Xylem - the Drinking Straws of Plants

We began our day with a math lesson. Today's lesson was a tricky one. We related linear measures we have been learning about to each other. We used metre sticks and measuring tapes to help us. We began with 1mm. We know that it takes 10 mm to make 1 cm, so 1 mm would be 0.1 cm. We know it takes 100 mm to make 1 dm, so 1 mm would be 0.01 dm. We know that it takes 1000 mm to make a metre, so 1 mm is 0.001 m. Students found that the work was made easier by always referring to their measuring tool.

In language, we reviewed complete subjects and predicates. We learned about these parts of a sentence in term 2. This term we are finding the simple subject (usually a noun) in the complete subject and the simple predicate (the verb) in the complete predicate. Ask your child to tell you a sentence that explains these terms.

We began work on List 31 spelling words - Spell words with prefixes pre, re, im, non, and con: nonsense, prepaid, control, returned, impractical, nonstop, conduct, preview, report, imperfect, nonprofit, refills, construct, immovable, precaution, predict, convince, impersonal, impure,  and reaction. This week's spelling test will be on Friday.

In our inquiry unit on plants and soils, we completed our experiment to discover how  stems function through an experiment with celery, water, and food dye. Students learned about xylem and transpiration. Ask your child to explain these terms to you. We read about seeds. Each students set up 4 beans seeds to germinate so we can observe the germination process and growth in a bean plant. We will be examining our seeds daily. Today students were inquirers by reading to discover how soil is made. We will take up their learning tomorrow.

If you haven't already, please make time to visit the library to find 3 sources for your science fair project this week. Students who have their sources should begin reading and taking notes in their science journals. Remember to complete the bibliography page in your science fair duo-tang for each source you use.

We ended our working on our International Day presentation of Canada. Parents are welcome to visit this Friday between 3 pm and 3:30 pm. Students attended French and gym class today.

Homework & Reminders

• Review list 30 spelling words for this Friday's test
• MMS p. 146 & 147
• Sign tests coming home today
• Term 2 Report cards comment pages are due this week.
• Portfolios and storage binders are due on Friday, April 4th.
• Science Fair: Visit the library if you can to find 3 written sources on your topic. Begin your background research reading and note-taking
• Bring in a box of maple cookies (available at Freshco at $2.50 + tax) for International Day
• Red or white poster board for International Day, research your topic for International Day. International Day is on Friday, April 4
• Scholastic order forms are coming home today. Order forms and cheques are due Friday for those interested
• Look out for a after-school programs letter coming home today

Strategies

We had a long convocation as students who were recognised as being principled were awarded certificates this morning. Congratulations to Carter for being nominated as our class representative and Rachel for our school's representative in French!

We had a fun house game this morning where students had to "catch the dragon's tail". Participants and the audience had a lot of fun with this game. Well done to Zeta for getting first place.

Once in class we had our list 29 spelling test. Tests are coming home today. Please take time to review the test with your child.

In math we had a strategy lesson where we used "draw a picture" and "guess and check" as ways to solve very tricky word problems. We went over each problem as a class once everyone had had the opportunity to attempt them as many students had trouble today. Ask your child about today's problems and tell them how you would have solved them.

In our inquiry unit on plants and soils, we continued with our experiment to discover how  stems function through an experiment with celery, water, and food dye. Students saw definite changes in the celery leaves and in the cross section of the stem. They used their observations to explain how the stem functions. They explained what had happened to the water level and dye too. Ask your child what they learned.

I met with students to hear their science fair questions. Please check to see if your child's question has been approved. We ended the day discussing the next steps in the scientific method - doing background research. Students worked on the "Background Research Plan Worksheet" that will be help when looking for sources at the library. Please plan to visit the library once this worksheet is completed as students need 3 written sources on their topic. This worksheet is due Monday.

We ended our day discussing International Day. The format for the day has changed and this affects some of our class' ideas. Ask your child what they need to do for International Day.

Students attended French, art, and gym class today.

Our school's phone lines are not working at the moment. The emergency number to contact the school if this happens is: 647-233-7820.

A message from Ms. Malan:

Dear Parents,

 As part of being an IB school we encourage students to show ‘International Mindedness’. At St. Jude’s Academy, we value and make productive use of the diversity of cultures and perspectives that exist in our school and in the local, national and global communities to enhance student learning.

 This year, St. Jude’s Academy will be having our first International Mindedness Day. The event will take place on Friday, April 4, 2014. Each PYP class will be representing one country. Students will be inquiring and presenting their research about various countries from around the world! Students will present on topics such as food, clothing, art and music from the countries they have been studying.

We are inviting SJA friends and families to attend the event to have a chance to view the class displays and speak to the students about the learning that has taken place. Friends and families are invited to attend the event from 3:00 - 3:30pm on April 4th.

 For any questions or requests for more information please contact Mrs. Padovan at kpadovan@stjudesacademy.com or Ms. Soroka at ssoroka@stjudesacademy.com.

Homework & Reminders

• Term 2 Report cards are coming home today. Student portfolios and storage binders are coming home too. Have a look at the work we did in term 2. Please complete the comments page of the report card and return the card. I will make a copy of this page and return the report card to you. Return portfolios and storage binders by Friday, April 4th.
• Complete Science Fair Background Research Plan. Visit the library if you can to find 3 written sources on your topic
• Sign and return spelling tests
• There was a mix up with boys' pants after changing after gym yesterday. Please check that your son has the correct grey pants.
• Ms. Barber is going to be running a boys literacy club for grade 3 and 4 boys on Tuesday after-school from 3:45 - 4:30. 
• She is also starting a Mathletes club on Thursdays for all grade 3 and 4 students during recess time.
• Red or white poster board for International Day, research your topic for International Day
• International Day is on Friday, April 4
• The SJS under 10 soccer team was announced today. Many of our class made the team  (Braeden, Zain, Adam, Clara, Maria, Lukas, Carter). The plan is for them to attend a soccer tournament on Thursday, April 10. Look out for information coming soon.
• Information about SJA's exciting new summer camps will be coming home today

 

 

How does a stem function?

In math we learned that 10 cm is 1 dm. Students examined a metre stick to find 1 dm, 2 dm, 3 dm, etc. They also related dm to mm and cm, 1 dm = 10 cm = 100 mm, 2 dm = 20 cm = 200 mm, etc. Students discovered that the width of their hands are approximately 1 dm. They used their hands to estimate the lengths of various objects in the classroom to the nearest dm. They then measured the objects to the nearest dm using a metre stick. The rest of math class time was used solving problems relating to linear dimensions in dm.

In language, we worked on discovering what compound nouns are. This phrase reminded many students of compound words and that set them up to understanding compound nouns. Students were given a list of compound nouns to use to generate their own compound noun definition. This is what they came up with:

"Put two or more nouns together to make a new noun."
This was very close to the definition in the language books. Great thinking skills, grade 4s! We took time to review proper and common nouns as students had already learned about these in grade 3. Students used the rest of their language time to identify nouns and verbs in sentences. Students show a noun with a single underline and a verb with a double underline. They finished up their review work on list 29 spelling words. Remember to give this week's words extra attention.

In our inquiry unit on plants and soils, we set out to discover how stems function through an experiment with celery, water, and food dye. Students were shown the materials that would be used and how the experiment would be set up. They then wrote a hypothesis explaining what they thought would happen to the celery, the dye, and the water level in the jars. We used 4 celery stems, 3 with different colours each, and no colour in the 4th.  Students drew labelled diagrams of the celery stems and leaves. Each student received a cross-section of the celery stem, which they drew after closely examination using a magnifying glass. Everyone was wondering what the small circles in the stem were. I wonder if anyone will dry discover what they are on their own?

Students also shared all the things they had found in yesterday's soil sample with the class. We will repeat yesterday's soil activity when the temperature warms up to see if there are different things in soil then. Students then read a non-fiction text to discover what soil is made from. They showed their learning in a word web.

In yesterday's blog I forgot to mention something exciting that happened. Our class was treated to a Prezi on "Stop-Motion and Time Lapse Photography" by Nathanael, a grade 6 SJA student. The grade 4s thoroughly enjoyed this presentation. We are hoping to be able to use this technology to record our seedling's growth. We will all be learning together as we attempt this. Well done to Braeden for showing action by trying out some of Nathanael's suggestions last night.

Some students have ideas for their science fair topics. They met with me today to discuss the feasibility of their ideas. Please talk with your child about our discussion. Students should come to class tomorrow with an idea of a science fair question, even if they are not perfectly happy with it. We can work together on refining it.

We ended the day working on arithmetic. Students worked with dry measures and related pints, quarts, pecks, and bushels.

Students attended French and gym class today.

Homework & Reminders

• MMS p. 144 & 145
• Arithmetic p. 133 & 134
• Science fair question due tomorrow
• Ms. Barber is going to be running a boys literacy club for grade 3 and 4 boys on Tuesday after-school from 3:45 - 4:30. 
• She is also starting a Mathletes club on Thursdays for all grade 3 and 4 students during recess time.
• Review list 29 words for Friday's spelling test
• Report Cards, Portfolios, and storage binders are coming home on Friday
• Red or white poster board for International Day, research your topic for International Day
• International Day is on Friday, April 4
• Information about SJA's exciting new summer camps will be coming home on Friday

What is in Soil?

In math we spent time examining our rulers to appreciate how big lengths such as 1 mm, 15 mm, 35 mm, 80 mm, and 140 mm were. Students then had to find items in the classroom that were close to these lengths and then measure their actual lengths. We also took time to relate mm to centimetres. We saw that there are 10 mm in 1 cm. Students understand that 1 mm is 0.1 cm.

In our inquiry unit on plants and soils, students finished researching the parts of plants. We spent the rest of our inquiry time answering the question, "What is in soil?' by carefully examining a soil sample. Students used a  magnifying glass to get a better look at their sample. They sorted their sample into 4 categories. They drew sketches to show their observations. Ask your child what they

discovered about soil.

In language, students worked on list 29 spelling words.

We had time for arithmetic today. We spent time reviewing improper fractions and how to change improper fractions to mixed or whole numbers. We also reviewed how to reduce fractions.

Students attended French, art, and gym class today.

Homework & Reminders

• MMS p. 142 & 143
• Arithmetic p. 131 & 132
• Brainstorm ideas for the science fair project
• Review list 29 words for Friday's spelling test
• Report Cards, Portfolios, and storage binders are coming home on Friday
• Red or white poster board for International Day
• Researching your topic for International Day
• Information about SJA's exciting new summer camps will be coming home on Friday
• Soccer try outs are taking place during second recesses this week
• After-care payments need to be received this Friday to avoid interest charges

Useful Soil

We used our math time to finish off yesterday's math lesson on estimating and measuring to the nearest unit in cm and m using rulers and metre sticks. Students were more comfortable using their fingers, hands and giant steps to make estimates before they measured. Students are asked to record measurement in m and cm to the nearest cm.

 

In language, we began a new unit on the second part of speech - the noun. Students reviewed what they remembered about nouns from grade 3 - a noun is a person, place, or thing. We added a fourth item to this list. A noun can also be an idea such a joy, love, or peace. Students practiced writing nouns they see in our classroom and in the world. We continued working on our spelling list. This week's list is a bit tricky and needs more attention than usual.

In our inquiry unit on plants and soils, we finished and took up yesterday's investigation on the uses of plants. We continued this with a brainstorm on the uses of soils. Students worked in small group to generate ideas that they then shared with the class. In today's lesson we focused on the characteristics of plants. Students shared what they remembered about the parts of a plant. They then researched the functions of the plant parts. We focused on identifying the important message in each sentence we read and recorded notes without plagiarising.

As the final project for our inquiry into plants and soils students will be participating in a the Annual SJA Science Fair. This year's science fair takes place on Thursday, May 24.  Each student will individually choose a plant/soil topic to focus on. We began discussing the science fair today and focused on the expectations of this project and the steps in the scientific method. Students are bringing home a Duo-tang with detailed step-by-step information about this project. Please take time to read the science fair letter and schedule (first two pages of the Duo-tang). Any thoughts or work that is done for this project will be recorded in a science journal.

SJA is hosting its first International Day on Friday, April 4. Our class has chosen to represent Canada at this event. Students are choosing one aspect of Canada to represent. They will use a poster board (red or white or both) to represent this aspect. We would love to have items such as flags, music, pictures, food, etc. on display on this day. Family are welcome to visit the class displays from 3:00 to 3:30.

Students attended French and gym class today.

Homework & Reminders

• Take time to read the science fair letter and schedule
• Review list 29 words for Friday's spelling test
• International Day Letter
• Casual Day tomorrow
• Report Cards, Portfolios, and storage binders are coming home on Friday
• Red or white poster board for International Day
• Begin researching for International Day

Term 3 Begins

Welcome back to school everyone!

As usual in our grade 4 class, we got stuck into term 3 work right away. We began a new MMS unit on length, perimeter, and area. We reviewed concepts that were learned when students did this unit in grade 3. Students then found ways to estimate cm, dm, and m using a part of their body. They used 30 cm rulers and metre sticks to measure objects in our classroom after they had first made an estimate. Students were reminded that it is important to always include units when giving measurement answers.

We spent time organising last term's work by placing our novel study and pioneer work into our storage binders.

In language, students began working on List  29 - Spell plural possessive nouns: passengers’, armies’, families’, thieves’, ranches’, benches’, umpires’, airlines’, dresses’, hostesses’, banjos’, pianos’, men’s, children’s, bodies’, daisies’, televisions’, members’, governments’, businesses’. This week's spelling test will be on Friday.

We began our new and fifth unit of inquiry in the transdisciplinary theme "Sharing the Planet" on plants and soils. We discussed the central idea (Plants and soils are essential for life on earth.)  and lines of inquiry that we will use to explore this unit:

·         Characteristics of plants and soils

·         Growth in plants and formation of soils

·         Protecting plant & soil habitats

Students created and shared a KWL chart of what they know and want to know about plants and soils. We sank our teeth into the uses of plants. Students brainstormed a great list of plant uses. They then independently read a non-fiction test to discover more about the uses of plants.

Students attended French, art, and gym class today. They are reminded to bring in their records for art class with Ms. Pattenick.

Homework & Reminders

• Review list 29 words for Friday's spelling test
• MMS p. 140 & 141
• Bring in a 30 cm ruler if you do no have one - preferably clear
• Bring in your recorder
• Casual Day on Wednesday
• Report Cards, Portfolios, and storage binders are coming home on Friday

Easy Day

We had the last of our spirit days today. The school was a sea of green. We enjoyed the last of the spirit week house games and heard that Kappa was in the lead for the house cup.
Once in class we heard the last of the pioneer presentations. I have enjoyed the creativity the students have expressed through their projects. It was then time to reflect on the pioneer unit. Students wrote and drew about their favourite part of this unit. They also reflected on the inquiry skills they had developed during this unit.
We worked on portfolios today. Students chose samples of work from their forces unit to add to portfolios. We spent time organising and placing work away in storage binders.
We ended the day enjoying the pilot episode of Little House on the Prairie. This shows what happened to the Ingalls family when they moved away from the Big Woods of Wisconsin.
Students attended Art and Gym class today.
It was a light day to end a very busy term. Thank you for all your hard work boys and girls. Enjoy a well deserved break. See you on March 24th.

Pioneer Day

Today was a very exciting day at St. Jude's. Grade 3s and 4s celebrated Pioneer Day while the rest of the school were in house colours and visited The Maples. Today's house game was a lot of fun with some sneaky moves from KIP.  Well done to Zeta for winning.

Once we got to our classroom we sat down to enjoy a breakfast of corn grits, milk, brown sugar, and honey. We had time to enjoy each other's company instead of rushing into work. Today's chore was washing dishes. Everyone headed to the kitchen to accomplish this task. For some it was the first time doing this. What a memorable day!

Back in class we heard more pioneer presentations. As usual this was enlightening to all. We have learned much about pioneers and First Nations through these presentations.

During lunch, many students played pioneer-style games, It was wonderful to see students take the initiative to do this on their own accord.

It was then time to ensure the 3 Rs were done. Students completed reading, writing, and arithmetic exercises on chalkboards. We even managed to squeeze in a spelling bee between two groups. Our class turned out to be good spellers, with the bee ending in a draw.

We headed inside and joined the grade 3 class to start visiting activity stations hosted by parent volunteers. Students made butter, practiced eye-hand coordination, worked on tapestries, and played games. Thank you to Mrs. Cochrane, Mrs. Henein, and Mrs. Petrawala for making our day awesome!

We ended the day meeting in the kitchen and enjoying the butter served on fresh, home-made bread (by Mrs. Cochrane) with maple syrup. Yummmy!

We had tons of fun!

 

Homework & Reminders

• Prepare for tomorrow's Pioneer presentations if you did not present today or yesterday
• Remember your recorder form if you haven't returned it already
• Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day - wear green
• Ms. Pattenick has requested that students come to school dressed as their favourite music legend tomorrow
• Tomorrow is the last day of school before March Break. School begins again on March 24

Please see the message from Mrs. Smith below: 

Hello Parents,

After School invoices for the month of February were sent home yesterday, please ensure you check your student’s agenda, as payments are due back to the school by March 28th 2014. Payments can be sent back in the agenda or handed to Mrs. Smith directly. If you have any questions regarding your current invoice please speak to Ms. Smith in person or email her at bsmith@stjudesacademy.com.  

Backward Day

Everyone looked backwards at SJA today. Clothes were on backward and inside out. Zeta hosted this morning's house game. Well done to Zeta for taking first place.

We began our day with pioneer presentations. These were really enjoyable. Students showed how knowledgeable they were about their topic. We saw reports, Prezis, models, artefacts, props, demonstrations, and PowerPoints being used this morning. This made our learning all the more interesting. Well done to all who presented.

 

In math students worked on their Patterns in Number and Geometry unit test.

In arithmetic they wrote a quiz.

In language we wrote our last spelling test of term 2. Speech rubrics are coming home today. Please review them, sign them, and return them to school tomorrow.

 Homework & Reminders

• Sign spelling tests coming home today
• Prepare for tomorrow's Pioneer presentations if you did not present today
• Tomorrow is Pioneer Day - wear pioneer clothes, bring a pioneer lunch, bring a ball of yarn or $2
• Friday is St. Patrick's Day - wear green
• Ms. Pattenick has requested that students come to school dressed as their favourite music legend of Friday
• Friday is the last day of school before March Break. School begins again on March 24

Pancake Eating Contest & Pyjama Day

I was not well today and a supply teacher taught the grade 4s. I have heard reports that today's Pancake Eating Contest and house game were a lot of fun.

 

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy of yesterday's trip to Mountsberg.

 

I am hoping to be back at school tomorrow.

 Homework & Reminders

• Review list 28 spelling words for tomorrow's test
• MMS - review unit 10 for tomorrow's test
• Prepare for tomorrow's Pioneer presentations
• Tomorrow is Backwards Day- dress appropriately
• Thursday is Pioneer Day - come to school dressed as a pioneer and bring a pioneer lunch
• Friday is St. Patrick's Day - wear green
• Friday is the last day of school before March Break. School begins again on March 24

Maple Syrup Time at Mountsberg

Our school looked crazy with the funky hairdos this morning. Ms. Malan judged students to place them in first, second, and third place. The school body enjoyed a house game while the grade 3 and 4 students headed out for a trip to Mountsberg.

It was a very cold day to be outside, but we survived. Students may be a bit more tired than usual tonight.

During our trip, we learned how maple trees have to be a certain diameter to be tapped for sap. We saw a dugout that was used by First Nations to boil sap, and large kettles used by pioneers. We hear a legend of how the First Nations may have discovered that the sap of Maples can be used for syrup.

We visited the Sugar Shack where the evaporator is used to boil the sap down. In the shack, students were treated to a sample of maple syrup, that everybody enjoyed.

After lunch we visited a play barn and got to see farm animals like horces, sheep, chickens, rabbits, and goats. Students especially enjoyed seeing the bunnies and kids that were only a couple of weeks old.

Back at school we did light work as everyone was tires. Students completed all their spelling list for List 28 - Spell singular possessive nouns and contractions: she’ll, wouldn’t, they’ll, how’s, let’s, where’s we’re, desert’s, person’s, sister’s, bicycle’s, Arizona’s, child’s, aunt’s, cousin’s, Florida’s, uncle’s, doctor’s, hasn’t, season’s. We will write this week's spelling test on Wednesday.

 Homework & Reminders

• Review list 28 spelling words for Wednesday's test
• MMS - review unit 10 for Wednesday's test
• Prepare for tomorrow's Pioneer presentations
• Tomorrow is Pyjama Day - Students may come to school dressed in their PJs
• Tomorrow is SJA's Annual Pancake Eating Contest
• Wednesday is Backwards Day- dress appropriately
• Thursday is Pioneer Day
• Friday is St. Patrick's Day - wear green
• Friday is the last day of school before March Break. School begins again on March 24

Area Patterns

Sorry everyone, I forgot to hit the "publish" button yesterday.

Today I visited a Grade 6 Exhibition with the grade 5s and 6s. Ms. Pattenick taught the grade 4s in the morning. Students began their day with the last math lesson for unit 10. They learned about area patterns, created patterns with Pattern Blocks, drew their patterns, and described their patterns using math vocabulary.

In arithmetic, students continued working with grams and its relatives.  

In our pioneer inquiry time, students completed an assignment where they compared their lives to the lives of pioneers. They also reflected on the ways in which First Nations Peoples helped the pioneers. Additional time was used to work on pioneer projects. Remember that presentations have been moved to Tuesday, March 4, and Wednesday, March 5, next week.

In language, students worked in pairs on writing an announcement that promotes one of the Spirit Days next week. Students will be making announcements beginning Monday morning.

We are heading out on our Maple Syrup Time Workshop on Monday. Students should come to school in their gym clothes. They should dress according to the weather as we will be outside all day.

Homework & Reminders

·         MMS p. 178 & 179, MMS test on Wed., Mar. 5

·         Arithmetic p. 129, 130

·         Pioneer Day is on Thursday, March 6

·         March lunch forms are due March 7

·         Pioneer project presentations on Tuesday, March 4, and Wednesday, March 5

·         Next week is Spirit Week (Monday = Crazy Hair Day, Tuesday = PJ Day/Pancake Eating Contest, Wednesday = Backward Day, Thursday = Pioneer/House Colours Day, Friday = St. Patrick's Day)