Looking back on learning.....

Phonics:

This week in phonics, we focused on learning the alternative spellings for the long /u/ sound. Students explored how the same sound can be represented by different letter patterns, including spellings such as ue, ew, u_e, and u. Through reading, spelling, word chaining, and dictation activities, students practiced identifying these patterns in words and applying them when decoding and encoding unfamiliar words.

Math:

This week in math, we explored 3D shapes through hands-on learning activities. Students went on a 3D shape hunt around our classroom, searching for real-world examples of cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones, and rectangular prisms. This helped them connect geometric concepts to objects they see and use every day.

To deepen their understanding, students worked collaboratively to build 3D shapes using marshmallows and toothpicks. As they constructed their models, they learned that the toothpicks represented the edges of the shape, while the marshmallows represented the vertices (corners). Students practiced identifying and counting the faces, edges, and vertices of various 3D shapes, strengthening their spatial reasoning and geometric vocabulary.

Science:

This week in science, students began an exciting project exploring landforms and bodies of water. A landform is a natural feature of the Earth's surface, such as a mountain, hill, valley, plateau, or prairie. A body of water is a collection of water found on Earth's surface, such as a lake, ocean, pond, wetland, or river.

Students researched a variety of landforms and bodies of water and learned how to identify their unique characteristics. They compared and contrasted different features, paying close attention to how they are formed and what makes each one distinct. Through their investigations, students developed a deeper understanding of the diverse landscapes and waterways found around the world.

Next week, students will apply their learning by designing and creating their own islands using plasticine. Their islands will include at least three different landforms and three different bodies of water, allowing them to demonstrate their understanding in a creative and hands-on way.

Writing:

This week in writing, we took a close look at the beloved Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. Students explored the text features of these books. Text features are the parts of a text that help readers understand the story and how it is organized. As young authors, students noticed the use of speech bubbles, simple sentences, expressive punctuation, and illustrations that clearly show the characters' emotions.

Through our discussions, students identified Gerald as the serious, thoughtful character and Piggie as the playful, silly character. They discovered how the contrast between the two characters helps make the stories engaging and humorous. Students paid close attention to how the author uses punctuation and dialogue to bring the characters to life.

Using what they learned, students began creating their own Elephant and Piggie-inspired books. Their stories are full of creativity, humour, and wonderful character interactions. The students are incredibly proud of their work and cannot wait to share their finished books with their families next week!

June 2 - 5th

 Looking back on learning......

Phonics:

This week in phonics, students learned about alternative spellings for the long a sound, including eight (eigh), ei, ey, and aigh. We practiced reading, spelling, and identifying words with these patterns through engaging word work activities and decodable texts. As students become familiar with these spelling patterns, they are building stronger decoding and spelling skills.

We also continued our learning about homophones. Homophones are words that sound the same when spoken but have different meanings and spellings (for example: waist and waste). Students practiced choosing the correct homophone to complete sentences, helping them understand how word meaning and context determine the correct spelling.

Math:

This week, students continued their exploration of 3D shapes. We learned and practiced important geometry vocabulary, including face, edge, vertex (vertices), side, and attribute. Students used these terms to describe and compare a variety of 3D shapes.

We sorted shapes based on their attributes and learned the difference between a prism and a pyramid. Students also investigated the 2D shape faces that make up different 3D objects, helping them understand how shapes are connected.

In addition, we explored transformations. Students manipulated shapes to demonstrate how they can slide, flip, and turn while maintaining their size and shape. Through hands-on activities, students developed a stronger understanding of how shapes can move and change position in space.

Science:

This week, students continued their learning about plants and how they grow. We investigated the life cycles of both a sunflower and a birch tree, learning about the different stages plants go through from seed to mature plant.

Students explored the four basic things plants need to survive and grow: sunlight, water, air, and nutrients from soil. We also learned about the different parts of a plant and the important jobs they perform. Students discovered how roots absorb water and nutrients, stems support the plant and transport materials, leaves make food using sunlight, and flowers help plants reproduce.

We took a closer look at birch trees, learning how to identify them by their distinctive white bark and unique markings. Students were fascinated to learn about the many ways Indigenous Peoples have traditionally used birch trees. We explored how birch sap could be added to tea for medicinal purposes, how birch bark was used to make baskets and canoes, and how the bark could be used as a fire starter. We also learned that birch trees provided materials used in the construction of shelters, such as wigwams.

We also explored the many plant parts that people eat. Students examined examples of roots, stems, leaves, and flowers that are commonly found in our diets and learned that different vegetables come from different parts of a plant.

To bring our learning to life, we went outside and planted our own bean plants! Students are excited to observe their plants over the coming weeks and identify each stage of growth as they watch them develop from seed to plant.

May 11-14

 Looking back on learning....

Phonics:

This week in Phonics, students learned that the alternate sounds for or and ar can sometimes be er. We focused on identifying and reading these sounds when they appear in the middle or at the end of two-syllable words. Examples are: doctor, motor, sailor, liar, polar. Throughout the week, students practiced this concept through reading activities, comprehension check-ins, fill-in-the-blank exercises, and word mapping tasks to help strengthen their understanding and decoding skills. Students wrapped up the week by completing their weekly dictation to demonstrate their learning.

Math: 

This week in Math, students began a new geometry unit focused on exploring and identifying 2D and 3D shapes. We started by taking a closer look at 2D shapes and defined them as shapes that are flat. Students reviewed important shape vocabulary, including sides and vertices, and practiced identifying these features on a variety of shapes. We also revisited some of the more challenging shapes, including the trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, and octagon.

In addition, students completed an addition and subtraction with regrouping project. Students designed their own menus and answered a variety of math questions that required regrouping to demonstrate their understanding of the concept. 

Science:

This week in Science, students completed their animal research projects and began building their animal dioramas. These dioramas will showcase what their animal looks like, as well as its habitat and diet. Thank you to all the families who sent in shoeboxes and materials to help students create their desired outcomes. The students have been very excited and creative throughout this project! Next week, we will finish our animal writing pieces and begin presenting our completed projects to the class.

May 4th - 8th

 Looking back on leanring.....

Phonics:

This week in phonics, we focused on the suffix -ly and learned how it changes the meaning of a word by describing how something is done. We also learned an important spelling rule: when a word ends in y, we often change the y to an i before adding -ly (for example, happy → happily). Students practiced reading and spelling these words through our weekly decodable text, fill-in-the-blank activities, and word mapping exercises.

Writing:

This week in writing, students used their story plans to create their very own story books. They worked hard to include all of the important story elements, such as a beginning, middle, and end, as well as characters, a setting, a problem, and a solution. Students carefully turned their ideas into complete stories and then created detailed illustrations to match their writing. They also designed a front cover page for their books.

Math:

This week in math, we continued our learning about measurement. Students learned about referents, which are familiar objects or benchmarks that help us estimate and understand measurements (for example, knowing that a paperclip is about 3 centimetres long). They used different referents to help measure classroom objects in centimetres and strengthen their estimation skills.

We also finished the week by practicing subtraction with regrouping. Students worked hard to apply their strategies carefully and accurately. Next week, students will complete a fun menu project where they will be assessed on their addition and subtraction skills with regrouping. 

Happy Mother's Day!