Grade 4/5 News

Oct.16, 2016

Thanks to everyone who was able to attend the student/parent meeting last Friday.  I hope it gave you a good opportunity to see how the classroom operates and a chance to look at some beginning work of your child.  We have a new student joining our class from Red Deer, Alberta.  Her name is Elida Heck and I know everyone in class will give her a warm welcome and make her feel at home at Fulford.  This Wednesday Johanna Hoskins will be coming to our class to start a 7 week project on Graphic novels.  I'm sure all the students will enjoy this creative and interesting project.  I have started to teach students how to use the scroll saw beginning with some simple cutting of scrap wood.  Scroll saws are a safe and creative way to involve students in hands-on wood projects.  If you have any scraps of thin plywood or veneer material we'd appreciate a box of it for projects.

Subjects

Math:   This week we finish up our unit on patterns and begin looking at number theory which includes knowing numbers up to a million, comparing numbers, and knowing how to write numbers 3 different ways.    "Math is the science of patterns."

Reading:   This week I will be starting to introduce students to some short stories where we will focus on reading for information and details.  We'll also continue with Reading A to Z and oral work during the week.  Some students will be getting additional reading support for 40 minutes 3 times a week. 
Students continue to read "just right" books during Silent Reading time which I have daily.   
Students must record home reading in their reading log Monday to Thursday.

Writing:   This week we will focus on adjectives and using them in sentences.  The students will then practice writing sentences with adjectives then write several descriptive paragraphs.  This will likely take 2 weeks.  

Social Studies:  Students continue to work on their Province/Territory project.  

Art:  Quentin Harris ( a first nations artist) is coming to class on Tuesday and he will be focusing on drawing animals with them.  

PE:  We continue with ball handling skills.  In dance we are focussing on folk dance and I'll teach them some fun dances including the chicken dance and Thriller.  

French:  We continue with beginning phrases with the students such as introductions--"Bonjour, Je m'appelle..."  Plus students are learning a few French songs!  

You are welcome to phone me or email me if you have  any questions about what is happening in class.  250-537-4962  or jlightfoot@sd64.bc.ca