Week in Review: September 12-16

Well we have hit the ground running and look to have all the trains on the right track!  The first week was all about the set up and making sure everyone had what they needed for the big year ahead.  This second week we have started to make headway in our curricular objectives and are right on schedule - which is awesome!!

Let's start the review with the most pressing school/classroom news item...

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PHOTOS ARE SCHEDULED FOR 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH.  

We will be getting our photos taken at some point during the day so ensure that the hair is combed and the mustard stained shirt is washed. lol

In Math we are looking at the addition and subtraction of multiple digit numbers with problems involving the regrouping or trading of digits.  Our lessons are designed to build off of the previous year's Grade Three learning and slowly reacquaint students with the process before leading into

equations involving tens of thousands.  Within the lessons we are reviewing place value concepts (i.e. ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands); the importance of neat penmanship when completing equations (ie. lining up the columns correctly); and also the ability to read large multi-digit numbers.

In Language Arts we continue to work with our weekly words and are using them to look at various aspects of writing and reading.  With this week's words we have been focusing on the concepts of beginning and ending blends; r-controlled vowels; as well as synonyms and antonyms.



Quick reminder to everyone to keep up with the home reading.  Our individual student monthly goal is 400 minutes, which is roughly 15 minutes per night.  In addition to the Laser City program, for our at home reading, our class is also taking part in the Edmonton Oilers and Oil King's "Reading Give it a Shot" program as part of our in class reading program whereby we can win tickets to Oilers and Oil Kings games at the new Rogers Place!  The first draw date for the Oilers Home Reading program is mid October and it would be great if everyone reached their goal and we could enter the class into the draw!  With my previous classes we have been able to take in both Oilers  and Oil Kings games - one year we won three times!  A banner year for sure.

In Science the Waste and our World unit has been successfully introduced and students have had a chance to work through several activities. This month we will taking part in the Alberta Recycling Corporations 5 Star Challenge and looking at different ways that we can reduce our environmental footprint.

At the end of month the students will continue their study of eco-systems and the role of producers, consumers and decomposers by going on a "Waste Walk" through the walking paths of Leduc.  The walk will give students the opportunity to see different aspects of waste and waste reduction first hand in an effort to gain a better understanding of what each component's role is and how it is important.  The required permission will be available online later this week and must be completed prior to us leaving on the trip.  There is no cost for this field trip.  If you are interested in coming along as a parent volunteer simply shoot me an email, or jot a note in your child's agenda.

In Social Studies our study of Alberta continues.  This week we began looking at the physical attributes of the province in relation to it's location in Canada and adjacent provinces/territories.  Gradually we will work into more detailed studies of each of the six different geographic regions which will lead us into our first technology project involving the designing of a digital tour guide for Alberta.

Lastly in Art the students have had the opportunity to practice some of their drawing and water colour painting skills while exploring composition using various types of lines.  Our art projects are currently centered around the theme of autumn and fall colours.

Important Upcoming Dates

Friday, September 23 - Spelling Test #3\

Friday, September 30 - Fall "Waste Walk" Field trip

As always should you want to volunteer in the class or on a field trip or have any questions please do not hesitate to shoot me an email (trevor.henderson@blackgold.ca) or call the school (780)986-5591.

Thank you!