Dear Families,

This morning, all staff and students attended a heartfelt Remembrance Day assembly to honour and express our gratitude to all those who have, are, and will continue to serve our country.  Thank you to all the staff and students who wore red, white, and black to recognize Remembrance Day.  We are blessed to live in a safe, free, and remarkable country!

Each day, we sing O' Canada, and during this time, I ensure that my students and I demonstrate our utmost respect and take time in our own way to say 'thank you' for being part of a wonderful community, country, and world. 

I am so proud of my students who participate in choir with Mrs. O and Ms. Stewart.  Once a week, they meet in the rotunda or library and practice their skills in singing and performing.  Today at the assembly, the choir members sang their rehearsed songs with such love and compassion.  They did a marvelous job!  Way to go!!  You represented our class family beautifully!

Parents who were able to attend, thank you for joining us and sharing your energy and time.  To all the staff members involved in organizing this Remembrance Day assembly, thank you for all your hard work, it was a moving experience!    

A Message of Peace:

This week, I had the students think, brainstorm, and write about “How We Can Bring Peace to Our Classroom.”  The goal of this exercise is to promote love, kindness, and respect towards ourselves and peers, and in doing so, it will help create an environment that is peaceful and enjoyable for all!  

Many students’ responses were excellent and I am confident they will implement these words into their daily actions.  That is the goal :)  Please ask your child over the weekend what some of his or her ideas for peace were.  I will be sure to send these home later next week!  As of now, they're hanging outside of the gym for everyone to read and admire.

Remembrance Day Videos:

Below, I have posted some Remembrance Day videos that I shared in class.  We always do our best to talk about what the songwriter's or author's message is to give us a greater understanding about the words and what they mean and how they connect to our life.

A Pittance of Time:

Little Red Poppy:

Math:

Our next unit will focus on Patterning & Algebra.  Please go over the math note that came home in your child's agenda today! 

The Expectations Are:

·        identify, extend, and create a repeating pattern involving two attributes (e.g., size, colour, shape, position, number), using a variety of tools (e.g., pattern blocks, attribute blocks, drawings)

           Sample problem: Create a repeating pattern using three colours and two shapes

·        extend repeating, growing, and shrinking number patterns

Sample problem: Write the next three terms in the pattern 4, 8, 12, 16, …

·        create a number pattern involving addition or subtraction, given a pattern represented on a number line or a pattern rule expressed in words

Sample problem: Make a number pattern that starts at 0 and grows by adding 7 each term

·        determine, through investigation, the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., since 4 + 5 = 9, then 9 – 5 = 4; since 16 – 9 = 7, then 7 + 9 = 16)

·        determine, the missing number in equations involving addition and subtraction of one- and two-digit numbers, using a variety of tools and strategies (e.g., modelling with concrete materials, using guess and check with and without the aid of a calculator)

Sample Problem: What is the missing number in the equation 25 – 4 = 15 + ?

Science:

This week, we continued our learning about Magnetism.  Ask your child to explain what they know about this force.  In particular, what REPEL and ATTRACT mean J After my mini-lesson, students did their own explanations with labelled diagrams in their science notebooks to share their thinking.  Check out an excellent example below!

Thank you Addy and Sonja for bringing in magnets to help reinforce this learning for us! 

Becca, Jimi, & Adalyn:

Thank you for bringing in your telling time games from your home to share with your peers at school!  It was great to practice these skills using fun and interactive games!  Everyone certainly enjoyed themselves (see below) and we appreciate you sharing these with US!

Mindfulness:

Click the link below to watch a powerful video titled: “We Remember”

After listening to the song with your child, discuss the images that you saw which show ways we can create a more peaceful world.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaRsOPf3M5s

Growth Mindset:

“If you BELIEVE IT, you can ACHIEVE IT!” - Parker

Namaste,

Miss Gill