Looking back and looking ahead!

Last week was short but action packed!

Numeracy

• Students investigated the concept of difference with subtraction. They often only look at subtraction as "taking away" a few from many and seeing how many are left over but need to also understand subtraction as the difference between two numbers. What's the difference between 9 and 4? How many more is 9 compared to 4? 
• Once the students were easily able to calculate the difference between two numbers we practiced this skill in a problem solving context. This was quite challenging for students at first. We looked at some strategies to help simplify things for them: draw a picture, look for key words to help you figure out if you have to add or subtract, write down the main information, etc. Students enjoyed developing these skills and were very proud when they could solve problems independently.
• We also took a bit of time to look at larger numbers and review some place value concepts. We looked at numbers in the thousands instead of just three digit numbers. All of the students found this very easy!

Literacy

• We started reading the book Frindle this week! The students are loving it! Ask them about the main character, Nick Allen. Ask them if they would ever want Mrs. Granger as a teacher.
• We also continued working on writing sentences with varied sentence starters. The students are really getting the hang of it! We worked on WHAT, WHEN and HOW -LY sentences. Look at the pictures below for examples!
  
  
  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

Social Studies

• Students wrapped up and presented their slideshows on a celebration in India! They did an absolutely fantastic job! We all learned so much about eight different celebrations!
• Students have a new respect for the work that goes into presentations! They all learned that research takes time, patience and persistence. Team work also takes time, cooperation, patience and compromise. 
• We all can't wait to do a similar activity in our next country of study!

This week also brought some special events! The students loved the play that we were able to see! It was a touching story about how it is ok to be different!

We also had beautiful weather for a winter walk!

Looking ahead to this week!

Numeracy

• Students are going to be excited to start looking at arrays and multiplication!
• We will also be doing some of Kim Sutton's Drills to Thrill!

Literacy

• Due to skating using up more than our half hour of gym time, something has to give. That "something" will be WTW. We will still have WWW.
• We will continue working on our JoAnne Moore varied sentence starters, focusing on HOW - ING, WHERE and WHO sentences. 
• We will also be continuing our study of Frindle!

Social Studies

• We are going to wrap up our study of India this week!

IMPORTANT DATES!

1. Monday - Thursday SKATING
2. Tuesday LIBRARY
3. Friday VALENTINE'S DAY, JUMP ROPE FOR HEART, FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

For more information on any of the above, please visit http://rbes.blackgold.ca/calendar/activities/ or email me.