Friday March 17, 2023
It was a pleasure to connect with you during parent-teacher conferences at the end of last week. If you were not able to attend the conference, please email me to arrange a time to discuss your child’s progress
Over the past two weeks we had 3 sessions with the Elev8 Lacrosse residency team last week. The students really enjoyed learning the
skills involved in this sport.
In ELA, students continue to respond to the text of our novel Thirst and are working on completing matchbook summaries of chapters 1-2, 3-5, 6-7, and 8-10. Many students are now working on the summaries for Chapters 11-13 this week.
During word work, each grade group worked on a separate set of vocabulary words to complete vocabulary ladders. Students will use these vocabulary words in a variety of tasks such as matching definitions, writing sentences and close reading activities. We have also started using READWORKS, an online reading practice website, to expand our selection of reading and practice responses that are within the text (comprehension) and beyond the text (inferring, connecting etc.)
Students began their multiplication unit in math last week. Grade 4 students reviewed how multiplying is adding on and they began multiplying by tens, hundreds and thousands. They have moved through various stages of learning to multiply and have started to show consistency in using the standard algorithm. For both grade we have also thrown in some fun math games as well, including Buzz, Scoot!, and the Multiplication Race.
Meanwhile, grade 5 students reviewed multiplying by 10, 100, and 1000. They moved on to multiplying by multiples of 10, 100, and 1000. They have moved fairly quickly into multiplying larger numbers (3 or more digits) by 1 digit, and will start work on multiplying 2 by 2 digit numbers this coming week.
Our work in science has focused on chemical and physical changes for grade 5s, and how we manage our waste in Calgary for grade 4s. Science highlights have included making Ooblek in grade 5, and planting Tomatosphere plants in grade 4. Ask your child about these fun tasks.
We also continue to practice for our Spring Celebration, singing with Mr. Clarke a couple of times each week!
Bike Survey: To encourage Active School Travel, Woodbine has partnered with EverActive Schools to run a “Bike to School Day” on June 7th (weather dependent). This initiative will focus on increasing cycling knowledge and safety awareness. In preparation for this event we are looking to find out what students have bikes and helmets at home and other logistical items. We ask that you please complete the following quick survey (please follow this link or copy it into your search engine) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2JCPWNK If you have multiple children at the school, we kindly ask that you fill the survey out separately for each child. In addition, if there are any individuals who have cycling knowledge or knows how to tune up bikes and would like to contribute their knowledge to this event, please reach out to Ms. Bignell at clbignell@cbe.ab.ca At a later date we will be sending out some details to ask for volunteers for this event! Stay tuned!
Swimming Volunteers: Thank you to all the parents/grandparents that have signed up to help with our swimming lessons in May. There are still a large number of spots to be filled. If you have a valid police clearance and have the time, please sign up.
Timbernook Residency: In April, Woodbine school will be participating in an outdoor play residency. Please see the information below. More detailed information will be posted on the teacher blogs closer to the date.
Monday, February 13, 2023
Hello Room 17 Families!
This week in ELAL, we have continued to discuss the book Thirst. We worked on understanding the vocabulary found in the book as well as students' understanding of the chapters we’ve read. Chapter 5 left us with quite a cliffhanger and we are looking forward to finding out what happens next. Before we read on, students are completing some comprehension questions related to the first 5 chapters.
In math, grade 4 students continue learning about time. We’ve discussed the 24 hour clock and using the terms quarter past, half past and quarter to. Students will work on reading time to the nearest minute and 5 minute increments.
Grade 5 students reviewed time and continued to explore volume and how they can use the formula l x w x h to find the volume of a rectangular prism.
The two grades are working on separate problems of the week, with grade 4 students exploring patterns in numbers and grade 5 students exploring perimeter and missing variables.
In Social Studies, grade 5 students wrote a quiz on the fur trade in Canada. They are now learning about New France and what life was like for those early settlers. Grade 4 students are learning about the Hudson Bay Company and the role it has played in the past. They will write a quiz on Tuesday about their learnings about the fur trade. In science grade 5 students are working toward completing their Classroom Chemistry Visual Glossaries and learning about the scientific method and fluids; while grade 4s are working on Plant and Animal Waste and the nutrient cycle.
Tuesday is Valentine’s Day. Students are welcome to bring in valentines to exchange with classmates if they wish. I ask that if your child decides to bring in valentines that they bring one for each student in the class. You can find a list of student names in our Google Classroom under the “People” tab. I will provide students with a paper bag to hold their valentines in, or they are welcome to bring their own box/bag.
Coming Up:
A reminder that this Thursday and Friday are Calgary Teacher’s Convention and there is no school for students. Monday February 20th is the Family Day holiday. We will see everyone back here on Tuesday the 21st.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Friday, February 3, 2022
In ELAL we have begun reading the novel Thirst by Varsha Bajaj. Students made observations about the cover, and made connections to the importance of water in their own lives through writing short stories. We have read up to the end of chapter 5. We have also taken some time to focus on Figurative Language, with students first learning about and matching examples of simile, metaphor, personification and hyperbole for a set of 4 photos in their visual journals, and then writing their own in a cooperative writing task for a pair of very different photos shown below.
We have regrouped students for our new literacy cycle. Groups are working on reading skills and comprehension strategies.
In math, we are wrapping up our area and perimeter units. Grade 4s are now working on time, and grade 5s have moved on to working with volume. Problems of the Week(ish) keep us on our toes using all our math skills to solve problems. Scoot games and “I Have, Who Has…” games helped us practice area and perimeter.
We had a chance to visit Dr. Dave in the gym to learn about wheelchair basketball and how other games can be modified to be played by people with disabilities. Students enjoyed using echolocation to help them run a short distance, trying out using a wheelchair, and playing a ball game while not being able to use their feet.
A few reminders:
Please return blue attendance planning form and return to the school by February 10th
Students interested in the volleyball club should return their form as soon as possible.
Please remind your child to check the lost and found if you are missing any items. It is beginning to fill up again!
A reminder that report cards are available online for viewing.
Have a great week!
