April 30th, 2015

Well, if that wasn't a day for the record books of fun, I don't know what was!  Here's the events of our day:

1. Opening Exercises - the class worked on an interesting O.W.I. of four people from about 50 years ago standing on bikes, looking over a fence
2. R.W. - we read most of Chapter 4 of These Are My People, and then had independent reading
3. Science - Mrs. Bustin, the daughter of Brian Minter, came to our class to plant bean seeds in two different mediums today - peat and coconut fibres.  The kids each planted one seed in both, so we'll see which was more effective for growing!
   

   

   

   
4. Math - the class began with Skittles fractions (ask your child to tell about what we did with them, besides eat them!), and then we finished yesterday's work.
   

   

   

   
5. BUG draw - always something the children look forward to!  I'll be emailing the pizza lunch winners shortly. 
6. W.W. - we worked on the typical day stories.  Tomorrow will be the last day to work on those in class.  I'll email home any incomplete stories on Monday.
7. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
8. R.W. - with Mr. Ediger
9. Chapel - led by Mrs. Ryskamp

I'm not in tomorrow, but Mrs. Hoock, who has TOC'd for our school many times this year, will be here.  The children are aware of this and have assured me they'll be on their best behaviour. :)

April 29, 2015

Hello to all of my students and their families!  We had a great day today.

1. Opening Exercises - the day began with some Daily Gram work, as well as an announcement of the arrival of Mrs. Bloch's first grandchild!
2. Math - the Grade 3's worked on numerators and denominators and the 4's worked on converting hundredths and tenths to decimals
3. Grammar - today's focus was on topic sentences and supporting details, which we've been working on in S.S. as well, so it was a great cross-curricular connection
4. DPA - the class played Dr. Dodgeball today
5. Music - with Mr. Banman
6. R.W. - we had a wonderful chunk of independent reading time today.  My goal is to get all of these students hooked on a chapter book during this time!
7. W.W. - we went off to the lab.  Today was our third last day in the computer lab, and then this writing will be homework. (due next Monday)
8. S.S. - we had a border officer (Mr. Bergen) visit our class today and he answered a number of questions the students had about his job.  Then we finished up some main idea/supporting details we had to do from last day about pioneer homes.

April 28, 2015

Good afternoon on this somewhat rainy Tuesday. Here's how our day went:

1. OE: On Friday, I had a little medical procedure done that resulted in 4 stitches. As the students walked through the door, they were all very curious as to what happened to me. I gave them the following journal topic: "Mrs. Magra got 4 stitches on Friday. What do you think happened to her? Come up with a CRAZY story to tell why Mrs. Magra has these stitches!" Many students thought I was hit by an explosion, but an explosion that only gave me a cut on my chin. It was quite entertaining to listen to their interpretations.
2. Bible: We talked about the Good News, how God is beyond science, and the Holy Spirit.
3. WW: We made Haiku poems, all of which were very good!
4. Math: Today we did some word problems.
5. HACE: As we're finishing up our Friendship unit, the students had the chance to interview another student in the class and turn their answers into a Cinquain poem.
6. Library: With Mrs. McNutt.
7. PE: We played Captain, My Captain followed by Dungeon Ball.
8. Science: Today we compared healthy plants with unhealthy plants and discussed the different conditions that cause these plants to be healthy and unhealthy. Then we started a little experiment to see these conditions come to life. We will have a plant in normal plant conditions (ie. water, sunshine, room temperature) and a plant in abnormal conditions (ie. no water, darkness, cool temperature, in a garbage bag). Next week we will see the difference between the two plants.

April 27, 2015

Hi parents!  I can't believe we're already at the last week of April!  Time is flying by, and before we know it, summer will be here.

Here's what happened today:

1. Opening Exercises - we did a fun crossword that I created, using classmate's names and teacher's surnames
2. Spelling - Unit 26 this week.  No memory verse test this week, but there is memory verse homework (see the Spelling and Memory page for more information)
3. R.W. - we had class time to wrap up Chapter 3 work, including a diary entry from Gladys' perspective.  The children had to write about events that happened as well as predict how Gladys would have felt in that situation, which proved challenging for many.  I'm eager to read what they wrote, as they definitely worked hard on it!
4. Math - the Grade 3's finished their work from last Friday and the 4's worked on comparing fractions with different denominators, but the same numerators.  I showed them two ways of figuring this out (using two number lines, dividing them into equal parts using the denominator of each fraction, and then visually comparing which is greater, or using the common denominator process, which is much more complicated, but if they know their multiplication facts, is much simpler and more accurate). This lesson did bring to light just how much some of these students must continue to work on their basic facts, as some don't remember their 3 times tables.  Please help with this at home, either via flashcards, websites, or apps!
5. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
6. S.S. - our study of pioneers continued.  Today we focused on how the pioneers built their homes. Ask your child if they remember how their houses were built, and what was at the centre of most pioneer homes.
7. Chapel - led by Mrs. Hills

April 24, 2015

Thank the Lord it's Friday!  This week has been busy, and today, I'm assuming due to excitement over Family Fun Night, the class was very different!  Here's hoping Monday brings with it some calm and focus. :)

1. Opening Exercises - we did independent reading
2. Spelling Test - the children were supposed to bring their papers home for you.  Overall, they did very well.
3. R.W. - we worked on our Chapter 3 activities for These Are My People
4. W.W. - back to the lab we went!
5. Music -with Mr. Banman
6. Math - the 3's worked on recognizing and creating different fractions while the 4's worked on ordering and comparing fractions (greater than, less than)
7. Science - we measured a tree today!  Ask your child how we did it!
8. Art - the students continued on their flower projects

There was a sudden hail storm today at the end of Science (we made it back in just in time!), and everyone observed it from our windows.  We talked about what hail was, how big it sometimes gets, and the damage it can cause.

Here's a photo of our weather watchers:

April 23, 2015

Hello everybody!  Here's what happened  today:

1. Opening Exercises - the class wrote a journal entry that started with, "I wish my teacher knew...".  This stemmed from a news report I heard about another teacher who did the same activity and received some heartfelt responses.  I haven't yet read their entries, but I'm eager to see them.
2. R.W. - the children read from our literature study, and then went on to work on a diary entry of the main character, Gladys (if they were done the comic strip from chapter 2)
3. Handwriting - Grade 3 finished their upper-case cursive letters with X and Z and the 4's practiced their printing (yes, you read that right!)
4. Math - the Grade 3's worked on making equal parts of a whole and using the term 'fraction' for the first time, and the 4's continued with fractions of a whole
5. W.W. - we continued in the lab.  Many students have finished their 'Typical Day' writing.  These might be emailed home once most of the class is done, to be completed there.
   
6. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
7. R.W. - with Mr. Ediger
8. Chapel - led by Mr. Ediger

April 22, 2015

Here's how our wonderful Wednesday went down:

1. Opening Exercises - we did a Mad Minute.  A few students achieved a personal best today!
2. S.S. - we continued with our work on pioneers, answering some questions to ensure everyone understood the steps involved in clearing the land for a homestead
3. Grammar - the Grade 4's did some review work and the 3's focused on the components of a complete sentence (a complete thought, an upper-case letter, and an end mark)
4. DPA - we played Dungeon Ball
5. Music - with Mr. Banman
6. R.W. - we read Chapter 3 of These Are My People
7. W.W. - in the lab
8. Math - we swapped Math from it's earlier spot in the day, and I was reminded why we have Math earlier in the day!  The students had a really tough time focusing on what was being taught, but we managed to get through the lesson - phew!

April 21, 2015

Hello everyone on this gorgeous and sunny Tuesday. Here's what we did at school today.

1. OE: The class did a journal entry where they had to write three things they would ask a magical geenie for. One student stirred up quite the conversation when he said that he wished that the Calgary Flames would win against the Canucks. The rest of the class wasn't too impressed ;)
2. WW: The students wrote fingerprint poems last week. Today, they made their corrections and wrote their good copy of their poem on a giant fingerprint.
3. Math: We broke down some word problems and looked at the language of each word problem so that we could see what the question was really asking. It's important to look for key words when doing word problems.
4. Library: With Mrs. McNutt.
5. PE: We played Belly Ball.
6. Science: Mrs. Bergen and myself are teaching the Plant Growth Science unit together. I started it off by taking the students on a nature walk. We talked about the different changes that plants go through, just like us humans.

April 20, 2015

Good afternoon everyone!  I'm so thankful for the beautiful weather we've been enjoying.  Hopefully you had an opportunity to enjoy it with your family this past weekend.  I spent a bit too long in the sun at Parker's baseball game (time to dust off the sunscreen bottle!) and ended up a wee bit red!

Here's how our day played out:

1. Opening exercises - we completed an O.W.I. of a humourous photoshopped photo of some ants fishing for something.
2. Spelling and memory - words and verse are on the blog under 'Spelling and Memory', and the verse this week is Psalm 98:4-6
3. R.W. - the students did independent reading, followed by some time to work on their Ch. 2 literature study activities, and then I read aloud from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
4. Math - The Grade 3's did some additional activities on equal parts and the 4's started figuring out problems such as 1/3 of 9, or 2/5 or 10.
5. S.S. - we continued our study of pioneers, today focusing on how they prepared the land for their homesteads
6. Chapel - led by Mrs. Bloch (self-control was the topic - ask your child what they had to do in order to demonstrate self-control)

April 17, 2015

Hooray for Friday!  We had a good day today at school, but a sad conclusion to it, saying goodbye to Caleb.

Here's what happened in class:

1. Opening exercises - we did a paragraph edit
2. Spelling/memory test - marks in the planners
3. R.W. - we worked on some activities from These Are My People
4. W.W. -  Typical Day writing in the computer lab
5. Music - with Mr. Banman
6. Math - the Grade 4's worked on fractions with different denominators and determining which were greater and which were smaller.  The 3's finished their work from yesterday.
7. Science - we discussed the observations made from constellation watching, and then watched some videos about planets and constellations
8. Art - we started some texture painting today
   

   

   

   
9. DPA - we enjoyed free time outside before dismissal

April 16, 2015

Here's the lowdown on our Thursday!

1. Opening exercises - we did independent reading today.  Please ask your child which chapter book they are reading, and if they aren't reading one, encourage them to take one out of our library, or visit the public library with your child.
2. R.W. - we worked on some activities, including drawing a comic strip, for These Are My People
3. Handwriting - Grade 3's worked on upper-case Y and W, and the 4's worked on numerals today
4. Math - fractions began today, focusing on equal parts with the 3's, and numerators and denominators with the 4's.
5. W.W. - we continued on our Typical Day writing.  Each student definitely should be at the typing part of their writing by now, but there are still a couple who aren't.  They are welcome to take this home to complete it so they don't fall too far behind in class.
6. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
7. R.W. - with Mr. Ediger
8. Chapel - Mrs. Lothian led today

April 15, 2015

Good day to all the parents of our class!  Here's what our Wednesday looked like:

1. Opening Exercises - the students did a journal entry about what colour of crayon they'd be if they could be any colour.  Their responses were very interesting to read!
2. Math - we finished up our unit on measurement today.  Tomorrow we move on to fractions, and for the Grade 4's, decimals!
3. Grammar - the Grade 3's did review and the 4's worked on commas and apostrophes
4. DPA - we played Dr. Dodgeball today
5. Music - with Miss Hook (substituting for Mr. Banman)
6. R.W. - we finished chapter 2 of These Are My People, and also had a fire drill!
7. W.W. - off to the lab we went, and a couple of students have now finished their writing on the computer
8. S.S. - we did further research on pioneers, learning today about who were the early pioneers, how they cleared the land, and what they did with the land once it was cleared.

April 14, 2015

Here was our typical Tuesday in grade three/four:

1. OE: The class did a Spring word search.
2. Bible: We shared prayer requests and praise items from this past week.
3. WW: We did Fingerprint Poems. The students had to closely examine their own fingerprint and write what they saw. They had to use poetic devices, such as similes and metaphors, to describe what they saw.
4. Math: We did something different today in Math. Each student got a sheet of paper that had different problems on it, except it showed just the answer. Using calculators and some clues, the students had to figure out how to come up with the solution. It was backwards problem solving.
5. Library: With Mrs. McNutt.
6. Science: We continued our research in the Computer Lab.
7. PE: Since it was so nice out, we went outside and played a round of Man Hunt, followed by California Kickball.

April 13, 2015

A new week begins, and lots of learning is to be acquired!  Here's how we began the third week of April:

1. Assembly - Mr. Morrow spoke about grades k-4 and their behaviour on the stairs going up and down.  I've already talked to the class about this too, but if you would be so kind as to reiterate to your child the importance of safety and kindness when using the stairs, that would be much appreciated!
2. Spelling - Unit 24 - this week's words, other than two math words (centimetre and length), are review.
3. Memory verse - Isaiah 41:10 and Psalm 98:4-5
4. R.W. - we had independent reading and then I read aloud to the class from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
5. Math - we corrected the student's work from Friday, and then went on to our unit review.  There won't be a formal test for this unit.  We're moving on to fractions and decimals later this week!
6. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
7. S.S. - we continued our work on Pioneers, focusing today on the impact of settlements on trading posts and resource towns, as well as positive and negative effects of clearing land for farms.
8. Chapel - led by Mrs. Hills

April 10, 2015

We had, for the most part, a wonderful Friday today.  Here's how the day rolled out:

1. Opening Exercises - we started a Paragraph Edit today, which we'll be doing more frequently in Term 3.  These are different for each grade.  Ask your child what they had to do with theirs!
2. Memory verse check - I'm sorry, but I didn't get these marked today in time for dismissal.  The children will bring them  home Monday
3. DPA - we enjoyed a game of Dungeon Ball today
4. R.W. - independent reading
5. Computers - ATRT
6. Music -with Mr. Banman
7. Math - the Grade 3's worked on perimeter of polygons and the 4's worked on finding area in metres
8. Science - today we learned about constellations.  I sent an email home about the app, SkyView Free, that can be downloaded onto any Apple device for free and allows you to figure out which constellations are where in our sky.  The children have been asked to find constellations in the sky this weekend if the weather cooperates and they're allowed to stay up until it's dark outside.
9. Art - our day took a big turn for the worse here.  I think many of the students were very excited about the approaching weekend and then we added sponge painting to that and it didn't end well.  A group (they know who they are) were having a very difficult time following instructions, working quietly, and getting their task done.  Needless to say, the lesson ended abruptly as it obviously wasn't going well.  Instead, we cleaned up, and then I read a Christmas story (yes, I know, odd), to them.  There was a method to my madness though, as it was a story I've wanted to read to them since Christmas, and purely for the artistic value.  The author, Barbara Reid, is also the illustrator, and every picture is made out of plasticine!  The kids enjoyed it, and it seemed to settle everyone on their way out the door and ended the day in a positive way.

April 9, 2015

It was a typical Thursday in Grade 3/4 today!

1. Opening Exercises - today began with the children's favourite, a Mad Minute (that was dripping with sarcasm).  Many of them noticed how much their fact skills weakened over the break with this one!  Time to get back at the Xtra Math. :)
2. R.W. - we started our new read aloud, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl.  Then we went on to read Chapter 2 of These Are My People
3. Handwriting - we're wrapping up our handwriting exercise book.  The students were wondering what we were going to do to practice after we're done.  The Grade 4's are already handwriting most of what they do in class, and the 3's will start to do so more.  In other words, it won't be a formal handwriting class, but rather plenty of in class practice.
4. Math - the Grade 3's worked on perimeters of shapes while the 4's focused on estimating the area of irregular polygons
5. W.W. - most of the class is now typing up their published copies of their 'Typical Day'
6. P.E. - with Mr. Banman
7. R.W. - with Mr. Ediger
8. Chapel - Mrs. Campbell led today

April 8, 2015

Good afternoon everyone!  It was great to get back into the classroom today and see all the students again.

Here's what went on today:

1. Opening exercises - we started back with an interesting O.W.I.  Alexus brought in some wonderful photos of an owl that her family found in their backyard!
2. Math - the Grade 3's worked on measuring with a metre stick while the 4's worked on measuring area using cm2.
3. Grammar - today's focus was on commas for the 4's and apostrophes for the 3's
4. DPA - we played 2 Corner Soccer
5. Music - with Mr. Banman
6. R.W. - independent reading.  We will be doing lots of reading this term, and I'd really like to see all of the students find a book they truly enjoy and stick with it from cover to cover.  There are students in this class who have yet to read an entire chapter book independently.  I encourage you to visit the public library with your child to help them find a book they are interested in!
7. W.W. - we went down to the lab today to continue on our 'Typical Day' writing. 
8. S.S. - we continued our work on pioneers, doing lots of research today and learning how to highlight the main idea of a passage as well as supporting details.

Term 3 will bring with it a new Science unit (plant growth and change), which both Mrs. Magra and myself will teach.  We will continue with pioneers in S.S., and finish the year with a focus on the environment as well.  In Math, we're finishing off our measurement unit and will then go on to data analysis (graphing), and then multiplication and division.  

April 7, 2015

Hello everyone! Welcome back to school after a wonderful two week break. It felt so great to be back with the students after not teaching them for three weeks since I took the week off before my wedding. Today was filled with lots of excitement and sharing as many students wanted to know everything about the wedding. It also took a few reminders that I am now Mrs. Magra - we had a little game going on in the class today to see how few times the students would say Miss Dyck :) Here's how our day went.

1. OE: The students worked on an Easter word search.
2. Bible/Sharing: We spent most of our Bible time looking at some of my wedding photos and answering questions that the students had about the wedding.
3. WW: Now it was the students time to share about their spring breaks. Using as much detail as possible, the students wrote about what they did over the break and then shared their writing with the class.
4. Math: Before spring break, we were working on problem solving using a menu. The students created their own menus and wrote their own problem solving questions to go along with them.
5. Library: With Mrs. McNutt.
6. PE: We played a couple of rounds of Dungeon Ball followed by a round of Dr. Dodgeball.
7. Science: Unfortunately, we were unable to do our research for our structures as the lab was unavailable so we used our Science time today for catching up on unfinished work.