Week in Review: April 24 - 28

A quick update on the latest and greatest classroom events.  The pace of learning continues to roll along and there was plenty of fantastic learning happening in class.  This last week I put the class on notice that over the remaining few weeks the completion of homework assignments and/or at-home projects will be closely monitored.  Building greater self responsibility in terms of completing school work outside the classroom helps set the stage for next year's move into grade five. This homework change may undoubtedly be a bigger challenge for some than others and thus create a new source of anxiety or stress; as parents you can definitely assist your child.  With West Haven we do provide after school learning labs Monday through Thursday which allow students the opportunity to work on incomplete assignments after school with teacher supervision on any of their incomplete assignments.

In working with kids and homework there are undoubtedly challenges, however having a plan of attack can alleviate a lot of "hair pulling" and stress, and instead create set routines that can allow children to thrive.  There are many ways of creating structures at home that support children's learning.  Specific decisions about structuring depend in part on your child's learning needs and on your (parent's) ideas about specific involvement that will "fit" both your child and your family context, for example, what the home is like and what other demands require your time - ie. siblings, work etc..

As parents, establishing homework routines (e.g., students decide the order in which the work will be done, while parents track time and remind students of remaining tasks) and offering suggestions for organizing homework space (e.g., clear off the table or desk before starting homework) are important to ensuring learning success and the completion of tasks. It is important to create a comfortable, quiet environment and maintain consistent rules for homework completion (e.g., who can work together; when it's okay to ask for help).

Some strategies that students can use to avoid becoming distracted during homework include telling themselves not to get up until a specific part is finished, or doing easier parts of the assignment first. It is also a good idea to remove or limit external distractions (TV, electronics, phone) be turned off until homework is done.  Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, offer positive reinforcement (e.g., free time, small rewards) to motivate efficient completion of homework.  In all, it is very important that parents let students know that they value and expect effort and learning in the homework process.

Curriculum wise here is what we have been doing in class...

In Math we have continued to work through our measurement unit and did plenty of work converting units and determining appropriate units for measuring various objects.  Next week we will be moving on from the calculation of area and perimeter and it the measuring of liquids involving millilitres, litres, and kilolitres.

In Language Arts we continue to work on reading fluency and comprehension.  We have been working with comprehension strategies that help to reinforce understanding of literature.  In being able to retell story events, generate predictions, infer character emotions and ultimately locate specific story information to support their inferences, students are able to better integrate their learning and make personal connections to story information which allows for detailed recall.

In Science we continued our study of light and shadows and began investigating the principle of light ray refraction.  Refraction is the bending of light (it also happens with sound, water and other waves) as it passes from one transparent substance into another.

This bending by refraction makes it possible for us to have lenses, magnifying glasses, prisms and rainbows. Even our eyes depend upon this bending of light. Without refraction, we wouldn’t be able to focus light onto our retina.

Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week kicks off next week on Monday, May 1st, and will most definitely be an exciting time for everyone involved.  The staff and students of West Haven public will definitely be showing their support through participation in a multitude of different events!

Here is a summary of the activities planned to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week at WHPS.  Parents and families are welcome to attend any or all of the events:

Monday (1) 
- Motivational messages
- Joke of the Day
- Classroom door decorating contest begins

Tuesday (2)
- Motivational messages
- Joke of the day
- Mental Health Activity Day - parent volunteers welcome to come and participate with their children.  Ten different activities to attend throughout the day including yoga, physical literacy, nutrition, cooperative games, mindful colouring, an escape room, floor hockey, frisbee golf, music exploration, and finally a poetry writing station.

Wednesday (3)
- Motivational messages
- Joke of the day
- School spirit day: "National Hats on for Mental Health" Day - everyone wears their favourite hat, ie. cowboy hat, sombrero, baseball cap, hard hat etc.

Thursday (4)
- Motivational messages
- Joke of the day
- SWAT team Bake Sale in support of the Canadian Mental Health Foundation.  All items are 50 cents and all funds raised will be donated to the CMHF.

Friday (5)
- Motivational messages
- Joke of the day
- Classroom door decorating judging
- Student "Art Gallery" in small auxiliary gym.  All classes will have artwork related to mental health on display for everyone to come and check out.
- Family movie night in support of the Canadian Mental Health Foundation.  Families are invited to come and watch a movie, Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire,  in the large gym beginning at 6:30pm.  Entry to the event is by donation, with all donations being given to the Canadian Mental Health Foundation.  

Lastly CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Kaleb, Kylan, Nate, Sarah, Jenna, Savanna, and Mackenzie on their hard work and effort at this weekend's St. Benedict's Bears Floor Hockey tournament.  It was a great showing for both our school's teams as our boys finished in fourth while our 3/4 girls team managed to win West Haven's first ever floor hockey medal as they captured the silver at the tournament, just narrowly missing the great comeback in the gold final.  Super proud of everyone's attitude, effort and team work during this year's season!

Upcoming Calendar of Events
Monday, May 1- Friday, May 5 - Mental Health Awareness Events (see above)
Tuesday, May 2 - Mental Health Activity Day - dress for the weather as students will be inside and outside throughout the day
Wednesday, May 3 - "Hats on for Mental Health" spirit day - wear your favourite hat in support of mental health initiatives
Wednesday, May 3 - 6H Bake Sale. All items are 50 cents.
Wednesday, May 3 - Early dismissal at 2:30pm
Wednesday, May 3 - Library Book Exchange
Thursday, May 4 - Amazing Agriculture field trip to Edmonton Expo Centre - remember to pack a lunch and arrive at school on time.  We will be leaving by 8:40 and unfortunately won't be able to wait for stragglers due to our tight arrival schedule.
Friday, May 5 - Student Art Gallery.  All parents are welcome to come and visit the West Haven Museum between 8:45AM and 7:00PM.
Friday, May 5 - Family Movie Night "Mrs. Doubtfire".  Entry by donation to the Canadian Mental Health Foundation.  Popcorn concession available.