Classroom Happenings

It has been a little while since I have written an update on all the amazing learning we have been engaged in in room nine. My apologies! The entire staff have been working hard on improving the education for all at our school. As usual it has been very busy and the students are growing into wonderful learners and engaged students.

Health

Our classroom meeting is a favourite time to share and connect with each other. Each week we have a sharing circle and learn a little more about each other. It’s nice to take time to connect and reflect on our lives. We have also been continuing to learn about Growth Mindset and Mindfulness. This month’s Fifth Pillar is respect. We have been improving in our ability to travel through the hallways respectfully and I have seen growth in our ability to listen and follow a lesson or instruction in a respectful way as well.

L.A.

During the last couple of weeks, we have been learning about grammar. Our class has learned about the difference between nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Writing in a complete sentence that use a subject and predicate (nouns and verbs) are an expectation for grade four writers. Most young writers only know that a sentence needs a capital to begin and punctuation to end. We have been working to use adjectives to describe why we like fall through using story strips to increase the amount we write.

We have fully launch our literacy centers (Daily 5). Much independence is required to complete the tasks that are required.  Students are involved in word work, work on writing, read to self, read to someone, listening to reading and guided reading lessons (with me) to improve our reading ability. The students are growing in their responsibility and ability to be self-motivated learners. Ask your little learner if they are completing all the required work. Grade Four’s expectations are a much high level that some are used to.

Math

A base line assessment of Math knowledge was sent home.  Please look for it in your child’s bag if they have not passed it on to you. We are working hard to develop our Number Sense as this was identified as an area that is needed to be developed further.  Reading and writing numbers has proven to be difficult for many. It is an area that we will be working on all year! We have been working on ordering numbers based on place value and using less than, equal and greater than symbols. Math vocabulary understanding is also an area of growth for all.

Science

We have been waiting with great anticipation for our Red Wiggler Composting Worms. I am happy to announce that I have them and they will be making their debut on Monday. We have been learning about caring for them and will have two students a week looking after our wiggly classroom pets.  To other students will be in charge of feeding them daily. The difference between human created waste and natural waste has been covered. Producers, consumers, and decomposers has been fun to learn about.

Social

This week we have begun our Map making project. Learning about the elements that all maps include was the introductory piece. We will be walking to Nose Hill Park next week. Reading a map, using a compass and understanding the cardinal directions and a compass rose is an exciting task. We are still looking for volunteers to join us on our trip. If you can help out please contact me A.S.A.P.

Art

We have been building perseverance working on two art projects that have spanned over the last three weeks. Keep an eye on our blog for photos of these awesome projects! We need lids of all shapes and sizes to complete one of the projects. Please send in as many as you can in different sizes and colours.

Thanks for all your support!

Mrs. Diduch