We have had a busy week! The students have been busy learning all about the Power of Mindset. We are learning that it takes a lot of work to learn new things and that sometimes when things get tough, it is actually a good thing! It means we are learning.
We watched a short video clip about what it means to have GRIT. Perseverance + Resilience = GRIT. We came up with a fantastic anchor chart to remind us to never give up. If we really want something we need to keep working at it. We need to keep reaching for our dreams. Very powerful!
Here is the video that we watched which explains all about GRIT.
We also watched a short video clip called "Austin's Butterfly". The students really loved seeing how Austin was able to work at his learning task and improve his work so substantially by using specific feedback from his peers. The students have been providing feedback to their classmates using 'Tickled Pink" and "Green for Growth" so they were really able to connect to this video. Another important message in this video is that it is ok not to have a perfect finished product the first time around. If we work at something and improve a little each time, that means we are learning!
Austin's Butterfly: Critique and Feedback
Today was the final day for our St. Cecilia, 'We Scare Hunger' campaign and it was a HUGE success! Thank you so much to everyone who participated. The final count was over 3000 non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Barrhaven Food Bank. Wow, wow!!!
This week's GRA was the story 'ish'. The students really loved this story about creativity and had a great time creating their own 'ish' drawings. They illustrated some things such as House'ish', Afternoon'ish', and really seemed to enjoy letting go and knowing that no matter what they created, it was art! On Friday afternoon, we connected via Google Hangout with Mrs. Ciampa's Grade 3 class from Assumption School. It was great getting to know her students and sharing our 'ish' connections and 'ish' drawings with each other! We look forward to more Hangouts in the future:).
Our Science Inquiry is well underway. We grouped our soil wonderings into three Big Ideas from the Grade 3 Curriculum. Each of the students chose a Big Idea they were interested in to explore further. Once they chose the inquiry of choice, they found a partner who was also interested in the same wonderings. The students are using QR Codes, Library Books, Classroom Books and Chromebooks to research their questions and record their findings.
In Math, we have been working on math problems that include 2 digit by 2 digit addition and subtraction. We are practicing getting our math thinking on paper so it is clear to the reader. The students also created their own math games (listed materials needed, steps to follow, rules, etc.). I laminated all of the games and we set up our Math Tubs. In each Tub, there are a couple of student created games, math manipulatives and other resources to help students practice their addition and subtraction skills. The Math Tubs have completed our Math Stations and the children have been fully engaged while learning. It has been a lot of fun learning this past week in 3D! Looking forward to another terrific week.
Tues. Oct. 28th - Picture Retake Day
Wed. Oct. 29th - Dance-A-Thon Pledge Forms and Money Due
Thurs. Oct. 30th - Progress Reports Go Home
Fri. Oct. 31st - Halloween Dance-A-Thon! Wear your costume to school.
Here are the Halloween Costume Wearing Guidelines. Can't wait to see all of the original costumes!
Today we listened to the beautiful story 'Miss Rumphius'. The students wrote and illustrated their visualizations using a 5 Senses Graphic Organizer (what they could see, smell, taste, hear and touch).
We also discussed as a class the final question the author asks...What can you do to make the world more beautiful?
Last week we read another beautifully written story by Peter H. Reynolds for our Global Read Aloud Author Study. The story 'I'm Here' has a powerful author's message and the students did a wonderful job sorting through the ideas in the story to come up with why Peter Reynolds wrote this story for children. The students are also starting to notice some similarities and themes between the books we have been reading. This story speaks to the fact that not every child likes sports, not every child likes to run and shout at recess. Peter H. Reynolds' book "I'm Here" is a gentle story that celebrates children who march to the beat of their own drum, encouraging empathy, understanding and inclusion. We also watched a short film produced by the author that was inspired by the story. This week's GRA book will be the story "ish". I am sure that many of the students are familiar with this book as it is a wonderful story that inspires creativity and therefore teachers love it! I really hope that this read aloud will inspire some 'ish' drawings throughout this week:) Click on the video below to view the short film by Peter H. Reynolds:
The children have been working on 2 digit by 2 digit addition strategies. We are using what we know about place value to help with regrouping. Here are some of the strategies we have come up with so far.
There are many fun games that involve addition and subtraction. The students also love creating their own games to play during math centers. Most of the activities involve whiteboards, dice and a deck of cards which are all easily accessible for at home play. Ask your child to show you some of the math games we have been playing in class.
Math games are a great way to have fun and practice math facts all at the same time!
Also, Dreambox and Prodigy math games are additional tools to help support your child's math skills. I have given all of the students their personal login and password information and we have been going on both sites at school during center time. Please let me know if you are having any difficulty getting on either site at home as I would be very happy to help.
Addition Bingo Center!
Addition Battle:
Each player turns two cards to create a 2 digit number. The first person to add both numbers correctly takes all 4 cards. The person who has the most cards at the end wins.
Dice Number Ordering:
Each player takes turns rolling three dice to create a 3 digit number. After the players have created a bunch of numbers, the learning task is to work together to put the numbers in order from either greatest to least or least to greatest (their choice:)).
Next week is Waste Reduction Week. We are asking that the children come to school with waste-free lunches. Each day next week and other decided dates throughout this school year will be designated as waste-free lunch days. I will tally up the amount of waste-free lunches each day and submit the results to our school's Green Squad. Think, reusable containers, reusable containers, reusable containers! Thank you in advance for your support! Go St. Cecilia!
We watched a short video clip about what it means to have GRIT. Perseverance + Resilience = GRIT. We came up with a fantastic anchor chart to remind us to never give up. If we really want something we need to keep working at it. We need to keep reaching for our dreams. Very powerful!
This week's GRA was the story 'ish'. The students really loved this story about creativity and had a great time creating their own 'ish' drawings. They illustrated some things such as House'ish', Afternoon'ish', and really seemed to enjoy letting go and knowing that no matter what they created, it was art! On Friday afternoon, we connected via Google Hangout with Mrs. Ciampa's Grade 3 class from Assumption School. It was great getting to know her students and sharing our 'ish' connections and 'ish' drawings with each other! We look forward to more Hangouts in the future:).
