Happy Halloween

Students looked awesome in their costumes today.

 

We had an extra long assembly as best and most original costumes were selected from different grades. Students were also acknowledged for being inquirers. Well done to Adam. He was nominated by his peers as an example of a student who shows the attributes of an inquirer.

 

We enjoyed had a fun house game hosted by Zeta. Well done to Kappa and Theta for their first place tie.

 

In class, students wrote their language test. We also had a math lesson on different strategies for multiplying. We practiced multiplying by 2 and then doubling the product to find multiples of 4. We broke 7 into 5 and 2, and 6 into 5 and 1 and then added to products as a strategy for multiplying by 7 and 6. Students are appreciating how the MMS curriculum gets their brains thinking in different ways.

Our class received a pumpkin recently. Instead of carving it, we cooked it into pumpkin pie. This took time throughout the day to achieve. When we were finally ready to sample our work, we discovered the bottom dough was not properly cooked yet. The pie had to go back into the oven, and we look forward to trying it tomorrow. We used the pumpkin seeds too, making a salty snack. Every seed was eaten, and every child was a risk-taker, trying something new.

We ended the day sharing treats.

Students attended French, art, and gym class today.

There is no homework assigned for tonight. Children are not bringing any of their books home. Enjoy your evening everyone.

Scary Stories

Students are happy with how easily they understood today's lesson on multiplication. We worked on reviewing the terms factor and product, related facts (if 8 x 5 = 40 then 5 x 8 = 40), multiplying by 1 and 0, and patterns in the multiples of 9. Students completed their MMS homework in class today.

In arithmetic, students wrote a quiz to show their understanding of concepts.

In language, students finished up their list 10 spelling review and completed their second language unit. Everyone is ready for the language test tomorrow. Language books are coming home today. Students have been working hard to get some of tomorrow's work done today so we can free up some time to have a class party at the end of day tomorrow. Many have worked through recess to accomplish this.

In our inquiry into story telling, we reviewed the elements of a story, and the reason for using graphic organisers before we begin writing a story. Students then set to work to complete their organisers and write their scary stories. We are looking forward to hearing these stories tomorrow.

Students attended French and gym class.

 Homework & Reminders

• Review unit 2 of language book for tomorrow's test
• Work on memorising the Remember poem for house points
• Fall Festival is at 7 pm tonight - Have fun

Please remember the paving that will be taking place at St. Jude's Academy beginning November 4th, 2013.  We anticipate the project to take two weeks to complete.  During this time, the school parking lot will be closed.  Parking for pick-up and drop-off will have to be found on Campobello Road. 

 There will be a pyloned section in front of the school that may be used to pull-up and drop your children off in the mornings if parents choose not to park and would like drop their children off in a 'kiss and ride' style.  SJA staff will be assisting the 'kiss and ride' students as they depart their vehicles and enter the building from 8:00 - 8:45.  Parents who choose to find parking and prefer to assist their children while entering the building are free to do so.  The building must only be entered through the front doors.

 During afternoon pick-up, parents are asked to find parking on Campobello Road.  All parents will be asked to enter the school from the front doors which will be opened at 3:40 as usual. 

 We thank you for your patience as we continue to make improvements to the school facility.  If you have any further questions about the paving project please let us know.

The Elements of a Story

We began a new math unit on multiplication and division this morning. Students reviewed multiplication facts by completing a multiplication chart. They used the chart to compare multiples and to look for patterns between multiples. Students appreciate the different learning they get by doing MMS and arithmetic. In arithmetic, students competed review work.

In  our inquiry into story telling, we focused on our third line of inquiry - the elements of a story. We watched a Flocabulary Youtube clip to help us memorise the 5 elements of a story. Ask your child to name the 5 elements and to explain the 5 elements to you. We read a great book named The Truly Terribly Horrible Sweater that Grandma Knit by Debbie Macomber and Mary Lou Carney. Using the book, students considered how the author slowly revealed more about the main character, introduced the problem and resolved the problem. Students used a "Somebody, Wanted, But, So" graphic organiser to records the elements from the story. We then read a scary story called the "Wizard's Helper". We used the same organiser to record this story's elements. Students then began to think of ideas for their own scary story. They are using the "Somebody, Wanted, But, So" graphic organiser to help them create a conflict and solution for their story.

In language, students did review work on the use of apostrophes, commas, and  underlining. They also worked on reviewing list 10 spelling words.

Students attended French, art, and gym class today.

 Homework & Reminders

• Review list 10 spelling words
• MMS p. 54 & 55
• Arithmetic p. 57 & 58
• Tomorrow is Casual Day
• Language test on Thursday
• Thursday is Spirit Day - students may wear Halloween costumes or harvest colours to school
• Note that school parking lot is closed for 2 weeks beginning Monday, Nov. 4
• Candy drive is on - proceeds will be donated to the Eden Food Bank

Picture Day

Students began the week writing their geometry unit test.

In language, we learned to use commas to separate the hours and minutes when writing time, the chapter and verse when referring to books of the Bible, and after the greeting of a business letter. We also learned that we have to underline the titles of books, newspapers, magazines, ships, plays, and works of art.

Students began working on their list 10 spelling words.

During our inquiry into story telling, students wrote their own excerpt from the point of view of Charlie, one of the characters of I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato. They then enjoyed hearing some of their classmates versions.

In arithmetic, students got their lesson on finding averages. They then did additional averaging and division work practice.

Homework & Reminders

• Review list 10 spelling words
• Arithmetic p. 55 & 56
• Wednesday is Casual Day
• Fall Festival is at 7 pm on Wednesday evening
• There is a language test on Thursday
• Thursday is Spirit Day - students may wear Halloween/Harvest costumes
• Candy Drive this week - proceeds goes to Eden Food Bank
• Boys, please check your shirts at home. Some one has accidently taken Titus' button-down shirt (size 12). His name is written on the side label. I have an unlabeled size 10 shirt at school.

Spelling D: List 10 -  Spell words with the /f/ sound represented by f, ff, ph, and gh: photo, graphs, laughs, cough, trophy, roughly, enough, alphabet, shelf, after, stiff, elephants, giraffe, geography, nephew, phase, orphan, dolphin, phony, autograph

Sentence Fluency

We decided to get the tests out of the way first thing this morning. Students did a speed drill, wrote a spelling test and language quiz. This was followed by a geometry review written test style. All tests are coming home today. Look out for them in your child's backpack, review and sign, and then return them to school on Monday.

In our story telling unit, we read a book called  ‘I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato’ by Lauren Child. We used this book to work on sentence fluency. Students did a quick write about chocolate. Once the writing was done, students counted the number of short, long, and medium sentences they had written. They used a rubric to score their work. If they wrote only one kind of sentence, they gave themselves a level 1. If their writing contained a mixture of short, medium, and long sentences, they gave themselves a level 3. Students then repeated the activity, with the goal have having a mixture of sentences. They then used the same rubric to score their writing.

In language, students continued reviewing the use of commas, quotation marks, and apostrophes. In arithmetic, students were supposed to have a lesson on calculating averages. We used class time for conferencing on the geometry review so everybody is ready for Monday's geometry unit test. Because of the extra time taken for geometry, we did not have the lesson on averages. Students are requested to complete the assigned arithmetic pages but to skip the problems on averages. We will cover that work on Monday.

Students attended French, art, and gym class today.

 Homework & Reminders

• Review, sign, and return all tests coming home today
• MMS - Study for Monday's geometry unit test, look out for the review pages and 2 large study sheets coming home today
• Arithmetic p. 53 & 54
• Language p. 34 & 35

Make a Model

We began our day with math for a change. Today was the last lesson of our geometry unit. We used a strategy called " make a model" to solve a word problem. We used snap cubes to model all the possible ways to build a rectangular prism that had a volume of 36 cubes. We also began review work to prepare for Monday's unit test.

In arithmetic, students learned to do long division where the dividend is a money amount. They remember to place the decimal point accurately in the quotient.

In our story telling unit, we continued with paragraph writing. Today students were prompted to write a story paragraph on a topic of their choice. They used a rubric to guide their work. We added more requirements to the rubric. Students had to describe the setting, characters, and add a beginning, middle, and end to their story. We reflected on how Roald Dahl vividly described the setting and characters in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

In language, we learned that adding an apostrophe and s ('s) to a word shows possession. Children practiced writing possessive words and correcting the punctuation in sentences. All students complete their language in class.

We ended the day enjoying some of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Half-Minute Horrors.

 Homework & Reminders

• Review list 9 spelling words for tomorrow's spelling test
• MMS - Study geometry for Monday's unit test
• Arithmetic p. 51 & 52
• Language test o Thursday, October 31

3-D Skeletons

We began our day with our inquiry into story telling. Students completed their paragraphs while referring to the rubric.

In language, we completed our review work on list 9 spelling words. The class practised using apostrophes to write contractions.

In math, we had a lesson on 3-D skeletons. Each student built a skeleton to represent solids from square pyramids and bases all the way to octagonal pyramids and bases. These skeletons helped students to complete their practice work in class. Mme. Blanco was away today, and some students used the skeletons to help them complete their MMS homework too. The skeletons help students see how many vertices and edges a solid has. It also helps them see how many pairs of equal edges there are.

Students wrote an arithmetic test today. They do not have arithmetic for homework.

We managed to enjoy a few more chapters of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory too.

Students attended gym and art class today.

Homework & Reminders

• Review list 9 spelling words (students have requested a lot of tricky bonus words)
• MMS p. 52 & 53
• Language p. 32 & 33 (Every body got done in class today)
• Look out for a letter coming home about construction to the parking lot beginning Nov. 4

Paragraph Writing

We continued with our Story Telling unit this morning. We focused on how to write a paragraph. Students knew a bit about paragraph writing. They further learned about topic and developing sentences. Ask your child to explain what topic and developing sentences are to you. They chose a topic to write about, brainstormed on their topic, used a paragraph organiser, and then wrote a paragraph about their topic. Students referred to a rubric while they wrote.

In language, we continued reviewing the use of commas and quotation marks in writing. Students worked on their list 9 spelling words too.

In math, students used a Venn diagram to sort 3-D solids according to attributes, such as the number of square faces or the number of faces. They also related 3-D solids to structures in the world.

Students did not get class time to work on their arithmetic today. Both pages will have to be completed at home.

Students attended French and gym class today.

 Homework & Reminders

• Review list 9 spelling words
• MMS p. 50 & 51
• MMS Geometry Unit test on Monday, Oct. 28
• Arithmetic p. 48 & 50
• All boys are asked to check that they have their own pants at home. Some of the boys have accidently taken someone else's pants home after gym class. Parents, please label your child clothes clearly.

Please note that the remaining parking lot will repaved starting the week of November 4 and will last about 2 weeks. This will cause many changes to arrival and dismissal of students. Look out for messages coming soon. Although it will be inconvenient, we are all looking forward to having a new paved surface.

How We Express Ourselves

We began a new week with a new inquiry unit. This unit falls within the transdisciplinary theme How We Express Ourselves. The central idea for this unit is Imaginary worlds can be expressed through story telling. The 3 lines inquiry that will direct this unit are:

●        Different genres of storytelling

●        The elements of a story

●        The process of story writing

Today students were introduced to the new unit. They brainstormed with a partner about all the different literary genres they could think of. Ask your child to explain what a genre is and ask them to name a few. We played a genre sorting activity as a house game. Students pulled books out of a bag and then had to place it into a chart according to the genre it belonged to.

In math, we began looking at the faces of 3-D solids. Ask your child to explain the difference between a 2-D figure and a 3-D solid. We examined an number of solids in class and classified them as prisms, pyramids, or other. Students named different pyramids and prisms and drew all their faces. Ask you child to distinguish between prisms and pyramids.

In language, students began working on list 9 spelling words. Spell words with consonant digraphs: thunder, farther, reaches, chicken wheat, Thursday, foolish, gather, brother, awhile, chimney, sharply, leash, bother, shipment, feathers, charge, shovel, whiskers, crush. They also continued working on using quotation marks. Today students learned that we use quotation marks to show the titles of short stories, poems, songs, chapters, and magazine or newspaper articles.

Students worked on review work in arithmetic.

Students attended French, art, and gym class today.

Homework and Reminders:

• Review list 9 spelling words
• MMS p. 48 & 49
• Arithmetic p. 47 & 48
• Language p. 28 & 29 (if you did not get done in class)

Pentominoes

The students completed their Prezi presentations today. This time was enjoyed by all. The children  have a sense of accomplishment. They began this unit not knowing what Prezi was, and now they have successfully used this platform to show their research. We discussed the pros and cons of Prezi versus PowerPoint. The class is split down the middle between those who prefer Prezi and those that prefer PowerPoint.

In language, students wrote their list 8 spelling tests. Look out for these tests coming home today. They wrote a quiz to show what they know about comma use. This quiz will come home in about a week. We continued working on using quotations to show what has been said by a speaker.

In arithmetic, students completed review work and wrote a quiz to show their understanding. In math, we used Microsoft Word's Draw feature to create pentominoes. Students were challenged to come up with 12 different pentominoes. The students managed to come with 4. Students may use weekend time to see if they can create 12 different figures.

We ended the day reading with our SK reading buddies.

Homework & Reminders

• Sign spelling tests coming home today
• Arithmetic p. 45 & 46
• Language p. 26 & 27 (if you did not get done in class)

Have a wonderful weekend.

Community Prezis

Our communities presentations began today. The children took turns presenting their findings. The class has been a great audience and is asking good questions of the presenters. We look forward to hearing the remainder of the presentations tomorrow.

In math we learned about similar figures. The children know that two figures are similar if their corresponding angles are the same and their corresponding sides are multiplied or divided by the same number.

In arithmetic, students learned to do long division where there is a remainder.

In language, students completed their review of list 8 spelling words. They continued using commas in sentences according to the 6 rules we have learned. Today, students were introduced to the use of quotation marks as a way of showing the exact words that someone has said.

Students attended French, art and gym class today.

Homework & Reminders

• Review list 8 spelling words
• MMS p. 46 & 47
• Arithmetic p. 43 & 44
• Language p. 24 & 25 (if you did not get done in class)

A Square is a Trapezoid and other Whacky Statements

Today, students spent time finishing off their Prezis. Some were done, and gave up their time slots at the ThinkPads to students who needed extra time. Students have been helping each other work out difficulties with their Prezis. It is great to see students looking out for each other. Presentations will begin tomorrow. Parents, please be an audience for your child tonight and give them pointers on how they could improve their presentation.

In math, we focused on the attributes of quadrilaterals. We used a Venn Diagram to sort quadrilaterals according to their properties. We tackled tricky questions, such as, why a square, a parallelogram, a rectangle, and a rhombus can be trapezoid, but a kite cannot be a trapezoid. Ask your child to explain this to you.

We took extra class time to tackle math problems we have gotten behind on in class. As a result we did not do arithmetic today.

In language, students reviewed list 8 spelling words. We continued learning about comma rules and practicing these rules. Ask your child to recite 6 comma rules to you.

Students did not have gym today as Mr. Browning was away. Students attended French class today.

 Homework & Reminders

• Review list 8 spelling words
• MMS p. 44 & 45
• Language p. 22 & 23 (if you did not get done in class)
• Look out for November lunch order forms coming home today
• Practice presenting your Prezi 

Angles in Quadrilaterals

Our community time is being well spent, mostly. Some students had trouble logging in to their Prezi account. It is almost time to present. We will have one more day of class time for students to work on their Prezis. Students will present their Prezis on Thursday or Friday.

In math, we have almost completed a study sheet on the sides, diagonals, and angles in quadrilateral figures. Today, students discovered some interesting facts about the angles in squares, rectangles, parallelograms, rhombuses, and trapezoids. Ask your child to give you a sentence describing the angles in these figures.

In arithmetic, we learned that 16 ounces make 1 pound, and 2000 pounds make 1 ton.

In language, students worked on their list 8 spelling words. They also continued working on rules for using commas. Today students used commas to separate the items in an address and date.

Students attended French, art, and gym class today.

 Homework & Reminders

• Review list 8 spelling words
• MMS p. 42 & 43
• Arithmetic p. 41 & 42
• Language p. 20 & 21 (if you didn't get done in class)
• Work on your Prezi (include the features of your community, the factors that influenced the location of the community, changes currently happening in your community)

Spelling D: List 8 -  Spell words with r-controlled vowels: carton, heart, sports, artist, spare, dirty, shore, curb, fair, sherbet, boards, fearless, journal, cheerfully, garbage, organ, error, sparks, harbour, perfume

Quadrilaterals

Today, students got class time to research their community of choice. They had more success than yesterday. It would be appreciated if students could get time to do more research at home. Students are bringing their research sheets home. In addition to describing the features of their community, they also need to find out why their community developed in that location (natural resources, physical features, historical reasons, other) and what some of the changes the community is undergoing today. These changes could be challenges the community is facing. Students can begin working on their presentation by visiting http://prezi.com and setting up an account.

In math, we learned about the sides and diagonals of quadrilaterals. Ask your child to

• explain what the word quadrilateral means
• name 5 kinds of quadrilaterals
• explain why a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not a square

We spent time measuring the sides and diagonals of quadrilaterals. The children were learning to use appropriate geometric terms and symbols to describe the properties quadrilaterals.

In language, students wrote their list 7 spelling test. They also worked on punctuation marks. Students practised placing periods after titles and abbreviations. They also used commas to separate a list or series of events.

In arithmetic, we learned about English liquid measures (fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons) and the relationships between these measures. We have containers for each of these units in the classroom to help students better understand the volumes and relationships.

We managed to squeeze in a chapter of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Students practiced being Travel Tracers, by describing the settings that changed during today's reading.

 Homework & Reminders

• Sign spelling and language tests coming home today
• MMS p. 40 & 41
• Arithmetic p. 39 & 40
• Make time to work on community research and Prezi over the weekend
• There is no school for students tomorrow - PD Day
• Monday is Thanksgiving Day - no school
• Students need to wear their winter uniform after Thanksgiving (please refer to the front of the agenda if you are unsure)
• Contact Mrs. Sacchania (uniforms@stjudesacademy.com) for any uniform needs

Protractors

This morning in our communities unit, students decided on a community they would like to research. The community may be urban or rural, and may be anywhere in the world. Students have a sheet to direct their research. Students were then given class time to collect information about their community from the internet. Unfortunately, we ran into technical difficulties, and only a few students got time to work on their research. Students are bringing their sheets home. If possible, please allow them time to collect more information on their community. In addition to the features of the community, students also need to find the reason for that community's location (natural resources and/or physical features), and how the community is changing. Tomorrow, we are hoping for more internet success.

In math, we made another homemade protractor that measures 8 units. Students used this protractor to measure angles. They compared this protractor to the one we made yesterday. Students agreed that today's was more accurate because the units were smaller. We then refolded the paper protractor an additional time, so that it measured up to 16 units and measured angles again. Students then went on to use their standard protractor that measures up to 180 degrees. They used this protractor to complete their class practice work. Please watch your child as they complete their math homework today. Children who are working with a protractor for the first time sometimes forget to begin at 0 degrees and are not sure how to line the base line of the protractor with an arm of the angle.

In language, students completed their list 7 spelling word review and completed the good copy of their thank you note to the Cadbury's Chocolate Factory. We got to enjoy Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Today's challenge was to be an illustrator.

We ended the day working arithmetic. We continued working with English linear measures and reviewed the steps in the process to solve these problems.

 Homework & Reminders

• Review list 7 spelling words
• MMS p. 38 & 39
• Arithmetic p. 37 & 38
• Research a community

Angles

We began our day with our communities unit. The last 3 groups presented their 3-D models and recorded their sound scapes. We then began a discussion of the final project for this unit. Students will be researching a community of their choice and presenting a slide show to the class. We examined all the transdisciplinary skills students are assessed on in the year, and decided which skills students would be able to demonstrate through this project (time management, presenting, acquisition and application of knowledge, presenting research findings, and accepting responsibility). These skills will be included in the rubric. Tomorrow we will finalise the rubric, and students will begin working on their projects.

In math, we spent time getting to know angles. Students learned that angles are measured between the arms of lines that meet or intersect at a vertex. They used various Pattern Blocks as units to measure other angles. They also compared other angles to a right angle. Each student has received a protractor that was constructed out of wax paper using a tan rhombus. They will use this protractor to complete their math homework tonight.

In language, students worked on list 7 spelling words. They wrote a letter of thanks to their tour guide from the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. Students peer edited each others letters and some have completed their good copy.

We ended the day working on arithmetic. We spent a lot of time on the steps in solving equations involving English measures. Students are beginning to feel more comfortable with the process.

Students attended French and gym class today.

 Homework & Reminders:

• Review list 7 spelling words
• MMS p. 36 & 37
• Arithmetic p. 35 & 36
• Bring your Toronto pictures on a USB if you haven't already done so
• Fall Festival tickets are $3 (Oct. 30 at 7 pm)

List 7 Spelling

Spell words with a consonant blend in an initial, medial or final position: crept, crunch, sounds, dusk, refund, colder, skunk, unfold, risk, milk, halt, different, protesting, twister, independent, absent, stretch, printing, blended, product

Sound Scapes

We began a new week with a new math unit - Geometry. Overall, students score's were weakest for this unit. We reviewed the difference between a figure and a solid. Ask your child to explain the difference to you. We then focused on congruent figures. Ask your child to explain what congruency means. Students examined figures for congruency and constructed congruent figures. They used tracing paper to check for congruency.

In our communities inquiry unit, students completed constructing maps of their  3-D models. They then began working with their partner on their presentation and their sound scape. For their presentation, students were required to talk about the features they chose to include in their model, explain why their model represents an urban or rural community. For their sound scape, students worked together to brainstorm all the sounds that could be heard in their community. They practiced making sounds to represent their community's features. Students were graded according to their ability to contribute a fair share of ideas and to doing a fair share of the work. We had 3 groups present their models today. The remaining groups will present tomorrow.

Students worked on list 7 spelling words.

In arithmetic, we reviewed English linear measures (inches, feet, and yards) and the relationships between them. We know it is important for us to be globally minded and understand these measures as our community's major trading partner uses these measures. We ran out of time and did not get to go over the steps in solving problems involving English linear measurements. We will take time in class tomorrow to go over this process. Students who are struggling with these problems can skip these questions until they get help tomorrow.

Students attended French, gym, and art class tomorrow.

 

Parents are invited to pop in to the school and view the Tree of Thanks.

Homework & Reminders:

• Review list 7 spelling words for Thursday's test
• MMS p. 34 & 35
• Arithmetic p. 33 & 34
• Bring in Toronto pictures on a USB
• Have your protractor at school for Wednesday's geometry lesson
• Friday is a PD Day for teachers - there is no school for students
• Monday is Thanksgiving Day - there is no school
• All students are required to wear their winter uniform after Thanksgiving Day
• Upper school students are hosting a Fall Festival on Wednesday, October 30 at 7 pm. They will be selling tickets tomorrow at $3 a ticket

 

Cartography

The theme for today was tests. Students wrote a spelling test on list 5 words. This test is coming home today. Next up was the unit test on Whole Numbers, followed by an arithmetic test. These two tests will be sent home next week.

In language we spent time on writing from our own perspectives. Students were given the prompt What makes Toronto interesting? They were challenged to come up with a title, write in paragraph form, write at least 5 sentences, and include at least one of each of the 4 kinds of sentences we have been learning about. These writing pieces are being kept for our second unit of inquiry which begins in a couple of weeks time.

In our communities unit, students viewed their 3-D models from a bird's-eye perspective. They drew a map of their model. They were challenged to use symbols for the features in their models and then to include labels for the symbols in a legend.

We ended the day meeting up with Ms. Genco's SKs for reading buddies. Each student has the responsibility of encouraging, reading to, or listening to their SK buddy read.

Each student is coming home with their chocolates, compliments of the Gladstone Cadbury Chocolate Factory.

Students attended French and gym class today.

Homework & Reminders:

• Sign spelling tests
• Some students are bringing home child-care statements
• Language - review unit 1 for Monday's test

Cadbury's Chocolate Factory & Toronto

We couldn't have asked  for a better day for our trip to Toronto. The weather was gorgeous. The kids were well behaved and enthusiastic. Our volunteers were awesome! We couldn't have done this trip without them. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Ask your child to tell you where cocoa was first grown, how it was first used, and how it came to Europe. My favourite part of the factory tour was watching the robotic arms make boxes and lift chocolate bars. Ask your child what their favourite part was.

Cadbury's has treated all students to two chocolate bars. Unfortunately there wasn't time at the end of the day to hand these out. Students will receive these at end of day tomorrow. What a sweet way to start the weekend!

 

Homework & Reminders:

• List 5 spelling test tomorrow
• MMS unit test on Whole Numbers tomorrow
• Bring your Communities Duo-tang to school tomorrow

Construction Completed

We used our morning time to complete our review on Whole Numbers. Please look out for the review pages coming home today. They will be in test folders.

Students spent our language block working on list 1 to 5 spelling words and reviewing kinds of sentences and correcting run-together sentences. We will be writing a language test on Monday.

Construction on 3-D community models finally ground to a halt this morning. Students were very sad to stop this work. There has been a fantastic buzz in the classroom. Everyone has been on task, communicating with their partner, doing their share, and problem solving.

 

Students continued on arithmetic review. Most got very far with their pages.

We ended the day enjoying Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Today's role was being connectors. This was an easy task to do because of our trip the chocolate factory tomorrow.

Students attended French and gym class today.

We are all very excited for tomorrow's trip. See you at the Meadowvale GO Station Ticket Office at 7:30 am tomorrow! Don't be late.

Homework & Reminders:

• Review list 5 spelling words
• MMS - Review Unit 2 on Whole Numbers
• Arithmetic p. 31 & 32
• Toronto trip tomorrow!

Message from After Care

As St. Jude's keeps expanding policies and procedures must change to accommodate our growth. Starting today the After School Care sign in and out procedures will be changing to better suit the needs of the school. We found we have too much congestion in the hallway with students waiting to be signed in; this can pose a potential risk to our students. In order to combat this potential problem our new procedures are as follows: 

 

The school is open at 3:40 for pick up time within the classroom. At 3:45 teachers will take remaining students to the gym where they will line up (inside) in their classes and wait to be signed in. Parents we ask that you do not enter the gym at this time but rather wait at the gym entrance until Mrs. Smith or Ms. Rossi retrieves your student. 

 

We appreciate your cooperation and thank you in advance for being patient with us while we get into the swing of things with our new routine. 

Under Construction

We began our morning by reviewing whole number concepts in preparation for Friday's unit test. We did not get through all the review and will write the test on Friday, not Wednesday. In arithmetic we also spent time doing review work.

In our Communities time, students continued working on their 3-D models. Ms. Pattenick supplied students with paint during their art time to decorate their models. The models are coming along nicely, but taking longer than expected. Students will get more time in class tomorrow to complete them.

Our Toronto trip is coming up on Thursday. We took time in class to discuss the trip schedule, dress, and the factory rules. Please look out for a letter coming home today about the trip.

Students worked on list 1 and 4 spelling words. They also did review work on language in preparation for Monday's language test.

Students attended French, art, and gym class today.

Homework & Reminders:

• Review list 5 spelling words
• MMS- review unit 2 on Whole Numbers in preparation for Friday's test
• Arithmetic p. 29 & 30
• Review trip letter

Important Reminders for the Toronto Trip

Wear gym uniform and sneakers.

Bring a packed lunch or money to purchase lunch.

Bring a camera if you can.

Meet at Meadowvale GO Station Ticket office at 7:30 am to catch the 8:05 am train .

If you are late, we cannot wait for you.

You must stay with the parent volunteer you are placed with.

Read over the factory rules again.

Take notes and pictures of Toronto's features.

 

Cadbury Chocolate Factory Rules

1.   All attendees must wear long pants with legs fully covered.  No capris, shorts, dresses or skirts are permitted.

2.       Do not wear clothing or footwear that have sequins, beads, studs, safety pins or straight pins.

3.       All participants must wear flat-soled footwear (enclosed heels and toes – running shoes are best).

4.       No jewellery can be worn (remove rings, watches, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, piercings, religious items, etc.)

5.       Nail polish (including  gel or shellac nails) are not permitted.

6.       Hair accessories such as barrettes, hair bands, hair clips,  etc. are not permitted.

7.       Camera and recording devices (eg. cell phones) are not permitted in the factory portion of the tour but are allowed in all other areas of the tour facility.

8.        No food or drink is permitted in the building.

9.       Purchases  made at our Retail Store can be paid for with Cash, Debit or Visa card.  (All attendees will be given 2 complimentary Cadbury products apart from what they will be tasting on the tour.)

                Note:  For health and safety reasons, if a student is sick on the day of the tour, we cannot allow them to attend.