Jan. 20th - 24th

In grade three this week….

Students had an amazing trip to Telus Spark. They were junior architects and focused on planning, designing, testing, and building. They also had a wonderful time exploring the exhibits. It was a full, fun day. Back at school, students reflected on their experience by drawing and writing about it. They included their favourite part, something they learned, something they still wonder about, and the first thing they shared with you about their trip. Thank you again to our amazing volunteers who came with us and made this trip such a success! 

Students have spent a lot of time working hard on using comprehension strategies while reading. This week, we focused on accuracy strategies as another way to help them with their reading. Students identified one accuracy strategy they are familiar with: sounding words out. Then we looked at another strategy that students can use when they get stuck: breaking words into chunks. As students read, when they came to words they were unsure of, they focused on looking at small chunks of the word that they did recognize. Then they put these chunks together to try to determine the bigger word.  

In writing, we have shifted our focus from fictional story writing to non-fiction writing. Specifically, our current focus is on letter writing. Students are writing a letter to our school administration letting them know what we appreciate about our school. Students brainstormed different graphic organizers that they have used to help them organize their great ideas, such as T-charts, lists, webs, story planners, and Venn diagrams. Then we looked at sample letters and students identified important elements they noticed in each one. They shared things they noticed, such as greetings and closings, mention something about the person, ask questions, and share something about yourself. Based on what information students pulled from the sample letters, we used a graphic organizer that contains five sections. Then we talked about what is important information to add into each section. After going over this, students worked to put their ideas in point form in the graphic organizer, which will then be used to help them with their letter writing.

The grade threes worked hard on subtracting with regrouping. We started by using manipulatives and only regrouping from the ones and tens. Then we also worked on using visuals and regrouping from the tens and hundreds. Students used both the manipulatives and visuals strategies as a way to deepen their understanding of the subtraction process. They worked in a variety of groups and also independently.

Our design task is focusing on improving our school community. To start, in connection to our letter writing, students are acknowledging things that make our school community special. Today, students used photography as a different way to document things that best show some of the important parts of our school community. Then students had to explain to one another why they included certain parts, such as the flag, playground, school name, and trees, in their photos. They will then use these pictures as part of an art project. Acknowledging what we appreciate about our school community will lead us into designing something that will make our school even better! Designing will focus on our citizenship and our building and testing skills.  

Students practiced basketball this week. They worked on dribbling and different passes, such as a chest and bounce pass. It was also a great week to get back outside and enjoy the warmer weather! 

Upcoming Dates

Jan 27-30 > Kosior at Stampede School
Jan 27-30 > Pols at Seed School
Jan 30 > Fun Lunch/ Spirit Day
Jan 31 > No School 
Feb 3 > Pols Seed School
Feb 6 > KIC Assembly 
Feb 11 > School Council
Feb 13 &14 > No School Teachers Convention
Feb 17 > Family Day
Feb 24-Mar 13 > Art Residency
Feb 25&26 > Gr 5/6 at Youth Link
Feb 27 > Pink Shirt Day 
Feb 27 > Fun Lunch & Spirit Day

Feb 28 > Vaccinations