Week #18: Jan. 16th - 20th

Dear Families,

Well, the snow's decided to arrive so I imagine many of you will spend some time outdoors participating in winter activity that your family is fond of such as skiing/snowboarding, hiking, tobogganing, building structures in the snow, playing hockey, etc.  

Whatever you decide to do, seize and savour each moment with your loved ones :-) 

MATH:

This week, we spent some time working through a 'money problem' (see image below) using the 4-Block Method (graphic organizer).  

The expectations in grade 3 are to add and subtract money amounts up to $100.00 and find the change up to $10.00.

Students are using my models (see picture) and feedback to help them grasp a deeper understanding of this concept.  

Please review the math sheet that came home in your child's agenda today to help consolidate their understanding and perhaps even come up with your own 'money problem' and have your child try to solve it.  

If they do this, please have them bring the completed question to school and we will take a look at it!!  Thank you. 

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY:

On Monday, it was Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  It is a day for everyone to honour the life and legacy of this remarkable hero who helped stand up for the equal rights and treatment of all people.  It was his mission to end segregation and he did with the help of Rosa Parks.

Take a minute to check out the video below.  It is child friendly and provides important information about this extraordinary civil rights activist.  

After watching the video in class, we took the time to think about and reflect upon the following:

"Write about a dream that you have for making our country a better place."  

We brainstormed many meaningful ideas and the kids have an excellent start to this task!  I am so moved by their thoughts and words, and have every confidence they will put these into their actions!!

These completed sheets will come home in the agenda in the coming days for you to see your child's dream :)

Below I have posted Martin Luther's King Jr.'s most famous speech and it brought tears to my eyes.  Please give it a listen.  

I deeply look up to Dr. King and will always do my best to pursue my dream which is to help children grow not just as students, but more importantly - as people (the best version of themselves even when no one is watching).  

BLACK HISTORY ASSEMBLY:

Exciting news everyone!  Our class family will lead Nottawa's 2nd Black Assembly for the whole school at the end of February.  Yes, that's right!

It will be an opportunity for us to share our learning and help encourage our school to continue moving towards embracing and valuing the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The students and I will be working hard in class to help prepare for this oh so meaningful event!  Please stay tuned for more details coming your way!!  It will be an experience that we'll all fondly remember :)  

GRAMMAR RULE #10:

This week's grammar rule focused on learning about "possessive nouns telling who or what owns something."  We were introduced to the concept of using an APOSTROPHE correctly for singular vs. plural nouns.

This can be a tricky concept so we took the time to watch the video below, work in guided / small groups, and play a BLOOKIT to help get the grasp of this.  We are getting it!

Completed worksheets have come home and if you have time, please take a look at these and ask your child to share their understanding :-)

MOVEMENT EDGEucation:

I am very proud of my students participation in today's Movement EDGEucation!  Everyone actively engaged in this and we learned about the importance of letting go, be yourself, and move in unique ways that feels good to you ... WITHOUT JUDGEMENT.  AMAZING :)

Check out the photos below of your child 'striking a pose' to express themselves as they are!!

SCIENCE:

Please check out Mr. Morin's science note that came home in the agenda today (picture below).  

Now that your child has wrapped up their previous unit, they will now move onto Strong & Stable Structures.  

Your contributions for donating some of the items listed in the note are valued!  Thank you :)

SCIENCE REVIEW SHEETS:

Thank you boys and girls (and parents) for your outstanding work on establishing an effective review sheet for the science assessment that took place this week.  Your efforts do not go unnoticed and I am extremely proud of you all :-)

I was truly in awe with your child's dedication, organization of science material, and detailed diagrams that were created!  This is fantastic and a skill that I encourage for your child to continue as it'll support them as they move forward into the junior division (and beyond).  Well done!!

ASYNCHRONOUS WORK:

Shoutout to Ellis, Kaleb, and Kieran for accessing Google Classroom on the inclement weather day earlier this week and working through the assigned language and math tasks.

Thank you for demonstrating responsibility, initiative, and independent work while at home on a snow day.  Your hard work and efforts are appreciated! 

GROWTH MINDSET:

Thank you Benner for sharing this week's mindset message.  How very true it is!!

We have done a lot of thinking, learning, and understanding of the late great Martin Luther King Jr.  

Yes, he is one of the most recognizable and celebrated Civil Rights Activists who fought to end laws that were unfair to African Americans.  He worked to make sure all people had equal rights!

MINDFULNESS:

Please check out the image below.  Ask your child, "What do you notice?  What does it mean to be MIND FULL vs. Mindful?"

Mind FULL is future focused whereas being mindful is 'now' (present moment) focused. 

Mind FULL adds two items to your to-do list for each one you check off.  Mindfulness let's you enjoy one moment, task or event at a time.  

Which will you choose?

From my heart to yours ... MEEGWICH,

Ms. Gill