Starting tomorrow...

I will be writing in the agenda daily.  Comments will be short and to the point, updating you on your child's progress and behaviour.  It would be very helpful if parents continue to check AND sign the agenda daily.

In Science...

In science we are observing our mung beans go through the germination process.  Some of our planting techniques are proving to be better than others.  We are also discussing the importance that plants place on society and how people, animals and plants all depend on eachother.

Watch a short clip of a mung bean germinating.  Amazing!

Volunteers for Friday's Trip

I have been selected to attend a full-day ESL workshop this Friday.  Therefore, I will not be going on the trip.  I have however, secured Mrs. Orfao, a former teacher from our school who is familiar with the class.  As well, I have chosen 2 additional volunteers. The kids will be very well taken care of. 

In Language...

Reading
Today I will be meeting with the levelled reading groups.  Together we will discuss our books, share our homework, and take part in a read-aloud.  Further instructions on what to do with the book will be coming home today.

Writing
As you know, we've been focusing in retelling and summarizing. We are also getting into inferencing.  When you are reading with your child, its important that you are stopping every once in a while to ask an inferencing question.  For example, we have been reading a book called Lily and the Paper Man.  It's about a little girl who sees a homeless man everyday as she comes home from school.  The man is in tattered clothing, its winter, and he stands out on the corner selling newspapers for $1. The little girl is concerned for the man and an inferencing question I have asked is "how do you think the little girl feels towards the homeless man?"  Students are encouraged to answer this question using examples from the book and their own experiences to explain their thinking. 

In Math...Geometry and Spatial Sense

We are taking a break from Data Management and working our way forward.
This week we are starting to focus on Movement and Locations of objects on a grid.  We will be using language such as left, right, up, down, diagonal, north, west, east, south, reflection, translation and rotation. 
Using co-ordinates is another area we will be focusing on starting with the famous board game Battleship.

In Social Studies...

We have begun to disect Urban and Rural Communities. 
We are discovering that they are very different and have some similarities.  We are also learning that they very much depend on one another.  See below  for some of their distinct features.  Then, watch a short video that compares the two communities. 

Urban
Over Developed
large population (over 2,500)
many homes
tall buildings
noisy
traffic
many cars
little open space
high pollution
entertainment
many shops and stores
many jobs
restaurants
factories
signs and billboards

Rural
underdeveloped
small population (less than 2,500)
few homes
small buildings
quiet
less traffic
few cars
lots of open space
farms
few shops and stores
few restaurants
forests/trees

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGUkjzPS9sU

Homework

Math homework came home lastnight and is due on Wednesday along with the Spelling homework. 

Reminders - Important Dates

Today or Tomorrow - Scholastic Book Orders are due
Friday, December 3rd - afternoon trip to Young Peoples Theatre
Thursday, December 9th - Winter Concert (we will be performing in the Spring Concert)
Friday, December 18th - last day before Winter Break
January 3rd - 1st Day back to school

Spelling lists

Grade 2 Words
Come
some
from
one
done
none
love
of
gone
does
once
above

Grade 3 Words
back
pack
neck
trick
cricket
lock
block
clock
creek
leak
speak
break
oak
croak
shook
freckles
chuckle

Grade 4 Words
enemy
enjoy
instead
sudden
uncle
jungle
depth
pledge
length
depth
brass
bulk
wreck
craft

Thank You!

I want to thank all parents and students for being so responsible with all the new additions to the Grade 3 program.  I understand it's a lot to take in in a short time, but we're off to a great start!  Everyone came to school prepared today with all their belongings.  Make sure your son or daughter is referring to the checklist each morning and night and I will do the same.  Keep up the good work!

The Agenda is in Use!

We started using the agenda today!  we entered our weekly spelling words and some up-coming events and homework.  Remember to use the agenda when wanting to get a message to me and remind your child to show me when they get to school. 

A Trial Run in Spelling

As you may know, our class has a wide range of learners and as a result, there is more then one grade level of spelling lists being provided.  In addition to the grade 2 and 3 words, I am now introducing the grade 4 words as there are several strong spellers who would benefit from a more challenging list.

Here's how it will work:
From now on, I will post all three lists (grade 2, 3 and now 4).  Those who are being assessed on grade 2 words know who they are.  Everyone else will be assessed on the grade 3 words.  Here's the tricky part...all those who want to 'challenge' themselves to the grade 4 words are welcome to HOWEVER, the only score that counts, comes from the grade 3 word list.

Any questions or confusion?  Don't hesitate to post your comment. I will explain this fully to the class this morning!

Levelled Reading Books

Most of the books that were sent home yesterday have a letter on them indicating the level. This is a different levelling system than the one I use on the children.  Please disregard.  :)
Also, I don't think I indicated that this book and bag is to come to school everyday in the event that we will be doing something with it. And, the homework assigned to the books is to be brought in on Monday, Nov. 29th. 

Theatre Trip Form and Money DUE tomorrow

There are still a number of families who haven't sent in their money for permission forms.  They were due yesterday but I will accept them tomorrow.  Thanks.

Lots of things to look for tonight...

**Please ensure that the red and green folders, agenda and checklists are brought to school every single day**

Today there are many things for your child to explain to you once you get home from school.  Please look in his/her bag for the following: 

#1 - A red folder - Student Reading Log -  Students are to enter the title of the books and pages they read along with the date and a parents signature. We will also will be recording the books we read at school so this folder is to be in their school bag everyday. 

#2 - A zip lock bag and book - Guided Reading Program - starting this week, students have been assigned a book and corresponding work.  In the bag is a white sheet with instructions.  This is due on Monday, November 29th. 

#3 - A checklist - You will find a white sheet with 4 checklists. Please help in reviewing this list with your child each day.  Eventually it should be done independently. 

#4 - a pink sheet - this sheet outlines everything stated above. 

DreamBox Update

I was unaware of a couple things.  One being that the DREAMBOX game site can't be played after 5pm.  My suggestion to families is to have your child play directly after school.  Also, I've been informed that it is only a trial and will expire at the end of December.  If I can make some changes to that I will be sure to let you know. 

As of today, I am Banning...

Bay Blades and Silly Bands. 
After MANY requests and gentle reminds to students to put their Silly Bands and Bay Blades away, I am forced to resort to a complete ban on both.  They are not to be brought to school on Monday.  If students are caught with these I will take them until the end of the year.

Happy Eid!

To all our Muslim Families....Wishing you a very Happy Eid.  Hope you are enjoying the celebrations!

Spelling lesson 11 - Words with s or c

safe
season
sell
sent
seven
silly
sister
soft
sunset
cell
cent
centre
celebrate
city
recess
science
scissors

Our Dreambox Pilot - Try it out!

What is it?
DreamBox Learning K-3 Math is a fun adventure full of stories, interactive games, and more! It’s a highly individualized, effective math program, made engaging so children will be motivated to play and learn — it’s serious learning that’s seriously fun.

It’s serious learning because:
DreamBox individualizes learning through continuous assessment and adaptations during lesson game play. Lessons, hints, level of difficulty, pace, sequence, instructional tools, and many other aspects of the experience are tailored to help each student learn.
It’s a robust math curriculum, with over 500 lessons built on the math learning Focal Points from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
It builds understanding and confidence in math fundamentals being taught in the classroom, through in-depth focus on Number Sense and Computation, and Algebra.
To improve conceptual understanding, students use virtual manipulatives to “show their work” rather than just clicking on an answer. And because our adaptation engine captures every mouse click, this deep, rich data enables highly sophisticated individualization.
DreamBox has online Teacher and Parent dashboards that report on each student’s progress in real time. Teachers can review detailed progress for their whole classroom and for each student. And parents get progress reports and practical tips on bringing math fun into everyday life.

It’s seriously fun because:
- Kids choose from 4 adventure themes (pirates, pixies, dinosaurs, and pets), each with 8 stories, and hundreds of choices for activities in the online adventures.
- DreamBox makes math lessons fun and interactive, so kids build confidence and a sense of accomplishment!
- Kids can choose from 36 characters to represent themselves on screen.
Positive audio and visual feedback encourages progress.
- Kids get rewards such as collectible Adventure Friends, tokens to play Carnival games, and Achievement Certificate awards that can be printed out and proudly displayed.

This program will be used during each computer session on day 4. Students are invited to also use the program at home. Use the link below to help you navigate to DreamBox. Have Fun!


http://play.dreambox.com/c/dfdhj

Progress Reports and BOOK FAIR!!

Today the Progress Report with interview times will be sent home. Also, The Book Fair takes place this week and our class has been assigned the following time slot:

Tuesday, November 16th, 1st recess.

Students are also invited to visit the fair after school each day until 3:30pm starting Tuesday.

Scholastic Orders

4-5 catelogues came home today. I will be putting the book orders through on Novemeber 29th.

Remembrance Day

Thursday, November 11th, is Remembrance Day. Clairlea holds a service each year. This year, our class has contributed to the decorating of the gym. We wrote notes to soldiers and made white crosses with poppies. You are invited to join us tomorrow at 10:30 but keep in mind there may be standing room only. The entire school squeezes into the gym for this and it's very, very tight. Also, poppies will be distributed and donations are accepted. The amount is left up to the donator. Please know that your gratitude is extremely valued and thank you in advance for any denomination that you send in.

Spelling List #8 - Word with C or K

camp
camera
cave
colour
cost
contest
cub
keep
key
kids
kindergarten
kiss
kitchen
kite
kitten
ketchup

There are only 16 words this week. For HOMEWORK I've given students the choice to do ONE of the following:
- create sentences with all spelling words
- define 8 or all of the words
- create a story using as many of the words as possible
- find 3 rhyming words for each spelling word

I'm impressed!

The interview request sheet was sent home on Monday and 16 families have responded! I'm happy to say that most of your request have been met. Your interview time will be included in your childs report card on Monday. For those families yet to make a request, below are the time slots that I still have available.

Thursday 4:30-5:30, 6:30-7:00
Friday 10:15-11:00

I look forward to seeing you all next week. Thank you for your active role in this process.

Robert Munsch Afternoon Play

A 1/2 day trip to the theatre is planned for December 3rd. Please have the permission form and fee back to school by November 22nd. Thanks

Notices and Tests - IMPORTANT!

In the green folder, or simply in your childs bag, you will find the following:
- a mapping pop quiz (has been marked and needs to be signed and returned)
- a spelling test
- a Clairlea Spirit Wear order form - Due Nov.26 - (make cheques payable to Clairlea School Council)
- a Parent Teacher Interview Form - must be returned ASAP to hold your preferred time. Times are based on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Data Management Homework - due Wednesday - Students need to study the graph and transfer the data into a table.

Science Test - Returned

Families, you will find the most recent science test on Plants in your childs bag. I've indicated that I would like it reviewed, signed and returned. We went over the test this afternoon and corrected the mistakes.

Spelling List #7 - words with "ear"

This weeks spelling Homework: write a short story using as many of these spelling words as possible.

bear
pear
wear
tear
ear
dear
fear
near
clear
hear
heard
learn
earth
earn
early
appear
earthquake

...In addition to...

You'll be pleased to see that you no longer need to navigate through pages of posts to find what you're looking for. Simply scroll down. It will go as far as a month back. Also, you can now leave comments for me and others to see. Below each post you will notice the word 'comment'. Simply click and type away. I will check them regularily in the event that responses are required!

Photosynthesis - Sunlight + CO2+Water=sugar (food for the plant)

Erosion part 1of3

The videos below were viewed back at the beginning of our soils unit. Nothing like a refresher!

Erosion part 2of3

Erosion part 3 of 3

Plant Parts and Functions

Slowly but surely

After fiddling around with this blog I'm figuring some things out! Last week it was pictures, this week...videos!
If I post videos on the blog, please watch. They have probably been shown in class and are good to be reinforced at home. Before watching them with your child, ask them to recall the video to see how well they were listening. ;)

Spelling Test - Thursday

I will be moving the originally scheduled spelling test to Thrusday of this week. One more day of studying!!