International Day of the Girl

Today is International Day of the Girl.

We talked and shared what we understood that to mean. Why might girls feel they are not as valued as boys? What do we know about how girls are treated in some parts of the world? Do girls in our class feel they have less power than boys? What professional sports teams do we have in Toronto that celebrate athletic abilities of women? What can we ALL do together to ensure that girls feel valued and respected?

We watched two videos to help steer our conversations. Links are provided for you to view, too.

Plan International Canada. Because I am a Girl.
https://youtu.be/GCFeGDXuLHI

Always - Do we Limit Girls?
https://youtu.be/VhB3l1gCz2E

Our boys posted messages to our girls. 

Our girls posted messages to each other.

These messages will stay up as reminders of who we are as a class.

Tuesday, October 9

Welcome back! I hope you all had an excellent Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Housekeeping

• Wednesday, October 10 (tomorrow) is Pizza Lunch.
• There is no cross country tomorrow - Wednesday. 
• Thursday is cross-country track meet. Ms Callahan has posted the names of students who have been invited to attend on the Athletics Bulletin Board outside the gym. In addition, she is having a meeting at recess tomorrow. I believe the following from our class are invited to attend: Evangeline, Evalyn, Ishaan and Ewan and Gage. I will check the Athletics Board tomorrow and make sure students attend her recess meeting. 
• Thursday and Friday (periods 1 & 2 each day) is Gifted Testing for our Grade 3's.

Homework

Math and Spelling - Homework duotangs and homework language books have gone home.

This is a short but busy week! Let's also enjoy the wonderful weather! 

Busy Week!

Reminder that there is no school on Friday or Monday. 

See you all Tuesday!

Housekeeping

1. The office has informed me that our records show there are a couple of outstanding Agenda payments. If you have not yet paid for your child's agenda, please do so using the online cashless system. Thank you! 

2. Snack starts next week. Apparently we have switched snack providers and so all systems are go on Tuesday of next week. 

In Class

We've had a busy week in Room 206.  Reading assessments (DRA and BURT word assessments for Grade 3 and CASI for Grade 4) and end of September Math assessments have been ongoing. 

Homework

Yikes - missed the boat on that last page of the camel article! Thanks to those who struggled through!

Spelling

Based on the BURT word assessments and Running Records, I have put the students in groups for spelling words. Expect to see those words in the homework. Please practice throughout the week. 

Multiplication Tables

• I offered Math Mad Minute Multiplication this morning - only for those who wish to participate! The Mad Minute approach is strictly for fun and we do have a competitive bunch in 206 that like to compete with themselves and each other. There is no pressure to do the Mad Minute - strictly for fun! And it's a good way to make memorization of multiplication tables a little light. Being able to quickly recall times tables is a very useful skill. But I don't want tears!!! This will continue next week if kids still want it. 
• Next week: Grade 3's - 3x tables; Grade 4's - 4x tables. 
• Please use the plastic covered multiplication tables in their homework duotangs. 

In-class Reading Plan

Beginning next week:

• Running records for each student on an ongoing basis. This helps me identify where the reading struggles are and allows me to zoom in and focus on short and intensive support. I'm hoping you can help with word work, at home. 
• Guided Reading - every day. Small group approach to reading is an excellent teaching strategy to keep readers moving ahead with decoding and comprehension. 
• I know most kids are reading at home, most nights. If I can get some smaller levelled reading books in my class, I will send them home as support. Thank you for all you do!

Math Support Group

• I'm offering this after school - until about 4:15pm - a couple days per week. Details to follow.

These two wonderful humans are our "Respect" award recipients for September.
Democratically voted by every student in our class - and the votes were bang on!
Excellent choices! 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

cv

 

Picture Day this Wednesday!

Wednesday, October 3rd (this Wednesday!) is picture day!
Bring your best smile! 

The Week That Was

Hi all
Sharing a few pics from our very busy Friday.

Rooftop Shot.
Orange Shirt Day 2018
Every Child Matters.

Dash Dot Coding

Using coding to make dash talk, move, and flash lights.

The last school day of every month is the day we celebrate all the birthdays for the month that was. In September we had one birthday to celebrate. Happy Birthday to our Birthday Girl! 

Update

Get your Hot Dogs!!!!!
Hot Dogs (Beef and Halal – Chicken) available for $1.00.
 Friday September 28^th at lunch.

Terry Fox Run

This crew - this afternoon - what a great group!

A couple are missing as they were helping the Kindergarten classes for the Run / Walk around the neighbourhood.

Terry Fox Run

Hi everyone

Thursday is our Terry Fox Run.  Please ensure students come to class dressed for the day: running shoes, comfortable running clothes, water, hat and sun screen, if necessary.

I would love each student to think about donating and I have set up a loose change jar in the class. I would like them to donate from their own piggy banks or pockets - the idea that it's a good thing to give to an organization that they feel is important (rather than having a parent give them money).

Loose change for change. That's the name of the jar - if kids so wish it.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

Ms. V.