Dear Families,

It's the last day of March, already?!  Wowza!  We're soon into April and the snow seems to keep drizzling down!  Keep warm and cozy!  I hope you enjoy a weekend of fun and relaxation with your family.  

Rocking OUR Socks for Downs Syndrome Awareness:
We are all unique and wonderful JUST THE WAY WE ARE.  Each one of us has been given life and we must celebrate our differences and embrace them because it is what makes you, YOU!! Mrs. Shaw's and Mrs. McTaggart's classes led our Integrity assembly this afternoon and this message resonated and energized the hearts and minds of everyone.  Thank you for reminding us to be our unique, creative, and jovial selves!

Character Recognition Assembly:

Today, we recognized March's character trait of Integrity - “We can always be trusted even when NO ONE IS WATCHING!”  I have shared with my students how I feel this trait encompasses all our character traits that we have focused on thus far.  I believe if a person demonstrates integrity they also possess respect, caring, cooperation, inclusiveness, empathy, and responsibility.  I am comforted in knowing that WE at Nottawa are truly surrounded with many students who consistently model integrity in their actions.

Congratulations to Wesley!  You are being recognized for ALWAYS displaying Integrity in your thoughts, words, and actions.  I am so very proud of you!  Continue to be your best self in all that you do!  

Next month’s (April) character trait focuses on OPTIMISIM– “We believe we can DO IT.  We never give up.”  From very early on in our school year, I have encouraged my students to always put in their level four personal best in all their academic, social, and behavioural experiences.  I am never looking for “perfect” only your child’s best efforts.  I am delighted to share that most students do their BEST to use my constructive feedback to improve their achievements! 

Multiplication & Division:

Over the next two weeks, our focus in math will be on multiplication and division.  Students will be taught a variety of strategies to solve word problems involving these operations.  Strategies include using arrays, groups of, repeated addition, and even memorization of facts.  Ask your child about these and which strategy works best for them!  I will be providing extra practice questions on each students' Mathletics account as well, so please have them complete these over the weekends.

Below are some pictures students working together to share the strategies they used to solve multiplication problems this week.

Music:

Mr. Morin has provided duo-tangs with music pieces that he would like students to utilize at home and practice in preparation for upcoming lessons which fall on every Day 5 11:20 - 12:10 pm. Thank you for supporting your child's learning in the Arts!

Elephant Thoughts:

Just a reminder that this after school science program runs from  3:30 - 4:30 pm on Thursdays from March 30th - April 27, 2017.  Students who are involved, please mark these dates in your calendar :-)

Grade 3 Swimming:
A reminder that the Grade 3's will be starting their swimming program this week!  Please ensure your child has the proper swim gear with them.  They will be going with Mrs. O's class in the afternoon and back to school in time for dismissal.  The dates for swimming will be April 5th, 12th, 19th, and the 26th.  I will be sure to remind the 3's, but mark these dates down please as we would like to avoid parents having to leave work or a commitment to bring their child's swimming stuff.  Thank you :)

Art in the Library:
I went to the library on Wed. evening to check out all the students' art and I was in awe of so many creative creations!  It was a vision!  What a fantastic experience for children to be involved in and I'm very grateful our class was too!

Growth Mindset:

"Setting goals is your first step to turning your dreams into reality!" - Jack

Wow!!  Thank you Jack for providing this meaningful growth mindset with us this week!  Our goal is now to put these words into OUR daily ACTIONS and together we can make a difference in how we think about, feel, and treat ourselves and others.

Namaste,

Miss Gill

Dear Families,

Happy Spring!  It was fabulous seeing my students this week, I had missed them tremendously! I hope you enjoyed your March Break with them.  I heard so many neat experiences!  Now we're back to our regular routines and regimes, I bet as a parent you're delighted by this too :-)  As you'll see and read below, it was as busy and productive week of learning for us all!

Elephants Thoughts Opportunity:  

On Monday, we had the pleasure of having a scientist from Elephant Thoughts come to our school to share his passion and knowledge with us. This program is an excellent hands-on learning opportunity for students. I have already had several registrations come in which is exciting as I know participants will have fun with this meaningful program!

Math:

Over the past few weeks, we have been learning about identifying and sorting 2-D shapes and 3-D figures by their geometric properties such as faces, edges, vertices, and by their angles (acute, obtuse, right, and straight).  We also took time to create 3-D solids from nets to further enhance our understanding.  

If your child hasn't already completed all his or her course work from this unit that I have assigned on Mathletics, please have them do so over the weekend.  I use their results on this as part of their assessment and evaluation. They enjoy using this online program, so it doesn't seem like 'homework.'

Here's the handy link to the site:  http://ca.mathletics.com/

Art in the Local Library:

Have you had the opportunity to visit the Collingwood local library to admire and celebrate your child's Magic of Children's art entry?!  If not, you may wish to over the weekend :)  It will continue to be displayed until mid April.  Each entry has been carefully put up with specific feedback from the judges.  You don't want to miss out as there are other amazing pieces from schools around our area to check out! 

We had the pleasure of having Ms. Stewart visit our classroom yesterday and even today to continue working on our art project on Canadian Birds.  They are turning out amazing!!  Students are loving their creations and putting their personal touches on their pieces that I'm sure you'll love too at the Art Expo in May!  Ms. Stewart, we can't thank you enough for all your time, energy, and expertise!  You are an inspiration to us!!  Thank you, thank YOU!!

Procedural Writing:  

Students have been doing several forms of writing over the school year, namely Recounts, Non-Fiction Reports, and Letters.  This week, I introduced Procedural Writing which focuses on How to do or Make Something.  I have posted a picture below of the anchor chart we use in class to help us remember the parts of a procedure.  See if your child can state them for you without peaking at the picture ;)  If they share all 5 parts, then WOW, they've really locked this information into their "hippocampus" (a brain helper which is referred to as the 'memory saver') already!!

In gym, I have introduced a fitness unit that teaches children the proper skills and safety tips to perform various exercises.  See picture below and ask your child about this and how we've been utilizing these in gym classes.

Also, as stated in the agenda yesterday, please have your child share his or her google doc. of the procedure they completed during my modelled lesson.  I will be doing more examples with them, but then they will get the opportunity to complete a procedural writing piece on their own to demonstrate their learning with me! 

Brain Breakfast:

Each day, when students enter the classroom they open their brain breakfast folders and complete 5 daily math questions.  These are designed to either reinforce or introduce new concepts in the area of mathematics such as patterning & algebra, number sense, geometry & spatial sense, measurement, and data management.  Some of these can be quite challenging!  

Students are expected to complete these independently, but then we always meet together to consolidate (share) their strategies they used to complete their answers and demonstrate their thinking.  It's an excellent opportunity for them also to use teacher feedback to help 'bump up' their work to further communicate their understanding.  

In math, I am not solely assessing if your child gets a question right or wrong, rather there is a greater emphasis on the mathematical processes they used to get to their answer.  Throughout the year, I have highly encouraged students to use my feedback, this will continue to be a focus.  

Just a gentle reminder that your child brings home their completed pages for you on Monday evenings, and I know they're excited to go over their work with you and celebrate their new learnings!  I think you'll be delighted to hear what they have to share!  Thank you in advance for always supporting your child.  I know it means a lot to them!  

World Water Day:

On Wednesday, it was world water day which we all know should be EVERYDAY!  But, we took some time to think about and celebrate drinking water to help our bodies stay hydrated and energized! Check out our enthusiasm!  Gulp, gulp, gulp!

Social Studies Projects:

Thank you to all the students who shared their Province & Territory projects this week!  Wow, all your hard work has paid off and your peers learned some fascinating new information from you about Canada.  This was really helpful for the Grade 3's as well as they will have some knowledge going into next year and be inspired to create a project that is organized, clear, and appealing for an audience.  Way to go Grade 4's!

Hannah W.:

Welcome back, Hannah!  We missed you and are delighted you're back from your Cayman Island trip with your family :)  Thank you so much for the lovely gifts you shared with your peers. Your act of kindness is cherished and I know your friends will keep their shells in a safe place! Mmm, I gobbled up the sweet treat you gave me!  Thank you :)  Also, it was a joy to read your writing about some of your adventures!  Swimming with sting rays?!  Amazing!!

Growth Mindset:

Namaste,

Miss Gill