October 3rd

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Weekly Update

It was a short week, so not much to report!

Spelling: No spelling test this week due to the shortened schedule.

Home Reading: Books have been sent home, along with a few extras. Please keep them in a safe spot so that all can be returned after the strike.

Math: We wrapped up our unit on patterns and began working on counting and representing quantities up to 1000. Students practiced reading numbers in the hundreds (e.g., 587), then writing them in both standard form (587) and written form (five hundred eighty-seven). When counting collections, we focused on grouping by tens to make counting more accurate and efficient.

Language Arts: This week we practiced the digraphs PH and WH.

Community: On Wednesday we talked about the month ahead. Students numbered and wrote important events on their October calendars. On Thursday, we welcomed a new student, Hussain, from Pakistan. The students have been helping Hussain find his way and are excited to get to know him. Welcome, Hussain!

Health & SEL: We read books about emotions and connected them to the Zones of Regulation. We also learned about three important parts of the brain:

  • Amygdala: our “guard dog,” there to protect us.

  • Hippocampus: the problem-solver and creative thinker (but only works well when the “house is peaceful”).

  • Prefrontal Cortex: our “good decision maker.”

Sometimes our amygdala goes on high alert, and we end up “freaking out” over small things, or we get a scare and then can't relax afterwards. We practiced calming strategies, like saying: “It’s OK, guard dog. Thanks for protecting me, but I’ve got this.” Students also shared strategies from their toolboxes for moving back into the green zone when needed.

Science: We did an experiment that challenged us to write "I predict, I observe, I think" statement sentences. It was exciting to come in on Friday morning and see that the colours had climbed and mixed!

Buddies: On Friday, we enjoyed sharing time with our Grade 3 buddies from Mrs. Kruger's class.

Final Note:
As we enter uncertain times, I wish I had a crystal ball to see when the strike will be resolved, but I have the same information that you do. I want to thank you all for your support, it means so much.



Warm regards,

Sarah Thomson

Upcoming Dates

October 1 - 14              Alien In-Line Residency - Grades 3 & 4

October 8                    Picture Day (New Date to Be Determined)

October 13                   Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL

October 20                   Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL

November 10-12          Fall Break - NO SCHOOL

November 13               Heritage Park Field Trip - Bossenberry's Class

November 20               Heritage Park Field Trip - Coleman & Olson's Classes

November 25               Confluence Historic Site Field Trip - Penford, Janisse & Massy's Classes

November 26               Confluence Historic Site Field Trip - Thomson & Pynn's Classes

November 26               Fun Lunch - Subway

November 27               Heritage Park Field Trip - Kruger & Wickenheiser's Classes

November 27               NO SCHOOL for KINDERGARTEN

November 27 & 28       Parent/Teacher Conferences


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