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.