Practise, Practise, Practise

This week in Language, we read "Le loup qui n'aimait pas Noël" for shared reading. We having finished both reading and writing centre cycles and will not begin again until the new year. We will spend the next week finishing up any incomplete work. 

In Math, we finished another cycle of Daily 5 math centres. We will finish up the graphing activities over the next week ready to begin our next unit on 2-D shapes and 3-D solids. We also spent some time learning how to properly use a calculator. 

In Science, we learned about how material choice affects stability, depending of the solidity, the flexibility, and the durability. We also looked at how triangles and arches are the strongest shapes and make objects more stable. I will be collecting empty paper towel and wrapping paper rolls over the next few weeks for a structure building science project in January. 

In Social Studies, the class completed all of their maps and we began looking at maps of Ontario. 

We spent almost all of our Arts and Phys. Ed. time practising for the Holiday Concert and the goodbye assembly for Mrs. Miller, who is retiring at the end of next week. The Holiday a Concert takes place on Wednesday, with a matinee performance at 11:30 and evening performance at 6:30. Thursday's assembly is also at 11:30. 

There will also be theme days each day next week.

Monday - Red Day

Tuesday - Green Day

Wednesday - White and Sparkly Day

Thursday - Holiday Hat Day

Friday - Pyjama Day 

Have a great weekend and enjoy our unseasonably warm December weather!

Getting Into the Holiday Spirit

This week in Languuage, we read "Le rêve de Bananè" for our shared reading. We looked at the "è" sound and all of its spellings. The class had some challenging new words in this week's words and sentences. We started a new cycle of reading and writing centres. In Reading, they are reviewing rhyming words. In Writing, they are looking at the difference between nouns, verbs, and "déterminants" (le, la, un, une...) The students are working on posters which also ties in nicely to media. 

In Math, the students completed surveys and are graphing the information. In their math games, they practised odd/even numbers, ordering numbers, and greater than/less than. 

In Science, we looked at what a stable and non-stable structure would be. We discussed that animals are not structures so we need to go back next week and look at that a bit more and make some corrections to this week's work. We also spent some time looking at the difference between solid and stable. 

In Social Studies, we continued to practise mapping. This week the students were making maps of small locations of their choice. (A room, the class, backyard...)

In Phys. Ed. the students continued to build their endurance in running. As we started a new month, we added another lap. We are now up to 6 laps from 3 in September. To help them (and me) keep track, they start with 6 Popsicle sticks and hand one in at the completion of each lap. In addition to the cooperative games we played, we've been practising our song and flag dance for the Holiday Concert. Mme Judd has been working with the students on the dance while I've been working with the students who just want to sing. 

Friday was a very busy day. We had both a bus presentation and the Jingle Bell Walk. We also had a Book Fair at school this week. We did not exchange library books as the library was closed all week for the Book Fair. 

I have added a page at the top of the blog with any of the important upcoming dates between now and March that I know of. Swim/Skate dates are included as well as a class trip in February. 

Thank you to all of the families who sent in non-perishable goods for those less fortunate this holiday season. 

Puppets, Singing and Dancing!

This week in Language we looked at the "ch" sound in " La famille de Rachel". We have started new cycles in the reading and writing centres with some new games. In reading, they are working on comprehension by matching pictures to sentences. In writing, the are looking at parts of sentences (nouns, verbs, and adverbs), and punctuation at the end of sentences. 

In Math, the students continued to look at organizing data. Some of the new games in the centres are on greater than/less than/equal, ordering numbers in quantity, and odd/even numbers. 

In Science, we have started a unit on structures and stability. We had a class discussion on what a structure is - something that can bear a load. We also discussed the two types of structures, those found in nature and those that are man-made. 

In Social Studies, the students have been working on their rural maps. Most are close to being finished. 

In Drama, the students presented their conflict resolution skits with puppets. In Music, we got together with Mme Lavoie's class (with Mme Judd) to learn and practise a song that they will sing and dance to during the Holiday Concert. Mme Judd and I will be putting the classes together during Music and Phys. Ed. to practise over the next couple of weeks. In Dance, we learned a "Bollywood" type Zumba dance " Indian Moonlight", reviewed "Uptown Funk" from last year, and learned the moves to "Follow the Leader". It's been a very busy week. 

Have a great weekend!

Bullying Awareness and More

This week in language, we worked on the sound "on/om" in "Le trésor de Gédéon". After last week's Remembrance Day activities, this week it was back to our regular Daily 5 activities. Most students have started on their second notebook for our weekly words and sentences. There's lots of writing going on in our class. 

In Math, we continued to learn about organizing data. Rubrics were sent home this week with information about how the students did in the last math unit on representing numbers. 

In Social Studies, the students finished up their group urban maps. After working on a rural map as a group, the students are now working on their own rural maps. 

In Science, we have finished up our plant unit. The students did a quiz to show what they learned about the growth of plants. We will be beginning a new unit on structures. 

In Physical Education, we have been working on soccer skills through a variety of soccer drills. We have also been doing Dance, doing movement activities to music with several pieces of equipment. 

In Drama, the students have finished up their skits on resolving conflicts. They practiced acting them out with puppets and will present for me next week. 

It was Bullying Awareness Week. There was an assembly today and students were encouraged to wear pink shirts.