Wow! We are already in June! EQAO warps up this week and so do several units of study.

Our class is starting the last units of study. Our last text unit in Language is narrative writing. We are now focusing on our grammar skills and applying in our writing the words we have learned each week. Having completed the larger Number Sense units in Math, we are now returning to review and assess a couple of smaller units: Motion Geometry, Number Patterns, and we will finish with Probability. The Grade 4s are studying Habitats. Much learning will take place through games, videos, and demonstrations. The Grade 3s are studying Plants, applying their knowledge of soils. They will start off by learning the parts of a plant and their functions. Each student will use this information to make a plant 'shape' book that looks like a flower. Much learning about plants will take place through experiments, videos, and demonstrations.

EQAO starts this week! The students have been practicing strategies such as ROPES, KTAC, and using writing organizers for much of the year. I'm sure these will help them successfully complete the testing.

As a result, in Math, while focussing on fractions, the Grade 3s are getting basic refreshers on topics not yet covered this year. For example, they are playing probability games and like How Many Bears in the Bag and 21 and discussing terms such as impossible and unlikely. In Science the Grade 3s are fosussing their knowledge of forces and structures on the three kinds of bridges: beam, arch, and suspension. They continue investigating how shapes bear a load and ways they are used those shapes in a structure, such as a bridge. The Grade 4s are using makeshift gears to determine mechanical advantage. Students should have a basic understanding that a small gear which is meshing with a bigger gear will turn faster because it has fewer teeth. For example, a gear with five teeth will turn around two times when meshed with a gear having ten teeth that turns around once. The grade three students surprised the Shenkman activity leaders with their knowledge of dance elements. Now, with the grade 4s, they are impressing the Luv2Groove leader with their 'line dance' skils, which we have also been developing in dance. Grade 3s Healthy Living study of dangerous substances (safety symbols...) and the Grade 4 study of drugs (cigarettes...) are coming to an end. In Language  we are writing persuasive texts and relating them to media. For example, advertisements are a form of persuasive texts. We are looking at media (magazines, posters, internet video ads, television commercials, etc, and identifying techniques such as "bandwagon" and "pressure selling". We are also reviewing the grammatical structures learned such as using paragraphs (for each subtopic), varied sentence structures (compound sentences), and words (contractions).

Welcome to Catholic Education Week! We have many exciting school-based and grade-based activities happening this week in the coming weeks!

Monday brings a well-deserved breakfast for volunteers. A presentation with a seeing dog will teach us about kindness towards animals. Open House will give parents an opportunity to see our class modelling how we use inquiry and technology as an approach to learning. Inquiry learning begins with a question, follows with exploration, and ends with opinions or further questions. The students run the show! They volunteered to introduce the classroom stations and even came up with ideas for the stations!! Following the open house is a special liturgy. We have the Book Fair and Jump Rope for Heart this week too!!! 

Our Religious lessons center around the meaning of Easter, for example the symbols and how Easter touches people in our lives. In Math the Grade 3s move to learning division, and think of it as the opposite of multiplication. Look for examples of things that can be divided (we do not focus on remainders in grade 3). In Science the Grade 3s are building structures (with straws, paper...) and reinforcing them with struts and ties. They are investigating which shapes best bear a load and ways to use those shapes in a structure, such as a bridge. The Grade 4s will extend their understanding of how pulleys can help achieve work to how gears can too. For example, each can reach distances (think of a well), change the direction needed to lift, allow gravity to lift, or even provide a mechanical advantage. Your Grade 4 child should be familiar with these concepts and terms. Continue to 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). We are applying the elements of dance in guessing games while dancing "phrases" that may be repeated. For instance, walking forward, bent, with strong and sudden movements, and a large body shape (giant). Grade 3s Healthy Living reviews safety symbols, and Grade 4s look more closely at cigarettes as a common, dangerous substance. Since dance is integrated in Physical Education, we will take advantage of the nice weather and develop soccer skills outside (trap, inside/outside pass...) when the fields are dry. In Language we have discussed the primary features of persuasive texts - get ready for a present soon!

With the messy weather, I remind all parents that students are welcome to bring in a bag a change of clothes to hang on their hook in the coatroom.

In Religion Grade 3s are discussing unfairness in the world and how, like Jesus, we forgive others. Grade 4s are representing (flags) examples of modern day sacrifices that model how we can be more like Jesus. Share as a family difficult times, perhaps involving unfairness (or that which is found in the world) and how you work out as a family forgive those that do wrong. In Math the grade threes represent multiplication (groups, arrays, area models, repeated addition) and are starting to play games to memorize patterns and multiplication facts. Play games, but use multiplication instead of addition with dice, have your child test you and make some mistakes to be caught, or have your child help calculate shopping costs (these juice bottles are about $3 each. How many can I buy for $20? 3 X 6 = 18 with change). Students are writing descriptive texts on a topic of their choice in Language. We are enjoying the ILPs and learning much about presenting and being an active audience. Please see the schedule for this week below. In Science, Grade 3 are exploring shapes that make structures stable and strong (eg triangle) and Grade 4s are experimenting with fixed and movable pulleys. They should review notes regularly, for instance to realize the different advantages of the two types of pulley. In Health (with Media and Religion) students are producing iMovies, stop motion videos, and voice over slideshows to show the dangers of exaggeration on television/media, how play violence and peer pressure can become dangerous, and  how to avoid these dangers by helping one another in a spirit of gentleness. We are learning the elements of dance (eg body shape and space) in Physical Education,  and applying them in dance moves. Various dance styles shall be explored.

Monday: Steel Drums
Tuesday: Dog Care (live dogs!), Snowboarding, and Lego
Wednesday: Knitting, Rock Music, Pet Fish, and Freshwater Fish
Thursday: Voice and Piano

This week's blog will contain just a few notes, as much remains the same, academically.

Thursday, the ILPs begin with presentations about gymnastics, karate, musicals, volcanoes, and baseball pitching! If you need to bring in materials at a certain time or will need specific equipment (eg computer, piano, gym), please let me know ahead of time so that I can book or try out the equipment before the day your child presents. Thanks!

Friday, we celebrate Easter at Mass in the gymnasium  at 9:30. This will be followed by Jump Rope assembly at 1:30.

After the Grade 3 Measurement test this Wednesday,  Grade 3s will begin studying multiplication and division.

Both grades continue to do Einstein questions. However, instead (or as well :-)  students are welcome to create small projects for themselves about topics they are curious and passionate about. Much of the work should be done at school and hopefully presentations will take advantage of our technology, as the Tellegami Einstein presentations did! This is a great way to develop interest, initiative, and presentation skills.

I am finally finding the time to update our class blog since getting back from March break! We are looking forward to sharing our Hunger Luncheon in the gym this Thursday - if you have a form to participate or volunteer, please send it in ASAP.

In Religion we continue discussing Lent and the sacrifices Jesus made(Grade 3) and how people in the world follow his role today (Grade 4). Have your child share his or her favourite Jesus story or even try finding a modern day story of sacrifice in the news! In Math the grade threes are finishing up our unit on Measurement : Calendar and clock time, temperature, mass, and capacity. The students are having greatest difficulty with elapsed time (see this Monday's homework). A generl review will be given and reviewed at home before the test next Tuesday. Our Language study of descriptive texts is nearing an end. We have deconstructed and reconstructed texts, as well as focus on specific descriptive language, using the theme of popcorn. Mmmm!  This week students will begin writing a descriptive text of their choice! Our Science units (Grade 3 "Structures - Strong and Stable" and Grade 4 "Pulleys and Gears") are well underway. I will try to post pictures. Students are always encouraged to analyze results and connect them to real life. For example, Grade 3s cou;d look for small and big structures (pencil holder and bridge) and describe them (man-made, encloses, strong by shape but light by material); Grade 4s had a lot of fun trying to build makeshift pulleys to save people in imaginary situations (those poor Lego people!). Look for pulleys used in life (clothesline, bike chain (special kind), old tuning dial on radios, gym machines).  In Health we are looking at examples of dangerous and addictive substances. We are also completing our portrayals of dangerous situations, peer pressure situations for Grade 4s in particular (especially bullying). As we put our schoolwide W.I.T.S. program into practice, Grade 4s are also applying what they know of passive, assertive, and aggressive responses to situations. It's amazing how much progress the class has made with guarding, movement, decision making, and passing in Basketball. These team skills are useful in many types of play. In Art  we are applying our focus of lines by making double-image pictures through folding paper accordian-style.  

Have a wonderful Easter!

This week we are continuing most activities, so see last week for details. In Math for instance, we will review the calendar and start discussing clock time. The grade 4s are tubing on Thursday!

I hope everyone enjoyed a fun, family-oriented long weekend safely and I look forward to hearing stories about this on Tuesday.

I also hope parents found their child's report card to be instructional. To those parents wishing to meet for an interview, I look forward to elaborating on the report card comments this Thursday.

Parents are encouraged to register for "Cash on Line"  with the secretary on interview night or by March 6 when it will be up and running ("Cash on Line" is a cash account to pay for outings, etc. so that parents and school does not need to worry about lost cheques or tracking money in agendas).

On Thursday, March 7, there will be a workshop for parents on "The Anxious Child" in the Learning Commons. Any parent whose child deals with any form of anxiety is encouraged to attend.

As a result of many special activities, many lessons will be adapted this week. Tuesday is being celebrated in red for flag day. Our class will be making mini-posters about less-known Canadian facts. Our Ash Wednesday celebration will be take place from 9:30 - 10:00 this Wednesday. In class we will discuss the meaning of the ashes and Lent, as we move into the Lenten season when we prepare for Easter. In Math the grade threes did a great job presenting their graphs from their surveys. In our unit on Measurement we will continue learning about the calendar year. In Language, aside from reviewing poetic devices, we have reviewed expectations for EQAO Reading questions and students are practicing responding with the ROPES format. Thanks to parent volunteers, Mrs. S and Mrs. T, many students are very well practiced in this area. In Science, Grade 3s slowed down the movements of sponge balls with very creative designs. For example, one designer built an airplane for the ball. Grade 4s split light rays into rainbows with prisms and will now take the temperature of light sources to compare which ones emit much heat. To properly show the importance of following ones values (including staying safe), in Health we will conduct an experiment in peer pressure. This is an important part of making choices about play and violence (Grade 3) and responding to dangers such as bullying (Grade 4). Basketball skills such as bounce and chest passes are still being developed in Physical Education,  and students are playing games using modified rules.

Please note that sometimes specific details regarding homework may be found on the link named "Homework" in this blog.

In Religion we continue studying our role in the family and how we like it (Grade 3) and how we enjoy or solve problems in this role (Grade 4). Share as a family what makes celebrations so special, how you work out as a family the daily problems that arise. In Math the grade threes are finishing up graphs to represent surveys and beginning a unit on Measurement It will include time, temperature, mass, and capacity. Look for these measurements on containers or pages to interpret. Compare some or ask questions, for example, 750 mL is close to a L and how long would that amount of liquid last if jogging. Our Language study of poetry texts is nearing an end. We still have a few forms to explore. As we finish a few experiments from our Science units (Grade 3 Forces and Grade 4 Light and Sound) students are being encouraged to analyze results and connect them to real life. For example, Grade 3s will look at how we can slow down movements; at home, you can relate this to when this is done and how it is helpful. Grade 4s are reviewing echoes; at home, you can discuss when sound can damage the ears, and when and how echoes occur.  In Health we are extending our study of safety (with Media and Religion) by finding examples the students know about and portraying them. In particular, how what happens on television is not true of real life  (Grade 3) and the three responses to danger (especially bullying) (Grade 4) which are passive, assertive, and aggressive, Basketball skills such as bounce and chest passes are being developed in Physical Education,  and students will start playing games using modified rules. This will develop their appreciation for space and positioning, as well as hand eye coordination, movement skills, and communication. Point out situations where space is important in daily life (construction, cars...) and how individuals cooperate to achieve this!

In case anyone wishes to have the names of students for making Valentines, they are Talar, Garrett, Kaylin, Jaia, Jacob, Danica, Mackenzie,  Tyson, Elizabeth, Jack, Natasha, Larissa, Vivian, Tomasina, Riley, Denzel, Oscar, Marguerite, Alexa, Nathan, McKinna and please remember to include Maddie (from the DE Class).

The Super Three Fours have been very busy with wrap up assessments and lessons. As a result, homework has consisted more of review and less of work lately. We now are returning to more of a regular schedule.  

This week in Religion are studying our role in the family and how we like it (Grade 3) and how we enjoy or solve problems in this role (Grade 4). Share as a family what makes celebrations so special, how you work out as a family the daily problems that arise. In Math we are completing our Data Management unit by surveying classes and using that data to construct graphs. Look for graphs to interpret. For example, if a graph shows that many people watch a certain television show, ask why that might be. Our Language study of poetry texts continues. Have your child write a poem with you, taking turns; or write each other a poem about something humorous like eating messy spaghetti or cleaning up the big mess in the room (okay, so maybe that's serious!). We are finishing our Science units (Grade 3 Forces and Grade 4 Light and Sound) with a few experiments . In Health we are integrating safety with Media and Religion by discussing the difference between what happens on television and in real life  (Grade 3) and identifying ways bullying can happen electronically and can be avoided (Grade 4), both from the perspective of following Jesus' example and restoring one another in a spirit of gentleness. Meanwhile, the students are enjoying small-sided games of basketball in Physical Education which develop hand eye coordination, movement skills, and communication. For example, teams must complete three consecutive bounce or chest passes to be awarded a pointy.  Help your child's develop hand skills by providing him or her with a ball and a spot to dribble, etc.