Week #2: Sept. 11th - 15th

Dear Families,

Wow!  We've already completed our second week of school!  Time flies when you're actively engaged in your learning and having FUN!  

Students continue to feel SEEN, HEARD, and VALUED.  We will use KINDNESS in our thoughts, words, and actions.    

I assure you, this will be an ongoing goal for our class family :)

Thank you to the families who have taken the time to check out my last blog update.  I recognize it was a lengthy one (oh my, haha), but please know the information that I do provide is pertinent to what your child's actively learning and doing at school.

I sincerely hope my blog with serve as an effective tool into your child's weekly experiences with me in grade 4 :-)

With my last post, I received positive feedback from some parents and students which made my day!  I will continue working hard to provide you with updates and highlights each week!  

Transparency and open communication with my students and their parents is very important to me :)  

SEPTEMBER 11TH:

Can you believe it has been 22 years since the tragic and horrific attacks happened in New York?  Although the years have passed, for many of us, our memory and impact from this event remains.

Below, I have posted a touching video from two 5th grade students' perspective on what the day was like when they found out about the Twin Towers being struck.

As a way to honour and remember the survivors, non-survivors, and front-line workers, I had students conduct a mini interview from an adult in their life to share their experience from Sept. 11, 2001.

Thank you to all the boys and girls who completed this assignment diligently and TURNED IN their work on Google Classroom.  I have provided feedback so please be sure to read my comments :) 

I would also like to offer my sincere gratitude to the families who sat with their child for a moment of silence to commemorate all the people involved in this event.  Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.  

ATTENTIVE LISTENING & ACCOUNTABLE TALK:

As we get more and more into our academics, students will have a daily opportunity to work with their think, pair, and share partner(s).  

When we work together, we can achieve MORE.  The goal is for students to use ACCOUNTABLE TALK (chart below).  

Click on the image below and please ask your child what this LOOKS LIKE!  SOUNDS LIKE!  FEELS LIKE!  

Great start!  We will continue to add more and more ideas as the school year progresses :)

As we've participated in this, students are adding more and more ideas to our class chart (see above) which is wonderful!!  Perhaps your child has contributed an idea, please ask them :)  

As a teacher, I'm not looking for a silent classroom, but one in which we are 'buzzing' about the topic we're learning about!  

Check out the photos below of the boys and girls playing a math game using accountable talk in action!

THE TALKING STICK:

Since beginning school, has your child come home and shared about our Talking Stick?  If so, great!  If not, that's ok too as I will speak to this below and its importance :)

Talking Sticks are used by many Indigenous tribes when they have council meetings.  The ideas of the Talking Stick is to respect each other's opinions and viewpoints during important meetings where things are discussed, or agreements need to be made.  Unless you were holding the Talking Stick, you wouldn't interrupt or speak, but wait your turn.

In class, we will be taking opportunities to meet as a community circle to answer and share our thoughts, feelings, and emotions about various topics and questions (see image below of Talking Stick questions).  

I like to begin and end our sharing with offering our gratitude to Mother Earth by using the Algonquin word 'MEEGWICH' which means gratitude / thank you.  

During the time you are listening, you are to pay careful attention to what's being said so that you don't disrespect others when they are sharing their thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

The interesting part about this Indigenous tradition is that it is taught to children at a very young age.  Around 3 is the age they learn to be respectful of each other's points of view.

It's a great exercise for respecting each other's VOICE.  The Talking Stick is an excellent tool to emphasize respect and patience for yourself and others.

In class, we will be making a regular routine to use the Talking Stick to emphasize that WE ALL HAVE A VOICE, IT NEEDS TO BE HEARD (one at a time).

Earlier this week, we used the talking stick and shared our thoughts, feelings, and emotions about:  "I feel happy when ..."  

You may wish to try this at home too!  Pick a question or topic and let your voice shine!  I'm sure your child(ren) will love to hear what you have to say :-)

DAILY MATH WARM-UP:

This week, I provided students with math warm-up questions that we call "Brain Breakfast" which links directly to the math expectations.  

When students arrive to class each morning, they quietly get out their 5 assigned math questions.  

This gets their brains alert and ready (like our breakfast foods do for our bodies) for the day's math lesson!  See sample below.  

Please note, when we finish these assigned questions, I always make time to consolidate (think, share, and discuss) the strategies used to check for students' knowledge & understanding.  

Through this consolidation, I gain valuable data to see students' progress with their stars - "what they did well" and arrows - "what they need to improve upon for next time."

During consolidation time, I provide specific feedback for students to write down onto their sheets to help them "bump up" (add details) their answers.  

If you see that your child has written a "w.a." that indicates the question(s) was done "with assistance." 

A useful tool I've provided in class to help the children complete their work to their highest potential is the following poem entitled "How Am I Doing?"  (Refer to photo below).  

A poster for this is hung up in our classroom and I will regularly refer to it to encourage everyone to strive for a level 3 (B) and level 4 (A).  A copy of this will be provided in the agenda in the next while, stay tuned!!

Your child's completed 'Brain Breakfast' math sheets will come home in the agenda after the weekend. 

I encourage you to please sit with your child at some point during the school week and consolidate (go over) their answers and have them explain some strategies or new learning from this work.  This is very helpful as you're reinforcing learned concepts from school to home :-)  

Please stay tuned for this week's sheets coming home on Monday!  Many thanks in advance for your support in our "Brain Breakfast" program!

MATH:

This week in math, our focus has been on learning that when we communicate effectively with each other, we are better able to understand mathematical ideas and concepts.

I will be successful when:

• I work with others on math problems

• I express my thinking

• I listen to the ideas of others

• I use my ideas and the ideas of others to help solve challenging problems

• I ask questions if I want to know more or need help

Below I have posted, a math mindset video which talks about The Truth About Your Brain.

Give it a listen and learn about the ways that your child can continue developing a growth mindset not only in mathematics, but in their everyday life too :)

This week, we tried a math challenge called 4-digit numbers (see image below). 

Students worked collaboratively in pairs to solve the questions.  As I walked around the classroom, I was looking and listening for students engaging in mathematical dialogue to express their ideas, listening attentively to their group member, and finally using each others thinking to solve this challenging math task :)   

After all, "Together Everybody Achieves MORE!"  Check us out in math action below as we followed the outlined success criteria above.

MATH DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS:

Before I begin teaching a new math unit, I will be providing students with a 'diagnostic assessment' which gives them the opportunity to "show what they know."  

These assessments are designed to evaluate students’ strengths, areas to improve, knowledge and skills before they receive explicit instruction from me in a particular area of mathematics.

This assessment assists me to plan meaningful and efficient instruction and can provide students with an individualized learning experience. 

Independently written by students, the diagnostic assessment is a tool for teachers to better understand what students already know about a topic when submitted before the start of a unit :)

This week, your child wrote a diagnostic assessment to demonstrate their understanding of "Whole Numbers" (see photos below).  

Click on the images below to enlarge them and you may wish to ask your child how he or she solved the thinking & application question #7.

I will be evaluating your child's assessment to help guide my instruction for our new math unit for 'Number' which I will begin teaching very soon :-)

Learning Goals: 

For this unit, we are learning to:

• read, represent, compose, and decompose whole numbers up to and including 10, 000  

• compare and order whole numbers up to and including 10, 000

• round whole numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, or thousand 

• represent and solve problems involving the addition and subtraction of whole numbers that add up to no more than 10, 000

INTERNATIONAL DOT DAY:

This week, we celebrated International Dot Day!  This day is a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, which began when a teacher introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds' book The Dot on September 15, 2009.  

The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student (Vashti) to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to "make her mark."  

As a class family, we're ready to MAKE OUR MARK for grade 4!

Thank you to all the boys and girls who dressed up for our Dot Spirit Day :)

 

What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing, which has gone on to inspire countless children and adults around the globe!

Many students and parents are familiar with the story which is great, its' message helps inspire self-expression and remembering to always BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

Click on the video below to listen to the author Peter Reynolds explain the inspiration behind why he wrote this impactful book and how it originated :-)

We used the book as inspiration to set our own goal(s) and think about the following question:  'HOW WILL YOU MAKE YOUR MARK (a difference in grade 4)?'

As I read through and provided feedback to students' work, my heart soared with JOY because many wrote about ways to help end bullying, accepting people as they are, using resilience when faced with a challenge, never giving up even when it's difficult, using the character traits every day, etc ...

When these writing pieces come home, please take a moment to celebrate and honour your child's International Dot Day writing.  

Your child received a certificate for making their mark on International Dot Day!
Thank you to all my students for bravely joining in celebrating ...
CREATIVITY, COURAGE, and COLLABORATION :)

The children are so proud of their goal setting to make a difference and help others and our planet be a better place to live, work, and play in.  As their teacher, I couldn't be more proud :)

THE DOT ART ACTIVITY - TRY THIS AT HOME:

Now it's your turn parents to MAKE YOUR MARK with your child!  Before doing so, please check out this great video below and meet Peter Reynolds.  Watch and see him help inspire kids and adults to MAKE THEIR MARK!  

At the conclusion of the video or perhaps even during it, please get out a piece of paper, drawing tools, and create your one of a kind DOT alongside your son or daughter.  

You may wish to get other family members involved too :)  After all, this can be a very MINDFUL (and quiet, haha) activity for a Sunday afternoon as a family ;)

Ready?  Set.  Draw-ish! 

Below are some photos of our Dot Day Inspired Art :)  The kids enjoyed letting their CREATIVITY, COURAGE, and COLLABORATION shine, Shine, SHINE!!

If you wish, please take a photo and share your DOT creations with me via email!  I can then show and celebrate it in class to reinforce that creativity, courage, and collaboration happens at all ages!!  

Thank you in advance for your participation in this :)

S.T.E.A.M. CHALLENGES:

As learners in the 21st century, our children need to be problem-solvers to be successful in the world around them.  Our classroom is therefore embarking in a hands-on learning process known as S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math).

This is an inquiry model of learning where the students are given a challenge and are asked to work in groups to solve the problem given certain materials and a specific time frame. The problems will incorporate multiple subjects.

Students will complete various challenges throughout the school year which I am confident they will absolutely love! The purpose of these challenges is to help build our skills in RESILIENCE and GRIT using interactive and engaging S.T.E.A.M. activities :)

A MESSAGE FROM MR. MORIN:

Thank you to Mr. Morin for providing his time, energy, and passion for music by bringing two clubs for the children of Nottawa beginning next week!  

Our music program has really taken new heights as students are developing their skills year after year!  

I always get excited and am in awe when the kids perform at assemblies using recorders, ukulele's, guitars, brass instruments and their marvelous singing voices :-)

Please see image below for details if your child wishes to join in on this awesome opportunity to learn and grow their instrumental skills!

LEADERSHIP:

For me, it is a teachers dream come true when we see, hear, and feel students authentically and genuinely supporting their classmates because 'it's the right thing to do.'

One of my very first lessons at the beginning of every school year is about GETTING TO KNOW & LOVE YOUR BRAIN. We're all different, we learn at different rates and capacities and that's OK!

I do my best to empower my students so they truly know and feel like they are TEACHERS IN THIS CLASSROOM TOO. In doing so, I believe this helps them realize their leadership potential and hone their skills in this area :)

Here are two moments that I captured this week of Molly and Isla demonstrating their leadership by being a mentor, guide, and teacher :)

During our language and math periods, I quietly saw Molly and Isla supporting their peers in our writing activity called "How Will You Make Your Mark? and our math diagnostic assessment.

As soon as I saw Molly's and Isla's supportive manner from afar, I had to zoom in and capture these photos as the moment was so real and genuine!!

Molly guiding & supporting William in his writing :)

Isla guiding & supporting Cara in her math :)

I cannot fully articulate it in words the immense joy I feel when I see my students trusting in and leaning on each other to get help without judgement. AMAZING :-)

Thank you Molly and Isla for being a TEACHERS in your thoughts, words, and actions. I know for certainty, your peers and friends value your giving ways!!

Keep up the leadership!! I'm sure you will continue to inspire others to do the same throughout the school year :-)

ISLA:

Speaking of Isla, thank you for these beautiful hydrangea pink flowers from your garden!  They're stunning and truly made my Monday morning brighter :-)  

Your thoughtful ways from grade 3 and now to grade 4 are truly appreciated kiddo!  I am so happy I get another opportunity to teach, learn, and grow with you this school year!!

The flowers are now displayed in my living room for my family and I to enjoy every day :)

KIERAN:

Thank you Kieran for also brightening my Monday morning with this Mother Earth inspired key chain that says "World's Best Teacher."

I am very grateful for you sharing your thoughts, words, and actions with me.  It also made my day!  I promise to continue being the best I can be on this planet to always support you in your academic, social, and emotional learning :)

Lucky me that I get to also teach, learn, and grow with you again this school year, yay!  Grade 3 was very special and I am optimistic grade 4 will be just as epic buddy ;)

LIBBY & WYATT:

Thank you Libby and Wyatt who came to school on Wednesday and shared their tabs for kids that they collected at home. 

As you can see from Libby's photograph, look at the bucket filled with the tabs we've collected already in week #2 of school, amazing!!  

Boys and girls, your contributions are making a difference, keep it up!!  Our collection of tabs will be overflowing, I just know it  :)

FOUR FINGER AFFIRMATIONS:

As an educator, I strongly believe in supporting my students' mental health & well-being.  

As adults, we know the stresses that come with life and with everything that has happened over the past few years with the pandemic, and our children have been affected by some of these stresses too.  

Although we may be back to our 'new normal,' it is imperative that we continue to support our children when they do feel big emotions like being anxious, sad, worried, and frustrated.

I truly believe in the POWER OF POSITIVITY, it can transform your life for BETTER, for GOOD!  

After all, our thoughts become our words, our words become our actions, and our actions become our destiny (life)."   So why not train our brain to think and act in positive ways? 

Grace wearing a positive mindset t-shirt today, I love it!
It says "Fill the World With Positive Vibes."  Absolutely :-)

Has your child come home and shared about the Four Finger Affirmations?  We tried this activity in class this week and the affirmations shared were awe-inspiring.  

Affirmations are positive words and phrases that, when used daily and repeatedly, can have a powerful and transformational effect in your life. 

As a teacher, I have been using affirmations and I really do believe in the power of using this practice. 

Each morning when we enter the portable, I stand quietly and hold up an affirmation such as "I am WORTHY.  I am LOVED.  I am ACCEPTED.  I am ENOUGH."

As I have been doing this, some students (especially my former ones who had me in grade 3) have started sharing their affirmation to set a positive intention for the day for themselves and their peers!

Please take a moment to watch the video below to gain more insight in developing this exercise into your daily routine.  I promise you, it will fill the start of your day's with JOY!

MINDFULNESS:

The video below takes you through what being in the PRESENT MOMENT means. #Mindfulness is all about LIVING IN THE MOMENT, and using our BRAIN & BREATHING to help us in wonderous ways!

We live in an age of distraction and spend the better part of our lives planning over the future or ruminating over the past.

"One of life's sharpest paradoxes is that our future hinges on our ability to live in this very moment. We're living in a world that contributes in a major way to mental fragmentation, disintegration, distraction, decoherence," says Buddhist scholar B. Alan Wallace.

Life unfolds in the present, this moment is very powerful! This video's quest is to bring the wonderous "moment" to you so that you can cultivate a sense of awareness in you.

This MOMENT just needs to be STILL and you can feel the SILENCE within. All you need to do is "breathe"...

GROWTH MINDSET:

The phrase “think before you speak” refers to the practice of considering your words before you say something or respond to another person's comments. 

When you think before speaking, you take into consideration that our thoughts and words impact others' feelings.

Please remember everyone, "Your THOUGHTS become your WORDS.  Your WORDS become your ACTIONS.  Your ACTIONS become your DESTINY."  Choose wisely :)

From my heart to yours Meegwich,

Ms. Gill