November 14-18

This week we continued to develop our skills in reading, writing, number sense, operation and algebraic thinking. We practiced our observation skills in science, sending and receiving in physical education, map work and questioning in social studies and so much more.

In math, we are exploring what addition and subtraction means and why it is important to understand the concepts of adding and subtracting in order to help us develop our number sense and algebraic thinking. We explored how to show with materials, on a number line or in a drawing what an equation with an unknown amount means. We also practiced our skills in estimation to help us understand if answers are reasonable when we are using operations with numbers.

In writing, we are exploring how to write great personal narratives. We are focusing on the learning intention “I can used a structured writing process to organize and share messages” and “I can make sure my writing is smooth, natural and easy to read aloud”. This week we were specifically focusing on getting an idea and planning that idea using a web. Mrs. Cooper asked us to start writing about a time we experienced snow and we each found it quite difficult to think about what to write and how to write it. Then we sat together and talked about times we have encountered snow. Some of us talked about being stuck in a blizzard, shovelling snow, going snowboarding and sledding. This made other people think about jumping on a trampoline with snow or a loved one who missed a flight because of a snowstorm. We learned that it is important to talk and generate ideas as the first step in writing. Talking about a topic helps us to focus our ideas and decide what we want to write about. We then put some of our ideas in a plan thinking about who was there, when and where it happened, what happened and how things developed. After that, we looked at two writing samples and compared them. Next week we will be making a list of characteristics of writing that is awesome and interesting, and the characteristics of writing that needs improvement.

Speaking of writing, we practiced writing with detail and clarity in groups on Friday to tell you about our week. Here are just a few ideas from our writing:
Wishtree Project

In our Wishtree final project we learned about plots and subplots. We had to show a representation of Wishtree.– Belen & Lillian

The purpose was to tell people what part of the plot was. Some of us made it out of clay. Others did acting and flip books.  – Penelope & Ellie

We finished the book Wishtree. We got to do a Wishtree project. Then we got to retell the story from a different character. – Emma M. & Everly

Last step of Wishtree. First we got clay but before we had to plan out what we needed. Then when we were done that step we recorded it on Flipgrid. – Jonah and two grade three students

We did a project on the book Wishtree. We had to show an important part about Wishtree then we had to do something about it. And I made a flip book and wrote the part where Red was going to get chopped down. – Zen & Mrs. Cooper

Science

Mrs. Cooper took out the worms and put them on a piece of paper. On each one they said strawberry, whole leaf and crumpled leaf on each one. We observed all of them and labelled/drew what we saw. In our visual journal we drew lines and marks to show what happens when days go by. – Enayah and a grade 3 student

Physical Education

In gym we played this super fun game that we had 2 upside down hockey nets. The goal of the game is to throw more balls onto the netting of the other team’s net. Also eventually Mrs. Cooper will come to your and the other team’s net and take out and count which team is winning so far. How we win is having the least amount of balls in our team’s net. We learned how to aim and throw better, plus we leared how to have athletic throwing stance. – Sebastian, Kailtilin & Skyler

Montessori First Great Lesson

In Social Studies, we learned about the Big Bang [as one theory of the beginning of the Universe]. Ms. Bouchard had a big balloon with sparkles when she popped the balloon she said that particles had so much energy to blow up! And that is how the big bang started. – Belen & Lillian

As you can see, our writing is really improving! We will continue to work on ensuring each sentence has a complete idea, and how to use punctuation to avoid run on sentences. We will also explore different ways to make our writing interesting.

Mrs. Cooper also wants to make sure that all grown-ups know that the Book Fair is at our school next week. Please read the information carefully as it explains how our book fair will work this year:

 

Our Book Fair has officially started!! We are pleased to be hosting a hybrid (In-School and Virtual) Scholastic Book Fair.  Our class will visit the Book Fair on the morning of Tuesday, November 22^nd.  Students will view the books available and will make a “wish list” that they will bring home on Tuesday. Families are not required to make any purchases. However, if you would like to purchase anything from your child’s wish list you can choose to do so using any of the three methods listed below.  

 

Purchase Options:  

·        Cash sent in with your child and initialed wish list  

o   Students will bring home a wish list on Tuesday. Parents must initial next to the items you would like to purchase and send in exact cash. We are unable to make change.  

o   Please note, that in-school purchases already include GST 

o    Cash orders need to be sent in by Thursday, November 24^th 

o    Teachers and volunteers will fill the orders and send them home with students.

 

·         Online – make purchases directly using the below  

o    Virtual Book Fair Link: https://virtualbookfairs.scholastic.ca/pages/5163641  

o  The link will be active from Monday, November 21^st untill Sunday, November 27^th  

o   Online orders will be shipped to the school and sent home with your child when they arrive 

·   In-Person during your parent teacher conference time, you can visit the Learning Commons and purchase directly.  

 

A few other reminders from Mrs. Cooper:

If you haven’t yet booked your conferences, please be sure to do so. The conference manager closes at noon on Thursday, November 24^th. Mrs. Cooper would like to be sure to check in with each family and share progress on your student, so please book a time!

Don’t forget about the school council holiday plant fundraiser if you are interested. Details can be found in the October 31 blog post or order directly at https://lakebonavistaschool.growingsmilesfundraising.com/home. You can order until 11:59pm on November 22.

Important Dates

• November 21-27 Book Fair 
• November 24-25 Conferences - No School Friday Nov. 25
• December 15 – Winter Concert
• December 22 – Last day of Classes before Winter Break
• January 9 – Classes resume after Winter Break