Classroom Notes - January 2016
- Now that the weather has been much colder and since we have an abundance of snow in the school yard, students should be dressed appropriately for the winter season. It is always a good idea to send extra socks and gloves in your child's backpack just in case.
- Reminder - Scholastic orders are due Friday, January 15. Please note that you can make your child's book orders online if you choose. I would prefer if you send a cheque as opposed to sending cash.
- Mme. Kealey is sending a reminder that students are working hard on their unit on pioneers in Social Studies and that gr. 3's will be having their quiz on Monday, January 18.
- Skating - I noticed that workers are beginning to make the outdoor rink. We will be skating at least once a week depending on the weather. When our school skating schedule has been created, I will send a note home. I will be seeking parent volunteers to help tie skates once our scheduled time has been determined. Your assistance is always greatly appreciated!
- PD Day - January 22
Always
Learning in Gr. 3
In
Math,
we
have been continuing to add and subtract money amounts to $10. By
using a variety of activities and manipulatives, students are
applying learned strategies to assist in their understanding of this
concept. In Measurement,
students are learning to read analogue clocks to 5 minute intervals
as well as using digital clocks. In the near future, we will learn to
read and record temperature using a thermometer. We will record the
temperature daily using our classroom thermometer and compare our
results with online websites. Also, we will investigate linear
measurement using standard units, such as centimetre, metre and
kilometre.
In
Language,
students are completing a narrative writing task in which they
pretended to live in a snow globe. We focused writing 2-3 main events
using descriptive words. Currently, students are writing a fictional
letter to a new student to describe the rules and routines of our
classroom. In terms of comprehension, students are learning about
prefixes as well as adverbs.
In
Science,
I have decided to focus on forces,
instead of soils
at this time. I have moved our soils unit to the end of the school
year in order to have more opportunities to bring a variety of soils
in the classroom for hands-on experiments. So far in our forces unit, we have discussed forces as a push or a pull and movement. We have
started to discuss different types of forces, such as gravitational,
muscular, buoyancy and friction.
In
Health, students are completing their unit on personal
safety. We have discussed pedestrian, outdoor and fire safety
extensively since September. Students will begin creating posters to
highlight their understanding of specific personal safety issues.
In
Family Life, students of been reflecting and discussing their
talents and the ways in which they can develop and share their
talents to enhance the gifts that God has given them. Next, we will
focus on our families and friends.
Just a reminder that first term reports will be sent home in February. The learning skills that our school will comment on this term are initiative and organization. I have spoken extensively about the importance of good work habits and the expectations of these two specific learning skills. Your child should speak to you about their goals for the term, as well as their achievements.
Thank you for your continued support!
Mr. Blais
