Feb. 4-8

In math, we started a new unit on number sense. Our specific focus is on fractions. Students learned how to compare fractions, and different ways to find equivalent fractions. The measurement quiz was returned. There will be a retest for anyone who would like one on Wednesday, Feb. 13 during regular math time in the morning.

This week in language we finished our unit on poetry. Students finished a final poem on an issue of their choosing. Next week students will hand in their poetry folders, and we will celebrate our learning with a poetry cafe!

In science the grade 4's are now learning about light and sound, while the grade 5's are studying matter. The grade 4's will now be learning together in room 11, while the grade 5's will be in room 10.

And of course, our Ottawa trip was cancelled due to the weather. The students responded with much understanding, and we're all glad that it was able to be rescheduled.


Important Upcoming Dates:
Feb.11: term 1 report cards go home
Feb. 13: math retest on measurement; poetry folder due
Feb. 14: interviews
Feb. 15: PA day

Homework:
Read for 20-30 minutes each day and talk about your reading.
Ensure that your poetry folder is ready to hand in on Wednesday.

Jan. 21-Feb. 1

In math, we continued a unit on measurement. Students learned the difference between perimeter and area, and solved problems involving both. There was a quiz on Wednesday. Our next unit will be number sense, focusing on fractions and decimals.

This week in language we continued a unit on poetry. Students read and wrote several poems, including a sonnet! Students also dramatized a poem called, "Being Human" which involved the poetic device personification.

In science grade 5's are working on a Google Slides presentation on how a specific force affects structures, and how structures are built to withstand those forces. (ex How are tall towers built to withstand an earthquake?) Grade 4's had 2 Scientists in the School learning opportunities- one on Habitats and one on Pulleys and Gears.

In visual art students created beautiful watercolour paintings of birch trees in winter and completed a peer and self evaluation of their work.

Important Upcoming Dates:
Feb. 6-8: Ottawa trip
Feb.11: term 1 report cards go home
Feb. 15: PA day

Homework:
Read for 20-30 minutes each day and talk about your reading.

Jan. 14-18

In math this week, we continued a unit on measurement. Students practised converting linear measurement. Many are using the mnemonic device, "King Henry Doesn't Usually Drink Chocolate Milk." This stands for km, hm, dam, unit, dm, cm, mm. Ask your child to explain how it's used to help with conversions.  Students also learned about perimeter, including how to find the perimeter of irregular objects, as well as how to find the perimeter of rectangles.

This week in language we continued a unit on poetry. Students learned about personification. We also looked at the poet e.e. cummings, and students wrote a poem in his style. On Thursday we had a spoken word poet, Tanya Neumeyer, come in to the class to give a workshop on spoken word poetry. Students wrote their own spoken word poems, and many students presented their work for the class!

In science the grade 5's are learning about the human body, while the grade 4's are studying habitats and communities. Grade 5's will have a quiz on the human body next Tuesday. 

In drama we read the book, "Henry's Freedom Box." Students worked in groups to create a tableaux that depicted key scenes and feelings from the book. 

Important Upcoming Dates:
Friday, Jan. 18: PA day

Tuesday, Jan. 22: grade 5 science quiz on the human body

Thursday, Jan. 24: homework due; French quiz
Feb 6-8: grade 5/6 Ottawa trip

Homework:
1) Read for 20-30 minutes daily.

2) Complete the work on perimeter, and poetry. 

Jan. 7-11

In math this week, we began a unit on measurement. Students learned how to convert linear measurement. Many are using the mnemonic device, "King Henry Doesn't Usually Drink Chocolate Milk." This stands for km, hm, dam, unit, dm, cm, mm. Ask your child to explain how it's used to help with conversions. Next week students will learn about perimeter and area.

This week in language we began a unit on poetry. Students created a poetry folder and wrote three poems- "I Am"  a "Senses" poem, and a poem that uses a simile or metaphor.

In science the grade 5's are learning about the human body, while the grade 4's are studying habitats and communities.
Finally, we began a new inquiry. We will be talking, reading, writing, and learning about overcoming challenges, and why resilience and grit are important. We watched the following Ted Talk about grit.
https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance?language=en Take an opportunity to talk to your child about times in your life that you've overcome a challenge and what you learned from it.

Important Upcoming Dates:
Friday, Jan. 18: PA day
Feb 6-8: grade 5/6 Ottawa trip

Homework:
1) Read for 20-30 minutes daily.

Dec. 10-14

In math this week, we continued a unit on geometry. Students learned how to name different types of triangles, as well as how to identify parallel lines in polygons. There will be a quiz on geometry on Thursday next week.

This week in language students evaluated their narrative with the theme of, "the power of kindness." We also finished literature circles. Each student read a book, and belonged to a book club. Groups met twice this week to discuss their book. Students completed a self and peer evaluation of their work in literature circles.

In social studies the grade 4's are learning about Canada's regions, and the grade 5's are learning about Canada's political system. The grade 5's continued to present their rant on a social justice issue in Canada. Grade 4's are working on and presenting a project about Canada's political regions. Grade 5's also started science. They participated in a Scientist in the School workshop on the human body.

In art, students are working on a piece that reflects the power of kindness. Students will use the creative process to draft, revise and edit their work.

Important Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, Dec. 20: math quiz on geometry
Friday, Dec 21: Secret Santa gifts due; last day of school for 2018

Homework:
1) Read for 20-30 minutes daily.
There will be no homework folder work this week. Enjoy this downtime with your family! :-)

Dec. 3-6

In math this week, we continued a unit on geometry. Students learned how to name different types of angles, as well as how to use a protractor to measure angles.

This week in language students finished their narrative with the theme of, "the power of kindness." We also continued literature circles. Each student is reading a book, and belongs to a book club. Groups met twice this week to discuss their book. Students will have a small amount of preparation work for each meeting. Please take a few minutes to ask your child about his/her book, and about their connections to the book.

In social studies the grade 4's are learning about Canada's regions, and the grade 5's are learning  about Canada's political system. The grade 5's began to present their rant on a social justice issue in Canada. Grade 4's are working on and presenting a project about Canada's political regions.

In art, students are working on a piece that reflects the power of kindness. Students will use the creative process to draft, revise and edit their work.

Important Upcoming Dates:
Monday, Dec. 10: literature circle meeting
Thurs. Dec. 13: literature circle meeting
Thursday, Dec. 13: homework due

Homework:
1) Read for 20-30 minutes daily.
2) Complete the homework folder work on reading, as well as math.
3) Complete the literature circle role sheets for each meeting.

Nov. 26-30

In math this week, we finished our unit on patterning. Students wrote a quiz that was returned, and taken up. Students were to take it home to get it signed. We also began a unit on geometry. Students wrote an ONAP, which is a review of last year's geometry. They also worked in groups to create different polygons and 3-D shapes using a large loop of string. This challenging activity incorporated problem solving, collaboration and communication.

This week in language students finished their rough drafts for a narrative with the theme of, "the power of kindness." Students learned some editing symbols, then worked to edit their own work, as well as peer work. We also continued literature circles. Each student is reading a book, and belongs to a book club. Groups met twice this week to discuss their book. Students will have a small amount of preparation work for each meeting. Please take a few minutes to ask your child about his/her book, and about their connections to the book.

In social studies the grade 4's are learning about Canada's regions, and the grade 5's are learning  about Canada's political system. The grade 5's began to present their rant on a social justice issue in Canada. Grade 4's are working on and presenting a project about Canada's political regions.

In art, students finished a piece of art that reflects their spirit animal. They also wrote an explanation of why they chose the animal(s) that they did.

Important Upcoming Dates:
Monday, Dec. 3: literature circle meeting
Wed., Dec. 5: literature circle meeting
Thursday, Dec. 6: homework due

Homework:
1) Read for 20-30 minutes daily.
2) Complete the homework folder work on reading, as well as math.
3) Complete the literature circle role sheets for each meeting.