Thursday, April 30, 2020

I have uploaded today's work in your child's math folder in their Google Drive. The file is called "Week 4 Day 4 Division." Today, students will review division and learn how to login to their digital Nelson Mathematics textbook. I have explained the login instructions in today's work. Students should complete their work on a blank sheet of paper since they will have to show division strategies in order to show their understanding of this concept.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Today, students will work on algebra with a focus on subtraction. I have uploaded two files for today's work. One file contains a lesson and one is the practice work for today. Both files begin with, "Week 4 Day 3..."

We will have our weekly Google Meet today at 10:00. Just a reminder that I will send the link to your child's Gmail for this meeting. As always, this meeting is optional. I look forward to seeing our grade 3's and I know that everyone is excited to see their friends again.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Today, grade 3's will be working on writing an organized opinion letter with a focus on the topic of composting. I have uploaded the instructions for this task in your child's language folder. Please review the checklist/success criteria for this assignment.

Tomorrow, we will have our weekly Google Meet at 10:00. As always, I will email the link to the meeting to your child's Gmail. This meeting is optional but it is a great way for children to socialize with their peers and teachers. I know that students look forward to this meeting and it is great to see everyone each week.

If you have any questions regarding this week's work/schedule, please let me know.

Thank you for your continued support!

French Update - Monday, April 27, 2020

Mme. Ghaffari is changing the method of delivery for her weekly French work. I will no longer be uploading her work to the homeroom folder in the Google Drive. Please read the instructions below:

1. login to the student portal, then click on Hapara and Student Workspace
2. students may need to re-enter their email and password (found at the front of their agenda)
3. when logging in for the first time, students will click the "allow" button to allow Google to access their files
4. students will click on Mme. Ghaffari's workspace, then click on the grade 3 work
5. a Google Doc will open with a list of weekly activities

If you have any difficulty logging into Hapara, please get in touch with Mme. Ghaffari.

Monday, April 27 - Friday, May 01, 2020

I have uploaded the next two day's work in your child's Google Drive. Today, students will work on Science and the materials for this lesson will lead into Tuesday's language work. On Tuesday, students will work on letter writing and they are very familiar with the characteristics and organization of a letter since we practiced this writing form in the classroom. I have uploaded work for both days since students may wish to begin planning their letter and start thinking about their ideas. Here is our week at a glance:

Monday, April 27 - Science (I have uploaded the file "Week 4 Day 1 Composting" to the Science folder)

Tuesday, April 28 - Language (I have uploaded the file "Week 4 Day 2 Letter Writing" to the Language folder)

Wednesday, April 29 - Math (The files will be called "Week 4 Day 3 Algebra Lesson" and "Week 4 Day 3 Algebra/Subtraction" and they will be saved to the Math folder)

Thursday, April 30 - Math (The file will be called "Week 4 Day 4 Division" and it will be saved to the Math folder)

Friday, May 01 - Religion (The file will be called "Week 4 Day 5 Religion" and it will be saved to the Religion folder)

Recommendations for Learning at Home

Now that everyone has been navigating through the technology, I just wanted to mention a few things that have been working well in regards to sharing completed work with me and just finishing the work in general.

• The easiest method of sharing your child's work with me is by taking photos of the completed task and emailing it to me. Some parents have downloaded an app on their cell phone called (Cam Scanner) - there are a variety of these apps to choose from - and they save the picture as a PDF file. The benefit to this method is that I can add comments directly to the work. Without this app, I cannot add the comments to the work. This method is also great if you are able to print out the worksheets, or if your child is completing answers in a notebook/blank paper. You can also upload the PDF files to your child's Google Drive and he/she can share it with me.

• Please ensure that your child is completing the work efficiently. Some students are spending too much time trying to complete all of their work in digital format. Trying to complete everything digitally is time-consuming for this age group and it doesn't always correspond well with the subject (e.g. showing a strategy in math). Perhaps using a notebook, or blank paper is a better choice. It is recommended that you monitor the method that your child is using to complete the work and the amount of time it takes.

• Children thrive when there is structure and routine. It is recommended that students have an established school work time, as well as a quiet area to work each day. Decide on a time that best suits your child's learning potential and your busy family schedule.

• The home/school connection is extremely important for your child's success during learning at home. Please check your child's work daily to make sure that it is completed fully. Make sure that he/she is keeping up with the daily work schedule. As we progress through the remainder of the school year, I am providing lessons/work on curriculum that has not been covered previously. We are partners in your child's education!

Thank you for all that you do to make learning at home possible. I know that it is not always easy and some days are better than others. If you have any questions, please contact me. Have a great week!

Friday, April 24, 2020

I have uploaded today's work in your child's Religion folder in their Google Drive. The file is called "Week 3 Day 5 Religion." Students will login to our Religion program "Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ" and read a digital story.

I have explained how to login to the app on the student portal, but please assist your child if need be. I have tried it out several times and you may get a message to run/install Adobe Flash player.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing everyone next week during our Google Meet.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Today, students will be learning about Algebra and the concept of equality. I have uploaded today's lesson and work into your child's Google Drive in their math folder. The files are called "Week 3 Day 4 Let's Learn About Algebra" and "Week 3 Day 4 Algebra Worksheet." 

It was great to hear that everyone is getting outside to play on their bikes and get some fresh air, despite the cold weather. Can't wait to see everyone on next week's Google Meet!

Once again, thank you for sending me you child's work and assisting him/her at home as we continue learning at home.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

I have uploaded today's math work in your child's Google Drive. There are two files. One PDF file is called "Week 3 Day 3 Addition/Subtraction Fact Families Lesson" and the second file is today's worksheet for students to practice.

We will have our weekly Google Meet today at 10:00. I will send the link for the meeting to the student Gmail. Please review appropriate etiquette for online meetings with your child. This meeting is optional for all students.

Can't wait to see everyone again!

Mr. Blais

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

I have uploaded today's poetry work in your child's language folder in their Google Drive. The file is called "Week 3 Day 2 Poetry."

Just a reminder, any completed French work can be shared or sent to Mme. Ghaffari. 

We will have our weekly Google Meet tomorrow at 10:00. I will send the link to your child's Gmail tomorrow before the meeting. Just a reminder that all meetings are optional and not instructional.

Thank you for assisting your child at home!

April 20, 2020 - April 24, 2020

I have uploaded today's work in your child's language folder. The PDF file is called "Week 3 Day 1 Poetry." Also, I have uploaded Mme. Ghaffari's French work for this week in the homeroom (HRM) folder. Here is this week's schedule:

Monday, April 20th - Introducing poems using digital texts

Tuesday, April 21st - Poems continued

Wednesday, April 22nd - Addition/Subtraction Fact Families
                                         - Google Meet 10:00

Thursday, April 23rd - Algebra/Equality

Friday, April 24th - Religion

Once again, thank you for helping your child share their hard work with me. It's amazing how quickly our grade 3's are learning to navigate through all of this technology and I truly appreciate everyone's efforts. This week, I have covered a lot of new material/concepts, so please have students go through and complete all/parts of the work in increments appropriate to your situation at home during this difficult time. If you have any questions regarding the work, please let me know.

Have a great week!

Mr. Blais

Friday, April 17, 2020

Today, students will be working on Religion. I have uploaded a PDF file to your child's Religion folder (REL) in their Google Drive. He/she has a few choices for this task. Please ensure that your child reads through the document before beginning the task.

Next week, our schedule includes five days, so I will be including 5 hours of student work. This amount includes French from Mme. Ghaffari as well.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Once again, thank you for supporting your child at home.

Mr. Blais

Thursday, April 16, 2020

I have uploaded today's work in your child's Science folder in their Google Drive. The PDF file is called "Week 2 Day 3 Language/Science." Today, students will investigate digital books and answer related questions to our Science unit on "Soils." I have included instructions in the document that I have uploaded.

Thank you to all who have sent me digital copies of your child's work. As previously mentioned, the best method to submit completed work is through your child's Google Drive. In this way, I can add comments if the work is saved as a PDF or a Google Doc. I know that there is a learning curve with navigating through technology as we continue to learn at home, so thank you for your efforts.

It was so nice to see all students who participated in our Google Meet yesterday. We had two special people from St. Gregory's who joined: Mrs. Di Labio and Mrs. Frenken. I know that our students miss their friends and it was great time spent to reconnect.

Have a great day!

Mr. Blais

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Today's update: I have uploaded a rounding lesson and a rounding worksheet. You can find these documents in the Math folder in the Google Drive. The files are called "Week 2 Day 2 Rounding Lesson" and "Week 2 Day 2 Rounding."

Also, I have sent an email with a link for today's Google meet in your child's Gmail. Please ensure that you first click on the link directly from today's email, or it will not work. Today's Google Meet is not instructional and optional for all. I'm sure that students are really excited to see their friends!

(April 14) Some things I forgot to mention...

I have uploaded Mme. Ghaffari's French work as well. Once in the Google Drive, click on the Homeroom folder (HRM) and you will find week two's French work.

If you are uploading student work to the Google Drive, make sure that you click on the "Share" button at the top right and share the document (s) with me.

This week at a glance:

Tuesday, April 14th - Addition Lesson and Practice

Wednesday, April 15th - Rounding Lesson and Practice 

                                        Google Meet 10:00 (optional)

Thursday, April 16th - Language/Science (Soils) (Reading and Answer Questions)

Friday, April 17th - Religion

I will upload all materials in the morning of each day.

Thank you for supporting your child at home!

Update: Tuesday, April 14, 2020

I hope that everyone had a great Easter weekend despite the challenges that everyone is facing right now. I'm sure that it was more quiet than usual. I know that it felt different for me not being able to see family during this weekend.

I want to let you know that I have uploaded the math work for today and this week we will focus on reviewing addition and begin rounding. The files will be found in your child's math folder in their Google Drive. I will continue to upload current work as the week progresses and I will inform you of which folder I have placed the material.

Students should be using 100's charts, or base 10's to assist them with adding. At home, you could do a Google search for hundreds charts and base 10 materials and print them out if you are able to do so. Alternatively, your child can use virtual manipulatives found at this website: https://toytheater.com/category/teacher-tools/virtual-manipulatives/

I have been asked by a few parents when our next Google Meet will occur. We will have our second meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, April 15) at 10:00. Please review the etiquette and expectations with your child posted last week on the blog. Just a reminder that students will go to their Gmail and click on the current link for the meeting. Please ensure that your child clicks on the link for the April 15th email. I know that students are excited to see their teacher and friends, so the purpose of this meeting will not be instructional and it is optional.

On another note, I want to thank all those students who have completed last week's work and who have sent me a copy of their completed tasks. Now that I have received student work in a variety of ways, I wish to inform you of what has worked out the best for me. If you save me your child's work by uploading it to their Google Drive and saving it as either a Google Doc or a PDF file, I can add comments/feedback to the original document. In this way, you will not have to email me their work. The second best method is to take photos of their work and email it to me. The downside to this method is that I cannot make comments to the actual photo for your child to read.

Please continue to check this blog daily as I will continue to update it frequently to avoid sending out emails. If you have any questions about this week, or the assigned tasks, please let me know.

Have a great week!

Mr. Blais

Update: Wednesday, April 08, 2020

It was great to see some of our students today who tried out using Google Meet. Mme. Ghaffari and myself miss all of you, so it was so nice to see some familiar faces, smiles and to hear your voices once again. We are so proud of everyone for showing grit, staying healthy and of course, keeping busy.

I have uploaded Day 3 and Day 4 work for this week in your child's Language folder. Once logged into the student portal, students will click on their Google Drive, then click on the Language folder to discover spelling and religion work. In French, students will be listing the foods (in French) in the story and explain which is their favourite and why. French work is found in the HRM folder.

A few questions have been asked about sending work back to Mme. Ghaffari and myself. If your child does his/her work in a Google Doc, click the share button at the top right of the screen. Share it to Mme. Ghaffari's or my email address.

If you are printing out the work, or using blank paper to complete the tasks, take a photo of the work and email it to us.

I am currently working on next week's work. With Holy Week and the Easter holidays, I will upload next week's work on Tuesday, April 14th. I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter, despite the challenges of our current situation. Please let me or Mme. Ghaffari know if you have any questions.

Update: Tuesday, April 07, 2020

Please be advised that I will be uploading Wednesday and Thursday's work in your child's Language folder in their Google Drive tomorrow morning.

We will have a short Google Meet tomorrow (Wednesday, April 08) at 10:00. This meeting is optional and the purpose is for students to see/speak to their teacher/friends since it has been a while now. I will only provide the link to the Google Meet 10 minutes prior to the meeting for safety reasons. The link will be sent to your child's email address.

Here's some more information regarding the use of the Google Meet app.

• I have sent a Google Doc to your child's homeroom (HRM) folder which explains how to navigate through the app. Login to the student portal. Click on Google Drive. Click on HRM (Homeroom) folder. Read through the Google doc "Google Meet - Student View"
• There is a dress code. Students should be dressed like it was a regular school day, so no pajamas
• Any Google Meet can be recorded; however, I will not be recording tomorrow's meeting since it is not instructional
• Once you have been provided with the link to the meeting, please make sure that you mute the microphone (explained in the doc "Google Meet - Student View)
• All conversations are viewable by everyone taking part in the meeting
• When it is a students turn to speak, I will ask him or her to unmute their microphone
• Any inappropriate behaviour will be reported to the principal
• Students must login and use their device in the kitchen or living room

Google Meet is not difficult to use, but we'll navigate through any issues as best we can since it is our first attempt. Students will go to their Gmail prior to 10:00 tomorrow and they will receive an email message/link to attend the meeting. Click on the link and it should open Google Meet. I hope that it all works out for us! Thank you for helping your child with these technological issues at this time. Much appreciated!

Learning At Home - Week 1 (April 06 - April 09, 2020)

Today, we have started our learning at home initiative. To begin, I have uploaded Math work/lesson (division) into your child's Google Drive. In order to access the lesson/work, students will visit www.ocsb.ca and click on the student portal at the top of the page. They will be asked to type in their email and password which are found at the front of your child's agenda. Once logged into the student portal, your child will click on Google Drive. Students will also find their French work from Mme. Ghaffari in their homeroom folder. The folder should contain the letters HRM. If you have difficulty locating any of the material, please send me an email.

Monday: Review division lesson, begin fact family/division worksheet (Google Drive, Math folder)

Tuesday: Complete fact family/division worksheet, complete cookie question (Google Drive, Math folder)

Wednesday: Spelling, write sentences, scavenger word hunt (Google Drive, Language folder)

Thursday: Religion/Language, read/view Holy Week, write paragraph (Easter/Lenten journey) (Google Drive, Language folder)

Friday: Good Friday

**Please see Mme. Ghaffari's French work schedule in the homeroom (HRM) folder for this week's work

Please keep in mind that teachers have been directed by the Ministry of Education to provide a total of one hour of work per day for kindergarten to grade 3 students. That includes French instruction within the one hour time slot. Due to Good Friday and Easter Monday, students will receive a total of 4 hours of work for the next two weeks.

If you do not have a printer at home, students can complete their work on paper. For the time being, you can keep all finished work. Also, you can take a photo of your child's work and email it to me. I would love to see their hard work!

Thank you for jumping into this learning at home initiative and I truly appreciate your efforts at home. Please check this blog daily for updates. I will add an important update tomorrow to explain how your child can use Google Meet for an online meeting with his/her teacher and classmates. This meeting is optional of course. We will meet every Wednesday at 10:00.

Take care and stay healthy!

Mr. Blais and Mme. Ghaffari