KEEP WARM

This has been one cold week.  The students have spent most of the lunch recesses inside.  I am attempting to have them dress warm for the weather, but not always with much success.  The students have been caught wearing home their gym shorts without ski pants.  I have seen indoor shoes leaving on the students feet and boots being carried.  I would appreciate a little discussion reinforcing the importance of wearing the appropriate outdoor items.

Seussical was amazing.  Some of the students replied, "it was better than the movie."  That is a pretty great honour.  Also this week we had a visit from the Alberta Ballet who showed us some of the positions that the ballerinas learn.  Some of our students got to try out the poses and learned they look much easier than they really are.  Finally, they ended with some performances of parts of ballets (sword fight from Romeo and Juliet). The students have been learning their songs for the Christmas Concert which will be on December 19th, 2013.  There will be two concerts - one in the afternoon and one in the evening.  This year some of the grade fours have acting parts.

We have focused on Place Value up to 10 000 in Math. We have been learning how to read and write the numbers.  We are using the base ten blocks to give the visual of the actual amount. Likewise, we are learning to use standard and expanded forms as well as words.  Also we have been learning how to compare numbers to determine which is greater or less than the other.  Along with this ordering the numbers from least to greatest or vice versa is expected.  Did you know that on Mathletics you can compete with others all over the world?  It is kind of a cool way to practice basic facts.

In Language Arts we have been focusing on writing a first draft and what is important at this time in the Writing Process.  We have been using  graphic organizer to help us with the planning.  Also, we have been focussing on narrowing down a topic and how do you add more details using the 5-W's. We got some new words for Spelling.  There will be another review in January.
 
In Social Studies we will begin to compare the Natural Regions to determine the similarities and differences within each region. In reflecting upon our learning in Social Studies I take pause for a moment to think about the diversity of our land, people and culture in this great province of Alberta.