February Newsletter

Dear Parents,

It is hard to believe that we have been back at school for almost month since the Christmas break.  We are already back into the groove of school and the children will soon be working hard on assessments and check-ins due to the fact that report cards are coming out later this month!  Thank you all for joining us at our Christmas Concert. I hope that you thoroughly enjoyed it.

Math

We have wrapped up our Data Management unit and will begin our Multiplication, Division and Fractions unit next.  The curriculum expectations that we will be looking at are: 

– relate multiplication of one-digit numbers and division by one-digit divisors to real life situations, using a variety of tools and strategies (e.g., place objects in equal groups, use arrays, write repeated addition or subtraction sentences) (Sample problem: Give a real-life example of when you might need to know that 3 groups of 2 is 3 x 2.);

– multiply to 7 x 7 and divide to 49 ÷ 7, using a variety of mental strategies (e.g., doubles, doubles plus another set, skip counting).

– divide whole objects and sets of objects into equal parts, and identify the parts using fractional names (e.g., one half; three thirds; two fourths or two quarters), without using numbers in standard fractional notation

Please work on memorization of the times tables up to seven at home with your child while we work on developing a knowledge for the strategies at school. I recently gave students their PIN numbers for a program called “Xtramath”. This is an excellent way to learn basic facts. It starts with addition, however, and then moves on to the other operations when addition has been perfected.   

Language 

We are working on Persuasive Writing.  The children have been writing persuasive paragraphs. We will be discussing the features of Narrative Writing next (characters, problem,  setting, sequence of events and a solution). 

The children have been reading and answering questions on what they have read to display their understanding of the story.  When your child reads at home,  please ask them to retell the story with as much detail as possible, and assuring that they include the features of Narrative writing listed above.  Ask them questions about the story to see if they are actually understanding what is taking place.  Often children can read lots of words, but this does not always mean that they are comprehending what they are reading.  

A big part of the grade on their report card for "reading" will be based on how they answer comprehension questions in writing.  Please note that if their reading grade is lower than expected, it is not because they cannot read or comprehend at grade level.  In Grade 3, they are learning how to  display their comprehension in writing, using detail from the text and their own thinking, and a portion of the grade depends on how they are doing with regard to this.  I will be sending home their assessment folders soon, so please review some of the reading assessments we have done in class to get an idea of what your child’s mark may look like. 

Science 

We have finished our Strong and Stable Structures Unit and are now exploring Forces.  

Learning Skills

The learning skills that we will focus on for this term's report card are Organizational and Independent Working skills.  Some of the expectations for each listed below.  The children will soon be bringing home a list of expectations for these skills.  They will mark down how they feel they are doing and I have done the same.  When this sheet comes home, please sign it and send it back to school.  Thank you.   I will comment on the other learning skills on the report card as well if I feel it is necessary to do so.

Organization:

-devises and follows a plan and process for completing work and tasks

-establishes priorities and manages to complete tasks and achieve goals

-identifies, gathers, evaluates, and uses information, technology, and

resources to complete tasks   

-comes to school prepared for the day

-can quickly find the tools needed to begin his/her work promptly and due to these work habits is able to produce and complete all required assignments 

Independent Work:

-uses time efficiently when completing an assignment by staying focused on the task at hand

-completes work on his/her own, using available 

resources such as anchor charts, checklists and teacher feedback

-shows an understanding of the concepts studied and applies them in different contexts

-works well without supervision, demonstrating learning skills that help him/her to solve problems independently

-listens well and is not distracted by surroundings

-independently monitors, assesses, and revises plans to complete tasks and meet goals

-uses class time appropriately to complete tasks

-follows instructions with minimal supervision

Valentine’s Day

We will celebrate Valentine’s Day here at school.  Again, I will bring in treats that are nut free. If you would like to send in treats that day, please ensure that they are store bought and have a nut free label.  If you do not want your child to have treats, please let me know in advance.  We will hand out Valentine’s Day cards. If your child would like to participate, please have them make a card for all of the children in the class.  Thanks!

Litterless Lunches

We have begun our Litterless Lunch program at school.  We ask that on Wednesdays, children have a lunch in which they have no wrappers to throw out into the garbage.  Plastic containers that they can bring home is a great idea to help promote this campaign.  We could win a prize as well because there will be students coming by the classrooms to survey!

Important Dates for February 

Wednesday, February 14: Valentine's Day

Thursday, February 13: Report Cards go home

Friday, February 15: PD Day

Monday, February 18: Family Day (no school)

Wednesday, February 20: Gatineau Park

Reminders

With the cold weather that we have been having, I ask that the children wear their snow pants at all recesses and after school to go home.  If you decide that your child does not need to wear them, please send me a note.  Thanks!

Thank you for your support this year so far! Please remember to check our Twitter feed (@MrPouliot) regularly to see a peek into our class. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!