Last week...

We are onto our last week of school before our winter break.

Here is a look at the activities planned for the week...

Monday
- Field trip to see The Grinch at the movie theatre
- Crazy sox day- wear festive, colourful socks

Tuesday
- Christmas Hamper for Christmas Amalgamated is DUE
We still need: potatoes, stuffing, can of cranberry jelly, juice, apples, oranges, Christmas cake, Bread or buns
Thank you for those who have contributed and supported this event so far.
- Festive colour day- wear holiday colours

Wednesday
- Rehearsal for Christmas Concert - all students please be in attendance
- Ugly Holiday Sweater Day

Thursday
- Secret Santa Gift Due
- Clean out lockers/take home art- Bring a reusable bag
- Concert Day
Please wear all black with an accent of Red and White
Performances at 1:00pm and 6:00pm
All students please meet in the elementary music studio at 5:40pm
Pick up will be at the classroom/locker

Friday
- PJ day
- Secret Santa

Other Activities:
- Marble mazes- any other materials for this would be appreciated
- Favourite Christmas Song Art
- making Christmas Cards and letters
- Fun Christmas themed activities and games
- preparing for our performance on Thursday

snowflake discovery

We had a day of discovering the science of snowflakes and blizzards/snowstorms. Here is what the 4th graders shared with each other... Go to this website: https://padlet.com/spiroddi/jrxcawankoby

December Activities

December is a busy but fun month!  We are participating in some exciting activities.

Winter Theme

- we are discovering what winter all entails through poetry (Christmas concert music), writing, math, science and social studies.  Here are some of out topics:

• Personification and descriptive words through poetry and music
• the culture of the Copper Inuit in northern Canada
• Science experiments on Matter (ice, water and water vapour)
• the science behind the snowflake and blizzards
• Activities we all participate in to make the cold more bearable
• The Winter Solstice

Christmas Activities

Good Deed Elves

Everyday elves will be showing up in our classroom encouraging students to partake in a good deed.  It could be making eye contact and smiling to 5 people or writing a note to the custodian for helping make our classroom a safe, clean place to learn.  At the end of the week students are to fill out a light bulb with one good deed that they are most proud of and hang it with our strand of Christmas lights.  we are trying to light up the room before the holidays.

Secret Santa

We are partaking in a a secret santa gift exchange.  Students pulled names out of hat on Friday.  They are to keep this name a secret and either buy (@$5) a gift, make a gift or find something in their home this student may want.   I also encourage them to get to know their chosen student so the gifts are thoughtful and enjoyable.  Presents are to be wrapped with the secret students name on the tag.  Please have gifts in by Thursday, December 20th  

Christmas Carols

Please play and discuss your families favourite Christmas carols and songs as we are going to be partaking in a couple of art activities using our favourite Christmas songs. 

TOYS (Marble Run Activity)

Students will be making Marble Runs the last week of school.  Please gather and have stuents bring in the following items:

• Paper cups
• Popcicle sticks
• Shoe boxes
• Straws
• Cardboard
• Toilet/paper towel rolls
• Paper plates
• Old pool noodles

December Dates

November 30th- Santa Pictures

Santa is visiting.  Pictures are $10 and will be digitally sent to parents emails.  Our technology high school class is supporting us in this fundraiser and is providing us with a green screen background and editing.  If partaking in this event please DO NOT WEAR GREEN!

December 3rd- Pro-D day

NO SCHOOL!

December 4th- Scholastic

Scholastic orders are due!

December 6th- Poinsettias arrive

Poinsettia orders will arrive and pick up is after school til 4:30pm
If you cannot make this time please pick up by Friday at 2:30pm

December 14th- Report Cards Home

If you wish to set up a time to meet and discuss your child's report card please make an appointment with me for January.

December 17th- The Grinch Movie Field trip

-Bus is paid for from fundraising money

-Please bring in forms ASAP

December 20th- Christmas Concert "Under Winter Moon"

- Shows are 1:00pm and 6:00pm
- Students are to wear all black with an accent of red and/or white
- No HATS (santa hats, reindeer antlers)- nothing to block students view

Gr. 4 updates

Twin Day

Dress up like someone else.

Thursday, Nov. 22nd

Pajama Day

Let's be cozy as the cold weather hits.  

Students may dress in their pajamas on Friday, November 23rd

Fundraisers

As the field trips keep coming we are also working hard on keeping the fees down.  Fundraising helps this.

Poinsettia Fundraiser

Change of date:

Forms and money due by Thursday, November 22rd

If you did not receive a form please go online and order there.  www.kamloopsschoolofthearts.growingsmilesfundraising.com 

Just have your child bring the money in with his/her name attached.

Order Pickup: Thursday, Dec. 6th between 2:30pm-4:30pm

We need a couple parent volunteers to help out sorting and organizing orders that day.  Please let me know if you are available in the afternoon.

Santa Pictures

Pod 2 is organizing Santa pictures, again this year.  However we are only offering digital copies.  Mr. Macfarlane and his techie students are helping out with this and editing with cool backgrounds.  We also have an amazing Santa who is volunteering his time!  This is an opportunity for your child to fundraise for the class but also get their friends together and take a picture with Santa.  If your child did not come home with a form, I do have extra copies.  $10 a copy and please do not wear green.  Pictures are being taken Friday, Nov. 30th.

Field Trips

Elf the Musical- Nov. 29th- $10 Green forms due ASAP

Grinch Movie at the Cineplex Odeon- Dec. 17th - $5.00.  

Our fundraising account will be covering the bus which is $2.50 

Scholastics Orders due Dec. 1st (online or paper)

Poinsettia Fundraiser

We will be going on many fieldtrips this year.  All come at a cost.  It's an important part of our curriculum as it gets students out of the classroom and stimulates their learning with hands on learning, etc. 

A couple of weeks ago a form came home for our Poinsettas Fundraiser to help with the costs of these fieldtrips.  Please ask family and friends if they would like some holiday arrangements for Christmas. 

These forms and money are due: November 22nd (Thursday).  All cash and cheques need to be handed in.  To place an order you can go online or hand in the paper form.  Our team site is: https://kamloopsschoolofthearts.growingsmilesfundraising.com/

Delivery Date is Thursday, Dec. 6th and Friday, Dec. 7th

Thank you for your support.

November

Dates to Remember:

November 12th- Remembrance Day Observed- No School

November 13th- Pod 2 Showcase on Salmon.  2:30pm in KSA gym.  This is an opportunity for students to showcase their learning through the arts in an informal setting.  It will only be about 30 minutes in length. It is important for all students to participate, as it is a part of their art mark for report cards.  We really hope all of you can make it!

November 17th- PAC Craft Fair.  Gr. 4's have paired up with their little buddies (K's) to make a couple of items to sell at the craft fair.  Please come out and support KSA.

November 22nd- Twin Day.  Dress the same as another.

End of October

Week of Fun!

Our field trip to Pete Murray's Farm was a fun event.  The weather cooperated and students were engaged in discovering and exploring the property.  We fed the sheep corn, rode on a tractor, picked the perfect pumpkin and took a walk down by the river to look at the decomposing salmon.  Thank you to all the parents who volunteered and drove out to support us.

Halloween was a monstrous day!  We sang "The Monster Mash" and "This is Halloween" and danced to "Thriller".  Students guessed the monster part by reaching in a bag and using their touch sense.  In the afternoon, we watched "Monsters University".  This allowed us to think more creatively and brainstorm about adding more detail to our own monster creations in creative writing.

Stop, Drop and Read!

STOP, DROP, and READ!

We had 20 minutes of engaged and purposeful reading this morning with our Halloween/Monster books and flashlights.  It was amazing to see them use the flashlights to guide their reading and help them work on fluency and expression.

Salmon Run Success

The Salmon Run was an amazing day.  Students explored the river bank where they witnessed salmon working their way up the river, male salmon fighting for female mates, eggs in the stream and a closeup of many red sockeye salmon.  We had discussions of the differences between males and females and how the forest and ecosytem contributes to the success of  the salmon spawning.  It was just great to get outside, explore our local environment and breathe in some fresh air.  This inspired us to continue our learning about these amazing fish.

October updates

October Updates:

Thursday, October 18th- Salmon Run Field Trip
- Please wear a jacket, walking shoes or boots (toque and mittens optional)
- Please also bring a lunch and water bottle (hot lunch will be available at site)

Friday, October 19th- Pro-D day- no school

Friday, October 26th- Denim Day- wear as much denim to school as possible.  Please Participate as the class with the highest participation rate by the end of January (this will be approx. 5-8 spirit days) will win a pizza party for their class.

Tuesday, October 30th- Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Wednesday, October 31st - Halloween.  Dress up is allowed as long as no masks, weapons or gore.   Also that day students do have dance and PE so please dress appropriately.  The afternoon will be dedicated to a party with games and treats.  If you wish to bring in a treat please let me know.  Not too many sweets please.

Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA)

This week we have been preparing for the FSA's.  Students have been trying the practice FSA's on line and on paper.  Next week we will be starting the official FSA and it is extrememly important that all students attend.  This assessment is province wide for Grades 4 and 7.  It focuses on reading, writing and numeracy.  The information from the assessment is given to the school and parents.  We use this information to provide support for students in the coming years.  An informative handout will be coming home soon, as well check out the website.  Students may also practice the samples at home.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/administration/kindergarten-to-grade-12/assessment/foundation-skills-assessment?keyword=fsa

If you have any questions or concerns please contact myself or Ms. Griffith.

Volleyball

Volleyball Tier 3

Team A - Practice Friday morning at 7:30am

Team B - Practice Monday morning at 7:30am

GAMES- Wednesday After school

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I hope you are taking the time this weekend to be thankful and spending some family time together.  Grade 4's composed their first paragraph on what they are thankful for.  We worked on an opening sentence and details.  I hope they shared them with you.

OPEN HOUSE
This week we are having an early dismissal on Wednesday at 12:30pm.  On this day the Grade 4's are hosting an Open House from 12:30pm-1:30pm and then at 6:00pm-7:00pm.  I hope you and your child can attend one of them.  Please let me know.  If you require a 15 minute interview with me please email me or sign up outside the classroom.

Classroom Community
We are also continuing to work on and building a classroom community, in the classroom and during outside play.  Our focus is on positive attitudes, being truthful, looking at all perspectives, thinking before speaking and being the ideal KSA student.  With that being said we have had some conflicts over the past couple weeks and as a class we are discussing ways to resolve our conflicts without our emotions getting the better of us (such as using an "I message", walking away, saying stop, ignoring, and taking a deep breath).  Please review these expectations at home with your child as we want all students to feel safe, happy and have the focus to learn in amazing ways.

October

Reminders

- Social Studies poster "All About Me" and "My Culture"
Please bring in a picture representing your culture (eg. eating turkey dinner at Christmas) or about your self (eg. skateboarding, with your pet, etc)
Please have picture by Wednesday, October 3rd

- Bring in a stick or twig to make dream catchers for Monday, October 1st

Dates to Remember:

Monday, October 8th- Thanksgiving Monday- no school
Wednesday, October 10th - Parent/Teacher Interviews - Early Dismissal
Thursday, October 18th - Salmon Run Fieldtrip
Friday, October 19th - Pro-D day- No school

September

What a Month!  Its been amazing getting to know each individual student over the past month.

We have already explored:

Math- how to tell time using an analog clock, how much time has elapsed and we will be discovering the 24 hour clock.

Social Studies- exploring ourselves as an individual and our culture and /or traditions

Science- The life cycle of the Salmon (our arts theme this term)

LA- non fiction reading strategies, prefixes, suffixes and root words, and inferring

Career Education- how to follow the KSA school matrix and classroom expectations, fears and strengths as a student through dreamcatchers, how to be an ideal student, setting goals as a 4th grade student, qualities of a friend and perspectives

We also put on an amazing bake sale where we raised money for fieldtrips this year.  Thank you parents and guardians for all your support and help.

Today was the Terry Fox Run!  I was super proud of the class as they treated this run with maturity, determination and passion.  They all chose someone to run for, whether it be someone who they admire or who is or has had cancer.  Ice cream and water ballons was great to end the run!

Now to take on October!!!