Wow! What a show! We are Hip Hop stars! The kids have worked hard during their Hip Hop lessons with Flo Jo for the last two weeks, learning their dance moves and the routine. They enjoyed transforming their black shirts into skeletons! They had opportunities to watch themselves so they could self-reflect, receive feedback, and make changes to improve their personal performance. The Hip Hop Show is truly a memorable one year after year.
In Math, the grade 3’s continued to learn about linear measurement (mm, cm, m, km) and measuring capacity (mL, L). Next is measuring mass. Please feel free to review these concepts at home to reinforce learning. The grade 4’s reviewed polygons before learning about measuring the perimeter of polygons. They quickly created a new book using the Book Creator app to capture their understanding. Those that completed their books uploaded it to OneDrive so feel free to ask your child to login to view.
In Science, we have continued to learn about landforms. They seemed to really enjoy learning about glaciers and icebergs this week. Some asked if we will continue to learn about more landforms because they are really enjoying it! They have become more confident using the Explain Everything app too. I just love their enthusiasm and have enjoyed learning alongside them as I am creating my very own landforms project on my iPad too; I have learned so much about these landforms that I never knew before! In particular, I love it when someone has researched and found a unique fact and shared it with the class as they look for answers to their own inquiry questions. They certainly are getting better at asking and recording questions on their “I wonder” slide.
In Art, Mr. Baumann has continued to do guided drawings. They have worked on drawing a dog. See some of our examples from Ana, Anna, Tyson, and Yoyo. I love how even though Mr. Baumann walks them through, they all look creatively different!
We have some exciting news to share. Next Monday, we have a student teacher from SFU that will be spending time with us. Her name is Ms. Grewal. The main purpose of the week is to observe, get to know the students, and to learn about the daily operations of the school beyond the classroom. After the week, Ms. Grewal will return to SFU for three weeks and then come back for another four weeks total before and after spring break. Please feel free to ask should you have any questions.
Brentwood Park’s Talent Show will be on February 24. Anyone interested needs to sign up for auditions. This is a great opportunity to showcase creativity!
I apologize for no post last week so this post will cover the last two weeks. I was in a ringette tournament last weekend. My own team lost in the semi-finals and my daughter’s team, who I coach, won gold in their division! It was a very exciting fun-filled weekend.
We welcomed our two new students: Anna and Yoo Joon. I am happy to say that students have been very warm and welcoming.
We listened to a story about making New Year’s resolutions, Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution. Click on image to watch:
Rather than usual New Year’s resolutions, students chose #OneWord2020 and shared on @padlet. Then we dove into our “magnifying glass” writing to record details on why we chose our word, how we are going to remind ourselves, and to come up with strategies when we know we will be challenged. Check out our “one word” resolutions!
For writing, we have listened to a number of stories about snow since we have seen a lot of it lately! Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright, Deep Snow and So Much Snow by Robert Munsch, The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett, and The First Sign of Snow (animated video). After listening to these stories, students were encouraged to use their creativity and were offered a choice in their writing. They could take any part of the story to change what happens next (almost like a build your own adventure) or they could write a continuation (like Part 2) of the story, or like The Three Snow Bears (which is a variation of Goldilocks and the Three Bears), they were given the option to write their own variation with different characters and different things these characters try before they fall asleep somewhere. I so enjoyed reading these stories because their creativity really shine through and I it makes me feel excited to see examples of how they are taking risks to incorporate new techniques in their writing! Click here to read stories written by Ana and Anna. Happy reading!
The class was introduced to a new app called Explain Everything. It’s one of the most downloaded educational apps and is similar to PowerPoint where they create slides, can add images, videos, audio, and record like an interactive whiteboard. Students are using this app to record their learning about landforms in Science. This unit is like a multi-mini inquiry project. First, we recorded what we think we know about mountains. Some students said they learned about landforms last year but when it was time to record what they think, they did not remember many facts. The next step was to be curious about mountains. Students were encouraged to record what they wonder about mountains. Then after some shared reading and a video, we recorded our new learning on a new Now I Know slide. Any questions that are not answered by our whole class learning then, students researched. This makes their learning personalized as they are able to make new discoveries based on their own curiosities. They have really enjoyed this kind of learning, finding images, and being able to show what they learned in this way! This past week, we learned about deserts. Next week, glaciers! Feel free to discuss what you wonder about glaciers. This thinking will help them with their work tomorrow.
We watched a short video on Wonderopolis on how mountains are formed. Click here to watch or click here for deserts.
In Math, the grade 3’s learned about linear measurement (mm, cm, dm, m, km) and practiced our measuring skills while the grade 4’s learned about regular and irregular polygons. As a class, we explored using our creativity and practiced the concept of symmetry and the line of symmetry. Then we examined how First People’s art often has symmetry and balance with various patterns.
As an introduction to early settlers in Canada, we borrowed Ms. Willis’ classroom and proceeded to use and take their things without the class knowing. (Well, actually, Ms. Willis did inform them we would be using their class for this purpose.) My goal was to help them experience something somewhat relatable so that they can empathize what it may have felt like for the First Peoples when the first settlers came to Canada. Looking forward to diving into further discussions and deeper thinking on this topic in Social Studies.
We watched a whole school performance, Hip Hop Hoop Dance. It is a story between two people from different cultures who teach each other about their people, culture, and dance as they develop a friendship. From Artstarts website:
Our collaborative Hip Hop Hoop Dance tells a story, exploring the topic of truth and reconciliation through the art of live theatre. It’s a sharing of cultures, both between the performer and with the audience. With both of us being people of colour, we realized we had both experienced aspects of colonization and assimilation. We quickly recognized the similarities between our respective cultures’ art forms, traditions and beliefs. We thought, we should celebrate this and build a performative piece that would recognize not only the celebration of similarities between cultures, but to celebrate the differences that are so unique. Terrance says, “… part of reconciliation is educating non-native people about Indigenous history. This show provides that information, to better understand the way of life of my people.”
Young People’s Concert on Monday, January 20: We will be leaving the classroom at 9:00 AM sharp to go to the bus. Please plan to arrive early! The bus will not wait for latecomers. This will be our final show in the Concert series.
Hip Hop: Students have been working hard to practice their dancing. It’s remarkable how quickly they learn. This year, students are to wear all black. If your child does not have a plain black top, feel free to take a shirt and flip it inside out or wear navy blue. Please feel free to bring in a black short or long sleeve shirt starting next Monday so we can add “bones” by using masking tape. The performance will be on Friday, January 24 in the afternoon.
Family Literacy Day and Readathon on Monday, January 27: Envelopes went home on Friday, January 17. They are due on Thursday, January 23rd. Regardless of whether you receive any pledges (collect money), your child is expected to return the envelope as this is their ticket in the gym door. This year, the school will be tallying fundraising pledges by division. The division with the most pledges will win a pizza party. Please have your child practice reading for up to 45 minutes so that they can read, uninterrupted for 45-60 minutes. They are to bring or have enough reading material for 45-60 minues and wear pyjamas and bring stuffies and a pillow if they wish.
Save the date and time! Our time in the Family Literacy Day and Readathon in the gym will be at 1:00 to 2:00pm. Families, please join us in the gym during this time. Parents, siblings, and grandparents are welcome!
Ice skating: We still need parent drivers for skating, please. If you have already volunteered, thank you so much. You should find the Volunteer Driver Authorization form in your child’s planner.
I apologize for the late update. In our last week in December, we performed “Your Welcome” at the Winter Showcase. I videotaped them each time the previous week and showed them the video so they could self-reflect on how they can improve. They were keen to watch themselves – well, most of them. I was proud to see that each time they practiced, they looked better and better. Hope you enjoyed their performance too! Thank you to our amazing music teachers for putting on a fantastic show and for the other staff and students who dedicated countless hours to prepare the choir, props, practices, etc. We also appreciate the parents who helped with the Winter Raffle and Pancake Breakfast. Our school is blessed to have such dedicated parents!
During the week, students worked hard to finish their Christmas stories with a partner. First, they used a story frame to brainstorm their ideas and then used storyboards to develop their scenes. Most were partnered with someone they did not know very well. I was so very proud of how every partnership worked so well and so hard together as they brainstormed, shared ideas, collaborated with patience and kindness, took turns, and successfully completed very creative and very different stories. So much laughter I heard as they diligently worked. These puppet shows using Puppet Pals have been uploaded to their OneDrive account. To view, ask your child to login to O365. Go to OneDrive and click on their story projects. Also look for your child’s written reflection on how they worked as a partner and some core competencies, “I can” statements, too.
As you are in your child’s OneDrive, take a look at some of their other work that has been uploaded. You will find their Time and Fractions & Decimals books, and toucan art, among other things. Consider this your child’s e-portfolio. We will be adding more key samples of work with reflections on our learning or core competencies.
In Math, we worked on probability and the likelihood of simulated events. Please check We are Mathematicians page for what was covered. We will continue this week but will move to Measurement soon.
Students have been coding away in Tynker. To make things easier, I have changed their passwords and will share with them when they return. If you wish and your child is interested, they can continue to code or play Prodigy Math at home. Please ask should you have any questions about either of these opportunities.
Some exciting news… we are welcoming two new students to our class! Please help us welcome them to our school family. We sadly say good-bye to Sophia who has returned to Korea though. We will surely miss her kindheartedness and warm smile and wish her well.
I hope you have had a wonderful break! I am excited to see your children first thing in the morning!
During our community circle time, we started the day sharing what we appreciate most about water. Then we read a story called The Water Walker written and illustrated by Joanne Robertson about a grandmother who walks to raise awareness about the importance of protecting water for life on our planet and for generations to come. Students wrote thoughtful reflections on what they appreciate about water, what they can do to protect or conserve, and their hope for how others will use water responsibly.
Pukana /ˈpuːkənə/ game is a traditional Maori (Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand) hand game that Ms. Innes taught them last week. When I asked them about it, they said they wanted to play again so they taught me how. I couldn’t find anything online that is exactly the same as how we played but this video gives you a sense. They had so much fun playing this. Ask your child about it!
On Monday, grade 4 students wrote their decimals test. The package of tests were sent home for parents to review. If your child still has their tests at home, please return to school on Monday. The re-test will be on Monday, December 16th. If you need a copy of the study guide, please go to We Are Learners page – Mathematicians.
For our new Math, we are learning about probability. First we watched a video that taught us about equal, likely, unlikely, certainly, and impossible and we practiced with some examples:
Then we watched an animation video that further reviewed these concepts. To learn more about the learning outcomes for grade 3’s and 4’s, go to our We Are Learners – Mathematicians page.
Students have been given Prodigy accounts to learn and practice Math concepts or if they had an existing account, it has been linked to our classroom. It’s a responsive online Math program that is tailored to your child’s needs based on the accuracy of their answers. Click here to learn more or sign in to play. For students, they need to click on the white button: Play Prodigy. They brought home their login information today.
This week, students started writing a Christmas story with a partner. I am always so pleased to see that no matter who I match up, each partnership works so well together. They look forward to this story writing time. We will continue with these stories next week.
I was noticing that there was an overuse of conjunctions in their writing or situations where using a conjunction would have been effective so Ms. Tas and I did a lesson on what a conjunction is and how to use. Students were either given a subject, conjunction, or predicate to start. Then they had to move around the room to find different people to create sentences that make sense. Students enjoyed themselves and laughed at some of the silly sentences that were put together.
Mr. Baumann has been teaching Division 9 art since the beginning of the year for a half hour a week. Recently, they have been working on winter and Christmas art but I wanted to share their toucans completed earlier in the year. If you have your child log in to their O365 account, their individual toucans have been uploaded for you to enjoy. I love seeing their creativity come alive as they produce different art pieces even though they are given the same instructions. I also appreciate the perseverance they show with the various art projects too.
Students have been practicing their song every day this week in preparation for the Christmas concert next Tuesday night. I videotaped them each time and they self-assessed so they could think about how to improve. They look better and better each time! If your child did not bring concert clothes in a labelled bag yet, please send to school on Monday. On the night of the concert, please have your child return to school before 6:30 pm. They will report to Ms. Walji and Ms. Basso’s classroom – Room 6. Please arrive on time. Thank you.
We had a great time today decorating gingerbread cookies with your big buddies today. We also enjoyed our last session of yoga with Ms. Gomes in the afternoon. We both noticed an improvement from last week in the way that they were able to be calm and practice yoga postures. She gave them a mini book to take home. Thank you for the support from PAC that made these sessions possible.
Ice skating forms are due on Thursday, December 19th. To learn more, go to our Field Trips page.
In preparation for Breakfast with Santa on Friday, December 20th, please have your child bring a reusable plate, fork, and knife in a labelled bag to school. Students can bring these items in starting on Monday.
We are collecting food for the Food Bank all of next week. Please bring non-perishable food items. Thank you.
Dear families,
In Math, the grade 3’s continued to learn about linear measurement (mm, cm, m, km) and measuring capacity (mL, L). Next is measuring mass. Please feel free to review these concepts at home to reinforce learning. The grade 4’s reviewed polygons before learning about measuring the perimeter of polygons. They quickly created a new book using the Book Creator app to capture their understanding. Those that completed their books uploaded it to OneDrive so feel free to ask your child to login to view.
In Science, we have continued to learn about landforms. They seemed to really enjoy learning about glaciers and icebergs this week. Some asked if we will continue to learn about more landforms because they are really enjoying it! They have become more confident using the Explain Everything app too. I just love their enthusiasm and have enjoyed learning alongside them as I am creating my very own landforms project on my iPad too; I have learned so much about these landforms that I never knew before! In particular, I love it when someone has researched and found a unique fact and shared it with the class as they look for answers to their own inquiry questions. They certainly are getting better at asking and recording questions on their “I wonder” slide.
In Art, Mr. Baumann has continued to do guided drawings. They have worked on drawing a dog. See some of our examples from Ana, Anna, Tyson, and Yoyo. I love how even though Mr. Baumann walks them through, they all look creatively different!
We have some exciting news to share. Next Monday, we have a student teacher from SFU that will be spending time with us. Her name is Ms. Grewal. The main purpose of the week is to observe, get to know the students, and to learn about the daily operations of the school beyond the classroom. After the week, Ms. Grewal will return to SFU for three weeks and then come back for another four weeks total before and after spring break. Please feel free to ask should you have any questions.
