Cool Science

We have been learning about animals and habitats, adaptations and how personal choices affect food chains. To reinforce these concepts, the grade 4 students had guest speaker, Alyssa Kirin from UBC's "Let's Talk Science" program in our class discussing all things cool about science. Alyssa worked with our class and offered a hands-on activity around the salmon as a keystone species, and the importance of its healthy food chain.

Math: Number Patterns

Student will have a math quiz next Tuesday, November 22, 2016.

Students should know the following:
-Use a hundred chart to represent a growing pattern (County by 2's, 3's, 5's, etc.)
-Identify the rule for a pattern
-Repeating pattern, growing pattern, and shrinking pattern and extend numbers within the pattern
-Use patterns to solve word problems
-Patterns involving addition and subtraction

Student will be given a math review package to help them study for the upcoming test.

Brief Update

Language Arts

I Didn't Do My Homework Because...

By: David Cali

Students worked on a really exciting writing assignment where they had to come up with creative excuses on why they didn't complete their homework. No more old lines like - "The dog ate my homework." This book is filled with crazy answers for non-homework doing. Like:

I didn't do my homework because:

lizards invaded my home...

my family discovered oil in our backyard...

my dog got eaten by another dog...

and much, much more!

Math

We have started our 'Number Patterns' mathematical unit. Within the course of this unit, students will learn:

-use charts to display patterns

-identify the rule for a number pattern

-extend number patterns

-create number patterns

-use patterns to solve problems

-investigate equations

Upcoming dates:

-November 2 picture retake day

-November 15 Remembrance Day assembly

-November 18 early dismissal starts

-November 23 & 24 parent teacher conferences 

-November 25 no sessions

Cool Science & More

Over the weekend, students can work on the following:

1) "What Is In Your Local Habitat?" I encourage students to take a few moments and explore their local habitat. Students have been given a graphic organizer (sheet) to draw and label 3 different plants and animals they observe.

As well, check out this cool science link to help reinforce concepts taught in class click here.

2) Study for the upcoming math test happening Thursday, October 13, 2016. Students have been given math review booklets to help prepare them for their math test on whole numbers (adding, subtracting, estimating, rounding, and word problems).  Students do not have to do every question in the booklet.

Other items:

-Student pictures went home today. Retake day is Wednesday, November 2, 2016.

-Winter uniform starts Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Math Test

We will be having our first math test on October 13th. The test will cover the topics that we've been reviewing these past few weeks (addition, subtraction, expanded form, standard form, rounding, estimating). On Wednesday, October 5th I am sending home a math review booklet for the students to use for practice. . 

For those who prefer computer based practice, please click here. 

- Chapter 2: lessons 2, 3, 7
- Chapter 4: lessons 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

Camouflage a Potato

Science Experiment: Camouflage a Potato

In this cool experiment, students explored the world of camouflage! Students used an outdoor space to "hide" their potato. They gathered sticks, leaves, twigs and other materials to use to camouflage their potato. Once the potato was "camouflaged" students hid their potato outside and other students had to try and find it. 

Aboriginal Peoples

What can we learn from Aboriginal stories about the beliefs and values of Aboriginal peoples?

In class today students researched the seven sacred teachings. The Aboriginal people live by seven sacred laws that act as a spiritual foundation. Each teaching honours one of the basic virtues to lead a full and healthy life.

Today we read Gus & Me written by famous guitarist Keith Richards. It was an inspirational story of Richards and his grandfather sharing a love of music.

This week's writing assignment will be for student's to write all about "What I Have Learned From My Grandparent(s)." It would be a great opportunity to have a discussion at home about how children can learn so many wonderful things (life lessons, skills, tips, different perspectives, etc)  from their grandparents. 

Upcoming Events

-POW due Monday, 26
-Picture Day Tuesday, September 27
-Terry Fox Run Thursday September 29
-Rosh Hashanah Assembly Friday, September 30 @ 2:40 p.m.

This week students learned so many cool math concepts! We have been focusing on strategies to help estimate sums and differences. Our main estimating strategies have been: rounding and front-end estimation.

In Language Arts, students created a descriptive paragraph on their “Best Part of Me” and learned a new editing strategy: 1, 2, 3, 4, Check!

On Monday, students will be given a “Problem of the Week” (POW) that will be taken home to complete. It will be due the following Monday, September 26^th.  Parents are encouraged to support students when attempting to solve POW's. 

Have a good weekend! 

Important dates:

-Tuesday, September 27 - Photo day

-Thursday, September 29 - Terry Fox Run (parents are welcome)