Monday, January 25, 2021

 Hello everyone.  My apologies for the late entry - I had technical difficulties and wasn't able to post.  All is good now and we are back on track.  Here is a brief look at our Monday. 

Students were introduced to hyperboles today - another form of Literary Devices used to make ones writing more interesting.  Hyperboles are extreme exaggerations that couldn't possibly be true.  These can be a lot of fun.  Students wrote the definitions on their snow globes and began to think of a winter-themed one.  We also did some worksheets together for practice. 

In math, we continued with telling time and started some elapsed time.  We also completed a mini Hooray for Arrays! sampler for our Interactive Notebooks. 

We did a fair bit of art in the afternoon.  Students were busy mixing colours for their colour wheel umbrella (with two extra sections).  I will post the photos of our work in progress tomorrow.  

[See Tuesday's entry.]

Lastly, we started some Zentangle designs on sampler squares to refer to later during art projects.  Two of a student's samples are here: "Cheesecloth" and "Florz". 

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

 Greetings!  

We had another great day, today, with lots of fun and learning taking place.  

This morning, the students started designing posters for the Recycling Program at Wagalus.  We have not yet begun our "training" for presentations in the classroom.

Next, we did some of the Readwell program - students are working at different levels.  I am enjoying spending some one-on-one and small group time with the students. 

After recess, we started math with Drills That Thrill and graphed the day's results, then continued working on subtraction involving borrowing.  Students are reminded to line up their digits carefully in their place values to avoid confusion.  I assigned only one page to be completed for tomorrow; the first two we marked together in class. 

After lunch, I continued reading Owls in the Family.  They are sure enjoying this classic story that takes place near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  Ask your child what is happening in the story!  We are coming to the end of the story; it will be sad when it ends.  I did not "make them" write a journal entry today :) 

We went outside for P.E. / recess today because it was so lovely and fresh, if a little on the chilly side.  The kids also helped turn the compost bin which is really a challenge to do by oneself.  I took a photo of the kids on the play structure but am having difficulty posting it; I will try again from home.

Lastly, we focused some more on social studies: interpreting legends on a map of Canada's Prairie provinces. 

We ended our day gathering the recycling and compost buckets from the other classrooms.  The students are enjoying doing this daily task.  I appreciate their enthusiasm. 

Enjoy your evening, and check back for photos if they are not yet posted. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE!  Pizza order forms went home today!  Friday is "Jersey Day" and pizza lunch. Please return this a.s.a.p. to avoid disappointment.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Good evening, everyone.  Here's a quick peek at our day:

After our spelling / vocabulary 'quizzette', students labeled and coloured a map of North America's six main biomes. 

After recess, we played 4-digit Yahtzee and had an Avalanche presentation in the gym.  Upon our return, we completed "Plangendas" and cleaned out desks.

After lunch, we tried a stretch.  Students looked back on their past year, and looked ahead to things that they are looking forward to in coming months. They depicted their thoughts / memories / wishes in a visual way.  Some chose a key hole, some glasses, and others made up their own.  The following are some examples; not all are finished.

 

 

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Good afternoon, everyone.  Here's a quick snapshot of our day.  (We changed a few things along the way, but the kids are learning to be flexible.)

After advent calendar, we sang The Little Drummer Boy.  It's a book that one cannot simply read if one knows the song!

We continued working on the Christmas Around the World: Brazil package before heading to the library.  During Library, the students watched two more trailers about books on the Battle of the Books list.  Next, Mrs. Draboczi taught the kids how to use Book Creator.  They made a simple Christmas theme page today, but will be putting their skills to use next week and later throughout the year.

After recess and P.E., we made skiiers (boys, girls, and snowmen) instead of doing Math.  These we will be sending, along with our letters, to the students in Campbell River with whom we will be sharing information about our biomes. 

 

During lunch, we practiced our song in the gym. 

After lunch, I read another story: Follow That Star.
With each of our stories today, we identified the perspective of the storyteller.

Lastly, we watched a couple of short videos about Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming (links are below) before continuing to work on our information package.

Greenhouse Effect

Global Warming for Kids/ Effects Explained

REMINDERS:
1. Ski forms (Grade 4's) if not in already;
2. Christmas Craft Fair (PAC) cookies (Gr 3's) and
crafts (Gr 4's) are to be dropped off at the office tomorrow, please and thank you!
3. Spelling U3 quiz Friday!

Friday, December 6, 2019

Greetings! 

Fridays are always busy, and today was no exception. 

So busy, in fact, that I forgot to take a picture of the daily plan. 

We had a spelling quiz in the morning... these kids are getting really good at identifying Greek and Latin roots, and using related words in sentences.  Their favourite latin phrase is ad nauseam!

We didn't do math because we had letter writing to do.  These need to get sent off in the mail so are somewhat of a priority.

Today was the last session of Explorations for the fall; the next series will begin in the spring.  Here are a couple of pieces from our multi-media class.  I am mindful not to put photos of students on here, just their work.

print making

This scene started off with melted crayons for a backdrop, then went from there. 

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

After shovelling out the car, I made it to school and this how our day went:

First, we went over the Greek and Latin Roots Unit 3 package together, discussing meanings of words and tricky spellings to watch out for.  Then it was time for P.E.

After recess, we went on our field trip to the Food Connections (Food Recovery program) and to the Revelstoke Bottle Depot and Recycling Centre.  A huge shout out to our hosts!  The Barnas even gave the kids hot chocolate and cookies!  We have lots of photos below!!

We returned in time for lunch.  After lunch and Plangendas, we continued with the article about "Why Leaves Change Colour".  We completed the package together, all except for the remaining paragraph assignment which we will do tomorrow. 

Some students finished up their Matisse art and reflection while others had Book Exchange and read "silently" until the end of the day.

 

 

Mr. Barna explained to kids what could be made from recycled items.








They were sure having fun!


                                                                                                                 Behind the scenes....

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Hi, folks. 

This is a slim post.  We did go to Southside today for a field trip to learn about foods: where they come from (distance, organic vs non-organic, seasonal...), costs differentiation and why, local and fresh foods (meats especially) and much more.  There are only two pictures of the cardboard compactor due, in part, to privacy and kids' photos.

Anyway, here's a quick look:

 

Monday, November 25, 2019

Good day, folks!  Sorry I missed the last couple of days last week, but that's the way it goes sometimes.  Hopefully your child filled you in, and of course, they have their "Plangenda".
Here's the shape of our day:

First gathered to read a story at the carpet.  The book was entitled OUT about a mother and daughter who left the refugee camp they were in and found a better life in America.  The story is non-specific, just touching about the feelings of love, safety and freedom.

Next, we chose our seats, then did a Just Dance warm-up before looking at our spelling words for the week.  We discussed their meanings, the three focus themes of the spelling patterns, what to watch out for, and which of the words are both verbs and nouns.  The package is due Wednesday for marking; the quiz will be Friday.

After recess, we did a new math drill: adding and subtracting 10 from random numbers using the Kim Sutton CD.  Next, we watched a MathAntics video about Place Values.  Some of this was review, other parts were new information.  For example, each group of three place values in a number is called a period.  We reviewed place values, values of digits, and expanded form.  Students worked on their package for a while, some finishing it already.

Then we listened to and sang our song for the Winter play: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Our song is The Candy Man, made famous by Sammy Davis Jr.!

Please note: The assignment Hailstorms and Hailstones is due tomorrow for marking / review.

After lunch, we did some art!  We painted monochromatic landscapes with a contrasting or complimentary sky.  Later, we will add separation lines and a few Zentangle designs to them.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Good day, folks!  We had another busy day - I am working them hard, but hope they're having fun!

Here's a look at our day:



Before choosing our seating for the week, we read and briefly discussed a story about Anne Frank.

Next, the students were introduced to more Greek and Latin Root words; they worked on their package for a bit.  It is due Wednesday, with a little class time to work on it tomorrow.
The spelling list is below; quiz Friday.

After recess, we did another drill, this time is was subtracting random numbers from 10.  While checking our answers as a class, the students are practicing using their math vocabulary.  Some are getting quite creative as to how to say "10 - 7 = 3", using "difference", "equation", "take away", "subtract" and "minus". 

During math, students also created a number pocket and cut out digits for making numbers.  We practiced some subtraction and addition problems, making the number in their number pockets.

In the afternoon, all of the intermediate students went to an Assembly.  The focus for this week is Respect: active listening.  Mme. Tedesco focused on this during the assembly.  Students of mixed grade levels worked together on an activity.  The teachers used this 45 minutes to collaborate and discuss curriculum areas to address in their classrooms.

Following the assembly, we continued drawing the Water Cycle (from Friday).  Here are couple of student samples:

 

THIS LETTER WENT HOME TODAY!  SEEKING MORE HELPERS, PLEASE!

Dear Parents,                                                                                              November 18, 2019

Thank you to those of you who responded to the first letter requesting volunteers - sent home November 4^th.  We have two volunteers but need more, please!

We have three upcoming outings for which I need parent helpers, please and thank you.  The dates and outings are as described below.  Please let me know as soon as possible if you are able to help out with any of these.

Thursday, November 21 – [12:50-2:15] - Winter Farmers’ Market – (Three parents required.) (Two more parents required.)   We will go on the bus.

Friday, November 22 – [10:20-12:00] - Walk to Mount Cartier Court to participate in their music hour.  (One parent required.)

Tuesday, November 26 – [9:00 – 11:15] – Southside and Community Connections tours (Two parents required.) .  (One more parent required.)     We will go on the bus.

Just “star” the one(s) you’re able to help with and include your name on the line below.  Thank you very much in advance!