Breakfast

Our inquiry, Who We Are, on nutrition and fitness, led to a discussion on the importance of breakfast. Students discussed when and what they eat for breakfast. They shared what they know about the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast, and the consequences on skipping breakfast. We also discussed what happens when we eat a meal high in sugar. Ask your child to tell you what they learned today.
Students reviewed list 31 spelling words, and worked on representing fractions in their arithmetic practice work. They continued developing dictionary skills in language.
Because we had a whole-school run through of our French Cafe performance, students did not attend regular French class with Mme. Stella today. We used this time to wrap up some of our O Canada unit, including reviewing (for the grade 4s) and learning the names of the provinces, territories, and capital cities. Students will be writing a map work test next week.
In math, grade 3s continued working with perimeter and area, and they showed that different figures may have the same perimeter and figure. Grade 4s worked on finding the perimeter of figures in metres and kilometres.

Homework & Reimnders:

• Spelling list 31
• MMS 3 p. 174 & 175
• MMS 4 p. 148 & 149
• Arithmetic p. 173 & 174
• Language p. 100 & 101
• SJA Dance tonight from 6:30 - 8:00
•  Bake sale continues all week

Who We Are

Today we began our last inquiry unit, Who We Are. In this unit we will be focusing on fitness and nutrition. Today's lesson was centered on defining fast food as well discussing a healthy and unhealthy meal. Students worked with a partner to draw and share a healthy and unhealthy meal.
Students attended gym and French class today.
They also worked on this week's spelling words, list 31, and arithmetic. In arithmetic they learned that the order of factors does not change the product. The solved equations involving multiplication with parentheses and three factors. They know that parentheses must be solved first in an equation.
In language, students started dictionary work. They know that they use their alphabetical skills and guide words to find words in a dictionary.
In math, grade 3s counted squares on a grid to find area. Grade 4s reviewed perimeter as the distance around an object. They then measured figures and calculated perimeter.
Some students are missing balzers and gym sweaters. Please check the labels of items your children bring home to ensure that have not brought home someone else's clothing.

Homework & Reminders

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 173 & 173
• MMS 4 p. 148 & 149
• Arithmetic p. 171 & 172
• SJA Dance is on tomorrow from 6:30 - 8:00
• The grade 7 & 8 Bake Sale is on each day this week at first recess. Items cost between $1 and $10

Unit Reflections

Our day began with a house game with a view on getting ready for our annual track and field event taking place on Friday, May 31. Students from Ms. Ms' class participated in a standing long-jump event and well done to Theta for winning the event.
In class, we reflected on all we have learned about in our inquiry unit How We Organise Ourselves. Students worked with a partner to record all they have learned. They shared their knowledge with the class, and then added their records to our KWL chart. We also spent time reflecting on how Ted Harrison's art makes us feel. Students then spent time appreciating and reflecting each other's artwork.
Students attended gym and French class today. We also spent much enjoyed time with our SK reading buddies.
In math, grade 3s counted congruent square units to find area. Grade 4s described the relationships among metres, decimetres, centimetres, and millimetres.
We ended the day continuing our unit reflections, completing our report writing, and working on our science fair projects.
Look out for a French Cafe letter coming home today.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Homework & Reminders:

• MMS 3 p. 170 & 171
• MMS 4 p. 146 & 147
• Sign arithmetic and spelling tests coming home today
• French Cafe letter

More Painting

Our day began with math lessons. Grade 3s found the area of a figure by counting congruent non-standard units, like a squares. Grade 4s practised drawing pictures as a strategy to solve problems involving linear dimensions. Both grades reviewed list 28 and 29 spelling words and write an arithmetic test.
In our inquiry unit we continued painting landforms, vegetation, and/or animals that represent Canadian regions. The paintings are on display outside our classroom. Take a moment to appreciate the artistic talents of the grade 3 and 4 students the next time you are in the building. Students also worked on finishing their first report draft comparing Canada's regions.
Students attended gum and French class today.

Homework and Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3 168 & 169 

Painting

Our day began with a math lesson. Grade 4s estimated and measured lengths in decimetres. Grade 3s continued making figures of sports figures. Be sure to keep an eye out for them while you are in the building this week.
Students reviewed list 26 and 29 list words today and completed arithmetic review work. They also worked on writing a report comparing two Canadian regions.
For our inquiry today, we continued with our representation of Canadian regions with inspiration form the Group of Seven. Students have made good progress with their painting.
We ended the day with working on preparation for French cafe.

Homework and Reminders:

• MMS 4 p. 144 & 145
• Arithmetic p. 169 & 170

Group of Seven

Today our day began with math. Grade 3s reviewed concepts they learned about in yesterday's lesson. They also had fun making life-size figures of famous sports personalities to help them appreciate their height. Grade 4s estimated and measured lengths in millimetres.
Students reviewed spelling lists 25 & 29 today. In arithmetic, they solved equations involving regrouping of addends. In language, they continued writing a report comparing different Canadian regions.
Next up was our inquiry unit. Today we reflected on how art is organised by the style of  artists. We focused on a group of artists that were at first unpopular for their technique - the Group of Seven.Students viewed and appreciated works by Ted Harrison and how they could identify the Canadian regions depicted in his work. Students then took time paging through many books in our classroom and chose a photograph of a Canadian landscape to paint in the style of the Group of Seven.
Students attended gym and French class today.

Homework & Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 4 p. 142 & 143
• Arithmetic p. 167 & 168
• Grade 4s: Variables and Hypothesis worksheet is due tomorrow
• Tomorrow is Casual Day
• French Cafe is on May 10. All are welcome - please RSVP to Mrs. Brasil by May 3
• Dance - Ms Elliott's students are putting on a dance next week, April 30, from 6: 30 - 8:00. The cost is $2.50. Grade 4s may attend. Proceeds will go towards Sick Kids Hospital
• Bake Sale. Ms. Elliott's class is also putting on a bake sale all next week. Items will cots between $1 to $10. Proceeds will go toward helping fund their trip to Quebec.

PowerPoint Presentations

How We Organise Ourselves was the first order of the day. Students shared their PowerPoint slide shows with the class. Students had the opportunity to ask and answer questions about their presentations.
Students worked on list 29 spelling words and arithmetic practice. In arithmetic, students learned that when solving a problem they need to always solve brackets first, multiplication second, and finally do addition and subtraction.
We worked on writing today. Students reviewed report writing. They chose 2 Canadian regions to compare and write about.
Students attended gym, French, and music class.
We ended the day working on math. Grade 3s measured perimeter in metres. Grade 4s began a new math unit about measurement. We will focus on length, perimeter, and area in this unit. Students reviewed what they learned about measurement in grade 3. They also estimated and measured perimeter in centimetres and metres. Grade 4s reviewed the fractions and decimals test they wrote on Friday. Students will be writing a retest tomorrow.

Homework and Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 166 & 167
• MMS 4 Study for retest and do p. 140, 141
• Arithmetic p. 165 & 166
• Corrected lunch letters are coming home today
• Review, sign, and return math (grade 4s), arithmetic, and language tests coming home today
• Wednesday is Casual Day

Earth Day

The morning was dedicated to Earth Day games, activities, and a viewing of Dr. Seuss' Lorax. From the sounds coming from the gym, students had a lot of fun. Teachers had in-school professional development, as we strive to incorporate more inquiry into our teaching methods.
The afternoon was shared between math and our UOI. Grade 3s practiced finding the perimeter of a figure in centimetres and metres. Grade 4s wrote their Fractions and Decimals unit test. We ended the day working on our PowerPoint slide shows about Canada's provinces and territories.

Homework & Reminders:

• MMS 3 p. 164 & 165
• Grade 4s need to submit a 3-5 paragraph research paper on their science fair topic by Monday

Pyjama Day

Students were very excited to be wearing their pyjama's to school today. This was the opposite of what I was expecting, thinking I would have sleepy children on my hands, trying to sneak in naps.
Students worked on their PowerPoint projects to show what they have learned about how Canada is organised.
Students wrote a language test, an arithmetic test, and worked on this week's spelling words.
They attended gym, French, and drama class.
In math, grade 3 students worked to understand when a kilometer is used to measure distance. Grade 4s continued reviewing fractions and decimals.
Grade 3 students worked together to begin the background research for their science fair project. Grade 4s had time in class to read the sources they have collected for their individual projects.

Homework & Reminders:

• Due to Earth Day activities tomorrow, this week's spelling test is canceled
• MMS 3 p. 162 & 163
• MMS 4 - Study fractions and decimals
• Grade 4s work on your background research
• Wear green, blue, and brown for Earth Day tomorrow

Math Competition

Our day began with the writing of the Mathematica Centrum competition. Students had 45 minutes to write the test. They also worked on identifying their reading habits, strengths, and goals. Students spent time reviewing list 28 spelling words and reviewing word usage for tomorrow's language test.
Students attended gym, music, and French class today.
In math, grade 3s used meters to measure length, width, and height. Grade 4s worked on reviewing fractions and decimals in preparation for Friday's test.
We ended the day with students either working on their background research for their science fair project or working on their PowerPoint Presentation for our How We Organise Ourselves inquiry unit.

Homework & Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 160 & 161
• MMS 4  Study fractions and decimals
• Language - study p. 86 - 96
• Work on background research for the science fair
• Tomorrow is Pyjama Day - bring a loonie if you would like to participate and support the SJA Student Council

Summative Task

Students were introduced to the summative task for our How We Organise Ourselves inquiry unit. They will be working in pairs to prepare a PowerPoint presentation of a trip through 2 of Canada's provinces and/or territories. They will use the research that they have accumulated over the past few weeks to answer all 3 lines of inquiry for this unit. They will use features of PowerPoint and the Internet to collect imagesto enhance their presentation. Today, Mr. Burt gave the students a short tutorial on how to use Microsoft PowerPoint. Students then paired up and chose their province and or territory. Some groups got time to work on the Think Pads today.
Students who did not get computer time today worked on this week's spelling list and arithmetic practice. Students are meeting with me daily to report their science fair progress. If you haven't made a trip to the library to collect resources yet, please try prioritise this, as research papers are due this Monday, and students are receiving time in class daily to conduct their background research.
Students attended gym, French, and drama class.
In language, students practiced using to, too, and two correctly in sentences.
In math, grade 3s reviewed what they learned about length, perimeter, and area in grade 2.  They also used centimeters to measure length, width, and height. Grade 4s used their knowledge of adding and subtracting decimals to add and subtract money amounts.

Homework & Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 158 & 159, review, sign, and return fractions test coming home today
• MMS 4 p. 138 & 139
• Arithmetic p. 163 & 164
• Grade 4s - keep working on your science fair background research
• Support SJA's Student Council by donating $1 and wearing Pyjamas on Thursday

Resources and Industries in Canada

Our day began with our unit of inquiry, How We Organise Ourselves.We watched a DVD titled Industries and Resources. This DVD informed us about how landforms in Canada are associated with resources. Resources allow for industries to develop in a region. This means jobs for people. Employed people need services, which in turn means more jobs for people. Students have a better understanding of how resources impact a region's economy. We also watched another DVD titled, Bouctouche, Jobs & Industry: The Amazing Map Game Show. We saw how the resources in Bouctouche, New Brunswick, allowed for specific industries, jobs, and a way of life for people.
Students attended gym, music, and French class today.
They worked on this week's spelling list (#28) and arithmetic practice.
In math, grade 3s wrote their unit test on fractions. Grade 4s worked on solving problems involving subtracting decimals. They did this by estimating, using place-value charts, using Base Ten Blocks and mental math.
We ended the day working on our Science Fair Projects and Language. Grade 4s have begun conducting their background research. They are reading the books that they found in the library over the weekend. Grade 3s have selected a topic for the science fair, but they need to decide what key words will be used in a search to find written sources for our Background Research. In language, we worked on the word usage with the words sit, sat, and set.

Homework & Reminders:

• Spelling list 28
• MMS 4 p. 136 & 137
• Arithmetic p. 161 & 162
• Language p. 92 & 93
• Grade 4s - Work on your background research
• Language test on Thursday
• Grade 4 unit tests on Fractions on Friday
• Earth Spirit Day on Friday - wear blue, brown, green

To continue our inquiry into how Canada is organised, we watched a DVD titled Canada's Landform Regions. The grade 3s and 4s continue to be amazed at the beauty and diversity of our country!
They wrote this week's spelling test and worked on arithmetic practice work. Students also worked on word usage in language.
Students attended gym and French class today.
In math, grade 3s continued with review work for their fractions test which has been postponed till Monday. Grade 4s worked on estimating and adding decimals.
We ended the day working on science fair. Grade 4s met individually with me to discuss their project proposal. Grade 3s met to vote on their project topic. The grade 3s now have to figure out how to turn their topic into a question that can be tested safely and fairly.

Homework & Reminders

• Correct and sign spelling tests
• MMS 3 - Study fractions for Monday's test
• MMS 4 p. 134 & 135
• Grade 4s need to find 3 sources for their research paper this weekend. Bring the sources to school on Monday as time will be allocated for reading on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

 

Canada

Today we began watching DVDs that teach Canada's history, geography, resources, industries, services, and cultures. The DVD we began viewing today is titled Canada for Children: The Geography of Canada. The children were amazed at some of the beautiful footage of our country's landscape and the amazing creatures that live in our country! It was fun using a DVD as a source for researching how Canada is organised, but it is hard to stop watching to take notes. This is a useful skill for students to develop.
Students spent time reviewing this week's spelling list words and working on arithmetic practice.
Students attended gym, drama, and French class today.
In language, we worked on correctly using a, an, can, and may in our conversations and writing.
In math, grade 3s worked on reviewing yesterday's lesson on fractions. The grade 4s practiced comparing and ordering decimals.

Homework & Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3 Study fractions for the unit test
• MMS 4 132 & 133
• Arithmetic p, 157 & 158
• Grade 4s are to submit their science fair proposals tomorrow

Hundredths

In our inquiry How We Organise Ourselves, students had the last opportunity to use the All About Canada Series as a source of information to discover how our country is organised. Most children finished their work  well in time, an indication of how comfortable they are becoming with researching.
Students attended gym, music, and French class.
They continued working on this week's list words and today's arithmetic practice.
In math, grade 3s represented mixed numbers using concrete materials. Grade 4s continued learning about decimals. Today they learned how to write and represent hundredths as decimals, fractions, and pictures.
We discussed the following aspects of our science fair projects:

• how to record all work and thoughts in our science notebooks
• the steps of the scientific method
• and how to ask a question

We ended the day working on language. Students continued writing sentences in the sequence that they occurred.

Homework & Reminders:

• Spelling
• MMS 3 p. 156 & 157
• MMS 4 p. 130 & 131
• Arithmetic p. 155 & 156
• Read the Science duo tang and brainstorm science topics for the fair

Tenths and Decimals

Our morning began the same way as it has recently. The students are working on research skills as they discover how the regions in Canada are organised acccording to landforms, resources, industries, services,  and cultures. The students look very comfortable navigating a non-fiction text, flipping from the table of contents to the text to the index and to the glossary. They are getting daily practice at writing a bibliography too.
Grade 3s and 4s attended gym, drama and French class today.
In class, they worked on reviewing this week's spelling list words and wrote an arithmetic test.
In math, the grade 4s were introduced to decimals. They know the correct way to read tenth decimals and how to represent decimals in pictures and as fractions. The grade 4s were awesome at today's practice work!
In language, we are working on writing sentences in the correct order. Today students wrote sentences to describe how they brush their teeth in a 5 step sequence.
The class was introduced to the SJA Annual Science Fair for this year. Look out for letters coming home today. Grade 4s are bringing home their Science Fair Duo tangs and science notebooks. Please help your child to remember to return these to school each day. Grade 4s are encouraged to read as far as the Project Proposal Form as that page is due this Friday. Also, schedule some time to visit the library this weekend to help your child collect sources for their research.

Homework and Reminders

• Spelling
• MMS p. 128 & 129
• Read Science Fair information coming home today

Resources and Economies

Our day began with our inquiry into How We Organise Ourselves. The children completed their research on their 4th Canadian geographic region. We discussed what resources are and the distinction between renewable and non-renewable resources. The class does not clearly understand the distinction and we will continue on working towards greater understating this week. The children also shared what they had learned about economies and taxes this weekend. Continue talking to your child about these concepts.
The class attended gym, music, and French today.
In spelling, the class began working on list 27 spelling words. They also worked on arithmetic review work.
In math, grade 3s had a strategy lesson where they used working backward as a strategy to solve a problem. Grade 4s compared and ordered fractions. They used pattern blocks and pictures to help them.
We ended the day writing our language test. Extra time was used to work on arithmetic.

Homework and Reminders:

• Spelling
• Arithmetic p. 153 & 154
• MMS 4 p. 126 & 127
• Grade 3s write a unit test on fractions this Friday

Fractions

We began our day with a house game. Mr. Sawatsky was very generous with house points. Well done to Theta for doing lots of catching up.
We had a double dose of our inquiry How We Organise Ourselves. We spent the first and last hour of class time researching the geographic regions that divide our country. While they worked, the children reflected on their learning styles, and we discussed how the research skills they are currently developing will be beneficial for their lives. We also discussed what an economy is. The children have many ideas on this topic. They are coming home this weekend, expecting to discover more about what an economy is. Please help your child to understand this by making time to talk about it with them. We also discussed taxes. The children wondered about taxes, and whether everyone pays tax on everything. The suggestion was made that they look at a grocery receipt to see if their families pay tax on everything they purchase. Please help your child to develop their understanding on taxes.
The children wrote their list 26 spelling test and worked on arithmetic review work.
In math, the the grade 3s represented fractions using the fraction symbol. The grade 4s used improper fractions and mixed numbers to represent more than one.

Homework & Reminders:

• Arithmetic p. 151 & 152
• MMS 3 p. 154 & 155
• MMS 4 p. 124 & 125
• Study language for Monday's test
• Sign, correct and return spelling test
• Return report cards, portfolios, and student binders
•  Discuss taxes and economies with your family

Map Making

Our day began with a continuation of the research the children began for our How We Organise Ourselves inquiry unit. The children finished off researching their second Canadian region. Be sure to ask your child what they have learned.
Students attended gym, drama and French class today.
In spelling, students continued reviewing list 26 spelling words, They also worked in their arithmetic books where they reviewed Roman numerals.
In math, grade 3s represented equal groups of a set as fractions using concrete materials. Grade 4s  used fraction strips to explore equivalent fractions.
In language, the children made a map to show what they have learned about maps through our regions unit so far.

Homework and Reminders:

• Spelling
• Return report cards with the comments page completed if you haven't already done so
• Return portfolios and student binders
• Arithmetic p. 149 & 150
• MMS 3 p. 152 & 153
• MMS 4 p. 122 & 123
• Language test on Monday - review p. 77 - 85 in language books
• Scholastic orders are coming home today and are due on Monday

Research Skills

The children began their day with our inquiry unit, How We Organise Ourselves. The continued the lesson they began yesterday. They are working in groups to practise their research skills by using non-fiction text to discover more about Canada's 6 regions, such as the region's landforms, resources, industries, cultures and economies. Today each group shared some of what they learned during their research yesterday. They then chose a new region to research and started working on their new region. We have some interesting questions arising during today's lesson. What are New Foundland and New Brunswick called 'new'? (Or Nova Scotia for that matter?)
The children attended gym, music and French class today.
In spelling, students continued revising list 26 spelling words. We began working on arithmetic again today. Students are learning to write Roman numerals 13 to 30.
In math, the grade 3s learned to represent fractions as part of a set using concrete materials. The grade 4s did a strategy lesson, where the used modeling as a strategy to solve problems involving fractions.
We ended the day working on language. the children practiced writing thank-you letters and addressing envelopes. They will write a language test on Monday to show what they know.

Homework & Reminders:

• Please return report card comment pages if you haven't already. I will make a copy for our records and return them to you ASAP.
• Return student binders and portfolios
• MMS 3 p. 150 & 151
• Arithmetic p. 147 & 148