Making Angles

For numeracy, students have moved into the Geometry strand. We began today by learning about three types of angles. Take a look at the following pictures with your children and see if they can point out right angles, greater than right (obtuse) angles, and smaller than right angles (acute).

Budimir Visit

Our trip to the library yesterday was a huge success. It was a beautiful walk and an even more beautiful day. Each student received a 'temporary' library card. To validate the card, parents simply need to pop into
ANY WINDSOR PUBLIC LIBRARY with proof of address. Each card comes with a convenient key tag. If students wish to keep their key tags at school, I will keep them in a safe place until our next visit.

Cross Country

A huge shout out to our 'record setting' cross country runners! We were the only class that had 15 happy participants. In 11 years I've never has such an enthusiastic group of runners. Congratulations!

Classroom Library

While some were working out on the course others were working in our classroom. Cheers to both for their great efforts! Take a look at our book crew.

 This morning they sorted ALL of our classroom books. We now have a new co-created classroom library. Way to go Grade 4. I couldn't have done it with out you!

Properties of Light

In science today, students were asked to design a poster that shows how the properties of light can be used to keep children and adults safe on Halloween! Stay tuned for some pictures...

Patterning and Algebra review

Students are currently preparing for our Patterning and Algebra assessment (test) on October 30th.
Students have been practicing:
1. Identifying what the pattern is and determining  the pattern rule.
2. Creating their own pattern according to their own pattern rule.
3. Showing a pattern using  a T-chart
4. Solving addition and subtraction equations.

In review, student can complete the following questions in their text.
page 25 # 2, 3, 5, 6.

Students can also review the algebra questions on page 22 (heart equation) and page 23 1 and 3.

Students have been preparing and seem to have a good grasp of both patterns and equations. I am confident that all cross country athletes will be prepared to write. If you have concerns, please let me know through your child's agenda.

WPL Visit

We are set to walk over to the Budimir Library on Wednesday October 30th. Students will receive a permission form on Monday. Any available parents are welcome to accompany us to the library. Please meet outside the school for 12:45 on Wednesday and we'll leave from there. I am anticipating a 20-25 minute walk. The library is a wonderful community resource that offers way more than books!

Follow the link below to see their latest launch 'HOOPLA'.

HOOPLA

Patterning and Algebra

Students can expect a patterning and algebra assessment (test) next week, most likely the 30th. I have decided to postpone the multiplication portion of algebra until our unit on Multiplication and Division. Students continue to work through addition and subtraction equations with some difficulty. Here are a few helpful tips if you find your child experiencing difficulty.

Equations show that 'things are equal'. What is on the left side of the equation is always equal to what is on the right side of the equation. The symbol that separates the 'left side' from the 'right side' is always an "=" sign. I often refer to equations as a fill in the blank number puzzles where they (as the detective) need to figure out which number is needed to 'fill in the blank'.

To help recognize the possibilities in an equation we practice number patterns. The number patterns build the blocks for equations.  Here is an example for the number 12(+) and 7(-)

0 + 9 = 9                   7 - 0 = 7
1 + 8 = 9                   7 - 1 = 6
2 + 7 = 9                   7 - 2 = 5
3 + 6 = 9                   7 - 3 = 4
4 + 5 = 9                   7 - 4 = 3
5 + 4 = 9                   7 - 5 = 2
6 + 3 = 9                   7 - 6 = 1
7 + 2 = 9
8 + 1 = 9
9 + 0 = 9

* students are always encouraged to think beyond using 0's to create equations*

There are several examples of equations in your child's MMS textbook.

Here is a fun challenge for your child. Test it out! Speed and accuracy are excellent tools for solving addition and subtraction equations.

Algebra Practice Addition

Waste Free Wednesday

We are 1/2 way through the lesson and are doing a great job of reducing our lunch and snack waste. Great Job!

Library Visit Change of Date - IMPORTANT

To accommodate our cross-country runners we have moved our first library visit to Wednesday October 30th.

Thank you.

Looking for Flashlights

As we continue to investigate the properties of light we will be conducting a few experiments where flash lights are required. If you have a spare laying around we'd love to borrow it. Please label before sending and ensure that it is in working condition. We'll need them for a few weeks and they will be stored in my classroom closet.

Thank you.

Ronald McDonald House

Some of the grade 5 students are selling bracelets and donating ALL proceeds to the Ronald McDonald House for people in our community who have been in need of this valuable resource. I donated/purchased each student a bracelet in support of their kind efforts. I have asked each student to try and match my 50 cent donation by bringing in 50 cents of their own.

Budimir Library Visit

On Tuesday October 29th our class will be taking our first trip to the Budimir Library.  We will be walking and I am looking for few volunteers to help walk us over. We'll be leaving the school at 12:45 and be returning for approximately 2:30.  If you can make the walk please let me know via agenda.
Thank you.

Waste Free Wednesday!

LET'S GET WASTE-FREE!

This week (October 21-27) has been designated Waste Reduction Week in Canada. On Wednesday, all Canadians are encouraged to pack a WASTE-FREE LUNCH as a way to help reduce our ecological footprint. 

All students are asked to try to pack a lunch on Wednesday only using re-usable containers. Our goal is to throw away as little garbage and food waste as possible. Our regular classroom garbage bag will be replaced with a clear one so we can see how successful we are! 

I'll post a picture on Wednesday for all to see.

Altar Servers Meeting

There will be a meeting at Corpus Christi Parish tomorrow Saturday Oct. 19th at 12:30 for any children interested in becoming altar servers. 

Extra Patterning Practice

Follow the link for some extra patterning practice :) Have fun!

Patterns and rules

Homework Help! - Patterning

Students worked with patterns today. We spent time trying to figure out what the 'pattern rule' was for a variety of different patterns. Although this is not a new concept, many students have forgotten from last year. 

Below are some helpful tips to consider when trying to determine the 'pattern rule'.

Step One: Look at the pattern and ask yourself - Is it Growing, Shrinking, or Repeating?

                 If it is growing : Ask yourself... Is it growing because of addition or multiplication?

                 Hint (if it is growing because of multiplication the terms will grow to higher numbers                          faster).

                 If it is shrinking: Ask yourself...Is it shrinking because of subtraction?

                 If it is repeating: Ask yourself ...What is the core?

Step Two: Once you have determined the type of pattern (growing, shrinking, repeating) you need to figure                     out how much your patterns numbers are growing from term to term.

                  

                  Hint: ( for help, use a 'bridge' between your terms )

Step Three: Once you have determined how your terms are changing you need to write the pattern rule.

                     A pattern rule always begins with the starting term in your pattern.

                    

                     Example:  Rule: Start at 7. Add 4 to each term.

                                       Pattern: 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31

Numeracy - Patterning & Algebra (Patterns in Numbers)

Students can expect to get their math tests back later on in the week as there a still a few students who need to write.  Our next strand is Patterning and Algebra. The student recognize this strand as Patterns in Numbers.

The Expectations for this strand are
...By the end of grade 4 students will:

• describe (the pattern rule), extend and create a variety (growing and shrinking) of numeric patterns.
• make predictions related to the patterns (...the next 5 terms in this pattern will be...)
• demonstrate and understanding of equality of pairs of expressions using addition, subtraction and multiplication.

Student MUST refresh their multiplication facts to be successful with understanding equality of pairs using multiplication

Example: 

5x4 = 10x2

  20 = 20

It is expected that by the end of grade 3 student know their multiplication facts up to 8 x 8. If your child is not currently proficient to this level then nightly practice is recommended. 

Temporary Library Card Application

Your children will have temporary library card application forms in their agenda's this weekend. I am in the process of scheduling library visits throughout the year. In order for your children to be able to check out library books during our visits they will need to complete the temporary application form and return it to school.  I will collect and deliver all of the application forms to the library. When we visit (I am hoping for Tuesday Oct. 29th), their temporary cards will be at the library waiting for them.  I will also be looking for volunteers to assist us with our walk to the library. Stay tuned for more information.

If your child already has their own personal permanent library card then please disregard all of the above information. You do not need to complete the form and can recycle it.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Shadows!

Today we investigated the idea that light always travels in a straight line. Our 'real life' examples were our own shadows!

Can you guess who belongs to these shadows?

Word Problem Anchor Charts

Here are 2 word problems from today. Questions 11,12,13 should resemble this format.

Show What You Know Review Answers

We were side-tracked today with pictures and didn't get as far as I would have liked to with our math review. To save time, I've posted the answers to the assigned questions for tonight. In class, we'll discuss our solutions but will do it briefly as many are application based.

1. One thousand forty-nine

3. 6526 - Thousand: 7000, Hundred: 6500, Tens: 6430

5. Answers will vary depending on strategy (front end estimation or rounding)
a) 700 + 200 = 900
b) 300 - 200 = 100
c) 200 + 400 = 600
d) 600 - 200 = 400
e) 300 + 600 = 900
 f) 900 - 500 = 400

7. 2000 is an estimate.
 I know because if I add exactly the answer will be different.
There will not be 0's in the ones or tens column.
 That is how I know 2000 is an estimated number.

8.
a) 1333
b) 800
c) 502
d) 8554

Cookie Dough Sales

Thank you for supporting our Fall Fundraiser. I have successfully helped 3 students sell some cookie dough at school. If your child is having trouble selling cookie dough, but would still like a chance at our class incentives please let me know via agenda and I will do my best to help them.  We all benefit from fundraising and I am more than happy to help out!

Math Test Thursday Oct 10th

Each Math Test is broken down into 3 sections:
Part A: Evidence of Application
Part B: Evidence of Understanding Concepts
Part C: Evidence of Problem Solving
*students are assessed for Communication in every section*

To help understand the types of questions for each section please refer to the Show What You Know pages in your child's workbook for Unit 2.

Q # 3-6, 8, 9, 11 &12 provide evidence of Application (Part A)
Q # 1,2,7 and 10 provide evidence of understanding concepts (Part B)
Q # 13 provides evidence of Problem Solving (Part C)

When we practice solving a word problem in class this is what we do.

1) Look for 'operation' word clues (sum, difference, how many more, how much further...)
2) Think about the problem they are asking you to solve. What is the question?
3) Look for the numbers in the problem (list them) and think about what operation should be tried.
4) Provide evidence of math (show and complete your calculations to the best of your ability)
5) Think about how you can prove that your answer is correct (using words, estimating, check by +).
6) Think about a closing sentence that answers the question directly.

More time should be spent preparing for Part B and Part C as they present the biggest challenges. Students can prepare by re-visiting and reviewing how they solved the challenging word problems from different lesson from the unit.

Checking with addition

For the past few days we have been working on solving subtraction questions. There are a few 'tips' that we have been repeating while we practice. If your child is experiencing difficulty with borrowing they may need extra assistance at home. Some options might be to begin with 2 digit numbers and work your way up from there. If they are truly struggling, please let me know via agenda.

#1) The largest number in the question is ALWAYS the number you subtract from.
(-"it goes first", or "it goes on top")

#2) look for words or phrases like 'difference', 'subtract', 'how many more', 'what is the difference between' ...they are all word clues that tell you to subtract.

Also students learned today that they could check the accuracy of their subtraction by using addition as a 'helper'. For example: 10 -3 = 7, to check with addition we add 7 + 3 = 10 if all the numbers are the same then they have subtracted properly.

Here's a second example using 3-digits.

      654 - 132 = 522, to check with addition, 522 + 132 = 654. Again all of the numbers are the same! 

*this strategy is also helpful in demonstrating the relationship between adding and subtracting*

Friends For Life

The Grade 4 students are beginning a 10 week Friends For Life program. Each week (on Thursday afternoon) our class will be visited by a WECDSB Child and Youth Worker who will lead us through a variety of strategies aimed at reducing anxiety. Below is a simple description of the program.

The Friends For Life program is an evidence-based, school-based, anxiety prevention and resiliency program. The goal of the FFL program is to reach as many students as possible and provide them with life skills that will strengthen resiliency and reduce the risk of developing an anxiety problem.

If you have any questions please let me know through your child's agenda.

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School News and Events: How Can Parents Help with Math at Home?

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School News and Events: How Can Parents Help with Math at Home?: Proportional reasoning is an important mathematical way of thinking needed for much of the math that's used in school and in everyday li...

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School News and Events: Back to School Tips

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School News and Events: Back to School Tips: September 2013 - “Core” Tips for Back to School Involve your children in planning meals for the school day.  They are more likely to...