Thursday, January 30, 2014

Counting money and Making Change

By the end of grade 4 students are expected to...
- read, represent, compare and order money amounts to $100.
- add and subtract money amounts up to $100, using a variety of tools like currency manipulatives and drawings

Using money effectively is life skill that everyone needs. Over the new few weeks we will be practicing skills and discussing strategies to effectively count and represent money accurately. Today we worked on an anchor chart to share common strategies and tips related to how we count money.  Many students shared the following strategies :

1. We organize our bills and coins into their own categories.
2. We count from biggest (bills and coins) to smallest.
3. We put our quarters into groups of four.
4. We double-check our amount to make sure we are right.

Most student are competent when it comes to counting and representing money however, most still need practice making change.  Below are a few helpful links that deal with Canadian currency.

Mr. N gives you several options to control the difficulty levels.
Mr. Nussbaum - Making Change

Please make sure to choose Canadian currency!
Making Change (small or large amounts)


Friday, January 10, 2014

Elapsed Time

For Numeracy we have moved onto Measurement. Currently we are working on elapsed time. In order to be successful with elapsed time students need to be comfortable using and understanding analog clocks. If your child still struggles with time telling (to the minute) then nightly review is recommended.  Just ten minutes per night adds up to over an extra hour of practice weekly! Students know that we have clocks to lend out for practice. If you would like a practice clock then please let me know via agenda.

Below are some sites that can be helpful when practicing time and elapsed time.

Stop the Clock - Match Up!
clock face practice (elapsed time)
Elapsed Time Quiz

Overt and Implied Messaging

For media literacy we have been looking a food packaging. We have learned that food packaging has both overt and implied messaging to help catch the eye of potential consumers.  Students have been asked to bring in 3 examples of food packaging that displays both overt and implied messaging. 'Overt' messages give you specific information while 'implied' messaging gives you a feeling. 
 

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Windsor Public Library - New Feature!

Many students have obtained a Windsor Public Library card. If you follow the link posted below you'll be happy to see that students can access a large variety of age-appropriate e-books through the WPL's Overdrive database. The site allows student to 'browse' popular and current titles and then 'borrow' them electronically from the library. The Overdrive database is compatible with several electronic devices.  If you have any questions about this please call the Windsor Public library or send me a note in your child's agenda and I will do my best to help.
Happy reading!

WPL Update

The link below will take you right to the Overdrive site for Kids.
Overdrive for Kids