Thank you

A big thanks to the students of grade 3/4.  It was a pleasure to be your teacher these past two weeks.  I thought we had an excellent start.  Best of luck with the rest of your year.  Mr. B.

Don't forget, tomorrow is picture day.

For those who ordered books this month, I gave the order slips to the librarian who will place the order.

Monday - pizza day has been cancelled for Monday.  Please make sure you send a lunch with your child.

Homework - there won't be much homework assigned this year outside of the reading log.  Students are asked to complete their Allegory of Clearview art piece for Monday.  Many students are finished already. 

Reading Log - remember to read for 15 min. each night.

Book orders - book orders are due Tues., Sept. 20th.

Sept. 22nd - Super Hero Day - come as your favourite super hero.

Tomorrow (Friday) - tomorrow we have a Spirit Assembly, so be sure to wear your house colours.

In English, we are working on visualizing.  Students were asked to listen to a story and draw what they visualized, as well as picking two words the author used that helped them picture what was happening in the book.  Yesterday we read "Watch Out! Big Bro's Coming!" by Jez Alborough, and today we read "Ish" by Peter Reynolds,  "Ish" is available at Tumblebooks.  Tumblebooks  Look for the login and password in your child's agenda from the first week.

In math, we continue to work on place value.  Try this site for follow up, you may want to turn the sound down. Bongo Blocks

Yesterday in Science, the 3s planted their bean seeds.  For a sneak peek into the future, take a look here:
Watch It Grow!

Have a good night!

Book orders - Book orders are due next Tuesday.

Grade 3s - In science tomorrow, we will be planting bean seeds and may get more than just our hands dirty.  It is a good idea to wear clothes you're not too worried about getting stained. 

In math, we continued working on place value.  Here are some fun sites to check out:

Safari Units

Place Value Pirates

Place Value Puzzler

A Lesson on Place Value

Shark Numbers

Snakes and Ladders

In Health, we started talking about personal safety.  Take some time to talk to your child about things that worry them.  By doing so, you can give some safety tips and help ease their worries. 

Have a good night!

Note home - There was a note sent home today indicating that the date for the Welcome BBQ has been changed to Sept. 22nd.

Book Orders - Book order catalogues were sent home today, and are due no later than Tuesday, Sept. 20th.

Home Reading Program - Your child brought home a yellow folder today to log their home reading.  Students have been asked to read for 15 min. each night, even on weekends, with parents being asked to initial when this has been completed. Students record 15 min. per day. For example, if a student read for 15 min tonight, they would complete one entry in their log. If a student read for 1 hour tonight, they would still only complete one entry. Entries are for each day. Once thirty entries are completed, hopefully in thirty days, your child will receive a promotion in our ranking system. The nautically themed ranks are: Powder Monkey - start, Cabin Kid - 30 days, Mate - 60 days, Lieutenant - 90 days, Commander - 120 days, Captain - 150 days, Commodore - 180 days, Admiral - 210 days, Admiral of the Fleet - 240 days, Rear Admiral of the Fleet - 270 days. There is plenty of time before the end of June for all students to achieve the highest rank. Good luck to all. 

Math  -  Today we started exploring place value and expanded form.  Here are some follow up sites:

Cookie Dough Spell the Number

Place Value up to the Hundreds Column

Place Value in Words and Numbers

Virtual Base 10 Blocks up to the 1000s Place

Expanded Form Up to 10 000

Grade Four Quiz

Grade Three Quiz

Have a good night!

Already??

Here it is Friday already.  It sounds like it will be a beautiful, warm weekend, so make sure you take time to get out and enjoy it!

Notes - please make sure to sign and return any notes that are still at home.  Check this past Wednesday's post for a list of what was sent home, and which ones need to be returned.  Thanks to those who have already sent theirs back.

Milk - Students in 3/4 can purchase milk at the school Paw's Up! store for $1 during the second nutrition break.

Pizza - Monday is our first pizza day.  The cost is $2.25 a slice.

Change of date - the Welcome Back BBQ has been changed from Thurs. Sept. 15, to Sept. 22nd. 

Have an excellent weekend.   

Wow, hard to be believe it is day 3 already!  The students are settling into their new surroundings and routines.  I think we're off to a great start. 

Yesterday, the grade 3s started off their Science unit on Plants.  We focused on understanding how much we depend on plants for our survival.  As we head into the fall fair and harvesting season, try to talk with your child about all the different uses of plants they see around them. 

In math, we have been looking at identifying basic patterns.  Today we met a friend named Spiney, and watched him grow over three days.  Based on the patterns they identified, students had to predict what
Spiney would look like on day 7.  Grade 3/4 then went on to work on creating their own creatures that grow.

In English, we started talking about Visualization today.  By listening to and reading stories, we let authors paint pictures or show movies in our minds.  As the students listened to a short story about a lollipop, it was amazing to hear how the students imagined so many interesting details.  Audiotapes are wonderful resources for practicing this strategy.

In art, students are preparing a piece called "Allegory of Clearview Meadows" for next week's Welcome Back BBQ.  It is based on Diego Rivera's Allegory of California.   See the picture above. 

Please remember to send back the forms that were sent home on the first day. Today, the Back to School edition of the "Kids Scoop News" went home.

Have a good night!

Welcome!

A big welcome back to school to everyone!  Thanks for checking into our blog.  Here is a great way to start the year, a visit with Franklin the Turtle.  Check out this link:
Franklin Goes to School

You can also check out the book at Tumblebooks.Tumblebooks.  The login and password are in you child's agenda.  In the search bar, type "Franklin" and you should see Franklin Goes to School among many other great books.

Handouts (and there were lots!) - on the first two days of school the following were sent home, with the red font indicating the form needs to be signed and returned:
- agenda
- classroom newsletter
- school newsletter
- dress code information
- school photo selection sheet
- Student Accident Insurance sheet
- Safe Arrival Consent Form
- Permission and Indications form for photos, publishing, etc.
- Acceptable use guidelines for computers
- Student Information Verification form
- School council parent nomination form
- Wasaga Beach YMCA information sheet
The bottom two were sent home with the youngest or only child each family sends to this school.

Have a good night!

A big thanks to students and parents alike for a wonderful year.  It has been a pleasure working with all of you, and I wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer. 

For those interested, the content of the blog will remain up for at least the summer, so if you are looking for fun and educational activities here and there, give it another look.

All the best, T. Babcock

Another sure sign that the school year is down to hours, instead of days and weeks, is the grade 8 graduation ceremony that takes place tonight here at the school starting at 7pm.

Most of the work that students have done has been sent home already, and report cards go home today, so everyone should have a manageable load to take home tomorrow.  However, the binders, pencil cases, indoor shoes, etc. still take up a lot of room, so bringing a plastic bag or two is probably not a bad idea. 

The students have asked to have a party tomorrow.  I will provide the drinks (juice).  Please know that there is NO expectation of snacks or anything else to be brought in.  I, for one, would benefit from fewer snacks in my diet. Students are allowed to bring a movie (G rated only please) to possibly watch and a game they may want to play during the afternoon. 

Have a good night.

Well, we're definitely down to the short stokes here.  It still hasn't sunk in for me that this is our last week.

Report cards - will be sent home tomorrow (Tues.).

Notes home - youngest/only students have a note on Heritage Day, and another from The Door Youth Centre.  All students have a note on school supplies for next year.

Our last math classes deal with the relationship between decimals and fractions.  Here are the (last) follow-up sites.

Quiz

Relating Fractions and Decimals

Convert Fractions to Decimals

Our last health class was today as well.  Grade 3's have focused on reproduction, and have joined the grade 4s as they work on what it means to resolve conflicts with family and friends. I have had some trouble finding appropriate websites for follow up.  I think for these areas, nothing can replace conversations at home.

Have a good night.

Today in art, some students began a project based on Van Gogh's "Starry Night".  Here, take a look.

The Starry Night

Have a good weekend.

Notes home - for youngest/only student at the school -Summer Family Fun from SUMAC.
                  - Kid's pass for the CNE
                  - Canada's Wonderland Starlight Spectacular coupon
                       - Ontario 2011 Fun Pass
                       - Georgian Bowl coupon

Today was our Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.  Luckily, the rain held off.

Have a good night!

Today we had a nice surprise, as the grade 7/8 class put on a multicultural fair.  Students learned about a number of different countries around the world and were able to compare cultural differences.  It's a big world out there!

Note home - on the Creemore Children's Festival on July 16th.

Creemore Children's Festival

Social Studies Grade 4 - the Social Studies teacher has asked that anyone interested in taking their castle project home to please do so by the end of the day Friday.  There were a lot of really well done projects.

In math, we have been working on adding and subtracting decimals to the hundredths place.  Here are some follow up sites:

Hundredths Quiz

Add and Subtract Hundredths Quiz

Modelling Decimal Hundredths

Decimals

Decimal Detective Game  (Pick Rookie or Cargo for decimals to the tenths place)

Tomorrow (Thurs.) is our Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.  The event starts at 1:40, so hopefully the rain will be done by then.  Students should bring appropriate footwear and clothes to exercise in, as well as sunscreen and a water bottle.  Also, one of the activities may involve them getting wet, so a change of clothes is a good idea.

Have a good night.

Thursday is our annual Jump Rope for Heart event.  Pledges were due today, so please get them in as quickly as you can. 

In math, we started working on subtracting decimals to the tenths column on Friday, and continued today.  Here are some follow up sites.

Quiz

Subtracting Decimals

In English, we are looking at identifying the author's opinion when reading.  Today, we talked about an article about Watson, the computer that played human opponents on Jeopardy! a few months ago.  Students offered their ideas about whether we should develop computers that "think".  What do you think??  We also have been writing about what we would put in a time capsule that, 50 years from now, would let people know what life was like in 2011.  What would you put in?

In Health, growth and development is our topic, with the grade 3s learning about the reproductive process.

Have a good night.

Jump Rope for Heart money is due this Monday, the 20th. 

In English, we are working on identifying the point of view of the author when reading texts.  Today, we read an article called "So Long, Penny?", which talked about reasons why we should get rid of the penny.  Many students had interesting ideas to share, and most were reluctant to give up their penny collections. Look for the article in backpacks tonight.

In math, we continued work on adding decimals.  Look for the corrected worksheet in your child's agenda tonight.

Have a good night!

Today was our area Track and Field day here.  You couldn't order a better day to be out and competing, the weather so far has been excellent.

In math, we started working on adding decimals together.  We made it about halfway through the first exercise, so don't be too concerned if your child has difficulty with the quiz.  We will spending the remainder of the week at least on this concept.

Adding Decimal Tenths Quiz

Addition of Tenths

In Health, we started discussing the four stages of development (infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood).  Mnay students had comments about their memories of the first two, and questions about what to expect as they move from the childhood stage to adolescence.  Take some time to talk to your child about their thoughts and questions.

Have a good night.

Jump Rope for Heart money is due next Monday, the 20th.

In math, we continue to work on decimals.  Tomorrow we learn how to add two decimals together.

Have a good night.

Today was our Spirit Assembly.  Wow, it is hard to believe there are only 13 school days left (14 for the teachers). 

We had a nice surprise today as one of the resource teachers from the Board office spent time with our class, as well as many others, educating about aboriginal culture. It was a great way to start our day.

Grade 3's put the exclamation mark on their EQAO experience with a nice ice cream sundae treat.  The 3's are to be commended for their hard work and effort this year getting prepared.  Enjoy the ice cream, you deserve it!

Here are some of the sites grade three have looked at during our Social Studies unit on the Early Settlers and the First Nations.

The Great Upper Canada Adventure

Kids' Site of Canadian Settlement

Have a good weekend.

Friday is our Spirit Assembly, so students should wear gym clothes that are also their house colours. 

Book orders, the last of the year, are due tomorrow.

Yesterday in English, the students played this fun inference game.

Inference Battleship

In math, we worked a bit more on decimals.  See yesterday's post for some sites.

Have a good night.

Reminder - with the hot weather, please ensure your child has a refillable water bottle here at school.

Book orders - the last book order of the year is due this Friday.  No worries about the mail strike, the books are delivered by CanPar.

Rockin' Rockets - the Engineering Science Quest from the University of Waterloo gave a number of workshops in the school today.  Grade 3/4 had a blast (hah!) making rockets that they actually got to test out.  

In math, decimals continue to be the order of the day.  Today we worked on decimals larger than one.  

Quiz

Number Lines (great for practice)

 In Health, we have started studying growth and development.  Today, we discussed how mammals give birth to their young and feed them using their own milk.  We also talked about the characteristics of human babies and toddlers, emphasizing the students' own experiences. I am having a difficult time finding websites for appropriate follow-up. Take some time to talk to your child about what we learned today.

In our staff meeting the other night, we talked about the following little cookbook that focuses on tasty and healthy treats for bake sales. I found more than a few for myself.  It comes from the Nutrition Resource Centre and is funded by the Government of Ontario.   Take a look here:

Bake It Up

Have a good night!

Note home - June newsletter with the youngest/only student at the school.

Note home - information on Jump Rope for Heart and the Great Northern Exhibition for the youngest/only student at the school.

Kids Scoop News for June sent home with all students.

In math, grade 4 worked on decimals and the tenths column.

Quiz

Comparing Decimal Tenths

Fraction Bars

Library Books - all books are to be returned to the library by this Friday, the 10th.  This is a sure sign that the school year is coming to an end.

Friday is our monthly spirit assembly.

EQAO - today was day 3 of the assessment, with a language and the last half of the mathematics booklet.  Tomorrow is the last day!

Have a good night.

Today, EQAO continued.  The grade 3s and 6s are halfway home!!

Tomorrow (Friday) - a PD day for the teachers, a long weekend for students.

Book orders - the last book order for the year is due next Friday (the 10th).  I called Scholastic today to find out what would happen if Canada Post was on strike.  Scholastic uses a courier service, so delivery of the order would not be affected.

The grade 4s trudged along on their own today.  In literacy, they worked on their letters to the Principal, trying to persuade her to start summer vacation on June 1st.  I'm not sure how parents would feel about that.

In math, we continued our exercises from yesterday.  See yesterday's post for some website follow up.

During art, we worked on our tessellation projects.  I posted a website in the last week or two to help you make you own at home.  The artist Escher was famous for his versions of this art form.  Here is everything you ever wanted to know about tessellations, and probably a little bit more.

Tessellations

Have a good weekend.

Friday is a PD day, no school for the kiddies.  Not so lucky for the teachers.

Today was the first day of EQAO assessments for grades 3 and 6. 

The grade 4s carried on with a review of fractions with an eye towards working with decimals over the next few days.  Here are some follow up sites.

Fun With Fractions

Quiz

Have a good night.  Go Canucks!!

Today was our monthly Character Education assembly.  Our last trait for the year is Integrity.

Friday is a PA day.

EQAO assessments for the grade threes and sixes start on Wednesday and continue into next week. 

In math, we revisited reflections using pattern blocks.  Here are a couple of sites for extra practice.

Patterns.

Quiltmaker

Reflections Quiz

Have a good night.

Monday is our character education assembly.  This month's trait was cooperation.

Next week is busy.  Wednesday is the beginning of EQAO, and Friday is a PD day (school for teachers, but not the students).

In math, we continue to work on transformations.  Here are some follow up sites.

Coordinate Grid Quiz

Translating (Sliding) Quiz

Tell me the coordinates

Plot the shape

Online Battleship game

Rotating (Turning) shapes quiz

Have a great weekend!

The 4s are away on their trip to the Medieval Fayre today.  I  hope they are staying dry!

In math, the 3s carried on with transformational geometry.  Yesterday, we did translations (slides).  Today, we worked on reflections (flips).  Here is a fun site from the Long Island Children's Museum.

Quiltmaker

The most fun kind of translation is a tessellation.  Practice with this site.

Tessellations

Quiz

Have a good night!

Tomorrow (Thurs.) - the grade 4s go to the Medieval Fayre.  Students are asked to bring a pencil so they can participate in the scavenger hunt.  Also, if students are interested in buying a souvenir, they should bring some money.  Finally, make sure you watch the weather report for Thurs.  Grade 4 will be spending most of their time outside.  Here is the website if you want a sneak preview.

Medieval Fayre

Have a good night.

Today, grades 4-8 had their Track and Field day here.  Luckily, the weather has held out.

Permission form - some grade 4s still need to bring in their signed permission form for the trip on Thursday to the Medieval Fayre.

In math, grade 3s started looking at patterns of motion in geometry.  Today, we looked at slides. Here's a couple of follow ups.

Patch Tool

Quiz

Have a good night.

Monday - Victoria Day holiday.

Tuesday - scheduled Track and Field day for the junior and intermediate grades.  Check with the weather channels!

Permission forms - grade 4s need to submit signed permission forms for the trip to the Medieval Fayre on Thursday.  I had thought the trip was on Wednesday, but found my mistake today.

In math, we continue to work on probability.  We have been working a lot with spinners, determining what gives us the best chance to "win" in certain situations.  Look at this:

Comparing Probabilities Quiz

Experimental Probability

Spinners

Have a great weekend.

The grade fours were off to Highlands Nordic today.  The weather seemed to kinda, sorta cooperate.  Seems like everyone had a good day.

In math, the grade threes kept working on probability.  Check this site out.

Chase Me

Note home - 4s only - information on the school Track and Field day on Tuesday, May 24th.

Published couplets are due tomorrow.

Have a good night!  Go Canucks!

Permission form - Grade 4s trip to the Medieval Fayre on Thurs. May 26.  Please sign and return with fee.

Note home - Learning Advantage brochure.

Grade 4 trip on Wednesday - the grade 4s and 7s go to Highlands Nordic tomorrow for the day. 

For grade 3s interested in learning more about pioneer life, and to follow up on our great trip last week, here is a booklet to work on.  **** Please note, this booklet was written for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.****

Pioneer Project

Friday is a dance for grade 4s, so grade 3s will have a games time during the last period of the day.

Yesterday in math, we started working on probability. 

Probability Lines Quiz

Spinners Quiz

Chances

Spinners

The Probability Page

More Spinners

Spinning Spinners

Have a good night.

Reading program - we have about 6 weeks left of school, so there is still time to hand in your reading logs.  Remember - 15 min. a night!

Today was our spirit assembly.

Next Wednesday is the grade 4's trip to Highlands Nordic!

Next Friday is the "Fun in the Sun" dance for grades 4-8.

Have a good weekend!

Yesterday was a big day! The grade 3s had an excellent day, travelling to the Simcoe Museum to immerse themselves in pioneer times.  As well, many students participated in a very entertaining talent show.  Congratulations to everyone who had the courage to show everyone what they can do.

The book fair continues for one more day Friday.

Friday is our spirit assembly.

In math, we continue to work on fractions.  Today we explored mixed numbers and improper fractions.  Here are some sites for practice.

Quiz

Fraction Models

Changing Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions

Visual Fractions

Have a good night.

Book orders - due tomorrow (Tues.)

Talent show - a notice went home today for the youngest/only student at the school.  Dress Rehearsal is Tues. from 12:05 - 3:10.  On Wed., the evening performance takes place starting at 7pm

Permission forms - 3s - Simcoe County Museum (the trip is this Wed.)
                            4s - Nordic Highlands

In math, we continue to explore fractions. Today we worked on comparing fractions with the same denominator (bottom) and then looked at mixed fractions (fractions with whole numbers).  Here are some sites:

Mixed Numbers Quiz

Fractions of An Area Quiz

Mixed Fractions

Fractions of an Area

Fraction Sorter

Have a good night!

Book orders are due Tuesday.

Permission forms and money (3's only) for Simcoe County Museum and Nordic Highlands are due ASAP

The grade 3s discussed prefixes and suffixes today.  Here is a follow up site:
http://www.missmaggie.org/scholastic/fishemup2_eng_launcher.html
The grade 3s also spent some time in science discussing soil.  Here is a short video we watched:
Soil Horizons

In math, we continue to do fractions.  Here are a few practice sites and quizzes.

Quiz One

Quiz Two

How Much Pizza is Left

Naming Fractions

Fractions - Part of a Whole

Bamzooki Fractions Game

Here is a download for a set of fraction bars - http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/47750

Have a good weekend, and remember to do something nice for Mom on Sunday!

Friday - pajama day!

Permission forms - 3's Simcoe County Museum, 4's - Highlands Nordic Trip

In math we started fractions.  Please see yesterday's post for website follow up.

Poetry presentations - tomorrow is the final day for poetry presentations.

Poetry Presentations - Thurs. for grade 3s, Friday for grade 4s.

Friday - pajama day

Book orders - due next Tuesday the 11th.

Highlands Nordic Trip - permission forms went home yesterday (Tues. 3rd) for grade 4s.  Trip is on May 18th.

Medieval Castle Project - for grade 4s due May 30th.  Here is a site for help:

Medieval Castles

This morning, the primary classes were able to travel to another school for Music Mania, to further the celebrations from Music Monday.  Here is the Music Monday site.

Music Monday

Today in math, we started working on fractions.  Here are some activities to get you practicing at home:

Flitting With Fractions

Exploring Fractions

Have a good night.

Please return - grade 3 permission forms for Music Mania and the Simcoe County Museum trip.

Book orders - due Tues. the 10th

Friday - pajama day.  Come dressed in your jammies!

Grade 3 Tomorrow - please be here a little earlier tomorrow, by 8:45 am so we are ready to get on the bus.

In math, we continued to work on division.  Please see yesterday's post for website help.

Grades 4-8 went to see Greg LeRock today.  It sounded like it was a blast.

Have a good night.

Permission Form for Grade 3's - May 11th trip to SImcoe County Museum

Grade 4's - need to be here a little earlier tomorrow (8:45) so they can go to the Greg LeRock concert.

Book orders - due Tues. May 10th

Kids Scoop News - May issue sent home today

Please return - photo orders, Music Mania permission forms, yearbook orders

In math we continued to work on estimating to solve division problems.  Here are some sites:

Long Division

Division

In health, we talked about the dangers of smoking and how to say no.  Here is some follow up:

Kids Against Tobacco Smoke

Have a good night, and don't forget to vote!

Note home - the May newsletter went home with the youngest/only students at the school.

Pictures - spring photo samples went home today.  If ordering, please fill out and return.

In math today we worked on estimating quotients.  In other words estimating the answer to a division question before actually doing the calculation.  Here is a little quiz to help reinforce the skill.

Estimating Quotients

Have a good weekend.

Note home - for the youngest or only student in the school.  Information on Before and After School Care.

In math today, we continued to work on division.  The grade 3s used a 100 chart to identify patterns, while the 4s continued to practice division by subtracting.  We focused on what to do with the remainders today.  Here are some sites for practice:

Patterns to 100 and beyond

Grade 3 Quiz

Division with a remainder

Remainders

Grade 4 Quiz

Have a good night.

Note home - for youngest and only, information and order form for the 2010-11 yearbook.

Note home for Grade 3 - field trip permission form for Music Mania on Wed. May 4th.

In math we worked on repeated subtraction/skip counting to do division.  Here are some practice sites and quizzes.

Division and Subtraction

Grade 3 Quiz

Dividing Two Digit Numbers by One Digit

Grade 4 Quiz

New Assignment - we have discussed the oral presentations of poems in our classroom, and the students were given the assignment today.  Here it is:

Poetry Presentation


It is time to share your favourite poem, or poems, with your classmates and teacher. By reciting your poem aloud, with emphasis and actions, you can show why this poem means so much to you. Here is what you will be evaluated on:

• Your entire presentation must be a poem of 15 lines or more. You can do a number of smaller poems as long as there are 15 lines in total
• You must memorize your poem
• You make the reading interesting to your audience, by use of your voice, actions, dressing up, etc.
• You need to hand in a copy of your poem or poems

You can write your own poem, or you can find one by a published author. Shel Silverstein and Dennis Lee are just a couple of the many poets popular with students your age.

You can also check out Kenn Nesbitt’s site, “Poetry 4 Kids”

Ken Nesbitt

Presentations will take place the first week of May. Good luck!

Also, check these out:
 
Shel Silverstein
 
Dennis Lee
 
Have a good night.

Welcome back, I hope everyone had a good Easter break.

Parent signature - please review and sign your child's math quiz on multiplication.

First thing this morning, we had our Character Recognition assembly for April.  This past month, the focus was on Responsibility.  In May, it is Cooperation.

In math, we continue to work on division.  Please see last weeks post for practice websites.  When working at home, please ensure you have counters available for support.  It doesn't matter what you use (pennies, buttons, bingo chips, etc.).  Division is a difficult concept and having a manipulative of some sort helps to breed confidence.

Can you believe it is almost May? 

Have a good night.  Go Habs, Canucks, and Sabres!!

Note home - Grade fours only "Home Alone Course with First Aid"

Talent Show - notes for those who are performing went home today.

Permission form - grade four only, for Gregg LeRock.  Please sign and return.

Math -- today we started division.  Try these out!

Division Bingo

Baseball (choose division)

Quiz for grade 4

Quiz for grade 3

Tomorrow (Friday) is Earth Day.  Observing is as easy as taking a bag out and picking up some trash.  Here are some sites:

Earth Day Canada

Earth Day games

Have a hoppy Easter!

Reminder - Thurs. is the Dance - a - Thon, so please bring in those pledge forms.

Wednesday - April 22nd is Earth Day, which is during the Easter break.  We may be going out for a yard clean up tomorrow, although the weatherpeople don't look like they are going to cooperate.  Make sure everyone is dressed in clothes that are OK to get a little dirty, just in case.

The Dairy Farmers of Ontario dropped by for a visit today to talk to the students about the benefits of milk.  Here is their website:

Dairy Farmers of Ontario

Also, some fun follow up sites:

4 H Virtual Farms

Illinois Agriculture Dept.

Some games and a word search from the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture

http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1566_1733_22582-71015--,00.html

Thursday is Yellow, Pink, and White day.

Math - we are reviewing multiplying today to be ready for a quiz tomorrow.  Grade 3s had a review class today, with the questions taken up in class.  Grade 4 worked on their review questions, and we took up the first one.   Grade 4 was sent home with their review questions and answers as a reference.  Question 5 is on the expanded form of multiplying.  Here is a website for more explanation and practice.

Expanded Multiplication

Have a good night.

Monday is our used toy and book sale.  It is not too late to make a donation, just drop your items off in Mrs. McKeen-Dobbs' room.

Monday is also spring photo day.  Dress up nice and shiny!

We revisited an old friend, Howard Wigglebottom, today during a talk on this month's character trait, Responsibility.  Here is the link to a great site with lots of activities.  Click on the link to "Animated Books" for the stories

Howard Wigglebottom

Have a good weekend.

Due date - Animal reports are due tomorrow.

Reminder - due to swimming, grade 3s will not be able to order milk or pizza on Thursday

The grade 4s attended the Watoto Children's Choir concert today at CCI.  Ask them how it went.

Today the grade 3s started a song to sing as a choir.  the grade 4s will join us later, as they were at their concert.  The song is "We Are the World" by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.  If you are of a certain age, you already know this off by heart, but for those who don't, here are the lyrics:

We are the world


There comes a time
when we need a certain call.
When the world must come together as one.
There are people dying.
Oh it's time to lend a hand to life.
The greatest gift of all.

We can't go on,
pretending day by day,
that someone somwhere will soon make a change.
We are all part of,
God's great big family,
and the truth your love is all we need.

We are the World
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true, we'll make a better day
Just you and I.

Well send them your heart,
so they know that someone cares.
And lives will be stronger and free.
As God has shown us, by turning stone to bread
and so we all must lend a helping hand

We are the World
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
so let's start giving
Oh there's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true, we'll make a better day
Just you and I.

When you're down and out,
there seems no hope at all.
But if you just believe,
there's no way we can fall.
Well, well, well, well let us realize
oh that a change can only come,
when we stand together as one (hey, yeah, yeah, yeah!)

We are the World
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true, we'll make a better day
Just you and I.

We are the World
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true, we'll make a better day
Just you and I

Have a good night.

Reminder - book orders are due tomorrow (Tues.)

Due date - Animal reports are due Wednesday.

Field Trip - Grade four is on their way to see the Watoto Children's Choir tomorrow.
Today in math we worked on multiplying with arrays and splitting them into two or more pieces to make them easier to work with. Check out this site:

Multiplying with Arrays

In Visual Arts class, we continued working on perspective, and then moved on to positive and negative values in art. We will look at a painting called "Brooklyn Bridge" by Joseph Stella. Take a look here:

Brooklyn Bridge

Have a good night.

Note home - scrap metal fundraiser from April 23 - 30th

Book Orders - due Tuesday the 12th.

Due date - Animal reports are due Wed. Apr. 13th.

Spirit Assembly - today was our spirit assembly, ask your child how it went!

In English, we have been reading "Sarah Plain and Tall" by Patricia MacLachlan aloud.  Many students have been following along in their own books as I read.  For those interested in hearning further adventures of Sarah, Papa, Anna, and Caleb, they can check out the book "Skylarking" by the same author, as well as "Caleb's Story".  Here is a site for Sarah's new fans.

Sarah Plain and Tall

In math we worked on using base 10 blocks to help us multiply when arrays are not practical. 

Lots of multiplying here!

Have  a great weekend, enjoy the warm weather!

Tomorrow (Friday) - spirit day!  Wear your house colours!

Note home - Grade fours - please sign and return the permission form for the Watoto African Children's Choir trip, which takes place Tues. Apr. 12 11:30 - 1:30


Used Toy and Book Sale - please send in any unwanted used toys or books for our sale here on Mon. April 18th.  Proceeds go to help the Wolfpack 'keep the wild alive' in our school yard.


Note home - for grade 4s, information on a Healthy Schools survey they will be participating in


Grade 3 - bring your swimming stuff (towl, bathing suit, etc.) for tomorrow (Thurs.)


Pizza - a reminder there will be no pizza or milk for the grade 3's tomorrow (Thurs.)


Spring photos - please fill out and return the form for spring photos


Today in math we worked on relating multiplication facts.  For more info, and a little practice, check this out:


Relating multiplication facts


Have a good night.

Note home - the April Kid's Scoop News

Reminder - please send back the slip for the spring photos that are being taken soon.

In math today we explored multiplication by 0 and 1. 

With April being poetry month, we have begun to take a look at some poets.  First, we looked at my favourite poem:

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

and some very fun poems by Ken Nesbitt:

Poetry 4 Kids

Have a good night.  Leaf fans, tonight could be it.

Well, it is a soggy one out there.  I hope everyone enjoyed the sun this weekend.

Notes home - info sheet for spring photos, Mon. Apr. 18th
                   - book orders due Tues. Apr. 12th.

In math, we continued to work on multiplication, focusing on doubling.  E.g. if 3 x 3 = 9, then 3 x 6 = 18.  If you double one of the multipliers, you double the answer. 

Double the Donuts

Archery Doubles

During Visual Arts class, we worked on perspective.  Here is a site to learn a little more:

http://www.explore-drawing-and-painting.com/perspective-drawing.html

Have a good night.

Senators knock Leafs out of playoffs!!!!!! (maybe this is an April Fool, maybe not. We'll see Saturday!!)

Note home - newsletters went home today to the youngest/only students in the school.

Monday is pizza day.

Have a great weekend.

Friday is backwards day. Today the grade 3s had their first swimming session. Everyone was thoroughly soaked by the end. In math we worked on creating arrays to help with multiplication. Here is a site to help practice. Arrays Have a good night!

In math, students are asked to have their latest math quiz signed. Reminders for swimming for grade 3s:

• bring swimmng gear, such as swimsuit and towel
• bring a snack
• bring a book to read as we will have some down time

Due to swimming, grade 3 will not be able to order pizza tomorrow. For grade four it is pizza as usual.

Friday is backwards day.

Today grade 3s worked on a poem called "The Ice Cream Taster" to practice for the upcoming EQAO assessment. Check out what we did here.

The Ice Cream Taster

In math, we continue to explore multiplication. Today, it was using the "guess and test" method. Here is a site to practice with younger brothers and sisters.

Teddy Bear.

Play this baseball game using "Multiplication" and "Easy", then after you swing for the fences, challenge yourself with more difficult questions. Opening day is tomorrow, a sure sign of spring!

Baseball

Have a good night!

The grade 6/7 class continues selling baked goods to raise funds for the tsunami/earthquake relief efforts. Everything is $1, just like the dollar store, and goes to a good cause. Swimming reminder - the grade threes start their three week swimming program this Thurs. - please remember to pack towels, swimsuits, and extra dry clothes. Yesterday was our character assembly, with the grade 3/4s singing Here are the words and a little clip: I Tell the Truth In math, we started multiplication today. We introduced the concept of multiplication as repeated adding. Here is the idea: Repeated addition . Have a good night.

Writing - we are writing reports on an animal that we're interested in. Students have already been to the library and had info from the internet given to them. For those interested in doing more, here is a great place to start. Enchanted Learning. Monday - Character assembly and a delicious bake sale. Math quiz - on Monday we will have a quiz on making change in money and fact families. Please see the website I posted yesterday for practice. Here is one to practice making change. http://www.funbrain.com/cashreg/index.html http://www.aaamath.com/B/mny313x3.htm Forms - please return grade 3 swimming form, and/or the Girls on the Run form. Have a great weekend.

A belated welcome back, I hope everyone had a restful break. Note home - Circle of Learning, Saturday April 9, Board Office Note home - wrap orders for April went home today, due March 29th Swimming for Grade 3s - swimming starts next Thursday, the 31st. Permission forms went home today and are due ASAP. Bake sale - the 6/7 class is holding a bake sale on Monday the 28th. In math, we worked on fact families that relate addition to subtraction. Here is a practice site: http://www.aaamath.com/B/sub34bx2.htm Have a good night.

Have a great March Break, and a happy St. Patrick's Day!!!! See you on the 21st!

Friday - wear green tomorrow as part of St. Patrick's Day, and book orders are due tomorrow. In math, we continued to work on subtracting. Students are still working on their skills when having to borrow from other place value columns. Here is a practice site: Subtraction games for kids In Health, we have started discussing dangerous substances like drugs and alcohol, with a focus on nicotine. Here is a fun version of an old favourite that help up to four players learn about the dangers of smoking. This site is based in Australia, so some of the questions might stump you. Smokes and Ladders Only one more sleep, have a good night.

Thursday - pizza day Friday - wear green for St. Patrick's Day Friday - book orders are due Next week - March break! Note home - for grade fours that signed up for badminton, it starts March 22nd, and goes every Tuesday at 8am. The teachers who are running the sport are asking participants to bring a racquet if they have one. Today we had a drumming workshop put on by a resource teacher from the Board office. Everyone had a blast, but very sore hands. I had no luck posting a recording I made of one of the songs. Hopefully I can figure this out during the break. In math, we continued to work on subtraction. Here is a site for help at home. http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_155_g_2_t_1.html?from=category_g_2_t_1.html In grade three science we are studying simple machines, specifically levers. These sites are a lot of fun, especially the mediaval levers one. Medieval Levers Ed Heads Simple Machines Sid the Science Kid Hit the Link for the "Rube Goldberg" activity. This one is a real challenge, but the payoff is worth it. FOSSWEB. Two days to go until March Break. Have a good night.

Book orders are due Friday. Friday is the day to wear green. Tomorrow is a drumming workshop here in grade 3/4. Math - we are reviewing subtraction. Here is a classic site to have fun with. Fix the water slide Have a good night.

Book orders - due Fri. Mar. 11th Fri. Mar. 11th - wear your green. Next week - March Break - whoo hoo!!!!!!!!!!! Math - this week we will be reviewing place value, adding and subtracting, and maybe even get into some money. Language - we have started analyzing texts and will focus on the difference between fiction and non-fiction. We have begun thinking about how to write full paragraphs with topic and detail sentences. After the break we will work on reports EQAO - grade three did a little practice EQAO today. Check out "The Wooly Mammoth" from this booklet from last year. The Wooly Mammoth Have a good night.

Notes home - Kids Scoop News for March, Talent Show Registration Form Today in math we returned to the land of adding. Check this site out. http://www.mathsonline.co.uk/nonmembers/gamesroom/bugs/bugrace3.html Today was our March Spirit Assembly. Have a good weekend.

Notes home - March newsletter, Wolfpack Recipe Challenge, and some information on the YMCA March Break day camp Tomorrow (Thurs.) - quiz on 3-D shapes. Please check the posts for the last week or so for many sites for review. Here are a couple of more I found today, the learner.org site is great for discussing faces, vertices, and edges: http://www.learner.org/interactives/geometry/3d_prisms.html http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PentagonalPrism.html Have a good night.

Tuesday - Dear Mrs. LaRue writing is due tomorrow. Today we had our character assembly. The character trait for March is Honesty. We have moved on from Synthesizing to Analyzing Texts. We will focus on the characteristics of different types of writing, such as what makes a narrative a narrative, what makes a report a report, etc. Here is a great description of what makes a Cinderella a narrative. Elements of a story Here is a game to help organize sentences into paragraphs. Our students probably don't have the background knowledge for the Cricket game, but try out the one about the Accident. The paragraph game. Today, we worked on creating nets to form 3-D shapes in math. Please see this past Friday's post for websites for practice. Have a good night. Tomorrow is St. David's Day, or the 1st of March. Lion or lamb?

Due Date - Dear Mrs. Larue writing tasks are due Tuesday Wraps - wrap orders are due Tuesday. In math, we have been working on 3-D shapes, like prisms and pyramide. We also have been studying the use of nets. Nets are 3-D shapes that have been flattened out into their 2-D shapes. Prisms and Pyramids Prisms and Pyramids Quiz Geometric Solids Practice your cube nets Mighty Math Calculating Crew Nets Have a good night.

Wednesday - wear pink to show your support to "Stop Bullying!" Thursday - from 6:30 - 8pm is Family Fun Night here at the school. Report Cards - please sign and return the bottom portion of the report card. In math, we have moved on to 3-d shapes from 2-d. Here are some sites: Click underneath the word "Introduction" to see different PRISMS in 3-D. Names of different 3-D shapes. A fun shape space game. Have a good night.