Friday January 17th

T.W.A.S. (This Week at School)

Well, hard to believe it's already been two weeks back since our holidays and wow have we been busy!!! 

Students have been working VERY hard on their speeches and I cannot wait to start hearing them.  Presentations are set to begin this Wednesday (Jan. 22), although I have had some students asking if they can go even earlier!  Remember, I am only assessing their oral presentation skills, not their writing. 

Math - We have been working through our rather lengthy unit of Measurement.  Students have learned about linear units (mm, cm, m, km) and strategies to successfully complete metric conversions.  We have also studied perimeter (the distance around a shape) and are now learning about area (the amount of space that is taken up inside a shape). 

Literacy - Only 5 chapters left to go in our Holes novel study!  Things are starting to come together and students cannot wait to find out how things end.  We should finish the reading by the end of this coming week (or early next) and prepare to celebrate by watching the movie to compare/contrast the two media formats.  Students also typed out their final Procedural writing unit assessment pieces last week. 

Social Studies - The Grade 4s continue to work through the physical regions of Canada and completed their focus on the Canadian Shield this past week.  The Grade 5s continue with their study of Government.  We are now focusing on municipal government where this week, they researched the Clearview Township website to learn about the services provided that most directly reflects their lives here in Nottawa.

Science - What a great day of science we had today!  Thank you so much Scientists Fiona and Bronwen for visiting us from Scientists-in-School to further reinforce our learning in our light and energy units with so many hands-on experiments.  The 4s learned that light travels in straight lines and can be reflected, refracted and split!  The 5s learned all about the various forms of energy, how to transfer energy, the benefits of insulation in homes and conserving energy and the benefits of certain light bulbs and solar power. 

Health - Students have been working through their Personal Safety units.  The 4s have been focusing on bullying, the various forms and it's impacts.  The 5s have been focusing on injuries and emergencies, prevention and provincial and accessing community support services when in need. 

Dance - Thank you to our certified Edu-Groove instructor who visited this past Monday to teach students all about rhythm and movement in the gym!  They will be joining us again this coming Monday.  Students don't have to be great dancers, they are simply encouraged to participate, have fun and "be their unique self!"  Students will take what they have learned and incorporate some moves into their group Holes "Dig-It" dance skits that they will be presenting in the coming weeks!

Important dates next week:

Monday:  EduGroove workshop in the gym.
Wednesday:  Speech presentations begin.
Friday: PD Day (no word study or spelling quiz due to short week!)