How the World Works

Our day began with a unit test on data management. In arithmetic, we learned about the metric measures of length. Students are starting to understand the relationships between mm, cm, dm, m, dam, hm, and km. We are also working on having students understand the size of these linear measures.

In language, students practiced spelling words in which the base words which ends in y changes when adding ed, es or ing: tries, carried, worries, buying, satisfied, relying, denies, copied, emptied, hurrying, cries, buries, multiplied, replies, supplied, drying, petrified, frying, applied, scurrying. Also in language we learned about maxims. Ask your child to explain what a maxim is to you. We read and discussed a number of maxims. Ask your child which one was their favourite and what it teaches us.

We began a new inquiry unit today. This unit falls under the transdisciplinary theme How the World Works. Our central idea for this unit is Forces causing and changing movement can have a significant impact on humans and the environment. We will examine this idea through the lenses of function and connection. Our lines of inquiry are:

 ·          Types of forces and their effects

·          How we can protect ourselves from harmful forces

We began this unit with a KWL chart to show what we already know about forces and questions we have about forces. Students worked with a partner to write and share their knowledge and questions with the class. Students then examined a number of images where forces were at work. They listed the consequences of forces that they observed. Once they saw what forces could do, students came up with a definition for force. These included:

• forces can make things move
• Forces can hold things up
• forces are invisible
• a force is a push or a pull
• gravity, friction, magnetism are forces

Students used this knowledge to generate questions to drive this inquiry unit: How do forces work? Is DNA a force? How were forces discovered? How do forces help people? How do forces harm people? Where were forces found? Who was the first person to discover forces? Why can't we see forces?

We look forward to learning more about forces tomorrow.

The SJA Holiday Food Drive is going to be running from Dec 2nd to the night of the Christmas Concert on Dec 18th.  We are collecting non perishable food items for donation to the Eden Food Bank.

After Tuesday's author visit, SJA raised $150 for our school library.  Thank you to all who purchased a book!

Students attended French, gym, and art class today.

 Homework & Reminders

·         Review list 16 spelling words

·         Arithmetic p. 87 & 88

·         Return report cards with parent comments - I will make a copy and return them to you

·         Parent-Teacher Conferences are this Thursday, Dec. 5

·         Food Drive  is on now till Dec. 19

·         Please note, the last day of school is Dec. 19. This is a full day of school. There is no school on Dec. 20. There is a Karate Camp option available on that day (Dec, 20) for those interested - contact Mr. Monaghan