Winter is coming. Batten down the hatches!
Math
We're two math units in and are just starting up one of my favourite units in math - data management. Data management is a great unit in math that allows us to collaborate and create some meaningful work on computers.
Reading
We are finishing our connections unit and moving on to reading with fluency. Reading with fluency is basically being able to read out loud. Reading out loud is a skill that needs to be taught and practiced. Students will start to ask to read to someone at home on a regular basis. I'm asking that each student read out loud for about fifteen minutes with someone at home. Students can read a variety of texts to someone at home. The reading doesn't have to be limited to novels or fictional works. Students can read magazine articles, recipes when helping you in the kitchen or instructions when you're making them put together your new Ikea bedroom set! Finally, students will have a reading log that will have to be signed nightly by someone at home.
Writing
We are continuing or Me Time Capsule assignments and are finishing up our word work on verbs. After finishing our Time Capsule assignment we will begin a writing unit on organizing ideas and writing about medieval times or early civilizations. We will continue to work on paragraphing (grouping ideas together), capitalization, commas and proper nouns.
Social Studies
We're continue to work on Medieval times and ancient civilizations. We're quickly approaching the hands on portion of this unit when we'll have a chance to build some medieval weaponry (that is safe of course!) and castles or other ancient structures.
A Few Reminders and Requests
Chess Club
A few students in the class have inquired about starting up a chess club. I think this is a fantastic idea that will allow students to play one of the world's best games, while socializing in a productive manner. Unfortunately, I don't have any chess boards and don't have funds through the school to buy boards. If you have any old or lightly used chess sets our Chess Club will greatly appreciate your donations.
Remembrance Day
Our class will be doing a choral reading of a poem for our Rembrance Day Assembly this Friday at 10:20. Students will be in small groups reading one or two lines to contribute to the poetry reading. All family members are welcome to attend.
Being Mindful of the Time
Coming to school on time helps us get ready for the day. By arriving late, we are often a bit stressed out and not able to fully prepare for what's ahead. In addition, we also need to respect school rules and expectations and arriving on time ready to learn is one of them. Students who consistently arrive late to class will start paying that time back at morning recess. Hopefully, this will motivate them to arrive on time.Completing School Work at Home
Completing homework on time is also an important expectation that needs to be addressed with some of us. The majority of the homework that is assigned is work that was not finished in class. By not completing that work some of us are starting to fall behind with our schoolwork. This has a negative impact as the more we forget to do our work, the further we get behind. Please try and remember to check this blog and check your agenda for work that needs to be completed. Parents, please sign your son/daughter's agenda nightly.
