Weekly Update

The Remembrance Day Assembly and work around this time as been our focus this week. Students have been unpacking the TOLD and UNTOLD stories of the past through books, videos, and the sharing of personal connections. During one task, students were asked to put themselves in the ‘boots’ of another (soldier, nurse, doctor) and describe their experiences through means of the senses. For example, what would a nurse see, smell, hear, touch, taste and feel. Students were then asked to write a letter home including all these details. Students were also shown various photos of boots and were asked to share their thoughts on the TOLD and UNTOLD story of the boot, focusing on its location. I am so proud of the students and how serious they took the learning tasks associated with Remembrance Day this week. They were rewarded by participating in the Remembrance Day assembly.

Two cooperative building challenges was another focus this week. The students were randomly placed into groups of 3 and given very simple instructions to create either a bridge or a structure that one group member could pass through in under a minute. Students were given limited materials and encouraged to work as a team to complete each task. Not only were students learning about the skills required to work as a successful team but key understandings linked to building such as load, span, bridge deck. These terms will be used on a regular basis over the coming months. Students will participate in their final building challenge next week.

We have been really focusing on how good mathematicians communicate in math for the past month. Whenever taking on a learning task, students are reminding of the 3 key points of communication: use organized and clear writing, use pictures, words, and numbers, and use reasoning: Explain your thinking! These points are glued into the front of their math journals but I am also encouraging you to ask your child about these points whenever working on a math problem at home. Students have also been working on their iLab plan for how they will visually represent their understanding of Fibonacci sequence. The students have come up with some very creative and unique ideas. I can’t wait to see their thoughts in action.

Thursday morning was our much anticipated Bat Conversation of Canada presentation. The students were absolutely amazing listeners during the 2 hour presentation. They were so engaged and ken to learn more about bats, and in particular how they use echolocation. The students learned a great deal about the daily life of a bat, where they are located in the world, what items we use on a daily basis that come from bats, and what to do to help save the bat population.  

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, November 11th - Remembrance Day

Tuesday, November 20th - Chapter FUNdraising Event from 6-8pm

Thursday, November 22nd - Early Dismissal at 12:30pm

Thursday, November 22nd - Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3:30-7:30pm

Friday, November 23rd - Parent/Teacher Conferences from 8:00-12:00pm

(No School)

Have a fantastic weekend with your son/daughter. See you Monday!

Teresa