March 9-13

Friday, March 13th

Thank you to everyone who dressed up as their favourite book character for Literacy Day! Stay warm this weekend.



Thursday, March 12th

- AMA the details of the artifacts we looked at today
- AMA some of the science demonstrations we can do at home to see how light reflects off of shiny surfaces 

Wednesday, March 11th

- AMA the new artifacts we saw today from our MuseoKit
- AMA some of the details from the photographs we looked at with Ms. Wajda and what we inferred from them
- AMA some of the ways that Indigenous People's way of life has changed over thousands of years

Tuesday, March 10th

- AMA some of the artifacts we looked at today in the MuseoKit 

Please continue practicing addition and subtraction of 3 and 4 digit numbers for our upcoming quiz next week. Strategies shown and practiced in class for addition include: traditional algorithm, vertical addition, break apart addition, and number line. Strategies shown and practiced in class for subtraction include: break apart subtraction, counting up on a number line, and traditional algorithm.

Study Guide for Science Quiz next week: 

·       I can explain the difference between natural and artificial light and provide examples of each

·       I can tell the difference between transparent, translucent, and opaque materials and provide examples 

·       I can describe what reflection is and state what makes a good reflector

·       I can describe what refraction is

·       I can explain what a shadow is and what causes a shadow to be produced

·       I can show and explain how the position of the sun in the sky affects the length and location of a shadow

·       I can list the three primary colours of light and can state what colors are produced when you combine different colours of light (different from pigment) 

·       I can accurately show the direction that light travels in

·       I can describe how optical devices work (magnifying glass, telescope, microscope, binoculars, etc.).

·       I can state how concave and convex lenses affect the direction of light once light passes through the lens

Monday, March 9th

Our first annual Read-A-Thon has begun. Thanks to everyone for bringing in used books for the used book sale. Please continue clearing out any kids books from home and sending them to school. Our class would love to win the prize for the most collected books in Division 2!!

Please come dressed as your favourite storybook character on Friday. Lots of great ideas; can't wait to see yours!!

We talked about the CoronaVirus today. AMA what I learned and some of the best ways to keep myself healthy.

Upcoming: The MRU Math Contest takes place on Wednesday, April 22nd. For those students who signed up, there will be a few information/practice sessions to help prepare for the contest in April. Students who signed up are encouraged to practice with past contest questions from the MRU Blog:  http://blogs.mtroyal.ca/cesmc/sample-test/  Don't forget that the contest is meant to be challenging, so don't be discouraged if some of the questions seem tough; use your problem solving skills to answer everything as best you can.

Math: Addition & Subtraction quiz next week on Wednesday.
Science: Light & Shadow quiz next week on Tuesday.

New spelling patterns coming home. Please check for the bright pink list in your child's backpack.

March Book Orders due Monday, March 16th. Flyers can be found online and are also being sent home this week. Don't forget to use the coupon from Christmas for a free book valued up to $7.

** don't forget to check back daily, as the blog is updated every day **

Week of March 2-6

Monday, March 2

- new spelling words coming home
- AMA some of the ways to keep my eyes safe and healthy
- lunchtime tax receipts came home; please contact the office with any questions

Tuesday, March 3

- Read-A-Thon information sent home (blue letter); starts on Saturday
- please bring gently used books for the used book fair (the class who collects the most will win a prize!!)
- Book Character costumes encouraged for a celebration on the 13th to wrap up the Read-A-Thon; DIY constumes are great!
- upcoming: Spring Break and Conferences (see dates on the "important dates to note" section of the blog--visible in web/computer mode
- don't forget to practice addition and subtraction at home (show parents some of the strategies learned in class that help with Mental Math)

Wednesday, March 4th 

- Please remember to send in paper towel rolls for the remainder of this week
- AMA some of the beliefs and values of the First Nations people that we learned from the legends

**March 4th: ("march forth") what a positive message of encouragement for this mid-week date!**



Thursday, March 5th

- AMA our Circle Mobile project
- We can't wait to share our "Terabithia Project" with you at conferences!
- AMA how lenses and water change the path/angle of light (refraction)

Friday, March 6th

- Thank you to everyone who has started sending in book donations for the used book fair; please keep sending them over the next couple of weeks. The classroom with the most donations will win a prize!
- Read-A-Thon starts tomorrow. Please start collecting your pledges and don't forget to read daily!

- Scientific Observation of the Day: when the sunlight entered our classroom at just the right angle, hitting a student's water bottle, the rays of light were refracted through the prism-like notches in the bottle and the curve of the bottle

    

- AMA the Opera Performance today based on the Brother's Grimm Fairytale, "The Bremen Town Musicians"

February 24-28th

Friday, February 28th

AMA what my descriptive word means from the lesson with Ms. Hatch.  These are some of the words that will be in our upcoming novel... do you have any guesses about what this might be?

AMA the assembly today. Darrin from the Calgary Opera shared the music and some of the lyrics of the songs with us today.  We look forward to working more with him over the next couple months practicing the Opera.




Thursday, February 27th

We did the Accountability Pillar Survey today.  AMA how I feel at school.

Students finished their "Terabithia Model" projects today and look forward to sharing them with you at upcoming conferences. 

We started learning subtraction strategies today. AMA the "Count Up Method" that helps visualize mental math strategies for subtraction.


Wednesday, February 26th

Thanks to everyone wearing pink shirts today!  Our kindness and anti-bullying work will continue over the next month.

Please continue to send in paper towel rolls over the next week and a half for a science project.

AMA what I learned about post-apocalyptic fiction from Ms. Hatch and what novel I think we might read next.
AMA the poster we started today with the 3 Rs

As our work continues with addition and subtraction of 4 digit numbers, please continue to practice basic facts at home (for example, using the Xtra math login information that was sent home earlier this year) to build fluency and confidence to solve bigger equations.


Tuesday, February 25th

Thanks for an amazing last day at the ski hill. I think there will be some tired kids at the end of the day!


Monday, February 24th

Our last day of skiing is tomorrow. Please remember to dress in layers for the changing temperatures that are predicted for the morning.

Wednesday is Pink Shirt Day. Please wear pink in support of kindness and antibullying.

- AMA fictional genres of books, including my favourite one
- AMA historical thinking and the big question from our work with Ms. Wajda this afternoon
- AMA the 3 R's song that Ms. Hatch taught us (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtyBzFV9yTs)
- Please talk about ways that your family practices the 4 R's
- AMA if I signed up for the MRU Math contest. More information to come.

February 18-21st

Friday, February 21st

- AMA our assembly for Pink Shirt Day coming up (next Wednesday)
- our final ski day at COP is Tuesday next week; check the weather ahead of time and dress in layers
- any students interested in the MRU Math Contest need to let Mrs. Tran know by Wednesday next week 


Thursday, February 20th

Thanks for another great ski day!  The weather was beautiful.


Wednesday, February 19th

SKI UPDATE: Warm weather ahead!! With skiing again tomorrow, students might be tempted to take off their coats as they warm up with the exercise throughout the day. COP requires that students' skin is covered on the ski hill.  If students want to take their coats off, they must have a long sleeved shirt in order to do so. Knowing it will be a beautiful day, please set your child up for success by helping them dress in layers with a long sleeved shirt.

BOOK ORDER UPDATE: last minute orders will be accepted tomorrow.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: please send paper towel tubes and sequins (if you have any lying around your house) for an upcoming science project


Tuesday, February 18th

We had an amazing day skiing at COP again today!  Don't forget, we ski again on Thursday this week.  Please remember to dress in layers, bring a bagged lunch and water bottle, and a great attitude for the ski hill!

February Book Orders due tomorrow (Wednesday).

 

February 10-14th

Monday, February 10th

- New spelling words coming home; please ask your child to show you their spelling list in their backpack (cream sheet)
- book orders due Wednesday, February 19th (don't forget to use the "free book" coupon from Christmas before June)
- AMA how the movie compared to the book, "Bridge to Terabithia"
- don't forget any last minute materials for my model Terabithia project (see post last week for what is being provided at school)

Dates & Reminders: 
- Teacher's Convention Thursday and Friday this week; no school for students
- Family Day on Monday; school is closed for this holiday
- We will be skiing Tuesday (the first day back after the break). Please ensure your child is prepared with warm layers, a water bottle, a healthy lunch and extra snacks. Students should come to the classroom at 9:00 am. If progress card falls off your child's backpack, please tuck it into their pocket, as they need this for the progression of lessons.

Winsport Progression Cards

Thanks for a successful first day at the ski hill yesterday. We can't wait to go again on Tuesday, February 18th!

If your child's School Program Progression Card falls off their jacket over the next week and a half, please KEEP it and tuck it INTO THEIR JACKET POCKET.  Instructors will need this information when they return to the hill on the 18th. 

Thanks so much!

February 3-7th and SKI INFO

Friday, February 7th

Thanks to all of our families for joining us at Math Night last night. We hope you learned some fun ways to incorporate math into your daily lives at home. 

We will be starting to build our Terabithia models next week. Students will have access to some basic materials when building, but might as for your help to find a few things in the recycle bin at home or at the dollar store over the weekend. Available at school: popsicle sticks, fabric scraps, yarn, straws, paper, glue, & some cardboard. As always, thanks for your support in your child's learning! 


Thursday, February 6th

We had an AMAZING first day at COP!!


Wednesday, February 5th

Skiing at C.O.P. tomorrow. Please see the videos below for more info.  Students will NOT be permitted to purchase food from the ski hill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReO148qwv7c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouLLo4vvoWI

Don't forget: Math Night tomorrow from 6:30-8:00


Tuesday, February 4th

- AMA my paragraph writing for science 
- don't forget Math Night this Thursday
- upcoming: Skiing on Thursday (volunteers are needed... have you filled in your police clearance at the office yet to join us on upcoming field trips?) 


Monday, February 3rd

- new spelling pattern coming home
- AMA what the terms coexist and dominate mean 
- AMA what strategies I learned for multiplying larger numbers
- AMA my buddy's artifact from the artifact museum visit


IMPORTANT SKI INFO:

Please see the info below regarding how to dress for the ski hill. 

Our first ski day is this Thursday, February 6th. We need all students in the classroom by 9:00 am, because busses will be leaving promptly at 9:15 am. 

Sending your child with a large, healthy lunch (and extra snacks) will be important for ski days, because they will be using a lot more energy than usual being outside exercising for the day. 

If you have any further questions, please contact the school asap before Thursday, as teachers will be busy in their classrooms Thursday morning making sure that all students are ready for their first big ski day.