Ms. Lavallee's Blog
Updates for Humanities, Math and Science for 4E
Students learned this week about the wide variety of ways to get rid of waste, ways that are both good and bad for the Earth. We looked at one of the three landfills in Calgary and how Calgarians get rid of their waste including in a landfill, recycling facility and through composting. We talked about hazardous materials, what they are and how to dispose of them. Students learned lots of new vocabulary this week like: leachate, dump and corrosive!
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On Monday we looked at Canadian money and the different bills we have and have had (like a $500 and $1000 bill!) Students then used models and numbers to represent the different dollar amounts. We discussed writing numbers in standard and expanded form as well as using number words. We also looked at how to use a number line to help add and subtract and how it can be used to record dates. All students received a place value practice sheet to help them get ready for their first Math quiz on Thursday, October 4.
We started learning about the regions of Alberta this week. Alberta is split into six distinct regions, they are the: Canadian Shield, Boreal Forest, Parkland, Rocky Mountains, Foothills and the Grasslands. Students learned how to take jot notes and learned a bit of information about each region. Next they chose a region they were most interested in learning more about. I partnered them up and they began their first research project. Students spent the next two days using laptops to find out information about their region and generate questions and topics they could investigate. We will continue the research portion into next week before students start a Google Slide Presentation.
Alberta Natural Regions Websites for Research
All Regions: http://engagingstudents.blackgold.ca/index.php/division-ii/soc-d2/social-4/4-1-alberta-a-sense-of-the-land/regions-of-alberta1/ http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/sszi/en/index.html http://www.abheritage.ca/abnature/mountains/mountain.htm https://www.raysweb.net/specialplaces/pages/places.html Canadian Shield: http://advancededucation.alberta.ca/englishexpress/articles/pdf/ab03_10_l3.pdf https://sites.google.com/a/esl-almadina.com/alberta-our-community/artifact-3 Boreal Forest: https://sites.google.com/a/esl-almadina.com/alberta-our-community/artifact-2 Rocky Mountains: https://sites.google.com/a/esl-almadina.com/alberta-our-community/artifact Foothills: https://sites.google.com/a/esl-almadina.com/alberta-our-community/matrix Grasslands: https://sites.google.com/a/esl-almadina.com/alberta-our-community/letter Parkland: https://sites.google.com/a/esl-almadina.com/alberta-our-community/resume In Science we learned about different types of natural waste. We had a very good discussion! Students also learned four important vocabulary terms that are listed below and were copied into their Science journals with picture examples for each one. Students also worked on recognizing how to categorize different types of waste and things they can do to help the Earth.
We continued to work on place value this week. We are still working with mostly 3 digit numbers and used base ten blocks to represent a variety of different numbers in different ways. We talked about the differences in models and what students thought was the best way to represent large numbers.
Students also learned the game "Number Island." This is a game where they had to use their basic fact knowledge to find numbers that added up to 10. When they had circled all the groups of ten on their game board, they needed to copy down all the 3 digit numbers they circled and create as many different 3 digit numbers as they can. For example if they circled 1, 8, 1 – they could make 118, 181 and 811. Next they could choose five 3 digit numbers to draw in their journal using base ten models. We will be continuing with place value for the next two weeks or so before moving into patterns! Last Friday, students used computers to change their password to log on to technology. They received their id number and their password and both are written in their agenda. It is important for students to memorize this number as they will need it every time they login to a cbe computer.
On Monday, Grade 4's had their second and last class wide book exchange. Students are able to change books at whatever frequency they need. The Learning Commons (LC) is open, before school, at nut break, lunch and after school for students to use, as well as at some points during the day. We will start most Humanities classes with reading and it is important that students are bringing a book to class each day either from home or from the LC. The Social Studies curriculum in Grade 4 focuses on Alberta: its land, history and people. This will be our focus all year. To start off Humanities, students were asked to complete a map of Canada using an iPad. It is important to know where Alberta is in relation to the rest of Canada. When they finished this, they were to complete a mapping activity with a partner, again using an iPad, finding various cities and using directions to locate places around Canada. Students also received their Read Theory login. This is a web based program we will be using all year to help increase reading comprehension. All students have glued their login into their agenda. Their login is their first name and last initial with or without a number. The Read Theory password is the same for all students and can be located in their agenda. Students can log in to this program at home as well by going to www.readtheory.org School is in full swing with many exciting activities happening last week! There were a few hiccups with PowerSchool that we hope to wrinkle out this week. All students have their homeroom teacher, a schedule, agenda, locker and locker buddy. 4E students will be taking Drama with me as their first option until Christmas. After Christmas they will either have Art or Music. Students began French last week and that will be a full year option that happens every other day.
In Humanities, students started learning about various elements of photography and used iPads to take photos using specific photographic elements. Today they learned about self portraits and took time both inside and outside taking pictures of each other. They will be writing about themselves in an "All About Me" piece that will be written around their self portraits and displayed in the classroom as their first HUM assignment. We began Math by creating a visual journal page. Students were asked to use one and two digit numbers to represent something from their life. They needed to include words and a symbol or picture to go with their number. In Science, we talked about what Science is and students brainstormed a huge number of questions they have about the world. We then discussed the topics we would be covering this year in Grade 4 and generated more questions. Today we read the story "Just a Dream" by Chris van Allsburg to kick off the "Waste in our World" unit. I will be updating my blog once a week, usually on Fridays, with the happenings of the week. Happy Reading! |
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June 2019
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