Oral Competition

Today was the day of our annual SJA Oral Competition. We spent much of our morning as an audience for the finalists from JK to grade 8 who presented their poems and speeches. Well done to all for their presentations and to the audience for being respectful while listening to others. We look forward to hearing the results tomorrow.
The children attended drama class with Mrs. Henein and French class with Mme. Stella.
In math, the grade 3s practiced drawing pictures as a strategy to solve problems. The grade 4s used transformations to create a pattern in a line or over an area. They are using math vocabulary to describe their transformations.
We ended the day working on grammar and arithmetic practice.

Homework & Reminders:

• Review English and French spelling lists for tomorrow's tests
• MMS 4 p. 114, 115
• Arithmetic p. 145,146
• Mood Machine - Build and test your machine

Making Guitars

In our inquiry into sound, we took time to review our last two lessons. The students discussed their results and came to the conclusions that the longer the object is that vibrates, the lower the pitch and the shorter the object that vibrates, the higher the pitch.
Today, we wondered how we can make a guitar out of the materials we have collected. The students reviewed the inquiry process for a task such as this. They are using science books about sound and pictures of guitars as resources for building ideas. They began working on building their guitars today.
Students attended gym, music and French class today.
In math, grade 4s used Microsoft Office Word to make transformations. They experienced the frustrations and successes of doing something new with computer software. They used the program to format a grid, select and copy figures, colour the figure and then transform the figure using rotations and reflections. The grade 3s learned how to slide a figure along a grid using Pattern Blocks.
We ended the day working on grammar and arithmetic practice.

Homework and Reminders

• Review spelling list for Friday's test
• MMS 3 p. 138, 139
• Arithmetic p. 143, 144
• Mood Machine - build and test your machine
• The SJA annual Oral Competition begins at 9 am tomorrow. Parents are welcome to attend

Pop Music

Our inquiry into sound centered around the question, "How does the amount of water in a container affect its pitch?" We used 6 empty pop bottles and poured incrementally increasing amounts of water into each. The children made predictions about which would have the highest pitch if we used the bottles as a percussion instrument. The children discussed what would vibrate and cause a sound when the bottles were struck. They carried out the test and recorded their observations. They then repeated this process, but this time the bottles were used as a wind instrument. Ask your child what they learned today.
The children attended gym and French class today.
They worked on spelling list 23 in preparation for Friday's spelling test. In arithmetic, they continued working to solve measurement problems. A number of children completed all their arithmetic in class - well done!
In math, grade 4s parctised making and recording rotations using Pattern Blocks. Ask them to explain how they know that a figure and its image are rotated. They also learned that translations, reflections, and rotations are called transformations. Grade 3s began a new unit on motion geometry. They practised using coordinates to describe locations on a grid and moving items on a grid.
We ended the day practicing our grammar and reading. The children learned the rules for the correct way to use is and are.

Here are some pictures of the grade 4s exploring mass and estimation of mass.

Homework and Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 136, 137
• MMS 4 p. 112, 113
• Arithmetic p. 141, 142
• Mood Machine - work on building the machine
• Bring in a clean 500 mL cottage cheese container and/or a 1 L yogurt container for tomorrow's science lesson
• Grade 3s,, get your measurement unit test signed
• Grade 4s, get your measurement unit problem signed
• Scholastic order forms are coming home today for those who would like to order - orders are due Friday
• Tomorrow is Casual Day

Vibrations and Pitch

We began our day continuing with our inquiry into sound. Today we wondered if vibrations affect the pitch of a sound? The children made their hypotheses to answer this question. They were then supplied with materials and had to design an investigation to test their hypothesis. The children shared the ideas they had for their test design with the class. They explained how they ensured the test was fair and what they would measure. They used a table to record their data - both qualitatively and quantitatively. Tomorrow the children, will share with the class if their data supports their hypothesis.
Grade 3s and 4s attended gym, music and French class today.
They worked on list 23 spelling words and agendas.
In math, the grade 3s wrote their unit test on measurement. The grade 4s continued with their unit on transformational geometry. They reviewed what a line of symmetry is. Ask your child to explain symmetry to you. Check to see if they use the term coincide in their explanation.
We ended the day working on language and arithmetic. In language we reviewed contractions. The children showed their understanding of contractions by writing and identifying contractions. In arithmetic they practiced their 8 times multiplication table.

Homework & Reminders

• Spelling - List 23 & Francais spelling
• MMS 4 p. 110, 111
• Arithmetic p. 139, 140
• Mood Machine - start building your machine
• Bring in a clean 500 mL cottage cheese container and/or 1 L yogurt container 
• Wednesday is Casual Day
• Thursday is the Oral Competition at 9 am. Parents are welcome to attend

Speech Competition

Much of our morning was taken up by drama rehearsals and the speech competition. We joined Ms. Chin's class in the small gym so that students could experience saying their speeches from the stage. It was a tough decision again, as the grade 4s did a great job and writing and presenting their first expository speech. Well done to all. Congratulations to Lara, Shannon and Kunsh for being selected to go onto the final competition next week Thursday.
We did manage to get some work done in class. The children wrote this week spelling test, and worked on arithmetic speed drills. Unfortunately I did not have enough time to mark the spelling tests in class today. They will come home on Monday.
In math, the grade 3s continue to review measurement concepts in preparation for next Monday's test. The grade 4s explored reflections using geoboards, geobands and mirrors.
We ended the day with finishing off a history lesson lesson we began awhile back on the first Thanksgiving.

Homework and Reminders

• MMS 3 study measurement unit for Monday's unit test
• MMS 4 p. 108, 109
• Bring in a empty, clean 500 mL cottage cheese and/or 1 L yogurt container (or a container of similar size) for next week's inquiry into sound
• See everyone at the Gala on Sunday

The Human Ear

The children reported their findings on sound in space. We agreed that we had to specify whether a person was in a spaceship or outside a spaceship, and if they were outside the spaceship, were they inside or outside their space suit. And.. if they were outside their spacesuit they would be dead by freezing and other grizzly descriptions best left in the classroom. But, if hypothetically, we could be outside the spaceship and suit and still be alive, the class agreed we could not hear sound. What sticklers for detail!
Today we wondered how humans hear. The children shared what they already know about human hearing. The knew that there is an ear drum involved in hearing and that nerves are responsible for getting messages to the brain, and that finally the brain interprets the signals. The children were then challenged to do some independent reading to discover more about human hearing. They learned some interesting new vocabulary such as cochlea and semicircular canals. They also drew pictures of the outer, middle and inner ear. They were grossed out to find out about the thousands of hairs we all have in our cochleas. Ask your child to describe how human hearing works to you.
Students are asked to bring in a  500 mL cottage cheese container and 1 L yogurt container (or other containers similar in size) for next week's inquiry into sound.
The children attended drama class next.
After drama, the children completed the arithmetic test they began yesterday and then spent time working on this week's spelling list.
After French class, the grade 3s did review work to prepare for the measurement test they will be writing on Monday, February 25. The grade 4s learned about translations and how to justify a movement as a translation and describe the translation in two moves.
We ended the day with the grade 4s rehearsing their speeches and the grade 3s finishing off their spelling work.

Homework & Reminders

• English and French spelling tests tomorrow
• MMS 3 - Study for Monday's math test
• MMS 4 p. 106, 107
• Memorise speeches
• Mood Machine - start collecting materials
• Photo permission forms that should have been in the reregistration packages are coming home today
• Bring in a clean 500 mL cottage cheese container and 1 L yogurt container (or other container of similar size) for next week's sound lesson 

What a Kazoo!

Our inquiry into sound was a very noisy one this morning. The children discovered through reading, that sound is a form of energy. They made connections between light and sound - they are both forms of energy and both travel in waves. The children wondered if sound  also travels in a straight line like light? We are trying to think of a way to test this question. They learned that sound travels through matter (gas, liquid and solid). What about space? Can sounds be heard in space? The children will be reporting their findings tomorrow.
Using their knowledge of vibrations causing sounds, the children made a kazoo. They tested their kazoos in class for LOUDNESS and softness. They could feel the tissue paper vibrating as the blew into the kazoo. We ended our lesson with an enthusiastic class performance of O' Canada on the kazoo. The kazoos are coming home today so families can enjoy some of the noise too ;-).
 The children had drama instead of gym today to help them get prepared for our Gala this Sunday.
In arithmetic, the class wrote a test, but due to the extended drama time we did not get done. The children will be given more time in class tomorrow to finish the test up.
Next up was music and then French class.
In math, the grade 3s are still exploring mass, the units of mass, and instruments used to measure mass. The grade 4s began a new math unit on transformational geometry. Today they made a map while working alone or with a partner. They then had to come with a system to locate the places and features on their maps. Every one used a coordinate system on their maps. We spent the rest of our lesson using coordinates to locate places on grids.
We ended the day with the grade 3 poetry contest. I am glad that Ms. Lopez came to help with the judging because the grade 3s were awesome. What a tough job having to choose between this group of children. Congratulations to all for your enthusiasm and commitment. The following children have been selected to move on to the final competition - Rachel, Braeden, Carter, and Abel. The grade 4s had some time at the end of the day to work on memorising their speeches.
A few children have shown me the plans for their Mood Machines and have received my feedback on their ideas so far. Today's homework is to compile a list of all the materials you will need to build the Mood Machine.

Homework & Reminders

• Can you hear sound in space?
• spelling
• MMS 3 p. 134, 135
• MMS 4 p. 104, 105
• Memorise those speeches
• Mood Machine - complete p. 11 (materials list)
• lunch forms are coming home today
• There will be a Francais spelling test on Friday

What Causes Sound?

Students wrote their test on light first thing in the morning. Tests are coming home today. Please review the test with your child, sign it and return it to school. Students should keep working on their mood machines. They need to complete p. 9 and 10 (restating the problem and planning) by tomorrow.
We continued with our inquiry into sound and we wondered what causes sound. The children recorded many possible reasons that cause sound. They then used a tuning fork to discover what indeed does cause sound. Ask your child to describe the investigations they conducted with a tuning fork, salt grains, and water. At the conclusion, all were in agreement that tiny movements (vibrations) cause sound.
We continued working on review work in arithmetic. We also began spelling list 22 today.
The children attended gym and drama class today.
The class had an extended drama class today to prepare them for the Gala event happening this Sunday.
In math, grade 3s learned about mass and the units we use to measure mass. Grade 4s tackled a unit problem to show the skills and understandings they have gained in our measurement unit. Grade 4s are also bringing home their Measurement Unit test. Please review the test with your child and then sign and return the test.
We ended the day working on speeches and poems. We got to hear the remainder of the grade 4s speeches and all the grade 3 poems today. Grade 4s now need to focus on memorising their speeches. Grade 4s have an additional day to practice as the in-class competition has been moved to Friday. The grade s in-class competition takes place tomorrow. All the best grade 3s!

Homework & Reminders

• Sign and return science tests
• Spelling list 22
• MMS 3 p. 132, 133
• Arithmetic p. 137 & 138
• Keep working on poems and speeches
• MMS 4 - sign and return test
• Mood Machine -complete p. 9 & 10 

Life Without Sound

Our school was a sea of red, white, and pink today. During convocation students received 1000 points for each pink, white and red item they were wearing. Well done to Zeta for winning this game by leaps and bounds.
What would life be like without sound? This is what we pondered in our inquiry unit this morning. Students came up with some interesting ideas, some of which led to more ponderings, such  as, what would the written word be like if there was no sound?
Students worked together to examine a scene and identify different types of sounds by volume, message, and targeted audience. The children shared their ideas with the class.
In arithmetic we continued working on review work.
Students attended gym, drama and French class today.
In math, grade 3s continued learning about capacity. Grade 4s wrote their unit test on measurement.
At the end of the day, students were introduced to their final project on light. This project is a challenge to design and build a Mood Machine using their knowledge of  the properties of light. This project will be completed at home with parent support. This is a great opportunity for inquiry for your family. The students can demonstrate the skills they have been practicing at school, such as application of knowledge (thinking), cooperating (social skills), listening, speaking, reading, writing (communication skills), organization, time management, safety (self-management skills),  and observing, planning (research skills).  The students should use a battery as an energy source. Attempts to keep cost to a minimum are encouraged. Try limit purchases to the following items: light bulb, insulated electrical wiring, and battery. Use materials that are already in your home, especially items from your recycling bin for the remainder. I have pictures of student work that would help get your creative juices going if you are stumped on how to begin this project. Students viewed these pictures in class today and were excited to get started.
We ended the day with grade 3s working on their poems and grade 4s working on their speeches. Three of the grade 4s got to read their speeches to the class. We will get through the remainder of the class on Tuesday. Try spend lots of time memorising your speeches this weekend grade 4s.

Homework & Reminders

• MMS 3 p. 130, 131
• Arithmetic p. 135, 136
• Study light for Tuesday's test
• Keep working on your poems and speeches
• Go over the science project and complete the first page, where you restate the challenge in your own words
• Tomorrow is a PD Day for teachers - there is no school for students
• Monday is Family Day - there is no school this day

Enjoy the extra long weekend everyone!

Jump Rope for Heart

In our inquiry unit, we spent time reflecting on what we have learned about light. Students worked with a partner to present all their learning to the class. Students were introduced to the sound portion of the unit. They took time to record what they already know about sounds and what they would like to learn about sound. They shared their knowledge and wonderings with the class.
Both grades are bringing home their Science Duo tangs today to begin studying for next week's test on light. Please return the Duo tangs to school each day, as we will be working out of them as we inquire into sound.
In arithmetic, students did review work on concepts that they have already learned.
They attended gym and music class today.
After recess we participated in Jump Rope for Heart activities. Students each received a jump rope. They then had to circulate through different stations in the gym, stopping to master different jump rope skills. The students definitely worked up a sweat through their awesome participation. Everybody was a much improved jump-roper by the end of it all.
Because of Jump Rope for Heart, both grades missed their regular French time with Mme. Stella. Grade 3s ended up giving up their reading time at the end of the day to make up for the lost time with Mme. Stella. Grade 4s had to work on their speeches and did not attend the make-up French time.
In math, grade 3s worked on understanding that capacity is how much a container can hold. They used different sized containers to measure capacity. Grade 4s continued to work on reviewing measurement concepts we have learned about in preparation for tomorrow's unit test.

Homework and Reminders

• MMS 3 p. 128 & 129
• MMS 4 - Study measurement unit - test is tomorrow
•  Keep working on Poems and Speeches
• Arithmetic p. 133 & 134
• Begin studying for the light test which will be on Tuesday, February 19. Bring Science Duo tangs to school each day
• Tomorrow is Spirit Day - wear red, pink and white and lots of it

Pancake Eating Contest

A Pancake Eating Contest was a very filling way to begin our day. One of three trays piled high with pancakes were given to each house. The students were then challenged to "devour" the pile. The first house to eat every crumb was Kappa. Kappa was followed by Theta and then Zeta. Well done to all students! Mr. Sawatsky added a new element to the contest by an additional flapjack contest for house leaders. Well done to Kappa and Zeta for tying first place.
Back in class, we wondered about how innovations in light technology have bettered our lives. Students read about technologies that use light to make our lives easier or that enhance our lives, such bar code readers and CD players. We ended the light portion of our inquiry watching a Bill Nye DVD titled Light and Colour.
The children had gym, drama and French class today.
In math, the grade 3s continued practicing money amounts using coins and bills. The grade 3s did not do a new lesson, and they do not need to do any MMS homework today. The grade 4s did review work on measurement.
We ended the day working on poems, speeches, and independent reading.

Homework & Reminders

• MMS 4 - Study Unit 6 on Measurement
• Keep working on your poems and speeches

Red, Blue and Green

We began our day wondering what would happen if we mixed different colours of light. Many children predicted that mixing light would produce the same colours as mixing paints. We reviewed the primary colours for paint (red, yellow, blue) and the secondary colours that are produced when they are mixed. The children read about mixing light colours and discovered that the primary colours for light are red, blue and green and that mixing them produces the colours of the spectrum, but combining all the colours of the spectrum makes white light.We ended our inquiry lesson watching a DVD titled All About Light. We are nearing the end of the light portion of our inquiry into light and sound. Students will be writing a test on what they have learned about light on Tuesday, February 19. Science Duo tangs will be coming home this Wednesday.
We are not doing a spelling list this week, to allow time for students to work on their speeches and poems. Instead we will be working in our Arithmetic books. Today students learned a 3 step algorithm for converting measures such as pints to cups.
The children attended gym class with Mr. Browning,  music class with Ms. Levterova, and French class with Mme. Stella.
In math, grade 3s worked to add and subtract money amounts using coins and bills. Grade 4s estimated and measured mass in grams and kilograms.
We ended the day working on poems, speeches and independent reading.

Homework & Reminders

• Arithmetic p. 131-132
• MMS 3 p. 126, 127
• MMS 4 p. 102, 103
• MMS 4 unit test on Thursday
• Speeches & poems
• Child care statements are coming home with some children today
• "Light" test on Tuesday, February 19
• Thursday is Spirit Day - wear red, pink, white 
• Friday is a PD Day - no school for students

Snow Day!

Yesterday we had a discussion about whether today would be a snow day. The children hoped it would be. Their wishes have come true. Have a wonderful day enjoying the snow.



Grade 4s, please make time to work on your speeches this weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Rainbows and Prisms

What colour is light? The grade 3s and 4s made their views known on this subject. We then read about prisms and how they bend white light into the spectrum. The children used prisms and flashlight to create rainbows. We discovered that rainbows have a circular shape instead of an arch shape as we had thought. They took note of the order of the colors in the spectrum. Some of the children already knew of the acronym ROY G BIV to remember the order of the colours in the spectrum. We came up with a new sentence to help us remember the order:
Rain On Your Glasses Bothers Iris Vision
Ask your child to explain what conditions need to be present for a rainbow to appear, and what acts as a natural prism in the environment.

The children attended gym, drama and French class.
In math, grade 3s learned how to make change up to $10. The grade 4s learned about capacity. They estimated the capacity of various containers and then found the actual estimate by using a measuring cylinder.

We ended the day working on speeches and poems. The grade 4s worked on writing their concluding paragraph today.

Homework and Reminders

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 124 & 125
• MMS 4 p. 100 & 101
• Please look out for letters and reregistration packages coming home today
• Speeches
• Poems

Orchestra Games

Today was the day we went to Roy Thompson Hall and what a treat it was to hear the Toronto Symphony Orchestra perform the Orchestra Games. In addition to this treat, the children had the privilege of performing with the orchestra as they sang O' Canada. This program was geared to children and especially to our unit on sound. We heard all the sections of the orchestra (percussion, strings, woodwinds and brass) compete in different categories such as glissandos, endurance, high notes, low notes, loud notes and soft notes. The children showed there enthusiasm for the performance by conducting in their seats, applauding, cheering and moving to the rhythm of the music.


Back at school, we worked on spelling and agendas.
With that out of the way, the grade 3s worked on their poems. The continued reciting their poem to each other, but also recited to the class. They are really committed to doing well in this competition. The grade 4s read about different ways to write the introductory paragraph for their speech. There are many strategies for writing an interesting lead. Ask your child what strategy they will be using. the also worked on the topic sentence for their introduction.

Homework & Reminders

• Spelling
• Poems and speeches 

Lenses

How do lenses help us see? This was the question we wondered about today in our inquiry lesson about light.Students viewed the objects further in the classroom and close by using the lenses from a pair of eyeglasses and a magnifying lens. We read about normal, nearsighted and farsighted vision. The children discovered that they have lenses in their eyes and how the shape of their eyeball affects their vision. They then used materials to make a water lens. The compared the magnification of different water lenses.

The children had gym, drama and French class today.
In math, both grades had a strategy lesson. The grade 4s used an organises list to solve a problem. Both grades ended the day working spelling, agendas, speeches and poems. Unfortunately we did not have the Think Pads out today. Children who needed to do research were unable to do so at school.
Scholastic order forms are coming home today for those who would like to order.

Homework and Reminders

• Spelling
• MMS Corrections
• Poems and speeches
• Scholastic orders are due Monday
• Remember to bring a disposable lunch for tomorrow's trip to see the Orchestra Games

Silhouettes

Today we combined art into our inquiry into light. The children wondered what a silhouette was. Some had  a vague idea. We read about the French politician, Ettienne de Silhouette, whom the art form is now named for. The children paired up with a partner, and using the overhead projector as a light source, drew a profile of their partner's shadow. This may sound like a simple thing to do, but the children discovered that their shadow models were wiggly and drawing the profile outline was more challenging than expected.
After gym, the students worked on spelling. We did an extra spelling page today to make up for  being on a trip on Wednesday. The children had music class with Ms. Levterova and then French class with Mme. Stella.
In math, grade 3s estimated, counted and wrote money amounts to $10. The grade 4s also worked with money, making purchases and then change using counting up to find the change amount. The grade 4s made an estimate of the change first and then compared the actual amount to the estimated amount to check the reasonableness of their answer.
We ended the day with the grade 4s researching and writing their idea # 2 paragraph, while the grade 3s worked on their poems. Many grade 3s are also using this time to do their MMS homework. The deal is that they then have to complete 20 minutes of reading at home instead of at school.
Letters about the Gala are coming home today. Please look out for them.

Homework & Reminders

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 122, 123
• MMS 4 p. 98 & 99
• Poems for grade 3s
• Complete Idea #2 paragraph for grade 4s
• Rememeber to bring a disposable lunch for Wednesday's trip

Bending Light

After a house game in this morning's Convocation, ZBP remains in the lead followed by KIP and then TSP. Representatives from each house participated in a racing game with the rest of the school cheering them on.
We began our day writing spelling tests and arithmetic drills. Spelling tests are coming home today.
In our inquiry into light and sound, we wondered what a mirage is and what causes them. Many of the children could relate to the mirage in the Tintin movie. The children discovered that light sometimes bends causing phenomena like mirages. To investigate this further we did experiments with water to observe bending light.

The children had gym with Mr. Browning, French class with Mme. Stella and Reading Buddies with Ms. Genco's SKs. The children helped their buddy work on reading and memorising their poem. Hearing the 3s and 4s encourage and praise their little buddies was very special.

In math, the grade 4s worked with estimating money amounts while grade 3s worked with exploring the relationships between coins and bills.
We ended the day working on poems and speeches. The grade 3s are making great strides and are ahead in their schedule, as many have a good deal of their poem memorised. The grade 3s worked together by listening to each other recite their poems today. The grade 4s had time in class to research details for the Idea # 1 paragraph. This paragraph is due on Monday. Please make time for your child to conduct further research for their speech this weekend.

Homework & Reminders

• Sign and return spelling
• MMS 3 p. 120 & 121
• MMS 4 p. 96 & 97
• Poems & Speeched