January 24th, 2017

In Math today, we started our new unit on Multiplication and Division. Today students practiced two strategies that they can use to help them with their multiplication and division facts: skip counting and using related facts. Students can skip count up from a known fact or skip count down from a known fact when trying to solve multiplication questions. Take the example below:

When trying to find the answer to 6 x 8, you can start at 6 x 6 and count up by 6s until you reach 6 x 8. You can also count down from a known fact. When working with division questions, remember that multiplication and division are inverse operations (they "undo" each other). So, when solving a division question, think of a related multiplication fact instead:

Did you know that you can use both of these strategies together? If you don't know the answer to the related multiplication fact, use skip counting to help you to find your answer:

We were visited today by the Fort McMurray Oil Barons as part of our Literacy Week activities. We had Nick and Nick (Nicholas Nietubyc and Nicholas Leeseberg) join us to read "Where's My Hockey Sweater?" by Gilles Tibo. This book is about Nicholas, who is running late for hockey practice. That's a lot of Nick's in one post! It was fun listening to story and then getting to ask them both questions about their experiences on the team. Congratulations Ravnoor and Manish on winning some tickets to Friday night's game! 

We also had an assembly today on the second Leader in Me strategy: Begin With the End in Mind. This strategy is all about goal setting, something we have been working on a lot in our class. It's about having a plan and being prepared. It also asks students to look ahead. The choices we make now can have an impact on our future. All choices have positive and negative consequences. Think about the consequences before acting. Thank you Grade 3 for hosting such a great assembly! 

In Health today we used our FRIENDS for Life books to look at who would be in our support teams. Who are the people around you that make you feel comfortable? Safe? Who could you turn to if you are struggling at school? If you get into a fight with a friend? It is important to think about who these people are in our lives. They help to make us stronger. It was really interesting to hear all the different answers that students had. A lot of us rely on our family and friends. Make sure you show them some love and appreciation for all they do to you. With an act of kindness maybe? We are over 70 on our Acts of Kindness board! 

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes
- Book Talk (January 31st)
- Dress Up Like a Book Character (Tomorrow)
- Family Literacy Night (Tomorrow, 5:30 pm)

Math:
- Practice 8x, 9x, 3x, 6x, 12x, 5x, 10x, 7x, or 11x tables

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Thursday)
- FRIENDS, pg. 71 (Monday)
 
Music:
- Recorders (Thursday)

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, Wednesdays (2:45-3:45 pm)
Boys Basketball - Tuesdays, Thursdays (2:45-3:45 pm)