Park House Visit

We had a fantastic visit yesterday at the Park House Museum. The house was brought over in the early 1800's from Detroit. The students had a chance to experience what it was like living in a typical  home during the mid 1800's.  I have some short video clips and pictures of our visit.

Naming figures

These pictures are of the Anchor Charts that we created in the classroom for our Geometry Unit. I've posted them so kids can use it as a resource at home. Play find the shape around the house or playground.

Assumption Christmas Concert

The Assumption Band came in today to get us in the Christmas spirit. They played a number of selections for us. All these talented musicians shared their love of music and encouraged the kids to try music in highschool. 

Spits Visit!!

Great morning today talking to Liam Murray from the Spitfires. Talked about the importance of keeping your school work up as a student athlete. Sports are important but education is critical to your path in life. The kids were very excited to hear him speak. 

GEOMETRY IS GGGRRREEAAAATTTT!!!

We have been learning about lines, 2d shapes, parallel lines and angles. The students have been busy measuring line segments and determining which segments are the same length. We have learned that we show similar length line segments with 'hatch marks' placed on the shape. The next step was learning about parallel lines and how we use symbols ( >) to show that lines are parallel. We moved on to understanding that two intersecting lines always create an angle. We also learned the first of our basic angles, RIGHT ANGLE (90 DEGREES). I am including some videos that I would like the students to look over. They are a great way to help them consolidate their learning from the classroom,

JINGLE BELL FRIENDS THANK YOU!!

Our friends at Life After Fifty out did themselves today!! The spirit of generosity and giving was just beyond words. The joy on the faces of both the students and the volunteers was very evident. Enough of my yammering on. Watch the video and look at  some of the pictures.

God Bless!!

PICTURE GALLERY

JINGLE BELL FRIENDS!

Dear Families,
We will be visiting the West Side Centre for Seniors on Wednesday, December 2. We have been participating in the "Jingle Bell Friends' program through the 'Life After 50' program at the centre. The students have been collecting points for positive behaviours in the classroom. These points will be turned into cash they can use to buy small presents for family members for the Holidays. We will be walking to and from the West Side Centre on 655 McEwan on Wednesday morning. The permission forms you filled out at the beginning of the year are sufficient for these type of walking field trips.
Thank you

Dance,Dance Revolution!!

We went over some basic dance moves this week in gym class. They are going work on these basic moves and building them into a choreographed routine. Enjoy  the video!!

Scientific Method

The beauty and wonder of science is that it explains everyday experiences and the world around us. We make an hypothesis and then test it see what the results are. The first  results of our Tomatosphere experiment have sprouted!! We watered both sets of seeds equally, we exposed both sets of seeds to the same amount of sunlight and finally we made sure that both sets of seeds were kept at the same temperature. Drum roll please!! The seeds from tray A (second picture below) are beginning to sprout and the seeds from Tray B (first picture below)  are still not showing any signs of sprouts. If you remember, one set of seeds came from terrestrial tomatoes (from earth) and the other set of seeds came from seeds grown in space (aboard the space station). We don't know which seeds were which, again another pillar of the Scientific Method. We hold all other variables constant and see what happens to the one variable we are trying to measure. We will be organizing our data over the next few days and then submitting it. At that point, we will be told which seeds went into space.

A little Rounding Help

 Estimation is a very critical aspect of math instruction. Students that can estimate usually are ones that have strong numeracy skills. They can manipulate numbers both with manipulatives and mentally. We have been working on rounding numbers and estimation strategies over the last few weeks. The picture below is a copy of the rounding strategy anchor chart that was shared with the students. I've place it here as a reminder for students and parents. Next time going through the Tim's line ask your child to round up the amount to the closets dollar. We use estimation every day in the 'real world' and it would be beneficial for our kids to see that.

Tomatosphere Hands On Science

Today we had two young men from the University of Windsor Science Department to help us out with our science experiment. We are part of a large group of schools that are collecting data for a Nasa approved experiment. We are conducting a blind study into whether seeds that are grown in space germinate differently than seeds that have NOT gone to space. The students learned about the Scientific Method and how we come up with a Theory and Hypothesis which we then test. We will be observing the seeds to look for signs of germination and then keep track of which seeds germinate more quickly and produce seedlings. 

SCIENCE ASSESSMENTS COMING UP NEXT WEEK

THE STUDENTS HAVE HAD A GREAT TIME LEARNING ABOUT PLANTS, ANIMALS AND HABITATS. WE WILL BE DOING A FEW MORE EXPERIMENTS WITH BOTH GRADES BUT I WANTED TO GIVE FAMILIES PLENTY OF NOTICE OF TWO UPCOMING TEST. THE DATES WILL BE TENTATIVELY BETWEEN NOV 11 AND 13 DEPENDING ON WHEN WE FINISH UP A FEW MORE LESSONS. PLEASE LOOK AT THE INFORMATION BELOW TO HELP YOU CHILD PREPARE. I WILL BE SENDING HOME THEIR SCIENCE DUATANG HOME EVERY NIGHT TILL THE TEST FOR THEM TO REVIEW.

GRADE 4 SCIENCE ASSESSMENT

STUDENTS WILL BE SHOWN A SCENE (PICTURE) OF A HABITAT WITH A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT CREATURES AND PLANT LIFE. THEN THEY WILL BE ASKED THESE QUESTIONS.

PART 1

1. MAKE A LIST OF THE PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS IN THE HABITAT
2. FROM THE LIST IN QUESTION 1, CREATE 3 DIFFERENT FOOD CHAINS
3. IN THE FOOD CHAIN IDENTIFY THE CONSUMERS (HERBIVORES OR CARNIVORES)

PART 2

1. CHOOSE 1 PLANT AND DESCRIBE THE SPECIAL FEATURES THAT HAVE HELP IT SURVIVE IN THE HABITAT.
2. CHOOSE 1 ANIMAL DESCRIBE THE SPECIAL FEATURES THAT HAVE HELP IT SURVIVE IN THE HABITAT.

PART 3

1. GIVE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS HUMAN ACTIONS COULD AFFECT THIS HABITAT

GRADE 3 SCIENCE ASSESSMENT

THE GRADE 3 STUDENTS WILL BE TESTED ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE INFORMATION BELOW.

1. BE ABLE TO LABEL A DIAGRAM OF A SIMPLE PLANT AND KNOW WHAT EACH PART DOES. (ROOTS, STEM, FLOWER, LEAVES, SEEDS)
2. BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE LIFE CYCLE OF A PLANT FROM SEED TO MATURE PLANT THAT CAN PRODUCE SEEDS  
3. BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THINGS PLANTS AND ANIMALS NEED TO SURVIVE (WATER, AIR , SUN ETC.)
4. BE ABLE TO PICK OUT AND DESCRIBE SPECIAL FEATURES OF PLANTS THAT ALLOW THEM TO SURVIVE IN THEIR PARTICULAR HABITAT ( A MAPLE KEY ALLOWS THE SEEDS OF MAPLE TREES TO SPREAD)
5. EXPLAIN WHAT PARTS OF A PLANT CERTAIN FOODS COME FROM (CARROTS ARE ROOTS)
6. EXPLAIN HOW PEOPLE USE PLANTS FOR OTHER THINGS THAN JUST FOOD.
7. EXPLAIN HOW A FEW WAYS ANIMALS HELP PLANTS.

Solving Word Problems is Challenging

The most difficult process for students to master in the primary grades is how to consistently solve word problems. The first issue is usually related to being able to decode Math Terms. The second issue is almost invariably related to not having a strong grasp of basic operations: multiplying, dividing, adding and subtracting. Today we introduced a STANDARD APPROACH  to consistently solving word problems. Once children master the steps and learn how to decode math problems they usually aren't as intimidated by word problems.


OURS SYSTEM HAS 4 BASIC STEPS: (SEE PICTURES)
READ
THINK
SOLVE
REFLECT


If you double-click on the picture to the left, it will expand and it will be easier to view.  Some key points to remember:
1) read question at least twice (READ SECTION)
2) re-write the question in your words (READ SECTION)
3) LIST all facts and circle key facts (THINK SECTION)
4)pick a strategy from our strategy chart (SOLVE SECTION)
5) MOST CRITICAL-- once you have an answer, does it make sense? ( REFLECT SECTION)



We also have several strategies that we will teach the students along the way. We start with GUESS AND CHECK. we would call this trial and error in our day. The picture on the left show explains GUESS AND CHECK.

FINALLY, today we did a sample problem following all the steps in our Strategy and we showed the students how to use GUESS AND CHECK as a problem solving strategy. We will be practicing the rest of the week with our SAMPLE PROBLEMS.

LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS: MATH HELP THAT IS!!

BIG FAN OF THE BEATLES AND THEY HAD IT RIGHT, WE CAN ALL USE A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS! 

last week I posted some videos that went through the addition and subtraction standard algorithm. I am attaching a bit of a reminder sheet for students that may need to remind themselves how to complete vertical addition and subtraction. I provided each student with a copy of these pages to insert into their math work book.

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION REMINDER SHEET

MATH PRACTICE BUILDS CONFIDENCE AND AUTOMATICITY

I'm sure you have noticed that 2 digit addition and subtraction sheets have been coming home the last few evenings. Well, we have hit a bit of a bump in our math instruction. Students are struggling to remember how to add and subtract two digit numbers. By the end of Grade 2 most students are on their way to mastering this skill. We have been reviewing multiple ways to add two digit numbers. See below for examples. I am including some short videos just after the examples. Review them with your child whenever you have a few minutes. Have them watch by themselves or watch them together.

1) The good old fashioned vertical addition we all love so well

  37       or 23
+23         -17

2) Using expanded numbers.

37 = 30 + 7
23 = 20 + 3
     =50 + 10
     = 60

3) Using manipulatives

School ThanksGiving Mass

Our class, along with the grade 2 class, will be hosting the Thanksgiving Mass. It will be Thursday, October 8th at 1pm in the school gym. We would love to see as many family members in attendance as possible. Please feel free to call the school if you have any questions.

Mr. Francia

TEACHING PLACE VALUE

Place value can be a difficult concept for young children to master. Knowing that numbers vary in value according to where they fall on the place value chart is a critical skill that students must master before they move onto more advanced calculations. In these pictures students are practicing building numbers with manipulatives. Each one of those orange pieces has a specific value. One single cube is called a Unit and represent 1. The Rod is made up of 10 units and has a value of 10. The Flats are made of 10 rows of rods and have a value of 100. Finally, the large cubes are made up of 10 flats and have a value of 1000. Students are given a number that they need to represent with manipulatives and then show that number on a place value chart. I would encourage you to work on place value at home. Write out a large number, for grade 3 up to 999 and grade 4 up to 9999. Have them show you where the ones column, tens column and hundred columns are. Point to a digit in side a large number and have them tell you what it's worth. For example, the digit 9 in the number 290 represents 90 because it is in the tens column. Please call or send me a note if you have any questions regarding Place Value, or any other math concept you would like to review with your child.

MORNING SNACKS SUSPENDED TILL FURTHER NOTICE

Unfortunately the St.John morning snack program will have to be suspended for the next little while. We are encouraging students whenever possible to add one or two additional snacks in their lunches. I will notify you as soon as we are able to begin the morning snack program.
Thank you

Success in Retell!!

Successfully learning how to retell important details from any text is a critical skill that students need to master. We have to explicitly teach them the process to be able to be successful at this task. For most tasks this looks like this:
"I do, We do , You do". This is a gradual release model where we, as the instructor, Model the behaviours and skills we are trying to teach. The next step is doing it together in a shared lesson with either a whole class or small group. Finally, we give them an alternate task where they can demonstrate their learning. There is no 'magic bullet', this process is methodical and time consuming.
In these pictures you can see the anchor charts that we use to support the skills we are trying to teach. The Learning Goals chart lays out exactly the skills from the curriculum and then the Success Criteria explicitly state what the students need to do to be successful in this assignment. Today we are working in partners to make it a little less intimidating for the students. We will then share our work and give our friends feedback on their work. Later next week, after we review several more examples of retelling, then students  will be asked to independently perform the tasks.

Building Stamina for Independence

The writing process for primary students takes a very long time to develop. We have to be patient and take them from where they are to where we need them to be. This starts by building sustained stamina for writing. It's critical that students build independence in order for them to write for longer periods of time. The chart below shows the students that we are slowly improving how long we can stay on task during our language block. The R stands for Reading, the RS stands for Read to Someone and the W stands for writing. Today on September 16, the class was able to work EFFECTIVELY  on Reading for 16 minutes, RS reading to someone for 11 minutes and Writing for 8 minutes.  I have sent home a very brief writing assignment home for the students to complete. Please have your child read you the instructions and then just sit back and see how they do. You are encouraged to help them with talking through the assignment but please leave the writing UNcorrected. More posts will follow in the following days to help explain more about our language program.

Learning and Fun Too!!

Children need to know what the learning expectations and the criteria for success are. Today we started introducing the students to Learning Goals and Success criteria with a fun gym activity. The pictures below show the chart we discussed before the activity and pictures of the students actively participating. The Learning Goals are actually curriculum expectations. The Success Criteria let students know what they need to do to be successful. Many more posts to come--subscribe to the blog and be alerted by email.

Diagnostic Assessment

As teachers we are constantly trying to figure out where kids 'are' in any particular subject area. We do this several ways, but today we are working with a 100 chart. We had the students follow a set of instructions, both verbal and visual to complete a 100 chart independently. After that, the students work in small groups looking for number patterns in the 100 chart. Take a look at some pictures below.