Thursday, October 30, 2008

October 30. 2008

There was no vocabulary word today. Instead we had a test on the first 10 words we learned this year. Congratulations to Giela, Jillian, George, Alex, Britney, Emmanuel, Phoenix, and Elena for getting 100% on today's vocabulary test.

Please remember to send a box of fruit juice for our class party tomorrow. As well, remember that the students are invited to dress up tomorrow afternoon.

Also, tomorrow we'll have our regular Friday spelling test. Study hard!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

October 29. 2008

(Review) word of the day: optimistic

Congratulations to Big Biceps Ben, Pain Giver Giela, Super Elena, Jillian the Fang, Muscle Man Emmanuel, Arm Breaker Brit, and Bear Wrestler Bianca for getting 100% on the math facts challenge today. Well done!

Anyone who wants to practise math facts can find some games on the links at the side of the blog. Just click on the link and it will take you to the site listed. (We're currently working on addition facts to 9 plus 9.)

The review math test on expanded notation today went very well. The class average was 88%. Awesome!

Miss Montgomerie's test on Rocks and Minerals has been changed to Monday afternoon to accommodate an assembly tomorrow afternoon and the Hallowe'en party Friday afternoon. The items that Miss Montgomerie has asked the students to review include:
1. Three types of rocks and the key words associated with them:
a. sedimentary (layers, water)
b. igneous (fire)
c. metamorphic (change)

2. Rocks are made of minerals.

3. Four main ways to classify rocks:
a. texture (how it feels)
b. colour
c. hardness
d. lustre
The students should be able to explain each method of classification and explain the process they used in class to classify rocks.

4. Moh's hardness scale and the fact that diamonds are the hardest rocks (# 10 on the scale) and talc are the softest rocks (#1 on the scale.)

5. The difference between magma and lava (magma is below ground and is hotter. Lava is above ground and is cooler.)

6. Three main things found in soil (clay, sand, and nutrients {broken-down plant and animal matter})

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

October 28, 2008

(Review) word of the day: pessimistic

Congratulations to Six Pack Alex, Bear Wrestler Bianca, Jillian the Fang, Bone Crusher George, Arm Breaker Brit, Brendan the Hulk, and Muscle Man Emmanuel for perfect completion of today's math facts challenge. Well done!

Please remember that tomorrow is photo day....practise those smiles!

Great work on the math homework last night. Another math sheet was sent home tonight and is due tomorrow. Remember if your child is having problems with the problems, have them:
1. Reread the problem several times. They might even want to highlight or underline key words.
2. Try drawing a picture.
3. Include a word sentence and ask themselves if their answers make sense.

Your child was given a note today regarding Friday afternoon's Hallowe'en party. Please send a small fruit juice with your child for the big shing-ding.

Also, a note regarding science from Miss Montgomerie was sent home today. Check your child's agenda pocket for that note.

Monday, October 27, 2008

October 27, 2008

(Review) word of the day: gratitude

There was no immunity challenge today, as we instead made up a list of Hallowe'en words for this week's Friday test. As well, there will be no spelling homework this week.

Reminders:

1. Library books for tomorrow, please!
2. The math sheet is due tomorrow.
3. Individual photos will be taken Wednesday morning.
4. Our class Hallowe'en party will be held this Friday afternoon. Students are invited (but not required) to dress in costumes in the afternoon and to bring something - cookies, cupcakes, etc. - for our snack table.

We read the story of Persephone and Demeter this morning and then treated ourselves to a new taste sensation: pomegranates. If you were missing from school today, try googling "Persephone and Demeter" and see how pomegranates are related to those two ladies.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

October 23, 2008

(Review) word of the day: succulent

Reminders:
1. Spelling test tomorrow
2. There is no school for students tomorrow afternoon. Enjoy the extra time off!
3. If you'd like to order photos, please send in the order form and money asap. Photos will be taken next next Wednesday morning (October 29th).

We will be having a Hallowe'en party next Friday afternoon. Students are invited (but not required) to dress up (in the afternoon only, so students who stay for lunch will have to bring their costumes with them). If any parents are willing and able to make snacks for our class party, we'd appreciate it. Hopefully the weather will stay as sterling as it's been lately, so that the trick or treaters will have a nice evening for gathering goodies.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

October 22, 2008

(Review) word of the day: repast

We had an amazing moment in our classroom this week: EVERYONE BROUGHT LIBRARY BOOKS BACK - WE DIDN'T HAVE A SINGLE OVERDUE BOOK!!!!!!! (Cue the "Chariots of Fire" music.)

There were no immunity winners for spelling this week, but we have had 5 students join the "Mathematical Heavyweights" ranks: congratulations to Big Biceps Ben, Super Elena, Jillian the Fang, Brendan the Hulk and Pain Giver Giela. Great stuff!!

The witch hats have all been hung in the classroom - stop in for a peek if you have the time (and the courage. Ha ha.)

We had a presentation on train safety this morning. Your child will be bringing home some literature related to the presentation.

Thanks to the parents/guardians who signed and returned the math tests...and to those who went over the tests with their little scholars. We'll continue to review the place value/expanded notation concepts and retest soon.

Monday, October 20, 2008

October 20, 2008

(Review) word of the day: ecstatic

The witch hats are MMMMMarvelous! The students explained how they made them, to the accompaniment of spooky background music...fun stuff.

Please remember that tomorrow is library book exhange day.

Congratulations to Brendan the Hulk for perfect completion of today's addition fact challenge. Well done!

Friday, October 17, 2008

October 17, 2008

(Review) word of the day: siblings

Remember that the witch hats are due Monday morning - I can't wait to see the creations that will arrive on the doorstep of our classroom!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

October 16, 2008

(Review) Word of the Day: ancient

Reminder:
Spelling test tomorrow

Regarding the math homework sheet, please have your child read the problem over several times if they're stuck. If they are still having difficulty knowing what to do, have them draw a picture. (The difficulty here is knowing what to draw...please guide them along.) Usually a picture makes the problem's solution pretty evident. The students should show all their work. For example, in the first problem, where Hilda's owl hoots 16 times one hour then 3 times more than that the second hour, the students should show 16+3=19 to show that the owl hooted 19 times during the second hour. Then they need to add the first hour together with the second: 16+19=35. When they finish the problem, have them write a word sentence that answers the question, then ask them if their answer makes sense. Your help and individual attention should be really beneficial to your child's math processing. Thanks for your input.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Ocotber 15, 2008

Word of the day: pessimistic

Reminders: If you haven't returned the Social Studies test that Ms. Montgomerie sent home last week, please return it with your signature ASAP. Thanks.

Please don't feel you have to buy anything fancy to put on the witch hats. One of the best hats ever in years past was made using leaves and twigs! The hats will belong to the students when they're finished, so feel free to sew things on or cut holes in the hats or whatever....they're always a fun project.

We've had lots of presentations this week: a "rock talk" with Ben Gadd, a fire safety presentation from the fire chief, and an Atco presentation on electrical/gas safety. Ask your child what they learned from the sessions...

Thursday, October 9, 2008

October 9, 2008

Word of the day: gratitude

Thanks to everyone who sent veggies for our stone soup. It was a big hit! We had quite a few entertaining story tellers at lunch to go along with the good food...


Please remember as well to send some CLEAN turkey bones for our art project next week, if you can. Thanks.

We've begun a new "Mathematical Heavyweights" challenge in math to help the class memorize math facts. Once the students have correctly completed their timed facts tests, they choose a persona and get their name on a barbell. So far, the following students have qualified for barbell status:

Arm Breaker Brit
Bone Crusher George
Flamin' No Pain Liam
Bear Wrestler Bianca
Muscle Man Emmanuel
Six Pack Alex
Jessie the Beater

Tune in for more additions to our list of heavyweights!

Please remember that the students have a 4 day weekend. Friday and next Monday are both holidays for the students. Enjoy your family time!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

October 8, 2008

Word of the day: famished

Reminders:
Spelling test tomorrow.

Please send your child with 1/2 cup of cut-up veggies tomorrow morning for our Thanksgiving feast and remember that they will be dining in the classroom tomorrow at lunch.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

October 7, 2008

Word of the day: succulent

Your child is bringing home a note today regarding a field trip to watch the Oilers practice, a Thursday noon hour "feast", and a special upcoming art project. Please ask to see the note.

Reminder:
There is no school for the students this Friday.

Monday, October 6, 2008

October 6, 2008

Word of the day: repast

There was no immunity challenge for spelling this morning, as the class developed their own spelling list to go along with the Thanksgiving theme. There will be no formal spelling homework sheet this week.

Reminder:
1. Please remember that tomorrow is library book exchange day.

Your child has brought home an October calendar to record their at-home reading progress. Please initial the calendar on the days that your child reads at least 15 minutes. They, of course, may read longer than 15 minutes and they may want the number of minutes that they read recorded; that's fine but not required. Any kind of reading is okay with me - novels, comics, newspapers, shampoo bottles..... Reading with your child - alternating sentences or reading aloud at the same time as they do - is a great way for you to monitor what your child reads and how well they read it.

Your child has also brought home a problem solving math sheet. I've asked them to include a number sentence and a word sentence for each problem. If they are "stuck" on a question, they should try to reread the question several times, then attempt to draw a picture to represent the information in the problem. Also, they should ask themselves if their answers make sense. The math sheet is due tomorrow.

Your child has also brought home a letter they received from a book character from Richler's "Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang." Please enjoy it with them!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

October 2, 2008

Word of the day: ecstatic

Reminders:
1. There's a spelling test tomorrow - study hard!
2. Book orders are due tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

October 1. 2008

Word of the day: siblings

A copy of the school newsletter and 2 notes from the office were sent home today with family heads.

The class started crystal making this afternoon with Miss Montgomerie. Stand by for updates on the progress of the project....

We also performed some fall "magic" this afternoon. Check out the photos below:











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