December 15th Update

Social Studies

The Grade Two students presented their "Traditions in a Box" projects this week and they were wonderful! Each student taught the class so much about their traditions. It was a great learning experience for all. I want to thank the families for supporting this from home. The assessment will be sent home next week after a reflection is completed in class.

The Grade Three students have worked hard on their dioramas of First Nations villages. Thank you to the families that helped their children gather some art materials to bring in. While this was not mandatory it was definitely appreciated. On Monday, the Grade Three students will present their villages to the class. I will post pictures after the presentations so stay tuned for that!

Math

We have been working on strategies for addition. Many students choose to use the standard algorithm for addition. Some of the other strategies that we have focused on (making friendly numbers, adding the tens and then the ones) are important to explore as they support mental math. I encourage students to use the strategy that they feel most confident with, but also to understand other strategies as they are often more efficient depending on the question: 

For example if we are adding 49+ 34 it makes more sense to add 50+33, which is nice to solve mentally- instead of working through the standard algorithm. 

We are now exploring strategies for subtraction. Again, many students will choose to use the standard algorithm but we will also learn about other strategies that support mental math. 

At Home Practise!!

Being able to "take leaps of ten" mentally is an important skill that supports addition and subtraction. This can easily be practiced at home. Simply choose a number between 1-9 and keep adding ten until you wish to stop! For example if you choose 6, you would say 6, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56 etc. You can also try this for subtraction. For example begin with a large number like 134 and subtract ten each time, 134, 124, 114, 104, etc. Once students feel confident adding and subtracting tens, you could move to 20, and then 30 and so on. 

Spirit Day

Next Thursday, December 21st is P.J./ Bring your favourite stuffy day! Should be nice a cozy for the first day of winter!

Pride Assembly

Next Friday, December  23rd we are having a whole school Pride Assembly. The Assembly begins at 9:00. While the gym will be busy, if you are home and would like to attend please do! But come early to secure a seat!

Errol Lee

All next week, our students will be participating in workshops with Errol Lee. This is part of the Art's Package. On Thursday, December 21st our class will be part of a performance in the gym. This is from 11:30-12:15. Families are welcome to attend!