February 27, 2015

Today went fairly well, although we didn't accomplish as much as I'd hoped, which led to some Math homework for most of the students.  Hopefully it won't take them too long to complete.

1. Opening Exercises - we corrected sentences that were poorly written today
2. Spelling/memory test - marks are in their planners
3. RW - I read aloud to the class from The Indian in the Cupboard
4. DPA - we ventured off to the gym for a rousing game of Dungeon Ball
5. Computers - the students did a typing test today to assess their accuracy and words per minute
6. Music - with Mr. Banman
7. Math - we counted the ballots from our election first.  Congratulations to Sam the wolf, who is officially our classroom mascot!  Then we worked on the assignment we started two days ago, about calendars and dates.  
8. B.U.G. draw - the class had a great time today receiving their rewards for great behaviour this month
9. Science/Art - half the class worked on their Science projects while the other half started a new 3D tinfoil/sharpie project with me (ask your child to explain it) :)

I'm off to write report cards this weekend!  Have a wonderful couple of days with family!  Blessings to you and yours.

February 26, 2015

Much of our day was spent preparing for Grandparents Day!  We also did our campaign speeches and songs and voted for our class mascot.  We'll count the ballots tomorrow.

Here are some photos from the classroom time with the grandparents.  What a great turnout we had!

February 25, 2015

Greetings families!  Here's what our Wednesday looked like:

1. Opening Exercises - we did independent reading
2. W.W. - the class worked on a special writing piece for their grandparents
3. Grammar - today was a primarily a review day
4. DPA - we played something other than Dungeon Ball today!  The kids were willing to venture into California Kickball!
5. Music - with Mr. Banman
6. S.S. - preparations for our election speeches and songs
7. Math - we started our measurement unit.  Letters went home about what we're studying, along with examples of how you can help your child at home with this unit, and ways that we use measurement on a regular basis outside of school.  Please read this letter with your child!
8. Practice for Grandparents Day - we spent the afternoon prepping for tomorrow with the rest of the school

Hopefully we'll see lots of grandparents at the school tomorrow!

February 24, 2015

Happy Tuesday! Here's how our day went in our class:

1. OE: The students had to finish the following statement: "If I were mayor of Chilliwack, I would..."
2. WW: We did another round of the writing activity we did last week. It really shows in the students writing how much this activity helps.
3. Math: We did a little review quiz of everything we've done in Geometry.
4. HACE: We talked about fairness today and did this through a game show game. The students had a lot of fun with it.
5. Library: With Mrs. McNutt.
6. PE: We played Capture the Flag.
7. Science: I explained a Science project that the students will be working on. Each student was given a world famous structure and they have to research it when we're in class. At the end, they will present it to the class.

Reading with K-Grade 2 Photos

Here are some photos taken on Wednesday from when we read with the younger students:

And one of a favourite activity of our class these days:

February 23, 2015

There was a definite buzz in the classroom today.  Perhaps from the long weekend excitement, or the beautiful weather, or maybe the 100 Nights of Reading Assembly?  Or even a combination of it all!  Here's what we worked on today:

1. Opening Exercises - we worked on a Grandparent's Day Word Search
2. Spelling/Memory - Unit 20 this week and Psalm 100:4-5 and Phil. 4:13
3. R.W. - we continued through our Guided Reading groups and then I read a loud for a short while
4. Math - today was the unit test which will be returned on Wednesday
5. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
6. S.S. - we continued with preparations for our election, which will take place when the grandparents are here on Thursday.  The students will share their campaign speeches and songs and we will vote, along with the grandparents, for our classroom mascot!  Feel free to pop in too if you'd like to catch this.
7. Assembly - 100 nights of reading awards went out today.  Here's a photo of our bookworms:

Feb. 19th, 2015

Well, today marked the end of the second short week in a row.  I'm sure the children are enjoying the long weekends, and hopefully you are as well.  Here's how our day went today:

1. Opening Exercises - we read independently
2. Spelling and Memory Test - marks are in the planner, but overall everyone did very well!  Next week's memory is Psalm 100:4-5 and Phil. 4:13 if you'd like to get a head start.
3. W.W. - we started our next writing assignment, which will focus on descriptive words and transitions.  It's all about a typical school day.  
4. Handwriting - Grade 3's did a review page while the 4's worked on upper and lower-case Xx
5. Math - we finished our review from this unit in Math today.  The test is on Monday.
6. R.W. - the class completed The Chocolate Touch today, and read a funny part of The Indian in the Cupboard.  Many were disappointed that they had to wait 3 days to find out what happens next. :)
7. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
8. R.W. - with Mr. Ediger
9. Chapel - Mrs. Ryskamp led today

February 18th, 2015

Today was short, and sweet, as is every Wednesday, but it was definitely nice to have some extra classroom time as we've been at swimming lessons every Wednesday for the past 6 weeks.  Today was very productive as a result!

1. Opening Exercises - we worked on a daily gram
2. Grammar - today's focus was on a/an, adverbs, and adjectives
3. Reading to Mrs. Ryskamp's class - the class shared their big books with the kindergarten class
4. DPA - good ol' Dungeon Ball (they keep choosing it!)
5. Music - with Mr. Banman
6. R.W. - we continued with our Guided Reading novels
7. Math - today was a day of review, and tomorrow will be too.  We have a test on this unit on Monday.  I'm marking what the students completed today, and will try to ensure that they have their duotangs back by the end of the day tomorrow so they can bring them home, along with their textbook, for the weekend in case you want to do further review at home.  This test is on addition and subtraction.
8. Reading to Mrs. Bloch's class
9. S.S. - we started our election process, which will be a blast!  Be sure to ask your child what we did in class today!

February 17, 2015

What a beautiful sunny day we had today. The weather was great outside, and the learning was great inside! Here's what we did today:

1. OE: We did a journal entry on what we thought the greatest invention in the world was. They had to explain why they thought that was the greatest invention. Some students even wrote about a new invention that they made up.
2. Bible: We talked a bit about the time between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
3. WW: We took a little break from Poetry to try a new writing strategy. Each student got a blank piece of paper. They then had to write a one-word topic in the middle (eg. ice-cream, sports, animals, snow, oceans, jungle, etc.). They then had 8 minutes to brainstorm as many words as possible that related to their topic. After they had all their ideas, they had to organize their ideas so they could use them to write a paragraph. They did an excellent job at this.
4. HACE: We learned about respect today--what that looks like when we respect others, but also when we show self-respect.
5. Library: With Mrs. McNutt.
6. PE: We played California Kick Ball.
7. Science: We continued to learn about Structures and Materials.

February 16, 2015

Good day to all of you!  Here's how Monday went in Grade 3/4:

1. Opening Exercises - we did an O.W.I. of a fascinating picture of two jeeps driving across a salt desert in Bolivia, but it was covered in a thin sheet of water.
2. Spelling/Memory - Unit 19 words and Psalm 100:3-5 are on the Spelling and memory page of the blog.  This week's memory test on Thursday will be fill in the blank.
3. W.W. - we got the final Big Books bound
4. R.W. - I read briefly from The Indian in the Cupboard
5. Math - The Grade 4's finished their FSA's today!  Hooray!  The 3's finished math work from previous days.  This component was tough for many of the students.  It was the written numeracy part.  A lot of the class wasn't done when the time was up unfortunately, but I told them to just do their best.  
6. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
7. S.S. - we read an interview with a councillor and reflected a bit on our own opinions on her responses.  Next day the students will be starting their own election in class which promises to be fun!
8. Chapel - Mrs. Hills led today

February 13, 2015

Today was a buzzing busy day full of Valentine's events, both work and fun.  We concluded our day with Jump Rope for Heart, so here are a few photos to start your weekend off.  Enjoy!

February 12, 2015

Hello out there!  We had a good day today, and almost finished our FSA tests!  Just one small 30 minute Math section remains, which we'll hopefully get to next Monday.

Here's what our day consisted of:

1. Opening exercises - the class did a Mad Minute and many beat their record for subtraction which is fantastic!
2. W.W. - this was the last classroom day to work on Big Books, which are due on Monday.  We can bind them at school Monday, but the writing and illustrations need to be done by then.
3. Handwriting - Grade 3's worked on upper case I and J, and the 4's reviewed Ww
4. FSA - the Grade 4's did the online numeracy component for their FSA test and the 3's had time to work on their Big Books
5. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
6. R.W. - Independent Reading
7. Chapel - Mr. Ediger led today

February 11, 2015

What a day we had today, as it was quite unlike most Wednesdays!

1. Seth's aunt stopped by with some chicks for the class to see, which was quite exciting. 
   
2. Math - we had the subtraction quiz, which came home with your child today to be signed, corrected and returned.  Most of the students did very well.  Thanks for your ongoing support at home with basic facts using programs like Xtra Math.
3. W.W. - the 3's wrote a story for me based on a picture prompt and the 4's did their long write for their FSA's.  Just the math components left and then we're done!
4. Field trip - today was our last day of swimming (certificates of which level they completed will be sent to the school later), and we walked to the pool this time.  The only problems happened on the return trip, when a sock was dropped on one side of the crosswalk, unbeknownst to me, and then a pair of goggles were also dropped and driven over repeatedly, much to the owner's chagrin.  Never a dull moment!

1. Library - the students missed library yesterday, so they had it today instead
2. Planners - a lot of students didn't have their Math homework from Friday done today.  This is partially my fault, as I've been letting students not write down work in their planners that is complete.  Unfortunately, when they don't write it down, I assume it's done, but that wasn't the case on Friday.  Ask your child if they finished their two math subtraction pages.  If not, check and see if it was in their planner Friday.  So today, we spent 25 minutes on planners, ensuring that absolutely everything that I had on the homework board was written in the planner, done or not.  

February 10th, 2015

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It sure felt good to be back with the class after being away last Tuesday. Here's what happened in our class today.

1. OE: We did a journal entry about our weekends since we celebrated Family Day this weekend. I always love hearing how the students spend their weekends.
2. Bible: We had a lot of questions that many students have answered by a funny pair of guys named Clive and Ian. These questions included stuff like, "how old is God?" "who created the universe?" "is God more powerful than a superhero?"
3. HACE: Since Valentines Day is just around the corner, we started talking about how we can show respect, responsibility, and care to others. We did this through filling our classmates "buckets".
4. Library: Our library time was cancelled today so we had our own library time in the class through some silent reading.
5. PE: We played Dungeon Ball and Dr. Dodgeball.
6. Science: Today was our final day working on our Science Structures.

February 6, 2015

What a week it has been in Grade 3/4!  I really enjoyed working with the children each day this week, but I would have enjoyed it that much more if I had been feeling 100%.  I'm sure the long weekend will take care of any lingering sickness though.  Thanks to those of you who have been keeping your kids home when they're unwell.  We all appreciate it!

Today began with our skating field trip at Prospera.  Here is a video of many of our students, as well as some photos:

Then we came back and the class had Music with Mr. Banman, followed by Math.  We reviewed subtraction with borrowing (please work with your child on the review sheets that came home to ensure that they understand.  If they happened to forget their sheets, here's a link to the page I used: Math Subtraction Worksheets

After lunch we had our Spelling and memory test (no Spelling test next week, but Psalm 100:2-4 will be tested on Friday), and then worked on the Science planet projects for a while.  We finished our day by working on our Valentine's card holders.

Have a wonderful, restful long weekend everyone (no school Monday!). :)

February 5, 2015

Good afternoon everyone!  Here's how our day went:

1. Opening Exercises - the students corrected three very poorly written sentences on the board
2. W.W. - many students finished their Big Books today!  Once everyone is finished, we will be sharing these with the younger students.  We'll also share them with the grandparents on grandparent's day (Feb. 26).
3. Handwriting - the Grade 3 students worked on some tough upper-case letters today (G, S, T, and F), and the 4's worked on Vv and then connections between tricky letters
4. Math - today we moved onwards and upwards to more difficult subtraction.  The 3's started 3 digit minus 3 digit subtraction and the 4's did 4 digit minus 4 digit.  Please give your child one or two questions each night to review, specifically where they have to borrow.
5. R.W. - we did Guided Reading today, and then I read aloud to the children
6. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
7. R.W. - with Mr. Ediger
8. Chapel - Mrs. Campbell led and spoke about doing our best and giving our best

February 4, 2015

What do swimming, FSA reading tests, dungeon ball, and Big Books have in common?  They were all part of our day today!

1. Opening Exercises - the students completed a Groundhog Day crossword (a smidgen belated, I know!)
2. W.W. - we continued with our Big Books.  These are due on February 16th, but the class will get more time to work on them in school between now and then.
3. Grammar - today we ventured in to the topic of adjectives.  I've told the students too that I will be really hammering home the importance of upper-case letters and periods on each sentence.  So many students are repeatedly making that mistake, and by this point in time it should be habitual for them.  Please help reinforce this at home.
4. Swimming field trip - all went well.  Next week is our last trip.  Thanks to Stephanie Hampson, Bob Horn, and Raelene Simpson for driving
5. Math - we started work on some review sheets for subtraction.  The students will have to take these home on the weekend to review for the quiz on Monday, and we'll be working on them in class as well.
6. FSA testing/catch up time - the Grade 4's worked on the online reading component of their FSA test and the Grade 3's spent some time catching up on overdue work.

February 3, 2015

Although it's Tuesday today, Mrs. Bergen was the teacher as Ms. Dyck is away.  Here's what we did in class:

1. Opening Exercises - the students read independently
2. Math - the class had some fun with meteor math and then we finished the incomplete work on mental math and subtraction from yesterday
3. W.W. - we worked on our Big Books, many of which are nearly done
4. R.W. - the Grade 4's did the short reading and short writing portions of their FSA's, while the 3's had independent reading and time to catch up on overdue work
5. Library - with Mrs. McNutt
6. P.E. - we played Frisbee Softball today
7. Science - the class worked on their planet projects.  Please keep in mind that they've been encouraged to add to these projects with extra work at home.  They will have to create a well designed poster board to demonstrate their planet, and they will also have to develop an oral presentation about their planet with their partner(s).  I've suggested they can create a 3D model of their planet too,which would enhance their display. 

February 2, 2015

Hello to everyone on this grey groundhog day!

Here's how our day went:

1. Assembly
2. Spelling - Unit 18 (review) and Psalm 100:1-3 this week
3. R.W. - we worked on The Chocolate Touch Chapter 9 and 10 activities, and then I read aloud from The Indian in the Cupboard
4. Math - we worked on mental math (or not, as many students find it easier to write out their work, which is fine with me) for subtraction
5. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
6. S.S. - today we talked about who has the role of councillors in our city, and the class voted on who they would elect as councillor from those who are already councillors.  The results will be tabulated tonight!
7. Chapel - Mrs. Hills led