Last Week of November...

Thank you to all the parents who have taken the time out of their busy schedule to meet with me to discuss your child's report card. It was a successful evening and day!

Just a few things that I would like to bring to your attention:

a) Please note that with the inconsistency of the weather, we have had a few chilly and wet days. Plese ensure that your child is dressed appropriately and most importantly are wearing boots. I have often reminded the children to bring a pair of indoor shoes to leave at school and to put their outdoor shoes or boots on. We are having a lot of issues of children coming into class with muddy shoes, leaving behind a mess under their desk and around the classroom.

b) Please ensure your child has a fresh set of pencils, erasers, and pencil crayons. I am noticing many children are running a bit low and are often needing to borrow a pencil or eraser daily.

c) Presentations are set to begin tomorrow (Wednesday, November 28th). Your child has already signed up and are eager to share their findings and their hard work. Can't wait to see everyone's presentations!

d) Next week, I will be handing out Scholastic orders (not from the Book Fair) and would like to remind you that if you are purchasing a book or two, to please make sure that you are paying the price under ON, NB, NL that is highlighted in the pink column. Thank you.

To follow up from the Parent Interviews, I have posted a list of websites that can help your child academically...

Math Online Activities:

http://aaamath.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/maths/

http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/math/index.htm

Language:

http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/preview/harcourt_language/grammar_park.html

Typing:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

Math

After working extremely hard on creating double bar graphs, we took the next step and learned how to make a line graph. I first modelled to the children a line graph so they are able to understand how to set the Y and X axis on the graph with appropriate labels and to plot the information onto the graph. Also, to allow them to see what a line graph looks like.

Modelled Line Graph - Hot Fudge Sundaes Sold

I then provided them with a data of Maple's 7 Days Weather Trend where they independently created their graph. This was to allow the children to explore this further.

Maple, Ontario 7 Days Trend

Language

We are back into our Guided Reading Centres. Here, our centres consist of: 

Guided Reading - Working with the teaching on improving reading skills orally and independently. Discussions about reading strategies used and critically thinking about what we have read.

Library/Quiet Reading - A visit to the library to exchange books (if needed) and quiet reading time. During quiet reading time, your child is encouraged to just enjoy a 15-20 minutes of quiet reading time. I have observed many children enjoy this time as it is sometimes hard to peel them away to begin our next task!

Reading Response - With the books your child has been reading, they are writing a letter to respond to their thinking while they are reading. Inside their yellow language duo-tang, they have a list of 'starters' that helps them to get started on what they want to write. For example, they can write what they think of the character in the book. Do they like the character or not like the character and being able to explain their reasoning in their letter can be one way to respond. 

Critical Thinking - We have been implementing a lot of critical thinking in our school and this has become a centre during our literacy block. Through group discussions, the children are encouraged to think outside of the box with teacher's guidance. Below is a sample of a question that the children are working on. This is a great discussion to have at the dinner table!

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Sauder

And We Are Back!

Between viruses on computer, and plowing through November, we are up and running again! Below, you will find an update as to what we have been doing in class so far.

 But first, I wish to extend my Wishes to those families who celebrate Diwali! Happy Diwali to you all!

In language we have been focusing on our writing, using power bubble writing. This is a graphic organizer that helps us to organize our thoughts when we are writing. This method has been used from primary grades right up to University/College grades. It's effective and helpful to all children and I have seen significant improvement in everyone's writing. We will continue to use this throughout the school year.

Power Writing Bubble

Next, in math, we have begun Data Management. We are learning how to collect data effectively and ask questions effectively. For example, we have been looking at questions such as what summer activities do you do in the summer time, and making sure we are asking the question effectively. For example, through observations, some children were asking, what is your favourite summer sport? Some activities listed were not sports. So, this is a great starting point in making sure that what we are reading and what we are asking are the same thing. Also, using our success criterias, we are making sure that our graphs are set up properly, labels, correct scale, title, evenly spaced categories and bars. 

To take the next step, the children yesterday learned how to create a double bar graph. Taking the information we collected from the question, "What is your favourite sport to play?" the children received a colour coded card to answer it (pink for girls and blue for boys). We created a bar graph using the entire class's information. Then, we sorted the information from boys to girls. 

Next, I modelled how to create the information using double bars. 

The children copied this into their notebooks. 

On Monday, we will continue to practice this! They actually showed interest in doing this! 

This week many families celebrated Diwali. We read and learned about Diwali and how it is a celebration of light. The children who celebrate Diwali shared that their favourite part of their celebration is the fireworks. So, we created a little firework show in our classroom! (Not literally!)

The display is stunning and I cannot wait for you to see it when you come to visit this week for our Parent Interviews! 

Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing you all this week!

Mrs. Sauder