February 27

Happy Monday Families.

This morning I met with my guided reading groups and reviewed strategies that help us read unfamiliar words.  I have noticed that the most popular strategy seems to be "look for the parts you know or look for little words in big words".  This makes me soooooo happy :)

Mrs. Quilley is at swimming this week so Ms. Thomas and I taught gym.  We played a hoop/card game that Mrs. Quilley taught us last week.

We had  music today and we were working on creating our own songs with our precorders.

We did not have Writer's Workshop today.  During this time I collected many guided reading books that need to be returned.

This afternoon in math we worked with a group of 1/2 students and taught them an addition game called Slam Dunk.  I am looking for more dice. If anyone has some to donate I would be very grateful.

At the end of the day we worked on organizing our ideas for our Speeches to the United Nations.  We are working in pairs with Ms. Thomas' class.  Our job today included: picking a right, choosing a country, and organizing our ideas using a word web or list.  Tomorrow we will work on writing a persuasive speech.

Please return swim forms.

February 24

At the end of the day yesterday we attempted to write the blog however we were unable to do so as we were having power/internet glitches.  The lights were going on and off.

Today we had one round of Daily 5 and then headed off to gym.  We played a math/cooperation game with Mrs. Quilley.  We used the cards to to try and find matches.  The team with 3 matches first had to kneel down to show they were done.

After gym the kids worked on a Daily 5 and I worked on videotaping a couple of S4 groups.  We now have 2 videos completed.  

This morning we had a Peace Assembly.  We enjoyed a play by rooms 77 and 78 about perseverance.

First thing this morning we enjoyed a beautiful song written and performed by our very own Caitlynn.  It was a song about having a voice against bullying.  If you see her, please ask her to sing for you.  Her voice is wonderful!  She is very talented.  These are all comments that came from her classmates.

****Very important.  Swimming permission forms were sent home today.  Please return by next Friday.  We start swimming on March 13.  Please please please consider being a volunteer.  I need 3-4 parents each day.  I also need one male volunteer each day.  

I also sent home Child Care Tax Receipts.  If you did not receive one please contact the office.

Have a wonderful weekend.

February 22

Just a reminder there is music homework.  It is due on Monday and it is on page 11 of your precorder book.  Thank you Cameron for reminding me of this.  Cameron's job this week is classroom reminder.  He is responsible for reminding me of all the things I forget :)

We are currently working on writing Cinquain poems.  These poems follow a specific pattern.  There are 5 lines in this poem and each line has a certain number of syllables.  The pattern goes like this 2,4,6,8,2.  Can you write a cinquain and post it on this blog.

In math we are currently working on growing patterns.  We did a visual journal page today to demonstrate what we know about growing patterns.  Do you know the other name for a growing pattern?

During our inquiry time together, we listened to Malala's speech to the United Nations.  Here are some of the important messages we received:
- every child has the right to education
- one child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world
- Malala has learned to forgive
- strength was born after she was injured
- her injury created strength and courage not fear and weakness

What do you think is the most important message that Malala told us in her speech to the UN?

Have a wonderful evening!

February 15

What a great day for Carnival.  We had lots of fun trying out the many winter activities.  I sure had fun at human curling.  Most of our morning was taken up by Carnival.  We also enjoyed some hot chocolate when we came in from outside.

After lunch we continued on with our normal routine.  We had a session of DEAR.  During this time I am working one to one with students on a mental math assessment.  Here is what I have noticed.  As a class we need practice on double digit subtraction using mental math.  Here is what I mean.  If I asked your child to give me the difference between 73 and 35.  I would like to hear them say.  "I would leave 73 alone (not break it up) and then I would do 73-30 which is 43.  Then I would do 43-5 which is 38."  

I have also noticed that when I ask students to estimate the answer to an addition question such as 34+29 most want to give me the actual answer. Here is what I would like to hear them say.  " I would round 34 to the nearest group of 10 which is 30.  Then I would round 29 to 30 and add 30 to 30 and the answer to 34+29 is about 60."    Caiden says this is how you estimate.

At the end of the day we worked on our S4 skits.  I got a couple of them videotaped but we quickly learned that most of us are not speaking loud enough.  We also need to remember to not turn our backs to the camera.  We will get there.  

Have a wonderful long weekend.

February 13

Tomorrow is our Valentine Celebration.  Please do not forget your Valentine holders.  If you would like to bring a treat or healthy snack for the class that is fine.  We have 23 students as 2 are on vacation.

Wednesday is Winter Carnival Day.  We will be participating in activities in the morning.  Hot chocolate will be supplied.

Today we worked on our Why poems.  We turned our wishes into questions which we then wrote in our journals.  I will be typing out each child's poem and we will be making a class book.

In math today we learned a new multiplication game called Multiplication Squares.  Please ask your child how to play this game. If you are interested I can send a copy of the game board home.

Our CAFE strategy today was a fluency one.  It is called Practice sight words and high frequency words.  I showed the class how to google grade 3 dolch sight words.  There are many games and flash cards that can be printed for practice.

At the end of the day we practice our S4 skits.  I also practiced videotaping one group in front of the green screen.  I still need a bit of practice but we are well on our way.

No school on thursday, friday or monday.

Have a wonderful evening.

February 9

Tomorrow is Club Friday.

Today we had a lot of fun.  The class had the opportunity to spend the last part of the day on Mathletics.  They really enjoy "versing" each other and racing to see who can answer the most questions during the time allotted. Congratulations to Caiden who earned a Bronze Medal!  

Yesterday and today during gym class we presented our skipping routines.  We worked in groups of 3 or 4 kids and created a routine that was presented to our class along with Ms. Thomas' class.

Today during Writer's Workshop we started learning about poetry.  Poem is a great way for us to improve our song writing skills.  We are starting to write a "Why" poem which we will finish tomorrow.

During Math we learned a new fractions game called "Roll and Colour Fractions.  Many kids have brought this game home to share with you.

Thank you Tyson for reminding me that we did not write a "juicy word" list today.  We will do it tomorrow for sure.

Have a wonderful evening.  Thank you Braydon and Hope for helping me edit this post.

P.S.  I have asked the kids to make a Valentine holder at home which they can bring to school on Tuesday.  You may make a holder/envelope out of paper, shoe boxes or kleenex boxes.

February 8

Happy Wednesday families!  Today was a busy day.  This morning we had our usual routine.  During Daily 5 I was listening to several students read their non-fiction books.  We are still working on our comprehension strategies which we continue to learn about in CAFE.  Our strategy for the day was Tune In To Interesting Words.  Tomorrow we will be getting a juicy words collection sheet where we can add interesting words that we come across in our reading.  We read a bit of a Fancy Nancy book which definitely helped us tune in to interesting words.

Today in Writer's Workshop we had the option of working on our twinkle twinkle song or creating a completely new song.  I know Mrs. McBride is very eager to hear what we have written.

In Math today we continued to learn about fractions.  We played a fractions bingo game.  This bingo card has been sent home with each child for extra practice.  They will tell you how to play.

Today we practiced our word work strategies during Words Their Way. I met with a new group and we learned about many new interesting words.  Such as the difference between stationery and stationary.

Today during S4 we talked about using words to create sunny days rather than words that create stormy days.  

Book orders are due on Monday February 13.

Have a wonderful evening.