December News

I can't believe December is upon us and the holidays are fast approaching! Here is what we are working on:

The Arts

December is a great month for music, drama, dance, and visual arts as the primary classes work hard to put together their holiday musical called "Melton the Warm-Hearted Snowman". The performance for parents will be the evening of Wednesday, December 21st. Our class will be the "reindeers" and are asked to wear brown and black clothing with reindeer antlers (Dollar store?).

Literacy

We are reading "Fantastic Mr. Fox" as a class with a focus on summarizing the main ideas. At the end of each chapter, students are asked to summarize or retell the main idea of the chapter in one or two sentences, and then to illustrate what they visualized during the reading. We are continuing our "Reading Workshop" (our guided reading rotation) with literacy centers / jobs such as creating an Ontario PicCollage on the ipads, designing an anti-bullying poster for media, or working on dictionary skills or word work.

Math

Our next math unit is Number Sense and Numeration (Chapter 4 in Nelson). The curriculum expectations are as follows:

• Count forward by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, 10’s and 100’s to 1000 from various starting points
• Count by 25’s to 1000, starting from multiples of 25
• Count backwards by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s from 100 using multiples of 2, 5, and 10 as starting points
• Count backwards by 100’s from 1000 and any number less than 1000
• Compose and decompose 3-digit numbers into hundreds, tens, and ones using concrete materials
• Solve problems involving the addition and subtraction of 2-digit numbers, using a variety of mental strategies (ie: to add 37 +26, add the tens, add the ones, then combine the tens and ones, like this: 30 + 20 = 50,     7 + 6 = 13,    50 + 13 = 63), and standard algorithms

Problem Solving - We have begun to use a colour coded 4-step problem solving model to help students ensure they are showing their work and explaining their thinking sufficiently. After reading the problem carefully, students are asked to think about the following:

• What I Know about the problem (orange)
• Show the math to solve the problem (blue)
• Tell about the math (green)
• Answer the question in a complete sentence (yellow)

Social Studies

We are continuing our study of Ontario with a focus on municipalities, and how land is used to meet the needs of people (residential, commercial, industry, agriculture, recreation, and conservation).

We will have a holiday party on Friday, December 23rd if you would like to send in a treat. I wish everyone a very safe and happy holiday, and a wonderful 2017!!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hale

Wacky Tacky Day!

Marble Jar Party!

Hooray! We filled our class marble jar by being attentive, cooperative, and all around AWESOME students!! Here are some photos from our movie, popcorn, and P.J. party that we earned as a reward!

November News!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween! Thank you for all of the yummy treat donations for our class party! The students had a lot of fun playing games and making slime!

Well done to the students who have completed some provinces as they Read Across Canada for home reading. Keep up the great work!

In Literacy, we have begun our reading workshop rotation whereby I meet with guided reading groups while the other students work at centres or jobs which include a variety of language activities. In writing, students will continue working through the writing process to complete their "Spooky Narratives" this week. We have been editing for "spicy" writing which includes lots of adjectives, and of course for proper sentence structure. Next week, we will begin letter writing and write letters to Canadian soldiers for Remembrance Day.

In Math, we are finishing up our Data Management unit this week. Students have been collecting, organizing, and analyzing data in bar graphs, pictographs, circle graphs and venn diagrams. Our unit test will be coming home this week. Please sign and return it as soon as possible. Our next unit is patterning which includes the following expectations:

• identify, extend and create repeating patterns involving 2 or more attributes
• identify and describe number patterns involving addition, subtraction & multiplication
• identify and extend growing and shrinking patterns
• create patterns from a given pattern rule
• use T-charts to extend patterns / determine pattern rules
• All of the above in problem solving contexts

For extra at-home help, click on the Nelson math link, and then "Try it Out" for Chapter 1.

In Social Studies, we are learning about Ontario! Students will be posing and answering questions about living and working in the different land regions of Ontario (Canadian Shield, Hudson Bay Lowlands, and Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Lowlands).

I look forward to seeing parents again at Parent / Teacher conferences on November 17th and 18th. A confirmation of your conference time will be sent home shortly.

As always, please contact me at the school or by email at ahale@scdsb.on.ca if you have any questions or concerns. Please continue to use the agenda for any time sensitive notes (ie: appointments or a change in home-time routine) as I usually check my email after school.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hale

Sip Day!

On October 25th, students were encouraged to bring their water bottles to school as a reminder of the importance of hydration. The whole school took a giant sip at 2:00 pm!

A lovely fall walk on the trail!

Fall fun at the G.N.E.!

Welcome to Grade 3! (2016-2017)

October News...

Our schedule has now been finalized:

• Gym / Health with Mr. Kemsley is on Days 1 and 3
• Library is now Day 5
• Science with Mrs. Stormes is Days 2 and 3
• Music / Drama with Mrs. Edwards is Day 4

Please see the September newsletter I sent home on the "Meet the Fleet" night (the next day if you didn't attend) for current curriculum we are working on.

** Please sign and return all tests - Our first math unit test (Number Sense & Numeration) is coming home this week. Regular class work that I send home does not need to be signed and returned.

Our next math unit is Data Management (Chapter 3 in Nelson Math). For extra at home practice, click on the Nelson Math link to the right. Have your child click on "Student Centre", then "Try it Out", and then click on any of the lessons in Chapter 3: Data Management for practice questions.

I will be sending home a "Learning Skills Check-In" shortly. Please go over the report with your child, and sign and return as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school, or jot a note in your child's agenda.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hale

Have a great summer!!!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the students in my class for completing a successful year in grade 4!! I'm extremely proud of the hard work and positive character my students have demonstrated throughout the school year! I've shared all of the photos I've taken this year with your child on the google drive. Have an AMAZING  and safe summer, and good luck in grade 5!!!!

Mrs. Hale

Spring is here!!

Congratulations to all class members who participated in their first Track Meet ever! Friday was a beautiful day, full of excitement, activity and fun! All students should be proud of their efforts.

Reminder: Our trip to Medieval Times is coming up on May 26th. The bus will be departing from the school at 7:15 am and returning to school around 3:45 pm.

Here is what we're currently working on:

Math

Algebra

• balancing equations (equality between pairs of expressions)
• the inverse relationship between multiplication and division
• the distributive property of multiplication (ie: 9x52 equals 9x50 + 9x2)

Probability unit will follow.

Language

• We're finishing up our reading of "The Jacket" by Andrew Clements, and our literature circles
• Persuasive writing with multiple paragraphs
• We will begin a media unit on advertisements. Students will be analyzing magazine advertisements for different persuasive features, and later invent and advertise their own product.

Social Studies

• Presentations of our Early Societies inquiry projects begin this week. They will wrap up this unit!

Science

• We will investigate the science of Sound

The Arts

• Dance will be our focus

Gym

• Cooperative games

April News!

Here comes spring....hopefully!!

This is what we're working on:

Language

• We finished our shared reading of "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes". Students wrote some very insightful thoughts about the story in their reading response journals.
• We will begin our literature circles with a new novel shortly. Students will be responsible for completing the assigned reading and their "role", such as Discussion Leader, Trait Tracker, Illustrator etc., and then will meet in small groups to share and discuss. Class time will be provided, although some students may need to finish their work at home in order to be prepared for their circle meeting. This is also an opportunity for students to practice and demonstrate their collaboration skills.
• Persuasive Writing with multiple paragraphs

Math

This number sense and numeration unit is a BIG one! It covers the following:

• multiply 2-digit whole numbers by 1-digit whole numbers
• divide 2-digit whole numbers by 1-digit whole numbers
• represent, compare and order decimal numbers to tenths
• count forward by tenths from any decimal number expressed to one decimal place
• add and subtract decimal numbers to tenths
• add and subtract money amounts and provide change for amounts up to $100
• compare and order fractions
• explain the relationship between equivalent fractions
• relating fractions to decimals

Social Studies

• Early Societies from 3000 BCE to 1500 CE 
• We will be examining aspects of Medieval Society together as a class, and students will be conducting inquires into another early society of their choice (Ancient Rome, Egypt, China, Mesopotamia or Greece) independently (with guidance, of course)

Phys-Ed

• Continuing with volleyball
• Beginning track and field later this month

The Arts

• Music - relating note-values to fractions in math
• Drama games

MacLaren Arts Came to Visit!

This past Monday, two teachers from MacLaren Art Centre came to help us make a portrait inspired by Henry Matisse.  The kids first cut out their hands and glued them on a paper to make a collage. After, they sketched a portrait of themselves. Finally, they painted over with water colour paint. Here are some of their wonderful creations!

Baby Avery is 5.5 Months Old!

Baby Avery is now 17 lbs and she is 67 cm tall. Baby Avery is rocking on her knees ready to crawl. We talked to Mrs. Shaw about sleep habits and transition objects. Some ways Mrs. Shaw can tell that Baby Avery is tired are: she rubs her eyes, she yawns, and she also gets frustrated easily. Baby Avery has 3 transition objects that include a soft bunny that has no loose things to prevent her from choking, a Tigger blanket, and also a shirt of her mom's so she can smell her mother at night. Baby Avery is getting very good at grabbing objects and can roll over!

Awesome Art!

Here are some photos of our perspective drawings! Students created a vanishing point along the horizon line. They then used guide lines to draw items in the foreground larger and shrinking towards the vanishing point. Beautiful job grade 4's!

February News!

Here's what we are working on:

Math

• Finishing up our Measurement unit with time and temperature
• Next week we will begin Geometry with a focus on:
• identifying and comparing geometric properties of Quadrilaterals
• identifying benchmark angles (right angle, half a right angle) and their measures in degrees 
• symmetry
• properties of 3D figures (faces, edges, vertices)
• constructing/drawing 3D figures and their nets

Language

• Continue shared reading of "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" by Judy Blume, and practicing literature circle roles with a focus on main idea and inferring about characters
• Reviewing proper paragraph structure (5 sentences - Introductory sentence, 3 details, concluding sentence)

Science

• Rocks and Minerals
• exploring the difference between rocks and minerals
• identifying and comparing the 3 types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic), and understanding how each are formed
• sorting and classifying rocks by different attributes (hardness, colour etc)
• making fossils

Phys-Ed

• finishing up our fitness unit
• volleyball

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day and enjoys a restful Family Day!! Please let me know if you would like to set up a meeting regarding your child's report card.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hale

Happy New Year!

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great holiday, and wish everyone a fun and healthy 2016!!

The following outlines our work in progress for January:

Math

We will finish up our Number Sense & Numeration unit this week. We are currently working on multiplication and division using arrays, fact families, and problem solving. Our final quiz will be on Friday. Please sign and return the addition and subtraction quizzes. Next week, we will begin our Measurement unit which includes the following:

- linear measurement in meters, centimeters, and millimeters
- area and perimeter
- time and temperature
- mass and capacity
- all of the above in problem solving situations

Language

- Speeches (please refer to the newsletter I sent home for details)
- Reading: Main idea / Summarizing

Social Studies

- Canada unit is wrapping up
- Test on Thursday (please see study guide)
- Final project was to design a pamphlet for their assigned province or territory (hopefully completed   by Friday in class)

Science

- We will begin Rocks and Minerals following our Canada Unit

Gym

- Fitness stations

The Arts

- Music: learning the note names on the staff
- continue with listening, singing, and rhythms
- Perspective drawings