Monday, March 29, 2021

 Welcome back after Spring Break! We had a good turn out today and it was sure wonderful seeing everyone.  

We started off talking about the gigantic ship that was stuck in the Suez Canal and held up traffic for almost a week!  It was freed this morning after much effort and expense.  We learned a bit about the history of the Suez Canal, looked up its geographical location, and discussed several related issues.  Just the shear size of the ship Ever Live was amazing to see. 

Later, after lunch, we also looked at the Panama Canal: its history, location, how it was constructed, and how the locks work.  There are several videos about both these canals and the event described above for you to check out.

We started reading about Famous Failures, starting with Michael Jordan and Steve Jobs. 

We discussed their characteristics and mindset as we begin to get into Fixed versus Growth Mindset tomorrow. 

In Math, after a 4X drill, we watched the MathAntics video about Polygons. Students worked quickly through a short package, then we began putting some notes into our Kim Sutton "Polygons" booklet.  Today we named triangles based on the lengths of their sides. 

Lastly, academically anyway, students worked on their Landforms books on Book Creator. 

All in all, it was a very pleasant and fulfilling day.  It flew by and the kids learned a lot of new things:)

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

 Gilakas'la

We started our morning with a formal DAZE assessment, where students read and identify the correct word to complete the sentence.  We have been practicing this timed skill every week and are seeing improvement.  

Next, after reviewing NOUNS, I read a couple of books about VERBS.  

Students identified verbs on the final page 

of the book. 

They also completed another page from Grammar Cop, identifying the correct verb form to use in a sentence.  

Students who completed this page and the second story on the back of the page went on to EPIC! Books to do some independent reading. 

In Math, we skipped the drills and did the Statistical Analysis of the multiplication drills they have been doing for the past several weeks.   Students referred back to their Interactive Notebooks for reminders about what to do, but still needed a little guidance.  

[See some samples below.]

Following that, we folded our own paper to create flaps on which to write notes about different aspects of multiplication.  We only got as far as folding, drawing lines, and gluing it into our Notebooks; tomorrow we will add the notes.  

*Remember, you can click on any picture to enlarge it. 

We also did the recycling and compost collection today before heading to Culture Class.  During that time, from 1:00-1:30, students watched a Zoom presentation about Bullying, presented by Erin Suerink.  

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

 Gilakas'la

Another very busy day here in Grade 3-4-5!

We started our day doing a 3-minute MAZE assignment, then read about how a solar eclipse happens in an article entitled The Greatest Show on Earth.  Students had some multiple choice questions to answer, then 'translated' the meanings of words using prefixes: un-, bi-, and semi-.

Next we glued our Parts of Speech pages into our Interactive Notebooks, but did not have time to add the notes yet.  (see yesterday's post for the set up)

During Math, we did the usual multiplication drill, then some more X100 and X1000 practice.  Following that, students continued to work on multiplication problems using the Area Model.  

After lunch, we watched a couple of short videos (three to be exact) about days, seasons, and years; and lunar cycles and the phases of the moon.  [see below]  We completed another page for our Circle Book about the Lunar phases, and started to create a flip booklet.  We will complete the latter tomorrow. 

Earth's Rotation and Revolution: Crash Course Kids [4:00]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l64YwNl1wr0

Phases of Moon explained using an orrery [3:19]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sj2otIjZfM

Lunar Cycle, Why the Moon Changes Shapes, 8 Phases of the Moon [6:58]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCweccNOaqo&list=PLurjkZV1ykGb--lyDmxrjn_h8yGwoT1zv

All this kept us pretty busy, with eating and recreational breaks throughout the day. 

*Tomorrow is Pink Shirt Day!  The school has purchased shirts for everyone; they will be waiting for the students tomorrow:)  A huge thank you to Wagalus School!

Friday, February 19, 2021

 Happy Friday!  It seemed like a long week being that it was only a short one.  Here's what we did today:

We started our morning with a hilarious video... and very heart-warming, too.  Check it out.

Then students wrote the Time quiz.  When they were finished, they went onto EPIC! Books to do some reading. 

After snack and recess run-around,  we returned to the class to do math drills (multiplication) and to continue practicing 2-digit multiplication using the Area Model.  This is coming along. 

After lunch today, Lyam showed the kids some videos of dancing in the big house in Alert Bay.  These were enjoyed by everyone.  He also showed the kids his drums. [See photos below.]

Next, I returned the Literary Devices Quiz from yesterday and we went over them together before heading off to the gym. 

Lastly,  the students collected the recycling, then continued working on their Onomatopoeia art project.  Hopefully just one more session of these and they will be finished. 

Enjoy your weekend! 

Thursday, February 18, 2021

 Here's a quick look at our day:

We started off with finishing up and sharing our I'd Rather Be... poems.  They really began to get the hang of this format. (See yesterday's post for a description.)

Next, students completed a quiz about the Literary Devices they have been learning. This involved matching definitions and identifying various uses with 20 multiple choice questions. 

Students even had some time to practice their Time activities on IXL in preparation of tomorrow's quiz.  After snack and recess, we continued with the Area Model of multiplication.  This, too, is coming along. Much more practice is needed for it to become more fluent. 

After eating and me reading a bit more from My Side of the Mountain, students had a bit of time before PE to work on their Onomatopoeia art work.

Lyam led a lesson this afternoon, introducing the Medicine Wheel and especially focusing on four aspects of health: mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.  The kids really enjoyed this lesson and have enjoyed having him help them with their work throughout the week. 

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

 Gilakas'la!

We had a very busy day indeed.  *Please note that there will be a Literary Devices quiz tomorrow.

First thing this morning, we wrote poems using words that sound the same but may be spelled differently.  Then, one had to think of something that was similar or connected in some way to the rhyming word, and use the "I'd rather... than... " format.  

For example: sound = ē  (long e sound)      Words: tea, tree, see, sea, me, flee, flea, knee, wee, bee...

I'd rather be a carrot than a pea.                                                                                                                      I'd rather be a shrub than a tree.                                                                                                                      I'd rather be you than me.                                                                                                                                  I'd rather be an ocean than the sea.

This took us all pre-snack time, as kids chose a sound to use, then brainstorm rhyming words.  Next, was putting them into the format noted above.  We will have to continue this for a bit tomorrow. 

After snack and recess break, the Time practice quizzes were returned.  Students will write the real quiz on Friday, so they have something to practice with and focus on.  It will be very similar.

Then, students were introduced to multiplication of 2-digit numbers using the area model.  We watched a wonderful video by NumberRock a couple of times, then worked through the first part of a package together.  This we will also continue tomorrow.  Check out the video, though! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYJsQo7ZTC4

After lunch and a brief reading of My Side of the Mountain, we went to the airport to see the wonder panels that have been installed, the totem and canoe carving, and to check out the new building.  It really is lovely and very special for Port Hardy travellers. 

Upon our return, Lyam led the kids with a couple of dances; not everyone participated.  There are several photos below.

Remember to click on each picture to enlarge it!