Today in Math the students and I began working on division. Today we began using a compatible numbers strategy to help us to estimate division questions. See the examples below:

For example, when solving 873 / 9, students can estimate using the more compatible = 900. Since we know that 90 / 9 = 10 then we know that 900 / 9 = 100. Or in our second example, instead of using 258 / 4, we can use the more compatible 200 / 4. Since we know that 20 / 4 = 5, we know that 200 / 4 = 50. To get an even closer estimate we can use 240 / 4. Since we know that 24 / 4 = 6, we know that 240 / 4 = 60. As you can see, it is helpful to use our multiplication facts to assist us in choosing compatible numbers; that is why we were writing them out along the side. We will continue to work on this skill in upcoming classes before moving on to long division. 

In Language Arts today, we started our last type of poems - Haikus. Haikus are 3 line Japanese poems that are usually about nature. Each line has a specific set of syllables used. This creates a unique rhythm to these poems:

Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables

We practiced writing haikus in our Writer's Notebooks today. Remember, to catch up on or follow along with any of our Language Arts lessons, you can visit "Writing" under "Language Arts" to review our slideshows. 

In Science today, students learned how to read the electrical metres in homes and buildings. This can be tricky at first. Older metres should be read from right to left. It is also important to pay attention to the direction of the numbers on each dial. Finally, if the pointer is between two numbers on the dial, you read the smaller number. After some practice, we all got pretty good at it. I know some students plan on looking at their metres at home tonight. Remember, not all metres are the same and hopefully most of your homes have newer metres in them, which does make a difference. We will continue to discuss energy usage in upcoming lessons. 

It's that time of year again - registration time! In order to better prepare for the upcoming school year, please make sure that student registration forms (sent home in the student agenda today) no later than Thursday, March 30th. Parents are also able to register online.

All Schools Online Registration

Helpful Registration Information
- If the student currently attends any FMPSD School they are considered current students 
- When registering, you will need to bring along a Birth Certificate or other official document of birth
- Your child must be three years old before March 1st, 2017
- Transportation is the responsibility of parents

2017-2018 Program Application Forms
Reggio at Christina Gordon Public School
More information about the Reggio Inspired ECDP and Kindergarten Program can be found here.

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes

Math:
- Practice 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Thursday) 

Science:
- WBRSF (April 29th @ Shell Place at MacDonald Island)

Tech & Trades Academy - Mondays (3:00-4:00 pm)
Grade 5/6 Guitar Club - No Guitar Club this Week
CG Recyclers - Day 1 (lunch recess) and Day 4 (lunch)
Snack Shack - Thursday ($2) 
Spirit Week - Wednesday, Throwback Thursday (Mini Wheats/Whole Grain Cheerios)
Yearbooks - On Sale Now (see poster below)  
CG Registration Forms - due ASAP
Growing Smiles Fundraisers - due April 26th 

Today we continued to work on two-digit by two-digit multiplication. Students have been asked to concentrate on one of the following strategies: drawing, break apart, and a stacking strategy. You can see all three strategies below: 

Today students were given time to practice these strategies. Students are currently working towards mastering the strategy of their choice, however, students who are comfortable with the above should be encouraged to use multiple strategies. Students can also use other strategies that they might know from previous years or have learned about home. As long as students can demonstrate to me a knowledge of their strategy. Tomorrow we will begin looking at division. Keep practicing those multiplication facts! We still need them. 

In Language Arts today, we finished looking at a form of poetry that we started looking at yesterday - limericks. A limerick is five line, often humorous poem, that follows an AABBA rhyme scheme. However, limerick also tend to use the same AABBA pattern in terms of metre. What we mean is, the amount of syllables is similar in lines 1, 2, and 5, also in lines 2 and 4. Take the example below: 

Students have been working on constructing their own syllables in their Writer's Notebooks. We will be looking at Haiku in upcoming lessons before moving on to a unit on narrative writing. 

It's that time of year again - registration time! In order to better prepare for the upcoming school year, please make sure that student registration forms (sent home in the student agenda today) no later than Thursday, March 30th. Parents are also able to register online.

All Schools Online Registration

Helpful Registration Information
- If the student currently attends any FMPSD School they are considered current students 
- When registering, you will need to bring along a Birth Certificate or other official document of birth
- Your child must be three years old before March 1st, 2017
- Transportation is the responsibility of parents

2017-2018 Program Application Forms
Reggio at Christina Gordon Public School
More information about the Reggio Inspired ECDP and Kindergarten Program can be found here.

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes

Math:
- Practice 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Thursday) 

Science:
- WBRSF (April 29th @ Shell Place at MacDonald Island)

Tech & Trades Academy - Mondays (3:00-4:00 pm)
Grade 5/6 Guitar Club - No Guitar Club this Week
CG Recyclers - Day 1 (lunch recess) and Day 4 (lunch)
Snack Shack - Thursday ($2) 
Spirit Week - Wednesday, Wacky Hair Day (Granola Bars)
Yearbooks - On Sale Now (see poster below)  
CG Registration Forms - due ASAP
Growing Smiles Fundraisers - due April 26th 

Today we started working on 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication. We reviewed a traditional "stacking" strategy seen in the video above, but we also demonstrated how students who are more comfortable with our "break apart" strategy could use it to solve larger multiplication problems. See the example below:

In the above, we solved 54 x 19 by using both a "stacking" method and the "break apart" method. With the "stacking" method, students stack the numbers by their place value places, placing the smaller number on the bottom. Starting at this smaller number's ones place, multiply it step by step through each place value place of the larger number above, also beginning with the ones place. In the example above, that means that students start with 9, and solve 9 x 4 and then 9 x 5. Don't forget that if you regroup (carry) any numbers to the next place value place, you need to ADD it back in. When students have finished with the ones place, cross out any numbers that you carried so that you don't accidentally use them again and place a 0 in the tens place of the second answer line. This line will be directly underneath the first and will be where you place the answer to the tens place of the smaller number being multiplied step by step through each place value place of the larger number above, starting in the ones place. In the example above, students solve 1 x4 and then 1 x 5. Now that students have found an answer for each place value place of the smaller number, they need to add the answers together (bring it all together). I know the above sounds confusing, but watch the video a few times and then practice at home. Once you have the steps memorized, the rest is just knowing your multiplication tables - so keep practicing your multiplication tables!

In the above, we also solved 54 x 19 using a "break apart" strategy. In this strategy, students break each number into it's place  value places (Eg. 54 becomes 50 + 4). Then students multiply each place value place of the first number by each place value place of the second number. In the example above students break 54 into 50 + 4 and 19 into 10 + 9. Now, multiply 50 by 10 and multiply 50 by 9. Then multiply 4 by 10 and multiply 4 by 9. See? Each place value spot of the first number (50 and 4) is multiplied by each place value spot of the second (10 and 9). You should ultimately get this:

54 x 19 = 
(50+4) x (10+9) = 
(50 x 10) + (50 x 9) + (4 x 10) + (4x9) =
500 + 450 + 40 + 36 = 1026

Again, the key to understanding any strategy is to practice at home. Practice, practice, practice until you know all the steps off by heart.

In Social Studies today we continued to work on our research projects. Most of the groups have begun using Book Creator on the IPads to turn their research into informational texts on their First Nations groups. We also spent time with Ms. Grisch's Grade 1 class today helping them to use Book Creator to tell a story using first, next, then, and finally. Students were writing a story about how to catch the Easter Bunny. Our students helped them to write the text, draw pictures, and even to record themselves reading what they had written. I can't wait to put some of these skills to use with our own informational texts in Social Studies. 

We also had our Habit 3: Put First Things First Assembly today. Classrooms that submitted classroom for the Alberta Health Services Healthy Cup were presented with certificates today from Carolyn Evancio from AHS. She also presented our class with the Healthy Cup. I know we've had it in our classroom for a little while, but today we got to share our win with the entire school. Our Science Fair winners were also recognized for all their hard work. Congratulations Maya, Ravnoor, Hetvi, and Sam! I am looking forward to seeing your projects at the WBRSF in April. Great job presenting at today's assembly Aayan! 

Next week we will be hosting our Spring Spirit Week! Help us welcome spring and stock our Breakfast Program shelves for the rest of the year! Each day staff and students can choose to dress in theme and also bring in an item for our Breakfast Program. If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, you can send $2 instead.

​March 27: Movie Character Monday and bring in Quaker Nutri Grain Bars (or similar)
March 28: Tired Tuesday (aka PJ Day) and bring in Apple Sauce Cups
March 29: Wacky Hair Wednesday and bring in NUT FREE Quaker Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars (or similar)
March 30: Throwback Thursday (aka 70s, 80s, 90s Day) and bring in Kellogg’s Mini Wheats or Multigrain Cheerios

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes

Math:
- Practice 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Tuesday) 

Science:
- WBRSF (April 29th @ Shell Place at MacDonald Island)

Tech & Trades Academy - Mondays (3:00-4:00 pm)
Grade 5/6 Guitar Club - Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
CG Recyclers - Day 1 (lunch recess) and Day 4 (lunch)
Snack Shack - Thursday ($2) 
Spirit Week - Monday, Movie Character Day (Nutrigrain Bars)
Yearbooks - On Sale Now (see poster below)  

Today the students and I started an activity that we are going to be doing every few days for the next little while. It's called, "Today in History!" Today we watched a video that aired on March 23rd, 1976. It was about water contamination in Grassy Narrows, Ontario. The students had some very interesting discussions and debates about the video: who was responsible to clean up pollution, what about people who work at the paper plant, is it dangerous to not warn people or stop recreational fishing in the river, how are first nations groups' culture affected by not being able to eat the fish, etc. This activity is meant to engage students with history and to also broaden our understanding of Canadian identity - how is it formed, how has it changed over time. 

Today we had an amazing field trip to the Suncor Leisure Center at MacDonald Island to take part in RBC's Artist in Studio program. The artist Joyce Locke and the event coordinator Sedef were so friendly to us! We got to learn some things about colour theory that we have begun discussing in class, but this trip broadened our understanding by allowing us to mix our own secondary colours. Then we worked on painting realistic apples - considering the light, shading, shape and texture of the apple, etc. It was a lot of fun. Once our paintings are dry, MacDonald Island will send them to us to be taken home. 

In Social Studies today, we continued to work on our ongoing First Nations research project. We are almost finished our research! Most groups are nearly finished. A bit more time tomorrow and we should be done. 

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes
- Book Orders (due March 24th)
- Name Poems (tomorrow) 

Math:
- Practice 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Friday) 

Science:
- WBRSF (April 29th @ Shell Place at MacDonald Island)

Tech & Trades Academy - Mondays (3:00-4:00 pm)
Grade 5/6 Guitar Club - Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
CG Recyclers - Day 1 (lunch recess) and Day 4 (lunch)
Snack Shack - tomorrow ($2) 

I have an appointment this evening so I'm afraid it's another short post tonight. Sorry! I know that is three in a row. Summary of today:

Math - Mult-digit Multiplication (see above video)
Social - First Nations Research Project
Phys. Ed. - Started Badminton 
Music - Multicultural Music
Art - Colour Theory Projects 

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes
- Book Orders (due March 24th)
- Name Poems (tomorrow) 

Math:
- Practice 6x, 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Friday) 

Science:
- WBRSF (April 29th @ Shell Place at MacDonald Island)

Tech & Trades Academy - Mondays (3:00-4:00 pm)
Grade 5/6 Guitar Club - Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
CG Recyclers - Day 1 (lunch recess) and Day 4 (lunch)
Art Studio Field Trip - March 23rd (return permission forms and $5 ASAP)

Sorry! Science Night! 

​Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes
- Book Orders (due March 24th)
- Name Poems (tomorrow) 

Math:
- Practice 6x, 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Wednesday) 
- FRIENDS: pg. 120 (Wednesday)

Science:
- Family Science Night (March 21st, 5:30-6:30 pm)

Tech & Trades Academy - Mondays (3:00-4:00 pm)
Grade 5/6 Guitar Club - Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
CG Recyclers - Day 1 (lunch recess) and Day 4 (lunch)
Art Studio Field Trip - March 23rd (return permission forms and $5 ASAP)

Thank you for the wonderful day everyone! Back to work tomorrow...

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes
- Book Orders (due March 24th)

Math:
- Practice 6x, 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Wednesday) 
- FRIENDS: pg. 120 (Wednesday)

Science:
- Family Science Night (March 21st, 5:30-6:30 pm)

Tech & Trades Academy - Mondays (3:00-4:00 pm)
Grade 5/6 Guitar Club - Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
CG Recyclers - Day 1 (lunch recess) and Day 4 (lunch)
Art Studio Field Trip - March 23rd (return permission forms and $5 ASAP)

Today in Math, the students and I worked on modelling 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication. There are two ways to do this that we worked on together. The first is using base ten blocks to build an array:

Just like when we draw arrays, we need to model the factors vertically and horizontally. Since we are trying to figure out what 13 x 21 is (or 13 groups of 21) we first create rows of thirteen and then columns of 21. Then we fill in the array. Finally we can add up the amount of ones, tens, and one hundreds that we have to discover the answer. You can see this step by step by clicking on the gallery below:

You can model an array for any 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication question using base ten blocks:

Students can also use rectangles and use area to help them to model arrays of 2-digit by 2-digit. Take the example below:

Start as you would for any array: model the first number (23) for the rows; then model the second number (86) for the columns. Then fill in the rest of the array. Calculate what the value of each rectangle (array) would be. Add them together to find the total amount that has been modelled. You can see this step-by-step by clicking on the gallery below: 

Modelling is one way that we encourage students to gain a better understanding of 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication. In fact, when you compare it to other methods of multiplying, you can see clearly that modelling a number can help to give students a better understanding of where we get the numbers when we multiply. 

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes
- Book Orders (due March 24th)

Math:
- Practice 6x, 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Wednesday) 
- FRIENDS: pg. 120 (Wednesday)

Science:
- Family Science Night (March 21st, 5:30-6:30 pm)

Tech & Trades Academy - Mondays (3:00-4:00 pm)
Grade 5/6 Guitar Club - Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
CG Recyclers - Day 1 (lunch recess) and Day 4 (lunch)
​Ski Day - March 20th
Art Studio Field Trip - March 23rd (return permission forms and $5 ASAP)

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes
- Book Orders (due March 24th)
- Quatrain Poems (due tomorrow)

Math:
- Practice 6x, 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Wednesday) 

Science:
- Family Science Night (March 21st, 5:30-6:30 pm)

Tech & Trades Academy - Mondays (3:00-4:00 pm)
Grade 5/6 Guitar Club - Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
CG Recyclers - Day 1 (lunch recess) and Day 4 (lunch)
Girls Basketball - Mondays, Thursday this week (2:45-3:45 pm)
Boys Basketball - Tuesdays, Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
​Ski Day - March 20th
Art Studio Field Trip - March 23rd (return permission forms and $5 ASAP)

Short post tonight, sorry! It's 8:30 pm and I am just finishing setting up for Science Fair. Summary of today: poetry (rhyme and rhythm, "The Walrus and the Carpenter," quatrain poems), buddies (puzzles), Science (electromagnets). 

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes
- Book Orders (due March 24th)
- Quatrain Poems (due tomorrow)

Math:
- Practice 6x, 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Wednesday) 

Science:
- School Science Fair (Wednesday) 
- Family Science Night (March 21st, 5:30-6:30 pm)

Tech & Trades Academy - Mondays (3:00-4:00 pm)
Grade 5/6 Guitar Club - Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
CG Recyclers - Day 1 (lunch recess) and Day 4 (lunch)
Girls Basketball - Mondays, Thursday this week (2:45-3:45 pm)
Boys Basketball - Tuesdays, Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
​Ski Day - March 20th
Art Studio Field Trip - March 23rd (return permission forms and $5 ASAP)