! Well done!
In Math, we have finished up our Geometry unit and are beginning our next unit in Number Sense. This unit will focus on representing, comparing and ordering numbers to 1000, addition and subtraction of 3-digit numbers, and multiplication and division facts to 7x7 in problem solving situations. We will begin with understanding the concept of multiplication as repeated addition or "____ groups of ____." We will first focus on the 2, 3, 5, and 10 times tables as most students can skip count by these numbers. At home, students should practice counting by 4, 6, and 7 and begin to memorize these times tables. Later we will investigate how multiplication and division are related.
In Writing, students have written a descriptive dream house paragraph. I'm excited to read about all of their creative ideas! We will continue to write paragraphs regularly, and will also work on persuasive writing. Students will be writing a letter to Mrs. Dillon attempting to persuade her to purchase either new gym or new yard equipment.
In the last few months of grade 3, our focus in reading switches from "learning to read" to "reading to learn". This means that the focus is on comprehension and written responses to texts. Students will be given a checklist to ensure they Answer, Prove and Extend their answers.....Go APE! They are encouraged to answer the questions using their own ideas, find proof in the text to support their answer, and relate to the text by making connections. Their reading mark for this term will reflect not only their ability to read grade level texts, but also their ability to clearly formulate these written responses.
Happy Spring!
Mrs. Hale
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
March News!
In case you haven't heard.... we have moved our classroom to a different portable! We are now in the portable on the other side of Mrs. Gordon's, which is closer to the parking lot (2 doors down from where we were). The school board is removing three portables from the Admiral school site.
Congratulations to Tehya for completing "Reading Across Canada"!
Here is an update on some of the curriculum we are working on:
Math: This week we began our Geometry unit. Students are working on identifying, describing and comparing various polygons (2D shapes) by properties such as number of sides, vertices and angles. Students also need to identify right angles and describe angles as greater than, equal to, or less than a right angle. Over dinner, ask your child what a quadrilateral is! We will study 3D shapes after March Break.
Language: Our big focus for the next few weeks is paragraph writing! Grade 3 paragraphs need to have a topic sentence, three supporting details, and a concluding sentence. Ask your child how this relates to a hamburger or a double stuffed Oreo cookie! We are also continuing to develop good comprehension strategies in reading, and highlighting key information in a text.
Social Studies: We have begun a mapping unit which examines the globe and important features of different kinds of maps.
Music: Students are learning musical accompaniments on the "Orff" instruments such as xylophones and metallophones, drums, and other rhythm instruments. We play and sing quite well as an ensemble!
Art: The annual Admiral Art Fair will be on Tuesday March 24th. Please be sure to stop by the school gym and check out all of the beautiful student creations.
I hope everyone enjoys a fun and restful March Break!!
Mrs. Hale
Congratulations to Tehya for completing "Reading Across Canada"!
Here is an update on some of the curriculum we are working on:
Math: This week we began our Geometry unit. Students are working on identifying, describing and comparing various polygons (2D shapes) by properties such as number of sides, vertices and angles. Students also need to identify right angles and describe angles as greater than, equal to, or less than a right angle. Over dinner, ask your child what a quadrilateral is! We will study 3D shapes after March Break.
Language: Our big focus for the next few weeks is paragraph writing! Grade 3 paragraphs need to have a topic sentence, three supporting details, and a concluding sentence. Ask your child how this relates to a hamburger or a double stuffed Oreo cookie! We are also continuing to develop good comprehension strategies in reading, and highlighting key information in a text.
Social Studies: We have begun a mapping unit which examines the globe and important features of different kinds of maps.
Music: Students are learning musical accompaniments on the "Orff" instruments such as xylophones and metallophones, drums, and other rhythm instruments. We play and sing quite well as an ensemble!
Art: The annual Admiral Art Fair will be on Tuesday March 24th. Please be sure to stop by the school gym and check out all of the beautiful student creations.
I hope everyone enjoys a fun and restful March Break!!
Mrs. Hale
Highlands Nordic Ski Trip
Here are some photos of our cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Highlands Nordic in Duntroon. It was a beautiful day and everyone had a great time!
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Friday, 30 January 2015
February News!
Congratulations to Ellie and Jackson for always being Optimistic! They received the recognition awards for the month of January. These students always come to school with a smile, try to find the positives in a situation, and rarely complain! Well done!
Congratulations also to Leah for completing "Reading Across Canada"! She read at home for a total of 2600 minutes since October, and has begun the program for a second time! Great job!
In Math, we've been working on Measurement. Last week, students were measuring classroom items in centimetres and metres, as well as choosing the most appropriate unit of measure (cm, m, or km) for an object or distance. We also worked on converting units (m to cm), so that we could order measurements from shortest to longest, and solve problems. Our quiz went home on Thursday to be signed and returned. This week we are measuring perimeter and area in problem solving situations. As our measurement unit continues, we will learn time and temperature as well.
In Language, we are focusing on reading comprehension strategies, and procedure writing. In Media Literacy, students have been analyzing the persuasive features of products and designing their own cereal box.
In music, we will be singing some of the Beauty and the Beast songs in order to become familiar with the musical prior to seeing the performance at the Gayety Theatre on February 9th.
Students will have an opportunity to exchange Valentine cards on Friday, February 13th. I will send home a class list shortly to help with this. If you would like to send in a snack for sharing for our party, please do! It is also red, white and pink day!
As part of our physical education program, the grade 3's will be going cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Highlands Nordic on February 27th. This is always a wonderful day of fun and fresh air! The permission slip will be sent home shortly.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support!
Mrs. Hale
Congratulations also to Leah for completing "Reading Across Canada"! She read at home for a total of 2600 minutes since October, and has begun the program for a second time! Great job!
In Math, we've been working on Measurement. Last week, students were measuring classroom items in centimetres and metres, as well as choosing the most appropriate unit of measure (cm, m, or km) for an object or distance. We also worked on converting units (m to cm), so that we could order measurements from shortest to longest, and solve problems. Our quiz went home on Thursday to be signed and returned. This week we are measuring perimeter and area in problem solving situations. As our measurement unit continues, we will learn time and temperature as well.
In Language, we are focusing on reading comprehension strategies, and procedure writing. In Media Literacy, students have been analyzing the persuasive features of products and designing their own cereal box.
In music, we will be singing some of the Beauty and the Beast songs in order to become familiar with the musical prior to seeing the performance at the Gayety Theatre on February 9th.
Students will have an opportunity to exchange Valentine cards on Friday, February 13th. I will send home a class list shortly to help with this. If you would like to send in a snack for sharing for our party, please do! It is also red, white and pink day!
As part of our physical education program, the grade 3's will be going cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Highlands Nordic on February 27th. This is always a wonderful day of fun and fresh air! The permission slip will be sent home shortly.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support!
Mrs. Hale
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Painting Bowls for Beds
Here are some pictures of our class painting the bowls that will be auctioned off in order to raise money to buy beds for members of our community! The students had a wonderful time painting, and felt proud that their efforts were going towards a great cause! Well done class!
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Happy New Year!
Welcome Back! I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday with much needed rest and relaxation!
Mrs. Ridsdale is replacing Mrs. Wallace who is now on maternity leave, so she will be teaching gym, health and science to our class.
Congratulations to Ava Rolling who received a character award in December for always being caring towards others! Well done to Leah and Tehya who have read through many provinces in our "Reading Across Canada" home reading program!
The following outlines some of our curriculum for January and February:
In Literacy, we are continuing to work on making inferences while reading a variety of texts. Students have been reading poems which require them to infer what object is "speaking" in the poem, and then explain their thinking in a written response using clues/evidence from the text. For example, in the poem entitled "Fear of Frying", students had to infer that a potato was speaking based on clues such as "I was born dirt poor in the richest soil", and "my life took a turn for the worst when I first saw those golden arches". Students will also have an opportunity to create their own poem that the other students will have to use their inferring skills to determine what object is speaking.
We will begin procedure writing using language such as first, second, next, then, finally.
In oral language, we will be working on some impromptu speaking on a variety of topics.
In math, our number sense unit continues with a focus on addition and subtraction with regrouping, as well as problem solving. All students should practice quick recall of addition facts to 18. We will be learning some different strategies for adding and subtracting, including estimating by rounding numbers and checking if our answer is reasonable. Students should also practice counting forward by 1's, 2's, 5's, 10's, and 100's to 1000, from various starting points, and backwards by 2's, 5's, and 10's from 100. For extra at-home practice, please visit the Nelson Math website at www.mathK8.nelson.com and click on "student centre". The "Try it Out" option for Chapter 4: Addition and Subtraction, has questions that relate directly to our unit. Our Measurement unit will follow.
In Social Studies we continue to learn about Ontario. We will have a quiz in the next couple of weeks so duotangs will come home shortly for studying.
I wish everyone all the best in 2015!!
Mrs. Hale
Mrs. Ridsdale is replacing Mrs. Wallace who is now on maternity leave, so she will be teaching gym, health and science to our class.
Congratulations to Ava Rolling who received a character award in December for always being caring towards others! Well done to Leah and Tehya who have read through many provinces in our "Reading Across Canada" home reading program!
The following outlines some of our curriculum for January and February:
In Literacy, we are continuing to work on making inferences while reading a variety of texts. Students have been reading poems which require them to infer what object is "speaking" in the poem, and then explain their thinking in a written response using clues/evidence from the text. For example, in the poem entitled "Fear of Frying", students had to infer that a potato was speaking based on clues such as "I was born dirt poor in the richest soil", and "my life took a turn for the worst when I first saw those golden arches". Students will also have an opportunity to create their own poem that the other students will have to use their inferring skills to determine what object is speaking.
We will begin procedure writing using language such as first, second, next, then, finally.
In oral language, we will be working on some impromptu speaking on a variety of topics.
In math, our number sense unit continues with a focus on addition and subtraction with regrouping, as well as problem solving. All students should practice quick recall of addition facts to 18. We will be learning some different strategies for adding and subtracting, including estimating by rounding numbers and checking if our answer is reasonable. Students should also practice counting forward by 1's, 2's, 5's, 10's, and 100's to 1000, from various starting points, and backwards by 2's, 5's, and 10's from 100. For extra at-home practice, please visit the Nelson Math website at www.mathK8.nelson.com and click on "student centre". The "Try it Out" option for Chapter 4: Addition and Subtraction, has questions that relate directly to our unit. Our Measurement unit will follow.
In Social Studies we continue to learn about Ontario. We will have a quiz in the next couple of weeks so duotangs will come home shortly for studying.
I wish everyone all the best in 2015!!
Mrs. Hale
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