April 30th Update

Just a few things...

Math Test

We will have a math test about multiplication and division on Friday. Students were given a study package today. The instructions are on the front of the study package. If you have any questions please contact me. 

Following the test we will learn about geometry!

Book Fair

The book fair is open in the Learning Commons this week. Students are able to go during certain times throughout the day if they would like to purchase. On Wednesday the Book Fair is open until 6:30 pm. The Book Fair closes at the end of the week, and we should be able to go to the library for book exchange this Friday!

May Calendar

The May Calendar is ready and will be sent home with your student tomorrow.

Jump Rope for Heart

Our school is participating in the Jump Rope for Heart charity. Our Jump date is in June. Students are encouraged to ask family and friends for donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Big white envelopes outlining the program were sent home two weeks ago. We have extra in our classroom if you need one. You can also sign up to make donations online. Click here for more information. If you are donating using the envelopes they are due on May 17th. If you are donating online I believe you can do this right up to our jump date in June. 

Language Lounge

On Thursdays at morning recess the Language Lounge is opened in the Learning Commons. All students interested in learning a new language are welcome to attend! Each week a new language is taught.

Hansen Palooza

This is our school's biggest fundraiser! Organizers are looking for many volunteers! A blue form was sent home last week asking for volunteers. If you are available to help before the event, on June 8th for set up, during the event, or for clean up please let me know! 

Talent Show

Rick Hansen will be having a talent show! Students interested in auditioning are asked to sign up on Wednesday. 

Multiplication and Division!

We are learning about multiplication and division right now in math! Here are a few great resources to support student learning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgjCLhoI9Mk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrVGCYBROeU

https://www.flocabulary.com/topics/multiplication-division/ *This one is great- but you need a membership. You can sign up for a free two week trial though!

Supporting Learning in Social Studies

Here are some resources that support our learning in Social Studies!

World Map
https://mapmaker.nationalgeographic.org/

Grade 3 Resource
*This website has many links to information and videos about Ontario's land form regions and industries
http://vlcguides.wcdsb.ca/Gr3SStudies/StrandB

Learn 360 has a fabulous collection of educational videos and our school board has a membership. To access this resources:

1. http://www.yrdsb.ca/Pages/default.aspx

2. Click on "Student Tools and Resources" (on the right side)

3. Scroll down to "Learn 360"

4. Please ask me for the username and password if you are interested in this resource.

April 13th Update

Spelling

I am very happy with our new spelling program as I have noticed that since the revamp spelling test scores have improved significantly. In the future I will use the "spring spelling homework" version right from the beginning of the year. Thank you so much for your ongoing support at home. Please let me know if you have any feedback, questions, or concerns.

Art

Over the last few weeks students have learned special techniques to use when painting with water colour paints. This week we completed our water colour paintings to show a "water scene". Here are some pictures that capture the process and product!

Math

We have been exploring money in math class! On Tuesday we turned our classroom into a store! Here are some pictures:

Counting money and making change is a life skill that students will continue to learn about, and find strategies for over time. 

Grade Two students learn how to add and subtract (make change) money to one dollar.

Grade Three students learn how to add and subtract (make change) money to ten dollars.

When making change I focus on teaching the students how to do this mentally. Some students still choose to use the standard algorithm for subtraction but I try to explain that in real life situations when you are determining change it's more efficient to use mental math. We have been focusing on taking "leaps of tens". Here is a simple example:

Students will benefit from continued experiences with money at home. Here are some ideas to support this learning at home:

-count and sort loose change

- create a pretend store (have a cashier and a shopper and focus on determining the total cost and change)

-if the weather ever becomes nicer...have a garage sale!

-play 20 Questions with money (see the instructions below)

Non-Fiction Writing

Students have been working hard in our Writer's Workshop. They have been researching their topics and recording information to include in their own non-fiction books. This week students learned about different ways to organize their information. Here are examples:

Next Science Unit...

Today we had a jump start into our next science unit. Students enjoyed planting their own seeds! We are growing Tiny Tim Cherry tomatoes! It will be exciting to observe our plants grow. Here is the beginning of this journey!