December
We are soon into advent and preparing for Jesus’ birth. Our class along with Mme Serina's is prepared the advent celebration. I sent out the link to everyone through email, I hope you enjoyed it. It is a busy time for everyone so here’s a quick update on what has been and will be happening in our classroom.
Our Home Reading Program is moving along well. The kids have been posting some great responses to their books. It is so important that you continue to have your child read regularly in English and in French. Students can be reminded to use a variety of sentence starters to demonstrate their connections with the text. The point numbers in ClassDojo show how many times your child has completed their home reading response. Some are over 100 already. Bravo!
Math: Since the beginning of the year, the students have been using the xtramath app. This is an online math fact fluency program that helps students develop quick recall and automaticity of their basic math facts. Many students have been quite motivated to master the addition facts. We are finishing up our unit on numbers to 1000 and will be moving into the addition and subtraction unit. The objectives covered in this next unit are to:
- Apply mental mathematics strategies and number properties, such as:
• using doubles
• making 10
• using the commutative property
• using the property of zero
• thinking addition for subtraction for basic addition facts and related subtraction facts to 18.
- Solve one-step addition and subtraction equations involving a symbol to represent an unknown number.
- Describe and apply mental mathematics strategies for adding two 2-digit numerals, such as:
• adding from left to right
• taking one addend to the nearest multiple of ten and then compensating
• using doubles.
- Describe and apply mental mathematics strategies for subtracting two 2-digit numerals, such as:
• taking the subtrahend to the nearest multiple of ten and then compensating
• thinking of addition
• using doubles.
- Apply estimation strategies to predict sums and differences of two 2-digit numerals in a problem-solving context.
- Demonstrate an understanding of addition and subtraction of numbers with answers to 1000 (limited to 1-, 2- and 3-digit numerals), concretely, pictorially and symbolically, by:
• using personal strategies for adding and subtracting with and without the support of manipulatives
• creating and solving problems in context that involve addition and subtraction of numbers.
In Social Studies, we have looked at the 4 countries and investigated various factors that influence the quality of life. In January, we will look at the impact geographic position has on a community’s quality of life.
In Science, we have moved into a unit of testing a variety of materials and designs. Here the students learn about a fair test, hypothesis, materials and conclusion. In February, we will begin our unit on Building Things. For our building things unit, we will need a variety of materials. If you have any toilet paper tubes, small boxes, egg cartons or anything that the students can build with, we could use those supplies in the New Year.
In French we are working on writing a letter to Santa, a variety of Christmas activities along with reading a French chapter book.
The school will be having a virtual advent Calendar featuring performances from a variety of classes. Our class will be featured on Dec 21st. The students are busy preparing the choral reading of poems in French and English. I will share the link of our performance with you as well.
In English we are beginning a mini unit on the Polar Express. To finish up this unit, we have a Polar Express Day on Tuesday, Dec 21. The kids will be encouraged to come to school in their pyjamas and we will do a bunch of activities related to the book and finish with watching the movie “The Polar Express” along with enjoying a surprise Hot Chocolate bar where the students will dress their own hot chocolates.
We have organized for the Grade 3s to all go swimming at the Eastlink Center on Monday, December 20th from 9:00 - 12:00. I will send out a reminder to send students with their bathing suits and towels before this day.
We have also organized for the Grade 3s to all go skating at the Dave Barr arena on Wednesday, Dec 22nd from 9 - 12. Due to Covid Restrictions, we are unable to have volunteers to drive or tie skates. I believe, the administration team will come to help us though :)
Thursday, Dec 23rd, our last day of school, I am planning on doing a gift exchange with the students in the morning. I ask that each child purchase a gift between $15.00 - $20.00. In the past, we have done this with the 4 classes with girls being together and boys being together. This year, it will be just our class. Please consider this when choosing a gift. If there are families with financial restraints where this activity may be a burden, please let me know and I would be happy to support your child with a gift. The gifts will need to be brought a few days in advance so that they can quarantine.
I wish you and your family a safe, warm and restful Christmas Break.
We are soon into advent and preparing for Jesus’ birth. Our class along with Mme Serina's is prepared the advent celebration. I sent out the link to everyone through email, I hope you enjoyed it. It is a busy time for everyone so here’s a quick update on what has been and will be happening in our classroom.
Our Home Reading Program is moving along well. The kids have been posting some great responses to their books. It is so important that you continue to have your child read regularly in English and in French. Students can be reminded to use a variety of sentence starters to demonstrate their connections with the text. The point numbers in ClassDojo show how many times your child has completed their home reading response. Some are over 100 already. Bravo!
Math: Since the beginning of the year, the students have been using the xtramath app. This is an online math fact fluency program that helps students develop quick recall and automaticity of their basic math facts. Many students have been quite motivated to master the addition facts. We are finishing up our unit on numbers to 1000 and will be moving into the addition and subtraction unit. The objectives covered in this next unit are to:
- Apply mental mathematics strategies and number properties, such as:
• using doubles
• making 10
• using the commutative property
• using the property of zero
• thinking addition for subtraction for basic addition facts and related subtraction facts to 18.
- Solve one-step addition and subtraction equations involving a symbol to represent an unknown number.
- Describe and apply mental mathematics strategies for adding two 2-digit numerals, such as:
• adding from left to right
• taking one addend to the nearest multiple of ten and then compensating
• using doubles.
- Describe and apply mental mathematics strategies for subtracting two 2-digit numerals, such as:
• taking the subtrahend to the nearest multiple of ten and then compensating
• thinking of addition
• using doubles.
- Apply estimation strategies to predict sums and differences of two 2-digit numerals in a problem-solving context.
- Demonstrate an understanding of addition and subtraction of numbers with answers to 1000 (limited to 1-, 2- and 3-digit numerals), concretely, pictorially and symbolically, by:
• using personal strategies for adding and subtracting with and without the support of manipulatives
• creating and solving problems in context that involve addition and subtraction of numbers.
In Social Studies, we have looked at the 4 countries and investigated various factors that influence the quality of life. In January, we will look at the impact geographic position has on a community’s quality of life.
In Science, we have moved into a unit of testing a variety of materials and designs. Here the students learn about a fair test, hypothesis, materials and conclusion. In February, we will begin our unit on Building Things. For our building things unit, we will need a variety of materials. If you have any toilet paper tubes, small boxes, egg cartons or anything that the students can build with, we could use those supplies in the New Year.
In French we are working on writing a letter to Santa, a variety of Christmas activities along with reading a French chapter book.
The school will be having a virtual advent Calendar featuring performances from a variety of classes. Our class will be featured on Dec 21st. The students are busy preparing the choral reading of poems in French and English. I will share the link of our performance with you as well.
In English we are beginning a mini unit on the Polar Express. To finish up this unit, we have a Polar Express Day on Tuesday, Dec 21. The kids will be encouraged to come to school in their pyjamas and we will do a bunch of activities related to the book and finish with watching the movie “The Polar Express” along with enjoying a surprise Hot Chocolate bar where the students will dress their own hot chocolates.
We have organized for the Grade 3s to all go swimming at the Eastlink Center on Monday, December 20th from 9:00 - 12:00. I will send out a reminder to send students with their bathing suits and towels before this day.
We have also organized for the Grade 3s to all go skating at the Dave Barr arena on Wednesday, Dec 22nd from 9 - 12. Due to Covid Restrictions, we are unable to have volunteers to drive or tie skates. I believe, the administration team will come to help us though :)
Thursday, Dec 23rd, our last day of school, I am planning on doing a gift exchange with the students in the morning. I ask that each child purchase a gift between $15.00 - $20.00. In the past, we have done this with the 4 classes with girls being together and boys being together. This year, it will be just our class. Please consider this when choosing a gift. If there are families with financial restraints where this activity may be a burden, please let me know and I would be happy to support your child with a gift. The gifts will need to be brought a few days in advance so that they can quarantine.
I wish you and your family a safe, warm and restful Christmas Break.