News this week...

HI everyone!
Happy Tuesday!  Things have calmed a bit at school this last little bit. I hope you all enjoyed a long weekend with your family. The weather was amazing- I liked it a little more than this cold snap. Poof! Guess that was our summer?  JK (well at least, I hope to be kidding)

This week:
We are learning about persuasive writing. In order to establish connections and a better understanding we are reading mentor texts. We started off with a text titled, "Should Children Choose Their Own Bedtimes." We read through the text in small groups and then we chose a side to support. You may be surprised to know that the majority of the class thinks that you (the parents) should choose bedtimes!  When I have read this text before in other years this has NEVER been the outcome! Amazing! We have also listened to a few Robert Munsch stories on Tumblebooks last week to get the class thinking about how to be persuasive and convincing. This week we will be reading "Hey, Little Ant." Should the ant be squished?
Morning messages will continue to be posted. They likely won't make it on here every day as sometimes they are not finished in time for me to post them.
Fractional parts of a whole has been our focus in math. Students created fraction sundaes and pizzas last week. Today we talked about mixed fractions and used pattern blocks to show wholes and parts of a whole. If your child can assist you at home with making equal parts that would be great. Measuring part cups (2/3 of a cup etc.), teaspoons, cutting pizza into eighths, sixths and so on. I've been impressed with   their understanding of the concepts.
Friday is WILD WILD WEST.  There is an assembly at 9:10 (ish) in the morning to recognize students for this month's character trait- respect.  You may have heard your child talk about GOTCHAs. They were started this month. Students are being recognized for little things that they are caught doing. Helping a friend or teacher, cleaning up without being asked, keeping a tidy desk, having their agenda at school, homework done, etc. There is a box outside our classroom that houses the Gotchas.  Students earn points for their house when they receive a Gotcha.  Our class is adding up the Gotcha points alongside the House Colour/Spirit Day points.
David Suzuki's 30x30 Outdoor Challenge is on!  We have been pretty good at completing our 30 mins outside since starting a couple weeks ago.  I signed up for this on his website. The kids and I talked about how studies show that 'most' kids these days are spending less and less time outside than generations before.  Our time outside can be anything- an organized game, scavenger hunt, drawing nature, or just being in the lovely out of doors!  If we don't fit it in during the day, I challenge the class to try to do it at home.
Have a great week,
Alana