Thursday, June 12, 2014

Bicycle Safety Day

We had a blast at school today. We spent the first part of the morning with Ms. Barber's grade 3s. Students used their safety equipment and enjoyed biking, roller balding, scootering (is that a word?), and more in the playground. Students practised the safety rules we had learned throughout our Who We Are inquiry unit.
 





We cooled off in class and signed autographs for each other to have as a memento of this year. Students then attended art class with Ms. Pattenick.
After lunch, our class headed of to the park. Students spent most of their park time playing tennis. The weather was perfect for us.
When we got back to school, students joined Mme. Blanco to watch a bit of the World Cup opening ceremony.
We ended the day heading back outside to enjoy more outdoor fun before heading home. Today was a great way to spend time enjoying each other's company and to celebrate a year of hard work.
Grade 4s have asked if they can have a class party tomorrow. I know its a bit late notice, but any snack or treat that can be shared would be appreciated.

Reminders
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  • Tomorrow is Casual Day. Last and half day of school. Dismissal at 11:30. Report cards go home. After  care runs till 4 pm
  • Tomorrow is the Summer Fair from 12 - 2 pm

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The Secret Garden


We spent the first part of this morning working on the Who We Are sections of our IB portfolios. Portfolios of returning students are remaining at school. Students who are not returning to SJA are bringing their portfolios home today.

We then spent time packing up the classroom of student supplies. Most students are coming home with very heavy bags tonight.

After our graduation rehearsal, we  enjoyed watching The Secret Garden while snacking on popcorn. We ended the day with a discussion on how the movie and book compared and contrasted.

Students attended French class today.

Homework & Reminders

  • Tonight is Graduation at 7 pm. Dress up
  • Tomorrow is Soccer Spirit Day - wear a soccer jersey.
  • Tomorrow is Bicycle Safety Day. Bring your bicycles, skateboards, roller skates/blades, scooters, pogo sticks, etc. and your safety equipment. We will also visit the park on this day. Students may bring their tennis racquets, badminton racquets, balls,  or any other equipment needed to enjoy each other's company at the park.
  • Friday, June 13 - Casual Day. Last and half day of school. Dismissal at 11:30. Report cards go home. After  care runs till 4 pm
  • Child Care payments are due back no later than May 9th
  • Friday, June 13 - Summer Fair from 12 - 2 pm

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Spelling Bee


This morning was taken up with SJA's Annual Spelling Bee. Well done to Rachel, Maria, and Angela for taking the first three positions in the spelling bee.





In class we continued to work on adverbs. We learned that adverbs are liking supersizing our McDonald's order, since so, too, and very are adverbs. Students worked through their language books to identify and write adverbs in sentences.

Students who completed their language worked on their writing. They practised writing instructions by describing how to play a game of their choice.

We ended the day enjoying time oil painting our flowers.

 Homework & Reminders

  • Language p. 187 - 190
  • Bring bags tomorrow. We will be packing up the classroom.
  • Tomorrow is Casual Day
  • Tomorrow is Graduation at 7 pm. Dress up
  • Thursday, June 12 - Soccer Spirit Day - wear a soccer jersey.
  • Thursday, June 12 Bicycle Safety Day. Bring your bicycles, skateboards, roller skates/blades, scooters, pogo sticks, etc. and your safety equipment. We will also visit the park on this day. Students may bring their tennis racquets, badminton racquets, balls,  or any other equipment needed to enjoy each other's company at the park.
  • Friday, June 13 - Casual Day. Last and half day of school. Dismissal at 11:30. Report cards go home. After  care runs till 4 pm
  • Friday, June 13 - Summer Fair from 12 - 2 pm

Monday, June 9, 2014

Adverbs


It's the last week of school and as a class we determined that there was work that we have to get through. We this in mind, we began a new language unit on adverbs. We took time to review nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Students then learned that adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They also discovered that adverbs often end in -ly. Students worked through their language books to identify and write adverbs in sentences.

In our inquiry unit we took time to select pieces of work to add to our portfolios from our plant and soils unit. Students then added work to their storage binders.

We ended the day enjoying time oil painting our flowers.



 

Students attended French and gym class today.

 Homework & Reminders

  • Language p. 183 - 186
  • Tomorrow is the Spelling Bee at 9am. Wear school uniform. Spelling bee finalists, keep preparing for next week's competition on. Parents are welcome to attend
  • Wednesday, June 11- Casual Day
  • Wednesday, June 11 - Graduation at 7 pm. Dress up
  • Thursday, June 12 - Soccer Spirit Day - wear a soccer jersey.
  • Thursday, June 12 Bicycle Safety Day. Bring your bicycles, skateboards, roller skates/blades, scooters, pogo sticks, etc. and your safety equipment. We will also visit the park on this day. Students may bring their tennis racquets, badminton racquets, balls,  or any other equipment needed to enjoy each other's company at the park.
  • Friday, June 13 - Casual Day. Last and half day of school. Dismissal at 11:30. Report cards go home. After  care runs till 4 pm
  • Child Care payments are due back no later than May 9th
  • Friday, June 13 - Summer Fair from 12 - 2 pm

Friday, June 6, 2014

CPR


This morning, we, along with the grade 3 class, were treated to a CPR workshop taught by the wonderful Ms. Barber. Students had the opportunity to practice their skills on each other. Ask your child to tell you the rhyme Ms. Barber taught us to assess if it is safe to approach a person needing help.






The rest of today ran a lot like yesterday. Some students worked on writing their book report on The Secret Garden. Others worked on Microsoft Publisher to create their safety brochure to teach younger students how to stay safe over the summer. Remaining students who had completed their book report and brochure reflected on both our plants and soils unit and our friendship, manners, and safety unit. Some work was done to complete the adjectives unit in our language books. Not all students got to this point. These students need to complete the language work over the weekend as homework. If all work was completed, students got to use oil paint to begin painting a flower.

Students attended French class today.

 Homework & Reminders

  • Language p. 179 - 182
  • Monday, June 9 - Beach Spirit Day. Come dressed in beach clothes
  • Tuesday, June 10 - Spelling Bee at 9am. Wear school uniform. Spelling bee finalists, keep preparing for next week's competition on. Parents are welcome to attend
  • Wednesday, June 11- Casual Day
  • Wednesday, June 11 - Graduation at 7 pm. Dress up
  • Thursday, June 12 - Soccer Spirit Day - wear a soccer jersey.
  • Thursday, June 12 Bicycle Safety Day. Bring your bicycles, skateboards, roller skates/blades, scooters, pogo sticks, etc. and your safety equipment. We will also visit the park on this day. Students may bring their tennis racquets, badminton racquets, balls,  or any other equipment needed to enjoy each other's company at the park.
  • Friday, June 13 - Casual Day. Last and half day of school. Dismissal at 11:30. Report cards go home. After  care runs till 4 pm
  • Child Care payments are due back no later than May 9th
  • Friday, June 13 - Summer Fair from 12 - 2 pm

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Book Reports & Brochures


Grade 4s did a great job with their performance last night. I was very pleased to stand back and enjoy watching them. I am sure parents felt the same way.

We began our day with our last group discussion meeting for the final chapter of The Secret Garden. This meeting was as a whole class and everyone had a chance to participate. Students received their next assignment for this novel study, namely writing a book report. Students read an example of a book report to understand what is expected of them. They used a book report planner to record information about the characters, setting, plot, problem, resolution, and recommendation. Some students have already completed the first draft of their book report while others are still working on their planner.

In our Who We Are inquiry unit, students worked on Microsoft Publisher to create their safety brochure to teach younger students how to stay safe over the summer. We experienced some technical difficulties and had to take turns using the Think Pads. Grade 4s were accommodating of each other. They took turns either using Think Pads or worked on their book reports. We hope to have everyone's brochures completed by end of day tomorrow.

As we are nearing the end of our inquiry unit, we took time to reflect on both our plants and soils unit and our friendship, manners, and safety unit. Students recorded their thoughts to add to their IB portfolios. We will work on our portfolios next week.

Students attended French and gym class today.

Homework & Reminders

  • Monday, June 9 - Beach Spirit Day. Come dressed in beach clothes
  • Tuesday, June 10 - Spelling Bee at 9am. Wear school uniform. Spelling bee finalists, keep preparing for next week's competition on. Parents are welcome to attend
  • Wednesday, June 11- Casual Day
  • Wednesday, June 11 - Graduation at 7 pm. Dress up
  • Thursday, June 12 - Soccer Spirit Day - wear a soccer jersey.
  • Thursday, June 12 Bicycle Safety Day. Bring your bicycles, skateboards, roller skates/blades, scooters, pogo sticks, etc. and your safety equipment. We will also visit the park on this day. Students may bring their tennis racquets, badminton racquets, balls,  or any other equipment needed to enjoy each other's company at the park.
  • Friday, June 13 - Casual Day. Last and half day of school. Dismissal at 11:30. Report cards go home. After  care runs till 4 pm
  • Child Care payments are due back no later than May 9th
  • Friday, June 13 - Summer Fair from 12 - 2 pm

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Brochure Rough Copies


We began our day with our Who We Are inquiry unit. Rachel presented a tutorial on how to use Microsoft Publisher. Students are using this program to create a safety brochure to teach younger students how to stay safe over the summer. We discussed the expectations of this project and students received a rubric to guide their work. Students paired up with another student began work on the rough copy of their safety brochure. Some students finished up their rough copies and began work on Microsoft Publisher.

We had our twenty-sixth literature circle groups meeting today. Students had some class time to read chapter 27. Tomorrow is our last group discussion of  The Secret Garden.

Students attended art and gym class today.

Homework & Reminders

  • Novel Study - read chapter 27 and complete today's response
  • Spelling bee finalists, keep preparing for next week's competition on Tuesday, June 10 at 9am. Parents are welcome to attend
  • Some students did not complete their Emergency Home Escape Plan & Junior Inspector Checklist. Please complete this homework.
  • Mr. Law from LIFE art visited our class today. Students are bringing home a letter about arts camp. St. Jude's students are entitled to a 40 % discount if they use the promo code they have been given
  • Tonight is Arts' Night at 7 pm, arrive 6:45 pm, students to meet me in our portable, students to wear comfortable casual dress, some would like to wear a kung-fu style head band
  • Tuesday, June 10 - Spelling Bee during the day
  • Wednesday, June 11 - Graduation at 7 pm
  • Friday, June 13 - Last and half day of school, Dismissal at 11:30, After  care runs till 4 pm
  • Child Care payments are due back no later than May 9th
  • Friday, June 13 - Summer Fair from 12 - 2 pm

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Research Roundup


We began our day with our in-class spelling bee. It was an intense competition as the grade 4s are terrific spellers. Well done to Carter, Rachel, Maria, Angela, and Abel for lasting to make it to the final competition next week Tuesday, June 10. Parents are welcome to attend. The competition starts at 9 am beginning with the youngest grades.

Research work continued on our Who We Are inquiry unit. We watched DVDs about bicycle safety, Internet Safety, and stranger safety. Students then silently read the non-fiction texts in the classroom about safety and took further notes.

We had our twenty-fifth literature circle groups meeting today. Students had class time to read chapter 26. It is important that The Secret Garden books and reading duo-tangs be brought to school daily as we will be having daily group meetings as well as time allocated in class for reading.

Congratulations to Braeden, Lukas, and Adam for placing in the top 3 positions from last week's track and field event for our class. These boys will be visiting and competing at the Maples School this coming Friday.

Students attended French and gym class today.

Homework & Reminders

  • Novel Study - read chapter 26 and complete today's response
  • Spelling bee finalists, keep preparing for next week's competition on Tuesday, June 10 at 9am. Parents are welcome to attend
  • Some students did not complete their Emergency Home Escape Plan & Junior Inspector Checklist. Please complete this homework.
  • Tomorrow is Arts' Night at 7 pm, arrive 6:45 pm, students to meet me in our portable, students to wear comfortable casual dress, some would like to wear a kung-fu style head band
  • Tuesday, June 10 - Spelling Bee during the day
  • Wednesday, June 11 - Graduation at 7 pm
  • Friday, June 13 - Last and half day of school, Dismissal at 11:30, After  care runs till 4 pm
  • Child Care statements went home with some students yesterday, payment is due back no later than May 9th
  • Yearbooks are for sale until June 4th, please send in order form and $10 payment ASAP in order to secure your copy and remember your SJA year!
  • Friday, June 13 - Summer Fair from 12 - 2 pm

Monday, June 2, 2014

Peel Children's Safety Village


We headed out to Peel Children’s Safety Village first thing this morning. While we were there, Officer Michelle taught us about personal safety and Officer Mark taught us about road and bicycle safety. Ask your child to explain what they learned. The officers inspected all our helmets. Many children are bringing home a letter to explain why they need a new helmet. Students whose helmets did not meet safety requirements participated in safety activities in the village. Students whose helmets did meet the requirements were allowed to practice road safety rules while riding bicycles.
Once back at school, we had a whole school rehearsal for Arts Night. Students took time while others were performing to records notes showing what they learned about keeping safe this morning at the Safety Village.
We ended the day meeting in groups to discuss chapter 24 of The Secret Garden. Students then used class time to read chapter 25.
 Homework & Reminders
  • Novel Study - read chapter 25 and complete today's response
  • Prepare for tomorrow's in-class spelling bee competition
  • Child Care statements are coming home with some students today, payment is due back no later than May 9th
  • Yearbooks are for sale until June 4th, please send in order form and $10 payment ASAP in order to secure your copy and remember your SJA year!
  • Wednesday, June 4 - Arts' Night at 7 pm, arrive 6:45 pm, students to meet me in our portable
  • Tuesday, June 10 - Spelling Bee during the day
  • Wednesday, June 11 - Graduation at 7 pm
  • Friday, June 13 - Last and half day of school, Dismissal at 11:30, After  care runs till 4 pm
  • Friday, June 13 - Summer Fair from 12 - 2 pm

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Track & Field Day


We had a very different day to what we normally have. We spent the first part of the day along with the rest of the school in the gym practicing our performance for Arts Night. Students enjoyed the performances of other classes. On Arts' Night, students should meet me in our portable at 6:45 pm. They are wearing casual dress for their performance. Some want to wear a kung fu style headband. The performance begins at 7 pm. We look forward to seeing SJA families there.

We had our twenty-third literature circle groups  meeting today. Students had class time to read chapter 24. It is important that The Secret Garden books and reading duo-tangs be brought to school daily as we will be having daily group meetings as well as time allocated in class for reading.

We continued working on our language unit on adjectives this morning. Students finished up Thursday's exercises diagramming sentences, including adjectives.

We ended the day with our annual Track and Field event at Meadow Green Park. The weather was perfect. We had many good athletic performances form the students in our class.
 


 
 
Remember to work on your Home Fire Escape Plan this weekend.

Homework & Reminders

  • Novel Study - read chapter 24 and complete today's response
  • Prepare for next week's in-class spelling bee competition on Tuesday, June 3
  • Complete Emergency Home Escape Plan & Junior Inspector Checklist as a family for Monday, June 2
  • Monday, June 2 - Trip to Peel Children's Safety Village, Bring a labelled helmet, wear regular uniform
  • Wednesday, June 4 - Arts' Night at 7 pm, arrive 6:45 pm, students to meet me in our portable
  • Tuesday, June 10 - Spelling Bee during the day
  • Wednesday, June 11 - Graduation at 7 pm
  • Friday, June 13 - Last and half day of school, Dismissal at 11:30, After  care runs till 4 pm