Week 13

Dear Parents and Students,

I would first like to thank all parents for making the time to come in for our Parent/Teacher Interviews. Open communication is an integral part of every child’s development.  The parent/teacher meetings are always insightful, and most often lead to further improvements in your children’s academic opportunities and general wellbeing. 

In the Classroom:

After our four-day break became a ten-day break, we have all returned to class ready to get back to our regular routines. It seems that everyone in Grade 4 is now fit and healthy again, but we will remain vigilant in avoiding any further illness.

Maths

We began Topic 7 on Monday. This is a short topic that reviews and extends what we know about multiplication. We will complete the topic early next week, with the topic test to take place next Wednesday.

Literacy Workshop

This week, in our Reading Circles, we read and discussed A Very Important Day. Next week, we will begin planning and drafting for our Narrative Story. This process will occupy the best part of the next two weeks, and we will finish the assignment with a publishing party on Friday, 29^th November.

Science

We enjoyed a number of practical research experiments this week, as we continue to work through the Skills Handbook. We are focusing on the Scientific Process, and becoming familiar with terms such as dependent variable, independent variable, and controlled variable, and learning about why these elements are so important to our research methods.

Social Studies

We held our open-book chapter test on Wednesday, and we have now begun the next topic in our books, which will focus on the Northeast region of the United States of America. As we have done since the beginning of the year, we will use the USA as a model, and make comparisons and contrasts between the States and other parts of the world.

Other important information

As you know, we will celebrate Thanksgiving next Thursday. For parents who are able to attend, I look forward to seeing you all again. To all other parents, thank you for your generosity in contributing all of the delicious food. We will be thinking about you!

As always, important upcoming dates are listed below. I hope you all enjoy a restful weekend, and I’ll see you all next Monday.

Dates to remember:

Wed..               Nov 20            Maths test – Topic 7
Thu.                Nov 21            Thanksgiving Lunch

Wed.                Nov 27            Fun Day – Parents welcome

Fri.                  Dec 29             Monthly Assembly – parents welcome

Wed.                Dec 4               Christmas Concert

Fri.                  Dec 13             Half Day

Dec 14 – Jan 5                        Winter Vacation

Student of the Week, Week 13

Congratulations to Ingrid!

Ingrid has been increasing her involvement in class discussions each week. She continues to apply her best efforts in all subjects and has been a strong contributor again this week. Well done, Ingrid!

Homework, Wednesday, 13th November

Reading: Make sure you are up-to-date with Achieve 3000 and A Very Important Day.
Maths: Practice 7-3 Arrays and an Expanded Algorithm; Enrichment 7-3 Crazy Cubes

Homework, Tuesday, 12th November

Reading: Finish A Very Important Day
Maths: Practice 7-2 Estimating Products; Enrichment 7-2  Vacation Estimation

Spelling: Review List 11  Click here for Spelling City or Click here for Quizlet  

List 11 – (long and short oo sounds)

Core Words

wood	push	stood	bush
brook	full	stool	fool
tool	roof	hook	pull
put	group	smooth	soup
wool	prove	shoot	move

Challenge Words             

soot

marooned

pudding

cocoon

superb

Homework, Monday 11th November

Maths: Practice 7-1 Using Mental Math to Multiply 2-Digit Numbers; Enrichment 7-1 The World's Greatest
Reading: A Very Important Day pages 249-259

Why don't people eat ostrich eggs?
Click here if you would like to watch today's mini-lesson again.

Week 11

Dear Parents and Students,

Our four day week has certainly been a busy one, with tests, presentations, and a spectacular dress-up parade to take us into our mid-semester break. A big thank you to all parents for your time and effort in helping your children with costumes. Thank you also to all parents who were able to come along and join in the fun. A special thank-you also goes to the office staff for arranging the trick-or-treat, and an extra special thanks to Grade 6 for their amazing haunted house!

In the Classroom:

Maths

We completed Topic 6 with the topic test on Thursday. This topic has been a very successful venture, and I think we are all feeling a lot more confident about our understanding of algebra. We will return our focus to multiplication as we begin Topic 7 next Tuesday.

Literacy Workshop

This week, we spent more time in our Reading Circles, and our story of the week was Boss of the Plains. The conversations and collaborative work are really beginning to develop, and each group is becoming less reliant on guided instruction. We will continue the process next week with a story called A Very Important Day. We are well into our grammar unit about verbs, and next week, we will spend some time studying tense and verb agreement.

Science

We have continued with the Skills Handbook this week, with a focus on keeping safe during scientific research. We had fun joking about the kinds of disasters that may occur in the lab, but we also took the lessons very seriously, as safety is always a high priority. Next week, we will conduct a few more practical investigations as we continue to familiarise ourselves with the Scientific Process.

Social Studies

Much of our week was spent preparing for and giving our presentations about Symbols of Patriotism. Thank you to everyone for the hard work. It was certainly an informative few days, and everyone should be proud of your presentations. Next week, we will spend a lesson reviewing Chapter 2, and we will have a minor test on Wednesday.

Other important information

Thank you to all parents for returning the parent/teacher forms. Confirmation slips were sent home on Wednesday. Please let me know as soon as possible if you didn't receive yours, or if the time slot no longer suits you. Report cards also went home Wednesday. Once again, please alert the office or myself if you didn't receive yours.

It's hard to believe we are already halfway through the semester! I hope everyone enjoys a relaxing and refreshing mid-semester break. Have fun, and I will see you next Tuesday!

Dates to remember:

Fri-Mon. Nov 1-4 Mid Semester Break (no school)
Mon.-Fri. Nov 11-15 Parent /Teacher Meetings
Mon. Nov 11 No Club
Wed. Nov 13 Social Studies test – Chapter 2

No Club
Thu. Nov 21 Thanksgiving Lunch

Click here for more Hallowe'en pictures.

Click here to see more presentation photos.

Thank you to Jessie - our photographer for the week!

Student of the Week, Week 11

Congratulations to Céline!

Céline is always a bright and enthusiastic student in class, and she is continually increasing her involvement in all tasks and activities each week. This week she gave her first ever presentation in English. Fantastic effort, Céline!

Why are pumpkins so popular every autumn?

Click here if you would like to watch today's Mystery Science lesson again.

Homework, Wednesday, 30th October

Maths:Review Topic 6 pp.136-137 Extra Practice (Reteaching) 138-139 Answers below. Test Tomorrow.

            Practice 6-3 Multiplication and Division Expressions

Science: Skills Handbook pp.304-313; Lesson Check Lesson 1, Lesson 2 worksheet - due next Wednesday

Practice Test 6 Answers

1. B     2. B     3. D     4. D     5. C     6. C     7. C     8. A     9. A     10. B   11. D

Topic 6 Extra Practice Answer Key

Set A 1. 36; 45; 56 2. 56; 64; 72 3. 98; 42; 14 4. 3; 6; 7

Set B 1. 15; 3 2. 66; 79 3. 2; 2 4. 8; 21

Set C 1. 3; 30 2. 4; 32 3. 10; 6 4. 5; 7

Set D 1. Lisa is on the Blue Jays

Homework, Tuesday, 29th October

Maths: Practice 6-2 Addition and Subtraction Expressions; Enrichment 6-2 Algebra Cadabra!
Reading: Finish reading Boss of the Plains pp.230-239


Social Studies: Chapter 2 review and Test Prep pp.66-67 due next Wednesday

Homework, Monday, 28th October

Maths: Practice 6-1 Variables and Expressions; Enrichment 6-1 Who Wants Pizza?
Spelling: Review List 10 Click here for list and links.  Test tomorrow

Reading: Read Boss of the Plains pp.220-229

Could a mountain become a volcano?  Click here if you would like to watch today's mini-lesson again.

Week 10

Dear Parents and Students,

Another week has whizzed by, and we are now only four school days away from our mid-semester break. In the meantime, everyone is getting excited about our upcoming Dress-up Day next week. It will be fun to see everybody’s costumes, and I hope many parents are able to come and join us on Thursday morning.

In the Classroom:

Maths

We have finished Topic 5, which was all about multiplication, including strategies such as breaking apart and compatible numbers. We had our topic test on Friday, and we will begin Topic 6 on Monday. This is a short unit dedicated to algebra, with the topic test to take place next Thursday, 31^st. After the break, we will return to our studies of multiplication when we begin Topic 7.

Literacy Workshop

This week, we read Tanya's Reunion, and discussed the story in our Reading Circles. The conversations taking place have been very impressive, with each group learning to delve more deeply into the story and its themes. Next week, we will continue our reading with another story: Boss of the Plains.

Science

We have been working through our Skills Handbook this week, which introduces and discusses the methods of scientific research and some of the tools scientists use. We had fun using scientific equipment such as microscopes, binoculars, and telescopes to take a closer look at various samples and objects. Next week we will continue with the Skills Handbook, with a focus on how to keep scientific research safe.

Social Studies

While preparing for next week’s presentations, we have also been learning about economy. Using the USA as a model, we have been investigating the various industries that make up a nation’s economy, and how it may be affected by elements such as supply and demand. Next week, we will continue with our study of different economies, and our Patriotism presentations will take place on Wednesday and Thursday.

Other important information

Forms are being sent home today (Friday) to arrange parent/teacher interviews for the week beginning Monday, 11th November. Please complete the form and return it as soon as possible. Please also try to list a number of available times in order of preference. I will do my best to accommodate everybody.
As you are all aware, our Fancy Dress Day will take place this coming Thursday, 31st October. The parade will begin at 9:00am, and all parents and family are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please also remember that our mid-semester break takes place next weekend. School will be closed from Friday, 1st until Monday, 4th November. Classes will resume on Tuesday. Please check below for other important dates. Enjoy your weekend, and I’ll see you all on Monday!

Dates to remember:

Wed-Thu. Oct 30-31: Patriotic Symbols presentations

Thu. Oct 31: Fancy Dress Day - Parents Welcome

Thu. Oct 31: Maths test – Topic 6

Fri-Mon. Nov 1-4 Mid Semester Break (no school)
Mon.-Fri. Nov 11-15 Parent /Teacher Meetings
Mon. Nov 11 No Club
Wed. Nov 13 No Club
Thu. Nov 21 Thanksgiving Lunch

Students of the Week for October

Congratulations, Lucas, Scarlett, Yolanda, and Zoe!

 Sukai and Yuma participated in the Royal Belgian Football Championship Game and were awarded 1st place.
Well done, boys!

Student of the Week, Week 10

Congratulations to Yolanda!

Yolanda has had a very productive week. She has been working hard to make sure she understands some of the more challenging material we have come across, and has been producing some very impressive work. She has also started to become more involved in our class discussions. Great work, Yolanda!