Just a reminder that we will be going to Sobeys on Wednesday to sing. We will be leaving Cranston around 9:30. If you would like to join us and have your criminal record check complete, please send me an email.
This morning we started with Daily 5. I spoke with my guided reading group about a new type of book. It is called info fiction. These types of books contain factual information with some of the text written as a fiction story. The book we discussed today is called Rocks on the Move. This is a great introduction to our Rocks and Minerals unit that we will be doing some time in the new year.
This morning we also had caroling, gym and music. After all of these events were finished we worked on writing for a brief time. I also worked with a group on Words Their Way.
After lunch we had DEAR and then we moved onto math. Thank you to Hope for teaching us a new math game called Kings. Today we also talked about standard units of measurement and we practiced using a ruler. We are currently only using centimetres as our unit of measure.
At the end of the day we switched inquiry groups. My new group learned about comic life and researching animal hearing.
I will be away on Friday as I am leaving on vacation with my family.
Have a wonderful evening. Glad to see it is warming up.
Monday, 12 December 2016
Thursday, 8 December 2016
December 8
Just a reminder that tonight is our Christmas Concert. Please have your child in our classroom by 5:45. The concert will start at 6:00. Also please remember to bring a donation as part of your entrance "fee".
The last few days have been a bit unusual with us practicing for the concert and watching others perform. This afternoon at our dress rehearsal we did amazing. I cannot wait for you all to see us perform tonight.
Tomorrow we will be taking part in "Fill a sock Fill a need". Each child will have the opportunity to place a variety of items into a pair of socks and attach a Christmas tag. Today we spent some time decorating the tags for the socks.
Today in math we started talking about multiplication. We learned that the best way to become efficient at multiplying is to begin with skip counting. Your child will eventually be expected to skip count by 5s, 10s and 100s using any starting point. They will also need to be able to skip count by 3s, 4s and 25s using starting points that are multiples of those numbers. Today we practiced skip counting on a 100s chart on the smart board and then we played a skip counting game that helped us count by 25s. Please ask your child about this game.
We are working hard at becoming more proficient with the Words Their Way program. Each child has words that are geared towards their level of spelling. They are expected to sort the words, do buddy sorts, write the sort in their journal, write sentences using their words and do a blind sort with a buddy.
At the end of the day we helped Mrs. McArthur's class with a building project.
The last few days have been a bit unusual with us practicing for the concert and watching others perform. This afternoon at our dress rehearsal we did amazing. I cannot wait for you all to see us perform tonight.
Tomorrow we will be taking part in "Fill a sock Fill a need". Each child will have the opportunity to place a variety of items into a pair of socks and attach a Christmas tag. Today we spent some time decorating the tags for the socks.
Today in math we started talking about multiplication. We learned that the best way to become efficient at multiplying is to begin with skip counting. Your child will eventually be expected to skip count by 5s, 10s and 100s using any starting point. They will also need to be able to skip count by 3s, 4s and 25s using starting points that are multiples of those numbers. Today we practiced skip counting on a 100s chart on the smart board and then we played a skip counting game that helped us count by 25s. Please ask your child about this game.
We are working hard at becoming more proficient with the Words Their Way program. Each child has words that are geared towards their level of spelling. They are expected to sort the words, do buddy sorts, write the sort in their journal, write sentences using their words and do a blind sort with a buddy.
At the end of the day we helped Mrs. McArthur's class with a building project.
Monday, 5 December 2016
December 5
What a chilly day. As a result of the cold weather the kids stayed in at recess.
This morning I worked with my guided reading group on a story that was organized using a journal format. We discussed why this is type of story was written and when people may write a journal.
This week our schedule will be a little wonky (this is what Ciara says) due to Christmas concert practices and rehearsals.
We had gym this morning at 9:50-10:20. We did some yoga in music room as the gym is being used for the concerts. Caitlynn says we also did some other kinds of exercises.
During Writer's Workshop we once again talked about climbing stories and what is required to write a successful climbing story. Please ask your child about this.
I met with my Words Their Way group and we talked about words that say the long A sound differently. For example some words have ay, some words have constant vowel and then a silent e and some have ai.
After lunch we had Drop everything and read (DEAR - which is a time for silent reading which is part of our daily schedule. Thank you Jaelyn for reminding me to write that down) and then we started making a time book. This activity not only talks about telling and writing time but it also tied in procedural writing as the students had to write about their day starting with the time they wake up.
We got to watch the PM kindergartens perform and then we continued working on our inquiry projects.
Book orders due tomorrow.
This morning I worked with my guided reading group on a story that was organized using a journal format. We discussed why this is type of story was written and when people may write a journal.
This week our schedule will be a little wonky (this is what Ciara says) due to Christmas concert practices and rehearsals.
We had gym this morning at 9:50-10:20. We did some yoga in music room as the gym is being used for the concerts. Caitlynn says we also did some other kinds of exercises.
During Writer's Workshop we once again talked about climbing stories and what is required to write a successful climbing story. Please ask your child about this.
I met with my Words Their Way group and we talked about words that say the long A sound differently. For example some words have ay, some words have constant vowel and then a silent e and some have ai.
After lunch we had Drop everything and read (DEAR - which is a time for silent reading which is part of our daily schedule. Thank you Jaelyn for reminding me to write that down) and then we started making a time book. This activity not only talks about telling and writing time but it also tied in procedural writing as the students had to write about their day starting with the time they wake up.
We got to watch the PM kindergartens perform and then we continued working on our inquiry projects.
Book orders due tomorrow.
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
November 30
Can you believe that tomorrow is already December 1? I cannot believe how fast time has flown by.
First thing this morning we had a practice fire drill. The kids were great and knew exactly what to do. They exited the building quickly and quietly.
This morning in my guided reading group I worked on an informational text writing response. This group is working on a text about Coral Reefs.
This morning we also had another Christmas Concert practice but this time only with Ms. Thomas' class.
As I prepare to write report cards I am collecting data about how each student is performing. Today we did a writing task where the students looked at a picture and created a story. They first had to plan out their ideas and I reminded them to use the skills taught in class. Those skills are posted on the previous blog. We will finish this task tomorrow.
Today during Words their Way, I worked with a group on making words plural. We learned a rule for when to add s or es. You add an es when words end with ch, sh, s or x. If a word does not end with any of these you simply add an s to make it plural.
In math we worked on the following basic facts strategies:
1. doubles
2. doubles plus 1
3. doubles minus 1
4. make 10
Please please please practice these strategies at home. We learned to play a game called double dice. Your child can show you how to play this game.
Caitlynn presented us yesterday with the following word problem. Please go over this with your child.
If you travel at 80km/hr how long will it take you to travel 80 kilometres? What about 160km?
No School on Friday. It is a PD day for teachers.
Have a wonderful evening. Looks like it is going to be getting a lot colder over the next few days. At least we made it to December with no snow.
First thing this morning we had a practice fire drill. The kids were great and knew exactly what to do. They exited the building quickly and quietly.
This morning in my guided reading group I worked on an informational text writing response. This group is working on a text about Coral Reefs.
This morning we also had another Christmas Concert practice but this time only with Ms. Thomas' class.
As I prepare to write report cards I am collecting data about how each student is performing. Today we did a writing task where the students looked at a picture and created a story. They first had to plan out their ideas and I reminded them to use the skills taught in class. Those skills are posted on the previous blog. We will finish this task tomorrow.
Today during Words their Way, I worked with a group on making words plural. We learned a rule for when to add s or es. You add an es when words end with ch, sh, s or x. If a word does not end with any of these you simply add an s to make it plural.
In math we worked on the following basic facts strategies:
1. doubles
2. doubles plus 1
3. doubles minus 1
4. make 10
Please please please practice these strategies at home. We learned to play a game called double dice. Your child can show you how to play this game.
Caitlynn presented us yesterday with the following word problem. Please go over this with your child.
If you travel at 80km/hr how long will it take you to travel 80 kilometres? What about 160km?
No School on Friday. It is a PD day for teachers.
Have a wonderful evening. Looks like it is going to be getting a lot colder over the next few days. At least we made it to December with no snow.
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
November 29
Today during guided reading I worked with a group on a new book called Puppy in Training. This is a non-fiction text about training puppies to be service dogs for people who are blind. Our goal during this book introduction was to learn to make connections between the information we read and read life experiences or other texts we have read.
This morning we had a Christmas Concert practice with all of the grade 3s in the hub. It was amazing. I will be practicing the songs with the kids over the next little bit.
During Writer's Workshop we made a list of all of the skills we need to practice over the next few weeks. Here is our list. This list will be printed out and kept in each child's writing folder for future reference.
Writing Genres:
This morning we had a Christmas Concert practice with all of the grade 3s in the hub. It was amazing. I will be practicing the songs with the kids over the next little bit.
During Writer's Workshop we made a list of all of the skills we need to practice over the next few weeks. Here is our list. This list will be printed out and kept in each child's writing folder for future reference.
Writing Expectations
1. Use punctuation (! , . ? “ “)
2. Use details, juicy words and
triple scoop words
3. Use capitals
4. Add an interesting beginning
- dialogue (characters talking)
- onomatopoeia (repeat the same
word)
- ask a question
- sound word (boom)
- start with a fact
5.Use similies
6. Edit your work using 3, 2, 1 Edit
1. climbing story (fiction,
beginning, middle and end)
2. personal narrative (a story
about your own experience)
3. informational narrative
(non-fiction, facts)
4. from another person’s
perspective
In Math we continued to work on telling time. We had a lot of fun working with some mini clocks. We worked in partners, made a time on the clock and then challenged our partner to read the time.
We also did one round of Math Daily 3. We practiced the job Math Literacy. This job involves reading a math book and writing down math vocabulary and re-telling what was read/learned. I am going to add something new to this job. I will have the kids also write any wonders they have while reading.
At the end of the day we worked in our inquiry groups.
On Thursday Mrs. Quilley will be coming to work with us using Dash. Tyson thinks it is important that I explain what Dash is. Dash is a mini robot that you connect to an ipad and use a special app that programs it to move and do other special things. We will also talk about standard and non-standard forms of measurement as we see how far we can make Dash move.
Have a wonderful evening.
Monday, 28 November 2016
November 28
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.
Today at school we had a great day! In guided reading we were working on being reporters. We learned that reporters tell others information. As a reporter during guided reading, it is the reader's responsibility to report the who, what and where of the story they are reading. We are working on writing these ideas down on paper.
During writer's workshop we learned about triple scoop words. We compared a writer to an artist. We learned that artist start with a blank canvas and then they mix colors together that they choose very carefully to send a message to their viewer. As a writer we must choose our words very carefully to send a message to our reader and to keep them interested. Artists and writers have the same purpose but use different methods. Here are some examples of single scoop words that we changed into triple scoop words. We said single scoop words are like a single scoop of ice cream....it always leaves you wanting more. This is where the triple scoop words come in.
Big- monstrous, gigantic
Small - tiny, itsy bitsy, teeny
Sad - depressed, devestated
Please add some triple scoop words to this blog on the comments.
In math we continue to work on telling time. Thursday will be our last day for this and then we will be moving on. Please practice telling time at home.
At the end of the day we watched a short video on sound by Bill Nye the Science Guy. During this time we worked on creating a wonder journal. We made a title page and a page devoted solely to sound wonders. Tomorrow we will be working with Mrs. Thomas' class on our sound projects.
Information was sent home regarding the upcoming Christmas concert. All those who have speaking parts need to make sure they have their scripts with them tomorrow for practice.
Book orders came in today.
Have a wonderful evening.
Today at school we had a great day! In guided reading we were working on being reporters. We learned that reporters tell others information. As a reporter during guided reading, it is the reader's responsibility to report the who, what and where of the story they are reading. We are working on writing these ideas down on paper.
During writer's workshop we learned about triple scoop words. We compared a writer to an artist. We learned that artist start with a blank canvas and then they mix colors together that they choose very carefully to send a message to their viewer. As a writer we must choose our words very carefully to send a message to our reader and to keep them interested. Artists and writers have the same purpose but use different methods. Here are some examples of single scoop words that we changed into triple scoop words. We said single scoop words are like a single scoop of ice cream....it always leaves you wanting more. This is where the triple scoop words come in.
Big- monstrous, gigantic
Small - tiny, itsy bitsy, teeny
Sad - depressed, devestated
Please add some triple scoop words to this blog on the comments.
In math we continue to work on telling time. Thursday will be our last day for this and then we will be moving on. Please practice telling time at home.
At the end of the day we watched a short video on sound by Bill Nye the Science Guy. During this time we worked on creating a wonder journal. We made a title page and a page devoted solely to sound wonders. Tomorrow we will be working with Mrs. Thomas' class on our sound projects.
Information was sent home regarding the upcoming Christmas concert. All those who have speaking parts need to make sure they have their scripts with them tomorrow for practice.
Book orders came in today.
Have a wonderful evening.
Thursday, 24 November 2016
November 24
This morning during guided reading, I worked with a group on a book called Grandma's Budgie. We learned about antonymns, synonyms, more about similies, emotions and interring. These terms will eventually be discussed with the entire class.
When we did our self evaluation yesterday, I learned a lot of information about the students in this class. I noticed that one area that most students felt like they were not doing enough was with editing/revising their writing. So today we spent some time editing/revising a story I had written. We are using the process 3, 2, 1....edit. 3 - correct 3 spelling or punctuation errors, 2 - make 2 word changes. Use juicy words. 1 - change or rearrange one sentence. Please practice this skill at home.
Today during Math Daily 3 we had a mini lesson on telling time. We also did the following word problem: I left home and arrived at school 45 minutes later. What time did I leave home and what time did I arrive at school? Is there more than one answer?
At the end of the day we got ready for parent- teacher interviews and had some free time in the classroom. I know the kids really appreciated this as we never seem to have any down time at school. We are a busy classroom and get a lot accomplished each day. I am looking forward to speaking with all of you about your wonderful children.
According to Elise, I am suppose to say that Thursday is the best day. I asked her why and she said " Because it is the best day." Love your attitude Elise.
When we did our self evaluation yesterday, I learned a lot of information about the students in this class. I noticed that one area that most students felt like they were not doing enough was with editing/revising their writing. So today we spent some time editing/revising a story I had written. We are using the process 3, 2, 1....edit. 3 - correct 3 spelling or punctuation errors, 2 - make 2 word changes. Use juicy words. 1 - change or rearrange one sentence. Please practice this skill at home.
Today during Math Daily 3 we had a mini lesson on telling time. We also did the following word problem: I left home and arrived at school 45 minutes later. What time did I leave home and what time did I arrive at school? Is there more than one answer?
At the end of the day we got ready for parent- teacher interviews and had some free time in the classroom. I know the kids really appreciated this as we never seem to have any down time at school. We are a busy classroom and get a lot accomplished each day. I am looking forward to speaking with all of you about your wonderful children.
According to Elise, I am suppose to say that Thursday is the best day. I asked her why and she said " Because it is the best day." Love your attitude Elise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)