FSA's are almost done! 

The Grade 4's have been working super hard and focusing on the task at hand.  We have our numeracy left to do and will be wrapping this up on Friday.  I am looking forward to moving onto the curriculum and I have some exciting activities coming up.

Math
We are well on our way reviewing our multiplication times tables up to 12x.  A booklet was sent home for you to review each night and practice with your child.  Shortly, we will be moving onto multiplication word problems, double and triple digit multiplication and division.

Science
Biomes is our main topic for the term.  Students have been watching videos and taking some simple notes on each biome.  We will be each choosing a biome in partners or groups of three and researching using many resources (the internet, books, notes for the videos, etc.).  We will then be putting together a pamphlet and 3D diorama.  During this process students will be using non-fiction reading strategies,  organizing facts into sentences and paragraphs and presenting information orally, concretely and in document form.

English Language Arts
Students are going to be engaging in a writer's workshop where they will be focusing on writing processes (peer and self editing), sentence and paragraph structure and word choices (spelling).

We will also be completing a novel study together.

GOALS
We have also set some goals for the rest of Grade 4.  I will be informing you of your child's progress and how they are achieving these goals.

January Reminders

Jan. 13th 

Spirit Day-Bring a Rubber Duckie to school

Jan. 26th 

-Dismissal at 12:30pm for Parent/Teacher Interviews.  

I will be sending an email to those I would like to see.  If you wish to meet with me, send me an email.

Spirit Day-Jersey Day- wear a jersey to school

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It was a great week back with all the students.  We welcomed a new student and this gave us opportunity to review our beliefs, expectations and routines.  Next week we will be welcoming another new student.  All the students are excited to have some new faces in Grade 4.  

Reminders

- please prepare your child for the cold weather.  As it is warming up a little most days are outside days.  I sometimes have meetings at lunch, am outside at recess on duty and am involved in the Gr. 4/5 basketball team so I will not be able to always accommodate students having to stay in due to illness.  However, if you request having your child stay in please write me a note or send an email.  If they are not able to stay in the classroom they will be sent to the office for recess and lunch.  I hope though all are well enough to get some fresh air.

- Report Card Covers- please sign and return the report card covers as we use them throughout the year to hand out the next terms report cards.

FSA's

In the next coming weeks your child will be partaking in the Foundation Skills Assessment for Grade 4.  It is an assessment that will not be for marks or reported on their report card.  The assessment assesses the foundations: Reading, Writing and Numeracy.  Students will be asked to read a passage or two and answer multiple choice questions and written responses.  They will also be asked to write a story.  In numeracy, students will be answering multiple choice questions along with two problem solving questions.  The assessment is divided into written and online.  We will be practicing in the next two weeks and then the third week taking the actual assessment.  I will be sending more information home on Monday along with access to a sample test online.  If you have questions or concerns please contact me.

Term 2 Curriculum

Here is our overview for the next term:

Math

- review on rounding,  expanded and written form, addition, subtraction, decimals, and money.  A review package will be sent home on Monday.  Quiz on Thursday, Jan. 12.  

- Multiplication and Division- please practice basic multiplication facts at home.

Science

- Biomes- around the world and in Canada

- our final project in the unit will a diarama.  If you could provide some materials to make these, much would be appreciated.  We are looking for: small figured animals and plants/trees, fake moss and grass materials, sticks, small rocks and small boxes/shoe boxes.

Social Studies

- Major unit on the history of Canada (focusing on exploration)

Language Arts

- One more week of Spelling tests 

- This term we will be focusing on past spelling lists, grammar and spelling strategies (no spelling tests)

- Novel Study- we will be reading a book together in class and completing a booklet/study.  This will cover many curricular areas (math, relationships, grammar, writing and reading strategies)

Its going to be an exciting and amazing term, especially to see how the students grow, persevere, take on challenges and strive to achieving their goals.