Halloween/Fall Festival

SJA students began the day with a house game. Representatives from each house used toilet paper to wrap up one of their house leaders. Congratulations to Kappa for their splendid job on mummifying Mme. Stella.
Grade 3s and 4s began their academic day learning new comma rules:

• Use commas to separate items in a list
• Use commas to separate day, month and year 

Students who finished their work early had time to read in class. Both grades spent time reviewing list 9 words for Friday's spelling test. In arithmetic, students learned to show multiplication in 6 different ways. They learned that division is the opposite of multiplication.
Students continued working on their quatrain poems. Many have completed the good copy of their poem.
Students ended the day attending the Halloween/Fall Festival put on the Ms Elliot's grade 7 & 8 class. The children were very excited about all the extra activities today.
The children also attended gym, music and french class today.

Reminders:

• Review spelling words for Friday's spelling test
• Arithmetic p. 63 & 64
• Tomorrow is Casual Day for those participating

Commas

Grade 3s began their day with a math test. Grade 4s continued to explore angles in quadrilaterals. They are becoming more comfortable using a protractor to measure angles in a closed figure. They are also using geometry terms to describe their thinking. Many of these terms will be on their spelling test this week. No MMS homework has been assigned yet as we have not completed our class lesson yet.
Both grades worked on list 9 spelling words. In arithmetic, students practised counting money amounts with 25 cents.
We did not get through our poetry lessonn today, as it was time to have our pictures taken.
In language, we learned 3 rules about how commas are used in sentences.

• Commas are used after a yes or no at the beginning of a sentence
• Commas are used after a person's name in a direct address
• Commas are used to separate cities from states or cities from provinces

Scholastic order forms are coming home today for families who would like to order. Forms are due back Friday,  November 9. Cheques only please.

Tomorrow is our Halloween/Fall Festival Spirit Day. Students may come to school in their costumes or wear fall colours.

Children attended gym, french and drama class today.

Reminders

• Study list 9 words for Friday's spelling test
• Arithmetic p. 61 & 62
• Scholastic due Nov. 9
• $2.50 is needed to participate in the Halloween Festival from 2:30 - 4:00 tomorrow, parents are welcome to attend

Two-Digit Quotients

This morning our class welcomed Mr. Browning to grade 3 & 4. Mr Browning will be assisting in our class for the next month or so.
Grade 3s and 4s began their day working on language rules involving periods. Students were familiar with most of the rules covered today.

• End declarative sentences with a period
• Initials are followed by a period
• Abbreviated titles of respect are followed by a period
• Abbreviated months of the year and days of the week are followed by a period

The class got to enjoy 20 minutes of silent reading today before they started working on list 9 spelling words.
In arithmetic, we worked on long division problems where we have a 2-digit quotient. The children finally got to discover what "bring down" means. Most children will need to complete today's arithmetic for homework and they may need some support to correctly complete the long-division problems.
In an effort to be internationally-minded, the children were presented with a picture of Barack Obama. They shared what they already know about him as well as questions they have. Students will be researching to find answers to the questions they have.
In our poetry unit, the children watched a wonderful DVD called A Child's Garden of Poetry. It included animated readings of poems and reflections of the poems by children.
In math, grade 4s continued working to discover the properties of quadrilaterals. Grade 3s took up the test that they wrote on Friday. The grade 3s are bringing their test home today. Please take time to review the test with your child as the class will be writing a retest tomorrow.
Look about for a Parent Guild letter coming home today.

The class attended gym, music and french today

Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3: Sign and review unit test, study for tomorrow's retest on patterns in addition and subtraction
• MMS 4 p. 40 & 41
• Arithmetic p. 59 & 60
• Research questions about Barack Obama
• RSVP to Parent Guild today
• Tomorrow is Picture Day

Quadrilaterals and El-Dorado

The students of SJA started the day with a house game. Students from grade 1 and teachers faced each other in a hockey shoot off with a basketball. Well done to Theta for winning the student game, and Zeta for the teacher game.
Back in grade 3 & 4, the class was in for a special treat. Mr. Sawatsky visited our class to share one of his favourite poems. The poem was by the Beat poet Jack Keruoac. Mr. Sawatsky read the poem to the class and invited the class to share their thoughts on interesting words they heard. He shared the meaning of the poem, some history of poetry and discussed literary devices that poets use. He also told the students that the only rules for writing poetry are the rules the poet subscribes him/herself to. The children were very happy to hear this rule!
Both grades wrote their spelling test today. Spelling, arithmetic and language tests are coming home today. Please take time to review the tests with your child, sign them and return them to school on Monday.
Grade 4s worked on exploring quadrilaterals in math today. Ask your child what a quadrilateral is and to name as many examples as they can of quadrilaterals. We created a chart to organise the properties of quadrilaterals that relates to their sides and diagonals. Students measured the lines and commented on how may pairs of equal or parallel sides there were. Grade 4s students need to complete this chart for homework over the weekend.
Grade 3 students worked on their unit test on patterns in addition and subtraction. These tests will be coming home on Monday. They also took time to review the unit problem they worked on yesterday to ensure that they showed their thinking.
In our second history lesson, the class learned how the Spanish came to South America and the gold that was discovered with native peoples. Ask your child to tell you what they remember about this time period in history. They ended the day working on a picture of a conquistador.
The children also attended gym and french class today.

Reminders:

• Sign all tests coming home today
• Grade 4s are to complete the chart on the properties of quadrilaterals in their Duo-tangs

Rhyming Patterns

Grade 3s and 4s began their day by taking up yesterday's language test and writing another language test and an arithmetic test. All tests will be coming home tomorrow.
Both grades worked on reviewing list 8 words for tomorrow's spelling test.
In our inquiry into how artists express themselves through poetry, students enjoyed listening to and discussing many poems written by Jack Prelutsky. We discussed who the intended audience for the poems might be. The grade 3s and 4s have a preference for humorous poetry! The form of poem under student today was the quatrain poem. Students made connections to french and cinquain poems and correctly deduced that a quatrain poem is a 4 lined poem. These poems rhyme. We examined 3 poems with different rhyming patterns. Students then used what they had learned to identify the rhyming patterns in 2 different quatrain poems.
In math, grade 3s worked to complete their review of patterns in addition and subtraction. They are bringing their review home. Parents, please work with your child to complete the review and/or correct any questions to prepare for tomorrow's unit test. Grade 3s worked with a partner to solve a unit problem to show what they have learned during this unit.
Grade 4s continued to learn about measuring angles. Today, we made another non-standard protractor from wax paper. This one was made up of 8 congruent slices. They used this protractor to measure angles. They also learned about the standard protractor which is made up of 180 congruent slices. They learned how to position the protractor when measuring angles clockwise and counter-clockwise. They are bringing their protractors home with them today so they can complete their math homework. Remember to return protractors to school tomorrow.

Reminders:

• Review list 8 words for tomorrow's spelling test
• MMS 3, review pages 28 - 53 and the review pages coming home for tomorrow's unit test
• MMS 4 p. 38 & 39
• Cinderella trip forms are due tomorrow
• Photo forms are due (Select a pose and background colour)
• $2.50 for the Halloween/Fall Festival event next week

Multiplying by a factor of 5

Grade 3s and 4s began their day with a language test. This test will come home on Friday. Both grades also worked list 8 spelling words in class. Many students got to enjoy 20 minutes of independent reading in class today. In arithmetic, we discussed how to find a product when one of the factors is 5. Our class agreed that this was easy peasy!
In our poetry unit, students worked on finishing a good copy of their shape poem. Some students have even written and published a second shape poem.
In math, grade 3s worked on review work to help them prepare for Friday's test on patterns in addition and subtraction. Grade 3s should review pages 28 - 53 in their homework books and see me during second recess tomorrow if they have any questions about their homework.Grade 4s worked on exploring angles by comparing them to a pattern block square. We took today's math lesson to compete yesterday's lesson and to take up yesterday's MMS homework as many students had a hard time completing it correctly. No new MMS homework has been assigned for today.
The children attended gym, french and music class today. Some students are bringing french work to complete at home.

Reminders:

• Review list 8 words for Friday's spelling test
• MMS 3 Review p. 28 - 53 for Friday's unit test
• MMS 4 p. Correct and complete yesterday's MMS pages 26 & 27
• Arithmetic p. 57 & 58
• Trip forms for the Cinderella performance are due on Friday

Shape Poems

Grade 4 students had geometry lesson exploring angles today. They also heard about 3 geometry related words that will feature on this week's spelling test. Students learned that angles are found where two lines meet or cross. They were reminded of a right angle being the same as an angle in a square corner. They compared angles that were less, equal or greater to a right angle.
Grade 3 students used the standard algorithm for subtraction to subtract 3-digit numbers and to solve word problems.
Both grades worked on reviewing list 8 words for this week's spelling test.
In arithmetic, students learned to check subtraction problems by adding the difference to the subtrahend.
In poetry, the children chose a topic for their shape poem and used a word web to brainstorm ideas for their shape poem. They have been challenged to use alliteration in their poem. Some students have begun drafting their shape poem too.
We ended the day reviewing and correcting all our  language work on kinds of sentences and capitalization rules to prepare for tomorrow's language test. Students shared what they had discovered about Mayor Hazel McCallion too.
Students attended gym, drama and french class today

Reminders:

• Practice list 8 words
• MMS 3 p. 52 & 53
• MMS 4 p. 36 & 37
• Arithmetic p. 55 & 56
• Look out for a lunch letter coming home today
• Look out for a letter from SJA student council about a Halloween Fall Festival event
• Look out for a letter about a drama project coming home today

Alliteration

We began our day discussing what it means to be a global citizen and have global perspectives. Students are asked to focus on a local figure today - Mayor Hazel McCallion. Students posed questions about the Mayor and many questions were answered by other students in class. Other questions need further investigation. Students will need to research questions like: "How old is Mayor Hazel? Where was she born? Is she a good mayor? What is the most important thing she has done as mayor?" Some questions may be hard to find answers to, such as "What were her dreams when she was little?"
Both grades began their day doing review work on kinds of sentences and capitalization rules. Students will be writing a language test on Wednesday. Students who completed their language work got to enjoy 20 minutes of reading.
Students were introduced to list 8 spelling words for this week. In arithmetic, we practiced long division with a 2-digit dividend.
For our poetry unit, we read 2 shape poems about a jellyfish and a snake by Patrick Lashmar. Students discussed what they liked about the poems and were introduced to a literary device called alliteration. Ask your child to explain what alliteration is to you. WE have also begun reading a book of poems by Jack Prelutsky called Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face. 
In math, grade 3s reviewed the standard algorithm for addition involving 3-digit numbers. Grade 3s will be writing a unit test on Patterns in Addition and Subtraction this Friday. Grade 4s reviewed the meaning of congruency, figures and solids. They used tracing paper to check if two figures are congruent.
The children attended gym, music and french class today.

Reminders

• Practise list 8 spelling for Friday's test
• MMS 3 p. 50 & 51
• MMS 4 p. 34 & 35
• Arithmetic p. 53 & 54
• Research Mayor Hazel McCallion
• Language test on Wednesday
• MMS 3 unit test on Friday (p.28-53)

Poetry Sharing

Grade 3s and 4s started their day with a spelling test. Theses tests as well as yesterday's math and arithmetic tests are coming home today. Parents, please review the tests with your child and have them do corrections as applicable. In arithmetic, students learned to count money amounts that include dimes, nickels and pennies.
We had our first history lesson today. We will be covering Early Modern Times over the course of the year. Today's lesson went back to 1500 and the circumstances that led to Charles V becoming the king of The Netherlands, Spain and Germany (....and more). Ask your child to tell you what they remember. The children drew a map of Europe to show the countries Charles' family ruled. They also drew a graphic representation of today's history lesson.
For our inquiry unit into poems, students displayed their illustrated cinquain poems. They also recited their poems to the class. Children reflected on their own recitals ans well as the message of their peers. We are doing a great job of tackling all 3 inquiry lines for this unit in the first week.
Both grades ended their day with math. Grade 3s solved subtraction problems involving 3-digit numbers. Grade 4s had their last period to solve their unit problem on planning a cross-Canada trip.
Look out for Picture Day forms coming home today.
The children attended french and gym class today.

Parents of all SJA students are invited to a Cheese and Wine Evening by the SJA Parent Guild. This event will take place on Thursday, November 1, 2012, from 7pm to 8:30 pm at the school. Child care will not be available  Please make arrangements for your children to be taken care of. Please RSVP to parentguild@stjudesacademy.com by October 29, 2012.

Reminders:

• Sign and review math, spelling & arithmetic tests
• MMS 3 p. 48 & 49
• Arithmetic p. 51 & 52
• Picture Day forms
• Find our what a water mocassin is

Grade 4s started their day writing their whole numbers unit test. Both grades wrote an arithmetic test today Tests will be coming home tomorrow. No new arithmetic was assigned today. Both grades worked on their spelling words for tomorrow's test. Grade 3s got to enjoy 20 minutes of independent reading.
In language, we reviewed capitalization rules already learned and learned 3 new rules:

• capitalize initials
• capitalize titles of respect
• capitalize the first, last and every important words in titles of songs, poems, books, chapters, etc. 

Grade 4s continued working to show what they remember of grade 3 measurement concepts in preparation for our new unit. Grade 3s added 3-digit numbers with and without grouping using Base Ten Blocks to help them understand what regrouping means.

The children also attended gym, french and drama class today. Some children are bringing french work home that needs to be completed. 

Reminders:

• Review spelling for tomorrow's test
• MMS 3 p. 46 & 47

Cinquain Poems

Yesterday grade 4s began their day reviewing our MMS Whole Numbers unit. We managed to ge through our review and most children wrote their unit test too.Today a few children completed their math test. The tests are coming home today. Please take time to review the test with your child as the class will be writing a retest tomorrow.Grade 4s students worked in groups to solve a unit problem using the skills they have gained in this math unit. They are planning a 7-day car trip anywhere across Canada. They may not travel more that 500 km a day. They have to calculate the difference in distance traveled each day as well as the total distance traveled. They also have a to stick to a budget of $1000 allocated for gas, accommodation and food.
Grade 3s worked on a math strategy for solving word problems called Guess and Check yesterday. Today they worked on estimating when adding or subtracting by using rounding and front-end estimation.
In yesterday's arithmetic students practiced subtracting when there is a zero in the minuend and today we practiced dividng when the divisor is 3. The children spent time both today and yesterday preparing for Friday's spelling test.
In our poetry, drama and dance unit, students learned about the form of cinquain poems and discovered why they are called cinquain poems. Students read cinquain poems and reflected on their message. They then chose a topic of their own and brainstormed and wrote their own cinquain poem. Students have revised, edited and published an illustrated version of their poems. Some even chose a new topic and through the writing process wrote a new poem.
We have also spent time reviewing capitalization rules already learned and learning a few more rules:

• Capitalize words referring to God and the Bible 
• Capitalize proper nouns

The children attended gym, music and french class today.

Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 44 & 45
• MMS 4 Sign and review tests. Prepare to write a retest tomorrow
• Arithmetic p. 49 & 50
• Look out for piano letters coming home today
• Some students are bringing home french homework

How We Express Ourselves

Grade 3s and 4s began their day working on revising and learning the following capitalization rules:

• The first word in every sentence
• The word I
• Holidays and special days
• Months of the year, days of the week, BUT NOT SEASONS

They also enjoyed 20 minutes of independent reading time in class.

In spelling, they worked on list 7 words and in arithmetic the practiced counting money amounts with nickels and pennies.

We began a now unit of inquiry today titled The Poet's Society which falls under the transdisciplinary theme How we express ourselves. Students were introduced to the central idea for this them -  Through artists' expression,we get and give a glimpse of the artist's mind. The children were also introduced to our lines of inquiry for this unit, to which their responses were, "Huh?" Through experience we know that that is always our reactions to lines of inquiry and by the end of the unit we are very comfortable with explaining concepts.

Our first inquiry question for students to discuss with a partner was, "What makes a piece of writing a poem?" Students responses are on display in our classroom. The poetic form students were introduced to today is the cinquain poem. Ask your child to tell you why a cinquain poem is called a cinquain poem and what is unique about each line in the poem.

We ended our day with math. Grade 3s worked on mental math strategies called subtract tens then subtract ones to subtract 2-digit numbers. Grade 4s worked on reviewing measurement concepts they learned in grade 3. They will continue to revise whole numbers tomorrow and write their unit test on Wednesday.

Reminders:

• MMS 3 p. 42 & 43
• MMS 4 Study pages 12 - 33 Test postponed (again) to Wednesday
• Arithmetic p. 45 & 46
• Spelling - List 7

Unit Reflections

Grade 3s and 4s began their day with  a selling and arithmetic test. Both these are coming home today for parents to sign and review with their child. Please have your child do corrections if applicable.
Grade 3s discussed mental math today. The children practiced two different strategies that could be used to solve math problems mentally - take from one and give to the other and add on tens then add on ones. Grade 4s worked on reviewing whole numbers in preparation for Monday's test.
The remainder of the day was spent completing news reports and mosaics. Some students spent time reflecting on our rocks and minerals unit, telling what they enjoyed most about the unit and how the showed that they were an inquirer. Some students have began working on the cover page for their IB Portfolios. This includes choosing a learner profile attribute that best describes them.

Reminders:

• Sign spelling and arithmetic tests, do corrections if applicable
• MMS 3 p. 40 & 41
• MMS 4 Study p. 12 - 33 Test will be on Tuesday instead of Monday
• Grade 4 students need to ensure they have a protractor at school as we begin a measurement unit next week
• Arithmetic Workbooks are coming with students who need to correct or complete pages 43 & 44
• Mme. Stella is also reminding some students that they need to complete their french homework

Geologist Visit

Grade 3s and 4s started the day with dreaded division in arithmetic. They learned that division is equal sharing and that it is the opposite of multiplication. They learned what the terms dividend, divisor, and quotient mean. They learned the 5 steps in division. Ask your child to tell you what the 5 steps are. They also learned 4 different strategies for dividing (making equal groups, making the same number in a group, skip counting and finding the missing factor in a multiplication sentence). The practiced their new skills on a few problems and discovered that division is not so dreaded after all.
In math, grade 3s used Base Ten Block pictures to model 2-digit addition and subtraction. The grade 4s worked on using a strategy called making an organized list to solve word problems. There is no new MMS homework assigned for grade 4s today. Instead the grade 4s are asked to review pages 12 -33 for Monday's unit test on whole numbers. Both grades worked on reviewing spelling lists 1 to 5 for tomorrow's spelling test.
The children also worked on their news reports and are making good progress.
One of our students invited a guest to visit our class today. Our guest, Lincoln, studied geology for 7 years. He showed cool videos where the children saw the rock cycle and how all the 3 types of rocks are formed. He also showed slides off different minerals. The children were very excited to see the amazing colours that minerals come in. Lincoln admitted that many names given to rocks and minerals are tongue-twisters. Lincoln informed the class about possible career opportunities for geology students as well as the kind of companies that hire geology students. At the end of the visit, Lincoln spoke to the children individually as they showed him their rock collections and he gave insight into what kind of rocks they have collected.

Reminders

• Spelling lists 1 - 5
• MMS 3 p. 38 & 39
• MMS 4 Review pages 12 to 33 in preparation for Monday's unit test
• Arithmetic p. 43 & 44

Writing Process

We began our day by working on our news reports about or trip to the Milton Quarry. Students re learning about the writing process as we go. Most are done their rough copy, a few have completed their second drafts while others are doing their good copy.
In math, grade 3s used related facts to find missing numbers. The children are getting comfortable with explaining their strategies (making ten, counting on, using doubles or near doubles). The grade 4s practiced subtracting from a 4-digit number. They know that can check their answer by adding the difference and the subtrahend or they can check the reasonableness of their answers by rounding.
The children spent class time reviewing lists 4 & 5 for Friday's spelling test. In arithmetic, they counted money amounts with $5 or 5 cents. A few children even got all their homework done in class today!
The grade 3s and 4s did such a great job at working that we even got time at the end of the day to work on our news reports some more. Well done boys and girls!
The class attended gym, music and french today.

Reminders:

• Spelling lists 1 - 5
• MMS 3 p. 36 & 37
• MMS 4 p. 32 & 33
• Arithmetic p. 41 & 42

Tryptophan Tuesday

Our grade 4 students are looking very spiff in their ties and blazers today . Please remember that you must wear your sweater too.
Grade 3s and 4s began their week with math. Grade 3s showed the related addition and subtracted facts for 3 numbers, example, 3 + 5 = 8, 5 + 3 = 8, 8 - 5 = 3 and 8 - 3 = 5. Grade 4s worked on finding the differences between 2 3-digit numbers using place value concepts. They are using this strategy to solve word problems. Both grades spent time in class reviewing spelling lists 1 - 3 for this Friday's test. Friday's spelling test will include words from lists 1 to 5. In arithmetic, students learned how to measure objects to the one-half inch. They know to check if the zero mark on their ruler is in line with the ruler's edge or a distance away from the ruler. Most did not get time to work on arithmetic in class and will have to complete it for homework.
For our inquiry unit on rocks and minerals, we viewed a slide show about our trip to Milton Quarry last Thursday. This was a great way to remind ourselves of the things we saw and learned and the sequence in which things happen to the rocks at the quarry. Ask your child to tell you the sequence. The children continued working on the rough copies of their news report about our quarry trip. Some have started to make revisions to include important information they have omitted or to correct the sequence of events or the style in which they are writing.
The boys and girls also attended gym, drama and french class today.

Reminders

• Spelling lists 1 - 5
• MMS 3 p. 34 & 35
• MMS 4 p. 30 & 31
• Arithmetic p. 39 & 40

Milton Quarry

What fun this morning was! The children who raised the most money for our Terry Fox Run got to smush a cream pie in Mr. Browning's face, to the delight of all the children of SJA.
Our class was soon off to visit Milton Quarry and we couldn't have picked a more perfect day for our visit. The trees on the Niagara Escarpment were gorgeous. We saw how Dufferin aggregates had built a bridge across the the gap where the escarpment has been blasted so that the Bruce Trail can pass through. This may be a nice activity for Thanksgiving weekend.
Because it is an active quarry, students had a bus tour through the quarry. Our guides explained how the escarpment was formed and how their operation works. We also saw how Dufferin aggregates rehabilitates the land and the plans for the land once the mining operation is done. Ask your child to tell you what they learned.
Back at school, the children wrote this week's spelling test and then worked on writing a news report about our trip. This report is the main task where the children will show what they know about rock characteristics, how people use rocks and the effects that people have on the landscape, as we wrap up our first unit of inquiry.
The children attended french class today.
Look out for letters about karate and after care fees coming home today.

Reminders:

• Complete and correct MMS & arithmetic pages assigned this week
• Sign and correct spelling

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

News Report

Grade 3s and 4s began their day with math. Grade 4s practised using mental math strategies called friendly numbers and counting on to find the differences between 2 3-digit numbers. Ask your child to explain these strategies to you. Grade 3s used different strategies to recall basic addition facts. One of the strategies is to use fact families. Ask your child to explain what a fact family is.
In arithmetic, we learned how repeated addition can be written as multiplication and how multiplication can be written as repeated addition.
The children worked on reviewing this week's spelling works for tomorrow's test.
In writing, we reviewed the essential characteristics of a news report. Students used their ideas from yesterday to write a news report about Friday's Terry Fox Run. They are learning how to be good communicators through the written word. They are also preparing for the news report they will write about our trip to Milton Quarry tomorrow. Students are to wear their SJA uniforms for tomorrow's trip.
The class attended gym, music and french today.

Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 32 & 33
• MMS 4 p. 28 & 29
• Arithmetic p. 39 & 40
• Winter uniforms are to be worn after the Thanksgiving weekend

Weathering and Erosion

Grade 3s began their day with math. They learned about addition strategies such as doubles, near doubles and making 10. They are challenged to try use theses strategies when adding instead of counting on using fingers. Grade 4s used their knowledge on rounding to estimate when finding differences between two 3-digit numbers.They learned that rounding only the subtrahend gives a more accurate estimate.
In arithmetic, we learned how to multiply when one of the factors is 4. Students understand that the order of the factors does not change the product. Being able to confidently count by 4s will help with multiplication problems. Ask your child to count by 3s and 4s regularly. Most students did not have enough time to work on spelling today and will have to catch up tomorrow during class.
In our science unit, the children reviewed what it means to be an inquirer. Ask your child what they think this term means. Today's questions were What is weathering? and What is erosion? We discussed they ways that inquirers find answers to their questions. Students focused on reading to discover their answers. They worked with a partner to read texts and answer our questions about erosion and weathering. Ask your child to explain weathering and erosion to you.
We are learning about a new text form in writing - the news report. We read a news report about a fire gutting a school. The students contributed ideas on what should be in a news report. Ask your child to tell you what a news report should contain. Children began gathering ideas to write a report on Friday's Terry Fox Run.
The children also attended gym, drama and french class today.
There will be a free session of Microball Basketball at 4:30 pm tomorrow. All students are welcome to attend.

Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 30 & 31
• MMS 4 p. 26 & 27
• Arithmetic p. 35 & 36
• Count in 4s til 48
• Sign & review arithmetic test coming home today

Life Without Rocks and Minerals

Grade 3s and 4s began their day by writing a report about what life would be like without rocks and minerals. They used their knowledge of report format to include a general statement, idea paragraphs and a summary. They used their knowledge of the ways in which people use rocks and minerals to imagine what it would be like without these things.
In spelling, students worked on list 5 words. Please note, this week's spelling test will be on Thursday as Friday is a PD Day. We did not do new work in arithmetic today. Students wrote an arithmetic test to show their understanding of concepts we have been learning about.
In math, grade 3s began a new unit on Patterns in Addition and Subtraction. They used an addition chart to find addition facts. Some of the patterns they noticed were that whenever one of the addends is 0 the sum is the other number,  and that the sum is always an even number when adding doubles.
Grade 4s worked on adding 4-digit numbers using place value and expanded form. Most grade 4s prefer using place value when adding.
The children attended french gym and music class today.
Parents, please note that students need to come to school wearing their winter uniform after this Thanksgiving weekend.

Reminders:

• Spelling. 
• MMS 3 p. 28 & 29
• MMS 4 p. 24 & 25
• Scholastic orders are coming home today and are due on Thursday
• There is no school on Friday as