January 18th, 2018

Today was a busy day! The Grade 4 students started by practicing solving addition and subtraction problems today. We brainstormed some vocabulary that we might use as clues when problem solving. For example, "altogether" is a good clue that we need to add to find the answer to a word problem. Or we could see, "how much more" which might tell us to find the difference (subtract) between two numbers. When problem solving, it is important to look for vocabulary clues so that we choose the correct operation. Grade 4 students are now finished their Whole Numbers unit. We will be reviewing in class on Monday and Tuesday, but students should also be reviewing at home. Students can use their textbook, the classroom website, or Mathletics to begin reviewing for the test. Many students have already begun studying because we thought we might have the test this week. Great job to those students! Way to put first things first! 

The Grade 5 students are working on developing multiplication and division strategies. In multiplication we have discussed: using mental math, drawing arrays, skip counting from a known fact, and doubling. In division we have been looking at drawing arrays and using halving. Remember, it is important to be able to express your understanding of multiplication in a variety of methods, through pictures, words, and expressions, but it is important that we don't forget about mental math. Review your multiplication facts! Then review them some more. Then review, review, review. The more facts you know, the more strategies you will be able to use and understand. 

Both grades also completed their 0x and 1x table quizzes. Results will be posted to PowerSchool shortly. Still don't have access to the Parent Portal? Call the office or send me an email and we can sort out any problems. Next week, 2x and 4x tables. Start reviewing now! 

Both grades also had their biweekly spelling quizzes today. Results have already been posted to PowerSchool. 

In Art today, students continued to work on our tree collages. These collages are taking us a long time, but I am very happy with the effort that students are putting into their work and am excited to see the final result. This week we have been adding the silhouettes of trees overtop of the paper collages of warm or cool colours that we worked on before the break. Some students are still collaging their backgrounds... these students need to focus, stop talking, and get caught up during Art time. 

We have also started to publish some of our writing using Google Docs. We will continue to work on publishing our work next week. Stay tuned for more information on where you can view students' digital writing portfolios. 

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes
- Book Talk (due January 31st)

Math:
- Multiplication Fact Practice (1x, 2x)
- Grade 4: pgs. 74-75 #1-3, 5-7
- Grade 5: pgs. 79 #5-8, 10-12

Science:
- Classroom Science Fair (March 7th)
- School Science Fair (March 14th)

Health:
- PEAK (Wednesday)

Other:
- Tech & Trades: Grades 4-6, Mondays, 3:15-4:15 pm
- Choir: Grades 3/4, Tuesdays, 3:15-4:15 pm
- Guitar Club: Grades 5/6, Thursdays, 3:15-4:15 pm
- Girls Basketball: Grades 5/6, Mondays/Thursdays, 3:15-4:15 pm
- Boys Basketball: Grades 5/6, Tuesdays, 3:15-4:15 pm
- Cooking Club: Grades 3/4, Mondays, 3:15-4:00 pm
​- Sharpen the Saw Club: Grades 5/6, Wednesdays, 3:15-4:15 pm
- CG Recyclers: Grades 4-6, Day 2, Lunch/Recess
- Chess Club: Grades 4-6, Day 3, Lunch Recess
- Hot Lunches, order at christinagordon.hotlunches.net 
- Family Literacy Night: January 25th, 5:30-7:00 pm
​- Book Swap: January 25th
- Reward Day: Snow Painting, January 26th
- Bell Let's Talk Day: January 31st (Wear Blue or Green)