Weekly Update: November 25th - 29th

Happy Friday!

Here is a look at one of the tasks we did this week: Fact Fluency Groups!

Learning Objectives:

• Grade 3: Apply strategies for addition and subtraction within 1000
• Grade 4: Apply strategies to add and subtraction within 10 000
• Model regrouping by place value for addition and subtraction
• Explain the standard algorithms for addition and subtraction of natural numbers
• Add and subtract natural numbers using standard algorithms
• Estimate sums and differences
• Assess the reasonableness of a sum or difference using estimation
• Solve problems using addition and subtraction

Although we have completed our Addition & Subtraction unit, we wanted to provide our students with consistent opportunities to practice & extend their understanding of these foundational skills. We have arranged our students into four groups based on what they need practice in, and have planned different individual activities and games to help them enforce their skills and extend them in new ways. Students had the opportunity to meet in their groups and pick one activity to try this week. Students loved working on the challenges presented to them! Take a look at some of the groups in action below!

We plan to meet in our 'Fact Fluency Groups' once or twice a week and we will periodically change the activities and focus on different computational skills throughout the year.

A look ahead:

• In two weeks we will have a Geometry Check-In in Math. For this check-in, students will be asked to:
• identify polygons & non-polygons
• identify regular polygons & irregular polygons
• differentiate between parallel, perpendicular and intersecting lines
• identify right angles
• order angles from smallest to largest
• label angles as acute, obtuse, right, straight, and reflex
• classify triangles based on side length (equilateral, isosceles, scalene) and angles (right, acute, obtuse)
• measure angles with a protractor
• You may want to spend time with your child reviewing these skills. They will bring home a review page next Thursday.

Reminders:

- Please read, sign, and return Confluence Field Trip Forms ASAP. Our field trip is on Tuesday!

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Ms. Mostaghel 😁

Weekly Update: November 18th - 22nd

Happy Friday!

Here is a look at one of the tasks we did this week: Perspective Writing.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop creative expression through the use of organizational processes, methods, and tools.
• Reread written texts to identify what could be added or deleted to enhance creative expression.
• Edit writing for spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Compare or contrast aspects of texts within an individual text or between multiple texts.
• Examine the narrator’s point of view in texts.
• Create imaginative representations or dramatizations of fictional texts that depict point of view.

This week we reviewed the fairytales "The Three Little Pigs," "Cinderella," and "Goldilocks and the Three Little Bears." We then looked at these stories from one of the character's point of view such as "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" told by the wolf, and saw the story from a different perspective.  We also listened to "Seriously, Cinderella is SO annoying," a version of the story told by the wicked stepmother.  Students got to see that while the main events in the story stayed the same, the characters each have their own perspective and version of the events.  Now, our students are working on retelling "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" from one of the character's perspectives.  They are busily working on creating their story map (planning their setting, characters, main events, problem and solution), rough copies and then editing their work before working on their good copy.  We are excited to share our work with you next week at conferences, even if the good copies are not completed by then.

Reminders:

- Please book a time for Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences online using PowerSchool.

- Field trip forms will be coming home on Monday. Please read, sign, and return Confluence Field Trip Forms ASAP.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Ms. Mostaghel 😁

Weekly Update: November 14th - 15th

Happy Friday!

Here is a look at one of the tasks we did this week: Knowledgehook!

Students received log-in information on how to access Knowledgehook and had the chance to start completing the different activities! Knowledgehook is a website that allows students to get some extra practice on various math skills. There are many activities or concepts they can choose to work on, and occasionally we will assign specific tasks to students.

Students brought home a piece of paper with the log-in instructions and QR code that they will need each time they log in at home. Students are invited to access Knowledgehook at home for additional practice.

Please let us know if you have any difficulty accessing your child's Knowledgehook account.

Reminders:

• Swimming Starts on Monday! Our swimming lessons begin on Monday. Students are asked to wear their swimsuits to school and bring a change of clothes with them to the pool in a separate waterproof bag. They will also need underwear and a towel, and students may want to bring goggles. You may consider sending a hair brush/hair ties for after their lesson. We have noticed that students are extra hungry on days when they have swimming lessons, so we recommend packing a few extra snacks. Please do not send money with your child for the vending machine, as they will not be allowed to use it.
• Please take a look at the Assessment Reflection your child brought home about their addition and subtraction test and return the orange page.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Ms. Mostaghel 😁

Weekly Update: November 4th - 8th

Happy Friday!

Here is a look at one of the tasks we did this week: Story Elements of "The Wild Robot"

Learning Intentions:

• Examine and confirm the author’s or text creator’s purpose based on information in the text.
• Examine a variety of text features that provide additional and important information in a text.
• Examine elements within a variety of fictional texts.
• Create imaginative representations or dramatizations of fictional texts that depict understandings of characters, setting, and plot.

This week we talked about Story Elements: characters, setting, events, problem, solution and theme.  We learned about what each of these elements are, and we connected them to "The Wild Robot."  Students wrote a book review of 'The Wild Robot,' and incorporated these story elements within their review. Their book review also included their favourite parts, a rating on the book and students described who they would recommend the book to. Students extended their learning by answering some comprehension questions as well. Take a look at a couple of our reviews below:

Reminders:

• Enjoy your fall break starting today until Nov. 13th!  We are excited to see all the kids again on Thursday, November 14th.
• If you haven't returned your swimming permission form for your child, please ensure they come back next week.

Have a wonderful fall break!

-Ms. Mostaghel 😁

Weekly Update: October 28 - November 1st

 Happy Friday!

Here is a look at one of the Science tasks the Grade 3's did this week in Science: Creating Water Cycles in a Bag!

Learning Intentions:

• Understand that in the water cycle, water changes state from a liquid to a gas through evaporation, forms through condensation, then falls back to Earth in a liquid or solid state (precipitation).
• Understand that the water on Earth moves continuously in a cycle between bodies of water, the land, and the atmosphere.
• Describe and diagram the changes of state of water using the water cycle.

We have learned about the states of matter, and how heating or cooling matter can cause them to change states. We then explored the water cycle and explored how water continuously moves on Earth as students explained each stage of the water cycle, and drew it. This week we started an experiment where we created our own mini water cycle in a bag! Students drew the water cycle on the bag, added water to the bag, taped it to the window and shared their prediction for what they thought would happen to the water. On Day 3 we observed our bags and were excited to see that the water had started evaporating! We will leave our bags up until next week and observe any further changes. Take a look at our experiment below!

Here is a look at one of the tasks we did this week in Grade 4 Social Studies: Indigenous Heroes Research Project!

Learning Intentions:

• Recognize how stories of people and events provide multiple perspectives on past and present events
• Recognize the presence and influence of Aboriginal people as inherent to Alberta’s culture and identity
• Demonstrate respect for the rights, opinions and perspectives of others
• Investigate ways that non-fiction texts can be organized to support sharing of information
• Discuss a variety of facts and opinions expressed in non-fiction texts.

The Grade 4 students focused on a particular indigenous person to research. Students had specific questions to answer about their chosen person and then were asked to create a good copy poster.  Books and teacher-approved websites were accessed for them to use.  Students learned about why the person is famous and important, what indigenous ancestry they have and what their early life was like.  Next week students will be asked to share their knowledge with their peers so we can all learn about many indigenous people in Canada.

Reminders:

• - Your child should have brought home an Assessment Reflection on the Addition & Subtraction Check-In this week. Please review it at home, and take some time to practice any necessary skills. There are many Pixel Art Mysteries on our Google Classroom that can be accessed at home to help students practice their adding and subtracting skills. We will have our unit test at the end of next week.
• - Please sign & return Swimming Forms ASAP.

Have a wonderful weekend!

- Ms. Mostaghel 😁