Mathematics: We have wrapped up our large numbers unit and have moved onto addition and subtraction. Students will be expected to complete addition and subtractions questions up to the thousands place value with carrying and borrowing. Students will represent their learning in a variety of ways, including: estimating, base 10 blocks, traditional algorithm, Singapore method, a picture, and a real-life example.
Language Arts: Mrs. Penner will be teaching reading and Ms. Ackerman will be teaching writing.
Writing
In preparation for the Personal Narrative Unit students brainstorm and create their own Brain Pockets (memory, fact, imagination) to inspire writing topics. Students plan, draft, write, edit (with peer and teacher input), rewrite, publish (keyboard) and share their narratives on Freshgrade.
All BC students in grades 1 - 8 participate in the School Wide Write Process in October and May. The School Wide Write is a form of assessment for learning. It is used in the fall to inform teachers about what their learners' writing strengths and needs are as well as what to teach next. It is used in the spring to reflect on learners' growth. Students are given a common topic and follow a writing process including pre-writing (planning page using words and pictures), writing, revising, proof reading and reflecting and scored using the BC Performance Standards rubric.
Reading
We are continuing to work on comprehension reading strategies, including: making connections, identifying the theme/big idea, providing evidence from the text to support our thinking, and using figurative language to expand the complexity of our visualizations. Some books we have read are: The Word Collector, One, a few short stories, No Elephants Allowed, and the Invisible Boy. Currently, we are reading One in great detail and using the text to determine the big idea/theme, the author's message, evidence to support our thinking, and a connection to the text.
We have started our small reading groups. Students have been separated into groups based on their own learning needs and will meet with the teacher 3-4 times a week to refine our reading comprehension and fluency skills.
Social Studies: Ms. Ackerman will be teaching Social Studies. The year commenced with a unit on Government which includes the examination of the different levels of government in Canada (municipal, provincial, territorial, federal, First Peoples), key roles within provincial, territorial and federal governments, responsibilities of elected and appointed provincial and federal government leaders, and the participation and representation of citizens in Canada's system of government including topics of representative democracy, electoral boundaries, political parties, electoral process, and First Peoples governance. In October students participated in Student Vote 2019 where 1.2 million elementary and secondary school students from 8000 schools cast votes in all 338 ridings.
Science: We are wrapping up our Human Body unit. I have attached the project criteria on the handouts page. Students are making a lot of progress and doing well so far!
French: Mrs. Penner will be teaching French this year. We are currently learning about le caranval.