See the tree in every acorn.

About Me

Welcome to another school year at St. Francis of Assisi! I am looking forward to teaching and being a part of your child’s Grade 3/4 school year experiences. I have been teaching for about 20 years, mostly with the Ottawa Catholic School Board. My first teaching assignments ranged from an isolated northern Quebec, a Montessori school, and a school for students having very serious needs. My wife Eve and I have two boys. Olivier is 11 and Emile is 13 years old. My motto is "See the tree in every acorn" because students remind me of how that tiny acorn that may get overlooked has the potential to grow into the mighty oak. If we believe in students and nurture that excitement of learning, there's no telling what mighty oaks they may become!

Monday, 9 February 2015

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).

No comments:

Post a Comment