Monday, April 27, 2015

April 27-May 1

Notes:
  • Thank you to all students who have brought items for our Leader in Me gift bags so far.  One item we are definitely missing is play dough.  If you have a free evening and would be willing to make a batch, we would be very grateful!  When we put the bags together on Wednesday, we can divvy it up into smaller portions so you don't need to worry about that.  I found a website here that gives different recipes.  It doesn't need to be fancy!!
  • Thanks also to everyone who supported the spring concert.  The students performed beautifully.
  • Please be sure to read the note about the T-shirts that went home last week.  Students who are unable to bring a shirt in will not be able to make this project and since it is for a gift, we really want all students to be able to participate.
  • Our class' nutcrackers are now on display at the SAAG.  I highly recommend paying them a visit to see how much incredible artistic talent we have in this city.
  • The district had a press release regarding the impact of the provincial budget on our district.  Please read it if you haven't already as this will have a big impact on your children.  Class sizes are already big and are only going to get bigger.  This is only one concern, the press release highlights more.  Click here to read, and VOTE on May 5th!

Curriculum:
  • Math: We are still working through our division booklet.  If you see it come home for homework, please make sure it is returned the next day.
  • Language Arts:
    • Writing: This week we will finish up our unit on puns.
    • Spelling: Lesson 12 starts this week.  For some groups this is a review of lessons 7-11.  Spelling City is up.
  • Science: Our new unit, Plant Growth and Change, will begin today.
  • Social: We continue learning about the first settlers this week.
  • PE: Last week of gymnastics.

This Week's Schedule:
Tuesday:
  • Library day is today!
  • Hot lunch
  • NO assembly
  • Last day of gymnastics

Friday:
  • Frolicking Friday

Monday, April 20, 2015

April 20-24

This is concert week so that means our schedule will be a little off and we have a field trip on Wednesday!

Curriculum:
  • Math: Continuing to work with multiplying 2- and 3-digit numbers by a 1-digit number and dividing 2-digit by 1-digit.  The homework you may see coming home may not be recognizable as the strategies we were taught when we were young.  That's ok!!  Alberta Education has set out different strategies for students to use.  There isn't really a "right" or "wrong" way to multiply as long as they can consistently get the right answer.  The students have been taught different strategies and are encouraged to use the one that works for them.  If you have another one that is successful for your child, by all means teach it to them!  Also, the Splash Math Springboard Challenge is still going on.  Our weekly target is 2000 points.
  • Language Arts:
    • Writing: The students are enjoying our pun unit.  Share some puns at home and have a good groan fest!
    • Spelling: Continuing with Lesson 11.  Don't forget about Spelling City!
  • Science: Students will be writing a pledge to protect our environment, and the unit test will take place on Tuesday.
  • Social: This week we begin to learn about early settlement in Alberta.
  • P.E: Gymnastics is in full swing so please make sure your child has proper gym clothes or your child may be phoning you!  This should be the students' responsibility, but they may need a reminder or two.

This Week's Schedule:
Monday:
  • Happy birthday, Mrs. Nelson!! (and yes, I am 115!)
  • Friday Letters due
  • Library books due

Tuesday:
  • Waste in our World science test
  • Recycled robots "junk" to be brought in

Wednesday:
  • Practice day at Park Meadows Baptist Church
    • Walk over after recess (10:15)
    • 10:30-12:15 - Dress rehearsal for A-L
    • 12:15-12:45 - Lunch
    • 12:45-3:00 - Dress rehearsal for M-Z
  • Spring Concert for last names A-L at Park Meadows Baptist Church 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Thursday:
  • Creating our recycled robots this morning!
  • Spring Concert for last names M-Z at Park Meadows Baptist Church 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Friday:
  • No school for students - district professional learning day

Sunday:
  • Opening Ceremony for Art's Alive and Well in the Schools at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.  Our class along with Mrs. Nelson's class has a group project that will be on display.  The ceremony starts at 1:00 p.m.

Monday, April 13, 2015

April 13-17

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had a great break.  Just think, the next big break is summer holidays! 

Notes:
  • If you haven't returned the permission form for Art's Alive please do so ASAP.  Since it is a group piece and no student names will be given out this is really just a formality but we'd like to cross as many t's and dot as many i's as possible!
  • Splash Math is continuing their Springboard contest.  Our class' target is 2000 points.  We won't be going to the computer lab as we have Theme V at our scheduled time but I would like to set an at home challenge for the students.  Help us reach our target!  1 point for attempting a question and 10 points for a correct answer.  There are bonus points for answer streaks of correct questions (25 for 5 and 50 for 10).

Curriculum:
  • Math: Multiplying and dividing bigger numbers continued.
  • Language Arts:
    • Writing: We are starting a really fun unit this week learning about puns and humour in writing.
    • Spelling: Lesson 11 begins this week.
  • Science: Managing waste is more than just throwing things out and the students will learn more about that this week.
  • Social: Finishing the fur trade.
  • Health: Theme V is this week.  The students had their first lesson today and learned a lot.  Parents, you should be proud of them as they were respectful of the subject matter.  They have been strongly encouraged to discuss their new knowledge with you.  The next lesson is on Wednesday.

This Week's Schedule:
Monday:
  • First Theme V Lesson
  • Birth Interview coming home as homework

Tuesday:
  • Gymnastics begins - please see letter(coming home today) regarding proper dress
  • School Council meeting 6:30 p.m.
  • Library day - books are due in

Wednesday:
  • Birth Interview due

Friday:
  • Frolicking Friday will still occur during gymnastics
  • New round of Enrichment begins