Week #7: Oct. 16th - 19th

Dear Families,

Can you believe we're soon entering into our last full week of October?  Like, Halloween's only 11 days away!  Where in the world did this month go!?  Ahhh, time sure flies when you're actively learning, growing, and having FUN all at the same time!  

I hope you child’s made the most of his or her PA day by spending some of their time on their classwork that needs to be completed from this week.  

For example, any unfinished work:

• Word Study Homework (red duo-tang)

• Math Practice (green duo-tang) 

• Daily Math (finishing Friday’s page/Brain Stretch question), 

• Knowledgehook joinkh.com  (finishing the assigned work posted)

• Google Classroom (working through the 2 math questions to help prepare for Tuesday’s Whole Numbers Assessment).  I have shared with the students, they may bring in a study sheet and use it during the test. 

The academic environment in our classroom is building and thriving!  Your support in this is appreciated 👏

CHARACTER RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY:

It was wonderful to see many parents and grandparents in attendance to join our assembly yesterday!  

Nottawa truly is an inclusive, safe, and welcoming place to be.  We always welcome families in our building as one of our own to come in to be part of special occasions such as these character assemblies.  

Our class will be leading the Empathy Assembly in December which you won't want to miss!!  I am optimistic it will be memorable like our Stone Soup Presentation.  

Please note, I will notify parents of the specific date and time in the coming weeks ;)

I would now like to congratulate Mae, Michael, and Grace for consistently demonstrating COOPERATION & SHARING in your thoughts, words, and actions! 

You are all excellent models for 'WORKING TOGETHER TO GET THE JOB DONE!'  Thank you for setting a positive example in and out of the classroom!  Your peers and I can always count on you.  Well done!!

WYE MARSH:

On Tuesday, my Grade 4 students along with Mrs. Week's Grade 4/5's traveled to Midland to participate in a science related field trip about Habitats & Communities.  

Wye Marsh runs a very purposeful program for students!  The knowledgeable staff were kind and welcoming.  

The first part of the day, we learned about herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.  We then set outside to play a big game of SURVIVAL.  The setting was terrific in a wooded area!  

Way to go Grace!  She was notetaking on her own as the instructors did a lesson :)

Ready to play The Ultimate Survival Game

After our game of survival, we listened to an animal demonstration and got to meet a turtle and corn snake.  The kids enjoyed this part too as we're animal lovers :)

After lunch, we got to go back outside and meet some birds and learn about their adaptations!  As you can see from the photographs, the setting to learn outside was terrific :)

For our very first trip so early in the year, my students demonstrated their best behaviour!  We were complimented for our Character which makes me as a teacher so very proud of each learner!  

Jennifer from Wye Marsh came up to me at the end of the day and said, “Miss Gill, the way your students handle and carry themselves in our building is extraordinary.  It has been a true pleasure having them here.  We hope to see you again!”  

Way to go Nighthawks!  #charactermatters

Thank you to our parent volunteers (Molly's Dad, Kieran's Mom, and Anna's Dad) who accompanied us on our trip.  

Having extra eyes on the children to ensure their safety was crucial and we appreciate your time, energy, and efforts to drive all the way to Midland to join us :)

MATH ASSESSMENT:

On Tues. Oct. 24th, students will have a math assessment which will focus on 'Whole Numbers.'

For several weeks, we've worked on this in class and also with our extra math practice homework so I am confident, students will be well prepared.

In class, we have talked about how I am only looking for students to put in their personal best.  I am NEVER looking for perfect.  

An assessment aka test - is an opportunity to celebrate my students STARS - their strengths and ARROWS - areas to improve upon.  This IS and WILL CONTINUE to be the focus :)

I do not want to cause any stress, worry, or anxiety for my students.  I promise to be there for your child every step of the way to ensure they feel safe, supported, and loved in all learning situations :)

GOOGLE CLASSROOM:

I have provided practice questions for students to help them effectively prepare for their Whole Numbers Assessment in Google Classroom (see photos below).  Have them access this over the weekend please.

Please print it off and have your child complete the questions using pictures, numbers, and words.  Students are welcome to bring in their completed sheets for the assessment to help guide them :-)

Please note, the questions on the actual assessment will be similar to the practice questions, but using different numbers ;)

You see, I am trying to help the children LEARN HOW TO CREATE STUDY SHEETS and utilize them for assessments because I am not looking for them to memorize 'facts.'  

All my math assessment questions this school year will be based on your child's ability to apply their Knowledge & Understanding, Thinking, and Application skills of number concepts.

PARENTS' GUIDE TO MATHEMATICS:

Are you curious about the new math curriculum and how you can support your child's growth as a mathematician?

Working as a T.E.A.M. ("Together Everybody Achieves MORE!") will make a difference and support your child's learning by making math a regular part of your day-to-day life at home.  You can help your child(ren) make connections between what they learn in school and everyday experiences at home and in the community.

WE CAN:

• find ways to incorporate math at home
• inspire a love of learning and better understanding of math
• talk to your child about their math schoolwork
• show an interest in what they are learning in class
• help make learning fun by finding real world applications of what they are learning together

For more ways to support your child's math at home, please visit ontario.ca/page/support-your-childs-math-learning

I really appreciate the weekly support in your child's Math Practice Homework!  I can tell the various students who have practiced concepts at home because their confidence has increased and they are willing to guide others with their knowledge and understanding.  

Thank you parents for taking the time out of your busy schedules to invest in your child's academics.  It truly makes and is making a difference!!

4-BLOCK PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD:  

In math, we continue to work through challenging multi- step tasks using the 4-Block Method.  As a whole class, we used the following organizer (see below) to get us prepared to effectively answer word problems.  It's a wonderful tool to set students up for success!  We will be utilizing it all year long :-)

Once every child receives a math problem, I provided students with guided instruction, where we work through the problem step by step to UNDERSTAND --> PLAN --> SOLVE --> EXPLAIN.  

This greatly assists students with organizing their thinking before jumping into the 'solving' part which many want to do, however, it is vital to first understand (what I know, what I need to find out) and make a plan (strategies to use).

Zoom into the photos of the kids hard at work with a buddy to utilize this graphic organizer effectively!

KNOWLEDGEHOOK:

We will be using Knowledgehook in our class this year.  I am very thankful to our SCDSB for providing this AMAZING mathematical program for our students.  

What is Knowledgehook?  

It's an effective math software for students to consolidate and challenge their UNDERSTANDING, THINKING & APPLICATION mathematical processes to the next level :)

Let's get YOU involved :)  Why invite parents?

When teachers invite parents to connect, teachers build a strong classroom community and empower parents to be partners in supporting their child’s learning.

What can teachers and parents expect? 

• Students can share milestones with their parents so they can celebrate their achievements together
• Teachers can also share milestones with parents to notify and engage parents in their child’s learning journey 
• Parents can send digital cheers to acknowledge their child’s successes and provide motivation
• Parents with Knowledgehook Premium Tutoring Accounts can link their account to their child’s classroom to gain insights on relevant tutoring supports

Please connect to our math class:

By staying connected, this program can share your child's achievements and progress with you, so you can stay informed and support your child. 

You will receive:  

• Results from casual assessments that we run in class Educational supports (videos and written examples) on topics covered in class
• Access to your child’s portfolio of math solutions and feedback 
• Tips on working with your child at home on math 

To connect with our class: 

I will send out an invite to parents soon and you will receive an email from Knowledgehook to connect with your child :)

Thank you for supporting your child in their math learning! 

CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNERS:

Congratulations to our very own Finn, Mae, Cara, Margot, Ayden, and Benton for achieving a spot to participate and compete in this year's County Meet for Cross Country Running!!

Each of my student athletes participated with pride and dignity!  

Below, you will find a photograph of not only my current students, but also past students I taught in grade 3 (Cooper, Finley, Emily, Arie, Ainsley, and Benner) in a circle collectively doing BRAIN GYM to help ground themselves before their races.  

Oh my goodness, my heart's bursting with absolute joy as I type this!!  I am extactic to see children utilize this mindfulness strategy in and out of the classroom!  It truly helps calm our mind, body, and soul so that we're ready to take on any activity!  Way to go boys and girls!!

Thank you to Finn's Mom who captured this image :-)

Thank you to all our Nighthawk participants who represented our school family with true character in and out of the classroom!!

Being recognized at the character recognition assembly

Way to go runners who proudly shared their achievements with me!  

GIRLS:

• Cara:  37th out of 150 runners!
• Margot:  80th out of 150 runners!
• Mae:  90th out of 150 runners!

BOYS:

• Finn:  3rd out of 150 runners!
• Benton:  30th out of 150 runners!
• Ayden:  86th out of 150 runners!

Way to go, Finn!  Keep being a proud Nighthawk :)

MINDFULNESS:

In this inspirational speech by former president Barack Obama, he shares the power and strength through our FAILURES.

In class, we regularly emphasis it's OK to F.A.I.L., it's OK to make MISTAKES.  

We shouldn't get discouraged by failing or making mistakes.  In fact, we must welcome it with an open mind and heart because ultimately there will be many times in our lives where we will experience failure.  

I personally have failed many times in my life when I tried to achieve something such as being rejected by 4 teacher's colleges.  I openly share and talk about it with my students.  I am optimistic your child can share this with you :)

The importance relies within taking these experiences and finding strategies to BUILD and GROW our SKILLS, our MINDSET so that we can ... one day SUCCEED.  

And yes, I finally did get into teacher's college, but even that was pending by Trent University ;)  So it didn't come easy, but boy o' boy was it the most thrilling experience of my life at that time.

After watching the video, please discuss Obama's message to us all :) 

 Hope.  Believe.  Trust.  IN YOURSELF!!

MOLLY:

Molly shared a VERY INSPIRING ACRONYM this week that beautifully sums up what we as a class family can utilize each and every day.

We often hear in long distance running from coaches, "Remember to PACE yourself."  We can use this in our daily life if we think of P.A.C.E. as "POSITIVE ATTITUDE CHANGES EVERYTHING."

Isn't this brilliant!?  So now I say to my students and myself, "Remember to P.A.C.E. yourself" and you will know SUCCESS :-)

GROWTH MINDSET:

"Instead of - this is too hard, TRYING THINKING - this may take some time."

From my heart to yours ... MEEGWICH,

Ms. Gill