Friday, February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

Word of the day: embrace

For the second week in a row, the ENTIRE class earned 100% on the week's spelling test. Awesome!

Congratulations today to Severin and Braeden for perfect completion of today's math facts test. Now it's on the the 4 and 8 times tables for you, gentlemen!

Reminders:
1. Practise the times tables
2. Coins for Haiti
3. Help the Canadians finish strong at the Olympics - cheer hard!

Head scratcher of the day: Here's a way to turn any number into a four. Try it!
1. Pick a number.
2. Spell it out.
3. Count the letters.
4. Spell that number of letters out in words. (For example, if the number of letters is six, spell s-i-x.)
5. Keep repeating steps 3 and 4.

No matter what number you start with, you'll always end up with the number four!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

February 25, 2010

Word of the day: cherub

Congratulations to Breanna and Adrian for perfect completion of today's times tables quiz. Excellent!

Students, try out the "Hole-in-the-hand" trick we looked at this morning. Remember, just roll a piece of paper into a tube, hold the tube up to your eye, then place your other hand along the tube, keeping both eyes wide open. Cool, huh?

Reminders:
1. Get math test signed and returned
2. Spelling test tomorrow
3. Dress like a hippie tomorrow (optional)
4. Half day tomorrow (staff professional development in the afternoon)
5. Keep practising the times tables!
6. Keep cheering for Canada!

Head scratcher of the day: Take a look at this equation: 5 + 5 + 5 = 550. It's not right, is it? But you can MAKE it right by adding just one line. Figure out where that line should go.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

February 24, 2010

Word of the day: cherish

Reminders:
1. Practise times tables
2. Spelling due tomorrow
3. Dress like a hippie Friday (optional)
4. Half day Friday (teachers' professional development in the afternoon)
5. Coins for Haiti
6. Cheer for Canada!

Head Scratcher of the day: Betty wanted to buy a book on fossils. The book's price was $14.95. She had $15.00 but she could not afford the book. Do you know why?

Monday, February 22, 2010

February 22, 2010

Word of the day: invincible

Congratulations to Braeden, Adrian, and Jessa for winning Immunity on today's spelling test. Well done! Congratulations, too, to Adrian for perfect completion of the 3 and 6 times tables. Amazing work! There are only 3 more facts for you to learn, now, Adrian: 4 x 4 = 16, 8 x 4 =32, and 8 x 8 = 64. That's all there is, there ain't no more! (Bad grammar, good math!)

Thanks to Principal T, as well, for the 5 extra recess minutes. You're great, Breanna!

Reminders:
1. Practise the times tables.
2. Spelling due Thursday.


Head Scratcher of the day: A truck is about to go under a bridge. Its load is 5 cm higher than the clearance of the bridge. (In other words, if the truck tries to under the bridge, its load will bonk into the bridge.) It is a very heavy load, so it cannot be unloaded. How can it pass under the bridge in a quick and simple way?

Friday, February 19, 2010

February 19, 2010

Word of the day: prognosticate

Congratulations to Breanna for perfect completion of the 5 and 7 times tables. Now it's on to the 3 and 6 multiplication facts!

Breanna needs double congrats today, as she was chosen to be Principal for a Day for Monday! Whoohoo! When should we start our campaign for free ice cream at recess, Principal T?!

Now for the Ultra Uber Never Before Been Seen EVER in the History of Education Announcement. If you're not already sitting, please sit down now. EVERYONE GOT 15 OUT OF 15 ON TODAY'S SPELLING TEST!!! In all my 65 years of teaching, I've never seen such a great result. Amazing!

Thanks so much to Ethan's mom and Jessa's mom for helping out with today's mini Olympics. We really appreciate your help!!!


Reminders for today:
1. Practise the times tables.
2. Coins for Haiti




Thursday, February 18, 2010

February 18, 2010

Word of the day: fragile

Congratulations to Ethan and Jessa for perfect completion of today's multiplication tests! Well done!

Congratulations, too, to Breanna for her wonderful performance as part of today's gymnastics demonstration! You rock, Breanna!


Reminders for tomorrow:
1. Spelling test
2. Bring a labeled mug for hot chocolate during the afternoon mini-Olympics
3. Coins for Haiti
4. Practise the times tables

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

February 17, 2010

Word of the day: congruent

Congratulations to Braeden and Jessa for perfect completion of today's times tables test. Your next challenge is the 3 and 6 test. Remember the hints for these include:

3 x 3 = 9 3 x 4 is 12 (1-2-3-4) 3 x 6 is 18 (That's the one we always draw, using tallies.)

3 x 8 is 24 (3 x 8, 8 x 3, 6 x 4, 4 x 6: they all equal 24) 6 x 6 is 36; you get three sixes 1-2-3

6 x 8 is 48 (say that fact at least 5 times) 6 x 4 is 24 (6 x 4, 4 x 6, 8 x 3, 3 x 8: they all equal 24)


Reminders for tomorrow:
1. Library books
2. Practise the times tables.
2. Coins for Haiti
4. Math sheet due
5. Spelling due


We are looking for 2 parents to volunteer to help out with our Olympic events this Friday afternoon. The parents will be responsible for taking a team of children from one event to the next. If you are willing and able to help out, please let me know by phoning me at 4447, ext. 204 (there is a message machine attached to this number if you can't reach me), by email at lindmorg@gyrd.ab.ca or by jotting a note in your child's agenda. Thanks! Please note that students have been asked to bring a labeled, non-breakable cup for this event on Friday afternoon. The cups will be used for hot chocolate.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

February 16, 2010

Word of the day: schooner

Congratulations to Braeden for perfect completion of today's spelling test. You've earned Immunity this week AGAIN, Braeden. Well done!

Reminders:
1. Spelling due this Thursday.
2. Practise times tables
3. Head Scratcher due tomorrow
4. Math sheet due tomorrow
5. Coins for Haiti

The school's student council is holding a "Principal for a Day" contest this week. Tomorrow everyone is invited (but not required) to dress like Mr. Blanchette-Dubé, as part of the contest's activities.

Friday, February 12, 2010

February 12, 2010

Word of the day: osculate

Congratulations to Megan for perfect completion of the 5 and 7 times tables test! Well done!

We've done a preliminary count of the coins donated by the class for the Haiti relief effort. To date, we've raised over $66.00! Amazing! Thanks to everyone who has supported this very worthwhile cause.

Thanks, too, for all the TLC the staff here at JES received this week. Parents, you are amazing. All of your generous, thoughtful, and creative efforts - from decorating to recess treats to the Friday meal to the gifts to playground supervision - are truly appreciated. You're the best!

Reminders:
1. Practise the times tables!
2. The high school is hosting a video of the opening ceremonies for the Olympics this evening. The event will be shown on a large projection screen in the gym. Hot dogs and hot chocolate will be served. Proceeds will benefit Haiti relief organizations.
3. Please remember that there is no school Monday, due to the Family Day holiday.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

February 11, 2010

Word of the day: embrace

Congratulations to Severin for learning the 5 and 7 times tables so well. Now it's on to the 3 and 6 times tables, Mr. G.!

Reminders:
1. Practise those times tables!
2. Spelling test tomorrow
3. Coins for Haiti
4. Note re: the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games
5. Library books
6. Valentines exchange tomorrow afternoon
7. Math sheet due tomorrow

Abhigya has figure out Tuesday's Head Scratcher, but we're giving everyone else another day to work on it. Good luck!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

February 10, 2010

Word of the day: cherub

Reminders:
1. Practise the times tables.
2. Coins for Haiti
3. School dance is tomorrow from 3:30 to 4:30. Admission is $1.00. Hope to see you there!
4. Math sheet is due tomorrow. Remember to be crystal clear on what the problem is asking, and to draw a picture if you are stuck.


We've been working on counting by 10's and 100's, thenrounding off to the nearest 10 and to the nearest 100 in math. Try some practise questions at home.

Nobody has solved yesterday's Head Scratcher. Will you be the first to get the answer?!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

February 9, 2010

Word of the day: cherish

Congratulations to Adrian for blazing the trail in multiplication facts! (Adrian got his 5 and 7 times tables test completed with perfection today - great stuff!) Everyone else is improving every day - soon the class will be jam-packed with genius!

Reminders:
1. Practise times tables.
2. Coins for Haiti donations will be gratefully accepted!
3. Math problem sheet - due tomorrow
4. Valentine's Day note - We'll have a Valentine party/exchange during the latter part of this Friday afternoon. The note lists the names of all the students in the class. Anyone who brings Valentines should bring one for everyone on the list. This helps avoid hard feelings. As well, if anyone would like to send a snack for the party, that would be great.

Head Scratcher: See if you can figure out what is unusual about the following paragraph.

How quickly can you find out what is unusual about this paragraph? It looks so ordinary that you would think that nothing was wrong with it at all; and in fact, nothing is. But it is unusual. Why? If you study it and think about it you may find out, but I am not going to assist you in any way. You must do it without coaching. Not doubt if you work at it for long, it will dawn on you. I don't know. Now, go to work and try your luck.

Monday, February 8, 2010

February 8, 2010

Word of the day: adore

Thanks to Megan for kick-starting our "Coins for Haiti" fund raising campaign. (Megan raided her piggy bank to bring her generous donation to the class this morning. Way to go, Miss H!)

A parent from another class approached me this morning to tell me that she had witnessed the Canadian women looking at the pictures our class made for the Olympic team. (We had made pictures for each of the players and displayed them at the arena for the Wednesday night game.) Apparently, the ladies LOVED the drawings! Each player was pointing out her picture to the others, one newscaster was commenting on them, and the coach even took them all down to keep! It's nice to know that our students' artwork and creativity is being apprecitated - as well it should be. Rock on, Grade 23!

Reminders:
1. Spelling is due this Thursday.
2. Practise the times tables!
3. Contributions to "Coins for Haiti" will be gratefully accepted.

Head scratcher of the day: How much dirt can you take out of a hole that is 5 metres wide and 5 metres deep?

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

February 2, 2010

Word of the day: prognosticate (Students, tell someone at home about the cuddley prognosticator you had your picture taken with today.)


Congratulations to Megan, Adrian, and Breanna for perfect completion of the 9 and 2 times tables test. Now on to the 5 and 7 times tables!

For the 5 times table, count nickels. For the 7 times tables, remember the rhymes:
7x8 is 56 5-6-7-8
7x7 is 49 49 is really fine.
7x6 is 42 I know that, now how 'bout you?
7x4 is 28 Say that number, don't be late.
7x3 is 21 21 and now you're done - with the 7 times table.

Reminders for tomorrow:
1. Spelling test. (Remember that an "e" or and "i" after a "g" almost always make the g sound like "j". An exception to this rule is the word giggle.)
2. Practise the times tables!
3. Students are dismissed at noon tomorrow. School will resume Monday, February 8.
4. The Olympic hockey team is playing Hinton tomorrow evening. This is a great chance for everyone to see some inspirational young athletes!

Head scratcher of the day: What has four legs but only one foot?

Monday, February 1, 2010

February 1, 2010

Word of the day: fragile

Congratulations to Braeden who (again!) earned immunity on today's spelling challenge!

Reminders:
1. Practise the times tables!
2. Since school will be dismissed for the week this Wednesday at noon (to allow teachers to attend the teachers' convention in Edmonton), the spelling test will be Wednesday this week and the spelling homework is due tomorrow.
3. The monthly newsletter and a note regarding next week's dance is coming home today.


The Canadian Olympic Women's team is in town for the week - practising at the arena. They have a practise today from 3:30-5:00. They'll be playing an exhibition game vs Hinton at 6pm on Wednesday. Admission to the game is $5.00. Children under 12 are free. Proceeds go to support the Jasper Minor Sports Player Assistance Fund.

Head Scratcher of the day: A horse is tied to a 5 metre long rope in front of an old barn. Seven metres behing the horse is a bale of hay. Without breaking the rope, the horse is able to reach the hay. How is this possible?