Week in Review: November 21 - 25

As we get ever closer to the close of another month, I look back at what we have accomplished so far and find myself smiling.  We have covered a healthy amount of "ground" and are moving along nicely into new territory.  This week there were plenty of challenges and opportunities to dazzle with new skills. In Math we began the next progression of multiplication, our Science went full hands-on, we added a few more games to our LA program, and Art class was suddenly a mix of Health, Social Studies and Art all in one as we tied in our study of Native Alberta culture and native artist Mark Jacobson.  

And now onto the curricular goings on...

In Math we have begun the transition from basic single digit multiplication to multi-digit equations.  As I explained to the kids it is very much the same process when viewed as simply as series of connected single digit problems versus a "scary" large number.  As a means of providing at home practice the students have access to a shared document on their Google Drive accounts listing a series of websites that can offer some continued at-home practice via fun games.  Always easier to work on concept retention when the activities are entertaining - gets students learning when they don't even realize it.

Here are a couple double digit multiplication example sites:

BIG NUMBER BOARD GAME

http://www.math-play.com/Multiplication-Board-Game/multiplying-by-big-numbers.html

JEOPARDY

http://www.math-play.com/Multiplicaton-Jeopardy/multiplication-game.html

In Language Arts this week we have been really focusing on improving our reading fluency.  Many of the activities we did this week worked on identifying initial and ending sounds in words.  These phonic word attack skills are useful in helping decode words while reading.  If students are able to identify the sounds they hear within an unknown word, the better their ability to then incorporate other reading strategies such as syllables and blending.  Continue to work with the home reading.  Whether you choose to record the reading or not is entirely up to you, but the continuous exposure to reading text allows for the development and fine tuning of reading skills.

In Science our study of Simple Machines continues.  This week we have been examining the wheel and axle.  As an extension to our in-class activities we will constructing individual "cereal box" racers.  The racers will allow us to apply our knowledge of wheel and axle placement and see first hand how different placements create differing levels of motion.  If you have not a chance yet to send in any of "building materials" please try and send some come Monday, especially 4 items that can be used as whee for their box racers.

Our Social Studies this week has been largely incorporated into our week's Art lessons, in that our study of Alberta's beginning native cultures has allowed for a smooth transition into our first artist study of the year, Mark Jacobson.  More information on our studied artist can be found here: http://markanthonyjacobson.blogspot.ca/

Upcoming Important Dates/Events

Tues., November 29th - Parent Conferences 3:45 –6:00 / 6:15—8:00 (last appt. at 7:45pm)

Thursday, December 1st - Parent Conferences 3:45 - 6:00 (last appt. at 5:45pm)
Friday, December 2 - PD Day: No School
Wednesday, December 7 - Early Dismissal @ 2:30PM