Week in Review: December 12 - 16

Oh the weather outside is frightful but the learning inside is delightful...and since we have only have five days before winter break...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!  Well it doesn't necessarily have to snow but some slightly less deep-freeze like temperatures might be nice.  

Despite the seven consecutive days of indoor recesses (cabin fever anyone?) we have managed to channel all our energy into our work - it has been a great surprise watching the kids keep right on working when the recess bell goes off.  Everyone is so focused and pushing hard for the holiday break because everyone is wanting to finish off their work so that they can move onto the next task that's waiting for them.  There's definitely some competition to get to the newest activities but the great part about differentiating everything is that there is always something for everyone to be working on regardless of how quickly you complete your assignments. 

In looking back at last week we continued to push forward and built further on our existing base of knowledge.  

In Math we continued to work with multiple digit multiplication and further refined our skills at identifying the important information in word problems in preparation for next week's sub-unit quiz on single digit multiplication.  In being able to identify key words or phrases students are better able to make decisions regarding what number operation(s) they need to use in order to solve the problem and also identify if there are multiple steps that need to be followed in order reach the correct product.  

In Language Arts this week we continued to work with our weekly spelling words, this week focusing on vocabulary skills and being able to recognize and use the words in context.  We are also continued to work with phonetic recognition, and the identification of initial and ending letter sounds.  

Students also continued to work with their students blogs.  We definitely have some avid bloggers who love to post their work for their classmates constructive suggestions.  All the class has the opportunity to comment on their classmates entries and make constructive comments that assist the author's in further improving their writing.  


Some example blogging comments might include, "I really the way you....perhaps you could add even more description by....."; "The part about.....was awesome, maybe next time you can more detail about.....to paint an even clearer picture of what is happening."

In Science this week it was all about pulleys and gears, and being able to identify how they work, their specific parts, and ultimately how they are used in daily life to make work easier. In discussing gears with he class the key points for them to remember were that different types of gears (spur, bevel, and combination gears) are used in many devices, including wind-up toys, bicycles, cars and non-digital clocks. Students learned about various types of gears and how gears are used to change the speed, torque and direction of a power source.

Social Studies this week continued to build on our knowledge of the original Native people who settled within the region that eventually became Alberta.  This week we discussed the Native people's connection to the land and how "nature" influenced the nomadic lifestyle of the Native people.  We also discussed the role of storytelling within the Native culture as a means of educating, celebrating, and entertaining Native people.  Through discussion of "Writing on Stone Provincial Park" we discovered the wonders of pictographs and petroglyphs - not sure of the difference? Ask your child - they should be able to tell you difference.  Next week everyone will get a chance to generate their own Native tale and create accompanying pictographs using traditional Native symbols.  

Important Classroom News

Tues. Dec. 20th - Multiplication Quiz - The quiz will be focused solely on the recall of single digit multiplication.  Please have your child access their Google Docs accounts so that they can practice with the multiple practice sites within the "Multiplication Links" document.  

Wed. Dec. 21st - Christmas Concert - with our concert there is no required costume or outfit.  Students are encouraged to dress nicely for the event though.  The doors to school will not be open until 6:30PM, with the show beginning at 7:00PM.  

When you arrive at the school students are to put their boots on their usual boot rack and then only students are to come down to the classroom.  After the entire performance is finished parents may pick up the kids at the classroom.

Thurs. Dec 22 - WHPS SKI CLUB: Rabbit Hill field trip -  For those students participating in the West Haven Downhill Ski Club, we will be leaving for Rabbit Hill right after school at 3:30PM.  We will be returning to the school at roughly 9:00PM.  If bringing you own ski/snowboard equipment it can be stored in the classroom for the day.

 The forms and payment info for the next trip in January will be posted after the completion of the December trip.

Fri. Dec 23rd - Christmas Party/Last day of Classes   - December 23rd marks the final day of classes before the holiday break.  We will be having our class Xmas party that day.  If you are one of the families providing treats for the class please send them with your child first thing in the morning.  

Mon. Jan. 9th - First day back to school after Christmas Break