Our Religion study of how the Catholic community can live as a digital citizen concluded with students understanding how to care for one another through electronic means, protect themselves, and use proper "netiquette".  For example, students learned to never give out personal information without a parent's agreement. Discuss good habits when on the internet.  In Math the Grade 3s are labelling and sorting figures based on the figures' definitions. Give your son or daughter challenges such as what figures could you draw that are trapezoids? How do you know they are? They begin studying three-dimensional solids and their features (edges, face...) this week. The grade 3s are beginning a study of forces in Science. Gravity, magnetism, wind and other forces will be presented as pushes and pulls. Their uses and problems will be discussed. Grade 4s begin learning about two forms of energy: light nd sound. We will look at how they interact with our environment (eg refraction) and how we use them in our lives. Again I suggest to have your child bring home Science notes to review with you on an evening that you are not too busy or ask what activity was done (see class schedule for when Science occurs). Also check out the links page for Grade 3 and 4 websites to play games and refine understanding of concepts. In our Magical Land of Staff Music audio story, the "note" people (whole, half, quarter and eighth note kids) must follow Mr.Bass Clef and Mrs. Treble Clef to make music by stepping on the correct lines and spaces cooperatively. The Grade 3s Healthy Living focusses on water safety, as we will be swimming on December 4, 11, and 18. (letter coming home).  Moms and Dads will be more than welcome to join us to perform the taxing job of sharing a bus ride, monitoring the change room, and relaxing by the poolside, chatting, and watching the students swim. In my three years of this program no parent has ever had to get wet ;-)  Grade 4s finish learning about nutrients (fats, carbohydrates, proteins...), especially vitamins, and we will discuss how our diet goals are going. This week our Language Poetry study shows the diversity of poetry and its descriptive nature. Help your child to use descriptive words when talking about feelings, items, or events.  

Thank you for your donations for poppies. They are still available if you wish to get one for your child. Please have your child wear his or her poppy - I suggest they put a small piece of tape on the sharp end of the pin to prevent accidental pokes or poppies coming out and being lost.

In Religion the Grade 3s are discussing managing feelings through reflection of Catjholic values and consideration of others' needs. The Grade 4s are discussing those they need for comfort or assistance. Both grades are relating learning how the Catholic community they live in is like a family whose members help one another. Reinforce this idea when giving advice, help, or comforting your child. Try to catch your child helping others too! Grade 4s also continue to explore their bibles through scavenger hunts. Try asking your child to look up a book, chapter and verse (example: John 2:4). In Math the Grade 3s will be tested on skills at using number patterns to add and subtract in their heads. Give your son or daughter problems like those on the practice sheets to solve with tree diagrams or number lines using the make ten strategy, add tens then ones strategy, or other strategies that help solve problems mentally. They begin studying two-dimensional figures and their features (angles, side lengths...). The grade 3s are studying in Science how animals such as moles, ants and worms aerate soils. Erosion and weathering is being reviewed with the grade 4s along with strategies to limit it (windbreaks, landscape fabric...). Have your child bring home Science notes to review with you on an evening that you are not too busy (I know, I know!). Since units are long in Science, reviewing notes is worth doing once a week. In our Magical Land of Staff Music audio story, the "note" people (whole, half, quarter and eighth note kids) are creating noise in place of music, now that their king and queen are missing. Mr.Bass Clef and Mrs. Treble Clef arrive to save the day. Through this part of the story, students practice reading conventional musical notes, define terms used (staccato, decrescendo...), and reflect on the role of music in shaping our ideas and feelings. The Grade 3s Healthy Living study continues with tooth health care. The key nutrients (fats, carbohydrates, proteins...) and how we make choices are being discussed through diet goals and chllenge questions in Grade 4 . Ask why your Grade 3 child the names of the teeth and what each is used for, and the parts of a tooth and how a cavity is formed. Ask why your Grade 4 child the names of the major nutrients, such as protein, and the most important role of each. For example, carbohydrates provide energy; simple ones give fast energy, while complex ones give longer-lasting energy). This week our Language Poetry study begins! Students have already created poems focusing on a word (theme) such as tiredness. Help your child to brainstrom ideas for a topic (all the reasons you could be tired, silly things you might do if tired) and think of a funny one for a last one (being so tired you can't remember why you're so tired, or being so tired of being tired!) Our Media projects should wrap up this week followed by presentations of  student iPad Pic Collage works.