November 3rd - 7th

Hello Grade ¾ families,

The Grade 3 and 4's had another exciting week of learning.

Learning Intentions:

Grade 3: 

• I can analyze bases and affixes for meaning.

Grade 4: 

• I can examine morphemes in words to determine meaning.

We continued our morphology lessons by exploring the silent “e” and “y to i”. Students practiced adding various suffixes (-er, -ed, -est, -ing, -ly, -ful) to base words that ending in the letter “e” or “y” and changed their spelling depending on their specific phonemic/morphological rules. For example, the word “copy” follows the “y to i” rule when we add the suffix -ed to get “copied.” However, adding -ing means we keep the "y" because otherwise, we’ll lose that long vowel sound and “copying” will become “coping.” On Wednesday, we participated in a scavenger hunt where students walked around the room searching for morphemes that they had to add together with the correct spelling.

Learning Intentions:

Grade 3: 

• I can add numbers up to 1000 using mental math strategies.

Grade 4: 

• I can add numbers up to 10 000 using mental math strategies.

We began our addition unit by exploring some mental Math strategies to build fluency in Math. Students used whiteboards, hundreds charts, and number lines to practice breaking down numbers into friendlier, more manageable parts when adding multidigit numbers. These strategies included counting on, making tens, doubling, and breaking into place value. Students also had the opportunity to play some Math games to reinforce learning. In particular, students enjoyed “Salute,” a card game where two players flip cards and place them on their forehead, a third player calls out the sum of both cards, and the other players must guess what number their card is.

Learning Intentions:

Grade 3: 

• I can identify local First Nations languages.

• I can explore stories about symbols of diverse communities in Alberta.

• I can investigate oral traditions that have been shared over time.

• I can investigate words or phrases applied creatively in poetry.

Grade 4: 

• I can discuss ways relationships were built between First Nations and Europeans.

• I can describe connections to time and people revealed through oral traditions.

• I examine how poetic structure contributes to creative expression of ideas.

This week, we spent some time discussing the historical significance of Remembrance Day. In particular, we explored the role of Cree Code Talkers in WWII and how their legacy has been largely unknown. Students examined the role of Code Talkers by investigating how the Cree language was used in clever ways to represent English words. For example sakimes (mosquito) and pahkitewaciy (explosion) together meant mosquito bomber. Additionally, we read a poem written by a descendant of Code Talkers that discussed his relatives' experiences giving up their status in order to enlist. This deeply touching poem served as inspiration for students to create their own acrostic poems about Cree Code Talkers.

Ways to continue the learning at home:

• Math: Use this link to review addition strategies at home.

• Literacy: Practice spelling words by adding suffixies (-er, -ed, -est, -ing, -ly, -ful). For example, "create + ing" makes "creating".

Important Updates:

• Our class will be welcoming a lovely student teacher, Andreea Dragomir, from November 17th to December 4th. Andreea is a first year student at St. Mary's University. She will also be returning to our classroom in the Spring for her second practicum. We are so excited to have her join our classroom community.

• We are in need of 2 volunteers to join us for swimming. Please ensure you have a valid and up to date police clearance with the office. If you are interested, please contact me via email.

Reminders:

• Fall Break next week - classes resume on Thursday, November 13th.

• Please return swimming forms by the end of next week. If your child does not wish to participate, contact me to arrange an alternative activity.

• The Art Card Project order deadline is November 11th. You can order by using our school code: TR78 or use the art number printed on the back of your child's card.

• Please remind your student to return their library books by Thursday every week. We have a few overdue books that Mrs. Bouchard would like back ASAP. 

• We take our learning outside, often so please make sure to be dressed for the changing weather.

Enjoy the Fall Break!

Ms. Aida