Not so Long Division

There are four methods of division that we teach the students. In the new math the idea is to have them understand what they are doing with division, not just teach them one set way of approaching a task. When a student understands what division is they can then choose any of the four methods that would work for a specific division task. Having 4 ways to approach the question is like picking the best tool to solve a problem, instead of using one tool for every task. The problem directs the method rather then a student simply following a set form without understanding.

A) traditional way of doing long division
The downfalls of the Long division method are:
-it take up too much space on a page
-the students when they bring down a number loose sight of the original number leading to errors
-if the student is not neat and does not keep the numbers lined up well it will lead to errors
-with all those steps using a calculator seems like a way better option but what to do with all those extra numbers.

B) The way taught in France is simple but the students have to be able to subtract and multiply well in their heads. It works well for students great at math who do not want to go through all the steps of writing out the question in long division.

C) Like long division but with less chance of making mistakes due to not keeping the numbers lined up. It resembles long division but is less spread out.

One of the main problems in teaching division is that once students learn one way they do not want to learn another.

Friday Update April 29

Students in home made crowns and sashes to honor the royal wedding, and the Bell troupe from Japan

Ok so no one bought the idea that the students should stay up all night watching the Royal Wedding of the Century. However, a few students did wear home made crowns to set the mood and honor the day. I noticed a couple of teachers came in pretty tired but they did seem to be in a Royal mood.

We started the day with our weekly test. The tests were marked but not handed back today. Look for the tests on Monday. Here are two blocks of questions which the students could choose to answer on today's test.

A)

The wedding of Prince (Arthur, William, Harry, Charles ) Duke of Cambridge
and (Catherine, Diana, Elizabeth, Kerry) Middleton
took place at ( Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, The Church of England)
Prince William, is (First. Second, Third, Not ) in the line of succession to be King of England.
The current Queen of England is (Elizabeth I, Victoria, Elizabeth II, Diana II)

B)

In the second round of the (Vintage Cup, Stanley Cup, Winston Cup) playoffs the Canucks now play the (Nashville, Bosoton, Edmonton, Washington) Predators
The first round for the Canucks went to (four, five, six, seven) games.
The Winning overtime goal of that first series was scored by ( Burrows, Malhotra, D Sedin, H Sedin).
Which player is not a goalie for the Canucks? (Sami Salo, Roberto Luongo, Cory Schneider)

After recess we reviewed our upcoming mothers day project assignments and expectations and worked on them. We also worked on a combined form of long division and the French method we had practiced. This method is closer to long division and does not depend upon as much mental math as the French form. The next blog entry will explain it.

After Lunch we read for 30 min then went to an amazing bell ringing presentation by a High school from Japan. We laughed when we first were told about the presentation. But it was amazing. They played everything from Jazz, to big Band, to the Beatles in 5 octaves, It was really astonishing what the students could do with a variety of bells.

Have a great weekend everyone

Thursday Update April 28

The class and for that fact the whole school do a wonderful job of recycling all forms of materials.
Click on the picture to enlarge

Notices:

The May Calendar

A student approached me with an interesting question to start the day. J said, "Mr. W I'm British, would it be ok if my parents kept me home to watch and celebrate the royal wedding." After a brief pause I said of course. There are moments in history where we ask ourselves where we were. I was too young to remember the Kennedy assignation, although I remember teachers in school crying about something, I remember what I was doing when the first person landing on the moon, I remember princess Diana's wedding and death, Terry Fox and Rick Hansen and 911.... moments I will never forget.

First thing today we did our daily writing assignment on being a teacher then followed the writing up with a math lesson on division. We use a French version to make long division shorter. After recess, for group work, we talked about Canadian government and the Queen then the students went to work to design a poster for the royal wedding. We watched royal video's on youtube to get our information.

After lunch we read for 35 min then went back to our royal video's and preparations for the royal wedding tomorrow.

Friday's test

The students will have to give 5 good facts about the royal wedding, the NHL Hockey playoffs or an early explorer. They will be tested on unit 29 in spelling and a series of division questions like 27/5 or 2465 / 2 or 5265 /2
Spelling words: Unit 29: disappear disappoint disagree dishonest unable uncertain unbeaten uncomfortable unkind unknown rewrite review rebuild recall misbehave misuse misunderstand misspell (Bonus: catastrophe motorcycle)

Wednesday Update April 27

Today six students from the class were recognized at our assembly.

They were honored for striving for excellence in work habits, science, socials, writing, spelling, music and art

Notices:

Lunch program forms back signed please (for those on or who want to be on the lunch program)

Keep chocolate items and love of reading items coming in for our spring fair basket

We started the day with a writing assignment in M.E. The writing topic was on music. After the writing assignment we then did some simple long division using a multiplication chart. The students used the chart to find the closest multiple then subtracted to find the remainder. After about 5 samples most of the students had some idea what the process was. Look for their Friday test to see if they need further help at home.

After recess the students went to music with Mrs. Awalt then we did a Socials assignment looking at the type of ships used by the early explorers to North America. The students had to draw free-hand and label a cross section of a typical sailing ship of the time.

After Lunch we read for 35 min then did some simple Science explorations where the students did a few optic tricks. After Science we went to the recognition assembly which, along with the awards ceremony, we were treated to the final cut of the Read for the Top Video that will be used for promotion by the school district and put up on You Tube. After the assembly we only had 10 min before the end of the day so we only had time for a quick clean up.

Tuesday update April 26

I was away today but here is the info I gave to the sub: Ms. Smith

Tuesday April 26 Students line up outside and wait to be brought in. Attendance (j and p go to right away on their own) (three girls collect and take up the library books; c, b, a t) Library I normally sign the books in but those students can also do that.

When they leave I do the attendance and tell the rest the computer drill. After attendance, take the rest to the Library. After they have signed out a book they sit and read until most of the students have their book signed out, or when I think they are ready to go to computers.

Computers (power-point) This is the third class on it and students are experimenting with power-point and are getting pretty good at it. Assign them their choice of doing a PowerPoint on one of the explorers... cook, Vancouver, Thompson, and have them create a presentation. (they do not need to go to you-tube to find information although they may try) Wrap up around 9:47 to give them time to get back to class and get their snack and wait for announcements.

Recess: at about 950 pack up the students and take them back to class to get their snack and wait for announcements dismiss

After recess Spelling Pre-Test Unit 29 Three students dictate the words ( F, B, H ) students correct their own work.

M.E. What would be the perfect holiday .... hot beaches? Skiing? Jungle safari? Wilderness Exploring? 5 star resort? looking for lost civilizations.... would you choose to go with family or Alone? Students should list the things that they would do, things would want to see, what would do to have fun, to relax, would they get her hair, finger nails, toes done, what they would eat, what shows or events would they go to... how would they get around. 60 word min...

Lunch: Many students are lunch monitors so let them go fairly quickly when the bell goes or just before.

Science: Theme Light: The eye has everything to do with light. In their science dou-tangs (green) the students are to do two one page reports... the first page they draw and label the human eye. Second Page they write out the information on the parts of the eye. (in this case they can copy it out word for word or put it into their own words).

125 ) P.E.: You can pick a game you know or just Have them set up to play bench ball.... two benches... you can select two captains and have them pick teams or they also like to play boys vs girls.... ... Language Arts: Handwriting practice: m's poem. Have them in their best handwriting title, fill in and Hand-write this poem in their M.E. duo-tang

Thursday Afternoon starts with Buddies and Bunnies

Thursday afternoon we did Easter math, Easter coloring and enjoyed 30 min with our little buddies in Mrs. Dagg's class. You might say things were hoping, not as much as when we put on the Justin Bieber tune but hoping just the same. Remember you can click on the picture to enlarge it.

Justin Bieber fans

In the afternoon we did Easter/Spring flower crafts and ate many cupcakes made by our students and their families. When we put on a snappy Justin Bieber tune all of his fans started to sing and dance. Nice to see such support for a popular Canadian Singer and performer.

Wednesday Update April 20

Grade 4's are run off to determine who will be on the Track and Field team.

Notices:
Lunch Program forms for May
Wed Express for those who do not have it e-mailed
Keep bringing in your items for our spring fair basket. Our theme "the love of reading and chocolate"

As it is a short week and I was away yesterday the Friday Test will be given on Thursday (tomorrow) and will only include spelling and math (times tables and equivalent fractions).

We started the day with M.E. writing a one page report for our May project. This was followed by math where we are exploring equivalent fractions. The concept is if you multiply or divide both the top and bottom number of a fraction the resulting fraction is equivalent. Some students managed to find the right answer but did not totally understand the concept.

After recess the students had music with Mrs. Awalt followed by an art project making a face by cutting out colored paper. I thought this would be quick, however, it took the entire time from recess until noon, and some were still not finished.

The afternoon began with finishing off the art project and or reading. Once finished the art the students were given time to work on the assignments that are due tomorrow. The main one I am looking for tomorrow is the design your own animal project. If finished the students will be rewarded with time for some Easter Activities in the afternoon. Those not finished will be rewarded with an extended work period. ha ha rewards all around.

Tuesday Update April 19th

Weather station in the library

I am away today but here is the info I left the Sub

8:45 attendance

Between start and recess

library (there is a group of students who handle this (B, A T, C) They gather the books and take them up to the library. I normally sign the books in but those students can also do that. When they leave I do the attendance and tell the rest the computer drill. After attendance, take the rest to the Library. After they have signed out a book they sit and read until most of the students have their book signed out, or when I think they are ready to go to computers.

Computers (power-point) This is the third class on it and students are experimenting with power-point and are getting pretty good at it. Assign them their choice of any animal and have them create a presentation. Wrap up around 9:47 to give them time to get back to class and get their snack and wait for announcements.

recess

Special tile art project in the music room (not sure how long will take). They are glazing. You have to basically just help out artist. Take pictures of the students in action. If camera is not on my desk J. had the camera when i left the class yesterday and was taking some pictures for me.

With the extra time after music
M.E. ten things (minimum) They should think of all 5 senses, smells, noises etc; they may mention things about their rooms, chores, while driving, while in public, weekends, workdays, holidays, when ____ this happens. Count down from 10 to #1 .. ending with something like ‘And most of all .....’

Lunch: Many lunch monitor so let those monitors get ready and go as soon as the bell goes or slightly before.

After Lunch: Reading 30 - 40 min
1:25 P.E. They can vote on the game or run any game or p.e. activity you know and like. If in doubt put Q in charge of running the game.

After P.E. students can work in their small groups to finish their design an animal project; work by themselves on their mini-book ‘memory box’; design a title page for their m.e. day book and make sure three pages assigned so far for m.e. are completed and beautiful.
Leave time for clean up and dismiss by row. ...

---most of all have fun the class is delightful.

Monday April 18

Students working on the front page their Design your own animal projects

Notices:

Spring fair basket items due in next few weeks to allow time for processing. Our class theme is "love of reading and chocolate"
Each child that brings in an item for our basket gets 4 free tickets.

We started the day with our weekly spelling pre-test of the words in Unit 28.

(hopeless careless homeless tireless hopeful fearful cheerful careful graceful happily friendly angrily swiftly suddenly darkness goodness sadness kindness (Bonus Passover Kleenex)

(The words are also listed along the right side)

This was followed by the second page of our mothers day project.

After recess we started a one page report on Passover which begins today. Followed by a run of all the grade 4's in the school to determine our Track and Field team.

After lunch, those students not in choir did a one page report on Justin Bieber and listened to his music. This was followed by a reading and work period on the several mini projects coming due this Friday. The day ended with Music with Mrs. Awalt.

friday Information April 15

These three spelling demons have officially taken over giving the Friday and Monday Spelling Tests. They have rarely scored anything less than perfect on any of our spelling tests.

Notices:

The school raised over $950.00 with div 1's coin drive thank you all for your generosity.

Friday, instead of beginning the day with our usual Friday test, we began with the beginning of our large project for a special day that falls on the second Sunday of the month of May. Each day from now until the big day in May we will do a page on the project. (The switch of the test to after recess was because the students wanted a little more time to do their tests.) I will consider if the change should be made permanent.

After recess the students did their weekly test which had a full second page of math which had multiplication, addition, subtraction, fractions and a x-table chart. After we corrected the test the students had some time to work on catching up on incomplete work.

After Lunch all but 5 of the students go off to buddies to read and do work with our grade 1 buddies. The ones who remain behind work on a series of math sheets.

After buddies all those students who were finished all assignments due this week had time to work on their power point presentations in the computer lab while the rest worked at finishing off all the weeks work. The ones who were not finished often whine that they are being punished, however, I say 'no your getting an extra work period, the students who have finished everything are getting a reward. I prefer to reward than to punish." We then came back to class and and spent the last half hour working on our big projects, our design an animal project or reading. During that time the class bank was opened to pay the students their salaries for their weeks help around the class and the school.

have a great weekend everyone... Mr. W,
P.S. those students who suggested Monday's Music study person for the non-choir students (all the boys) please bring in the cd's.

Friday Test April 15

The students really got involved in the Design Your own Animal Projects

Socials:
Captain George Vancouver was captain of the British expedition that arrived in the Pacific Northwest in 1792. Vancouver entered the Royal Navy at the age of 13 as a seaman, and worked his way up to Captain by the time he retired. Most people know of George Vancouver because of the city and island named after him. But Vancouver is more famous for the maps he produced of the Pacific Northwest.

Math:
-Which number is the is the denominator? 1/2
-Which number is the numerator? 3/4
-If two fractions have the same denominator, how can you tell which one is the greater? If the bottom number, the denominator number that is greater on top
-If two shapes are congruent what does it mean about the shapes. (same size and shape)

Science:
What does transparent mean? Both Light and images can be seen through it
What does translucent mean? Light but not images can be seen through it
What does opaque mean? No light or images can be seen through it

Thursday Update April 14

The Dragon Masks along with all the stuff on the bulletin board were sent home today

Notices:

****FAMILY DANCE TONIGHT 5;30 -7:00****

Spring Fair Notice

Our class basket theme is "The Love of Reading and Chocolate"

Tomorrow is Our last day for Coin Collection for Japan Relief

Before recess we started the day working on finishing off our Generosity posters and reports from yesterday. Then we worked on correcting yesterdays math assignment.

After recess we cleared all of our work from the hallways and bulletin boards in the hall and around the school. This will give the other classes an opportunity to use the space for their work. All the students were given a big envelope to bring home their work. Be sure to go through it to keep any treasures you want to keep to remind them of the great work they did in grade. After clearing off all the bulletin boards inside and outside the class the students organized into groups to work on this weeks small group project, designing your own animal. The students settled down to excited, noisy but engaged work.

After lunch we had 40 min of silent reading followed by the third in our set of four professional tennis lessons. After P.E. the students continued to work on their design an animal or their Mini-book "My Memory Box"

Wednesday April 13

Generosity Posters and helping with advanced fractions.

Notices:

So far , thanks to the generosity of our families, we have collected $490.00 for Japan.

Today was Quarter day/ Tomorrow, Thursday is Loonie day

(although we will still accept nickles dimes and quarters)

Today in language arts we started the day talking about the school monthly virtue, Generosity. The students were then assigned to do a poster or report on a variety of topics such as "what is generosity, how do we show generosity, a time when you were generous, a time someone was generous to you"

Math: we continued with our fraction unit on comparing and ordering fractions with different denominators. The concept being that the larger the denominator (the number on the bottom) the smaller the fraction.

After Recess the students went to Music with Mrs. Awalt where the students read for parts in the upcoming small play (playlet) that will be performed in front of their peers. The play is called "On the Island" and is about "Newfoundland and Labrador" and incorporates songs from the region.

After Music the students read for 40 min.

In Social Studies, after Lunch we watched a video from "the Age of Exploration" series. This video explored how the World changed during and after the age of exploration. The main theme in the movie is that that exchange of Ideas, Materials, Food and Microbes (disease) between North America and Europeans changed the world.

After Socials we went to the recognition Assembly. Students from odd divisions were recognized today. (div 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15) The students from our class will be given their awards at the next recognition assembly.

After the recognition assembly the students had 20 min to catch up on work and work on their mini books.

Tuesday update April 12

Students in the class enjoy silent reading on Library day as they have their new books.

Notices:

Please remember our coin drive for Japan

Monday Nickles; $44.00 raised

Today is dimes day.

Tomorrow is Quarter Day.

Before recess we started the day with Library and Computers. In computers the students worked on a project they began with Mrs. Withers on making comic strips at pixton.com / they also had the option of working on a project in Power Point.

Math finished the part of the unit on writing fractions, and comparing fractions with like denominators. (i.e. which is larger 6/7 or 2/7). Most of the students easily grasped the concepts in this part of the unit. We are now moving into a more complex part of comparing fractions with fractions of different denominators. (i.e. which is larger 1/2 or 5/8)

In science we watched the scholastic video "Light the Puzzling Picture" where the students had to act like light sleuths and try and figure our why the film was so dark. The film introduced the concept of transparent, translucent and opaque.

After Lunch We started with a 35 min reading period followed by P.E. with Mr. Vargus's class. After P.E. the students had a work period to catch up on any unfinished work or they worked on their Latest mini-book "My Memory Book" a book that looks like the inside of a box that holds important mementos that hold strong memories.

Concepts from today that will be on Friday's test:

What is the denominator?

What is the numerator?

If two fractions have the same denominator, how can you tell which one is the greater.
If two shapes are congruent what does it mean about the shapes.

What does transparent mean?

What does translucent mean?

What does opaque mean?

Monday April 11

Students working in small groups often get a greater insight into any question or problem they are asked to solve

Notices:

Coin drive div 1 Today Nickles Tomorrow dimes

Friday's tests have been marked and returned today

We began the day and the week with spelling:

Unit 26:

herd heard clothes close hour our two too their there ceiling sealing shoot chute strait straight medal meddle (Bonus: Vancouver and homonym).

The students (The spelling words are also in the right column to make them easy to find throughout the week) Along with the spelling pre-test the students worked for 20 min on the unit 26 spelling sheets. After spelling the students worked on printing and handwriting. Given two different views of the barren lands / tundra the students printed one of the quotes and hand wrote the second in their best handwriting form.

After Recess the students worked on a one page report on Captain George Vancouver for our weekly Famous person assignment. Captain Vancouver is best know for his mapping and charting of the 27000 km of the coast of British Columbia.

Math: We corrected the last two pages of our fractions handout (writing fractions as part of a group). Then the next three pages were assigned (numerators and denominators)

Just over half of the students handed in their mini book that was due today. Our new mini book is called. "My Memory Box". Each page of the book has a border that makes it seem like your looking into the inside of a box. The students draw a picture of something from a special time, thing, place, moment, person then write about it. This is due in two weeks.

After lunch the students not in choir listened to and did a one page report on Bing Crosby. After Choir we read for 35 minutes then the students went to music with Mrs. Awalt.

Friday April 8

First thing in the morning the students focused in and worked hard to complete their Friday Test

Apparently the district thinks I am irreplaceable as I was absent yesterday and the district did not send anyone in to replace me. So recess to Lunch Mrs. Whithers working on mini-books and took the students to the computer lab to create a comic book on a web site Pixton. From Recess to Lunch Mrs. Holt did a reading workshop on the story hiccup champion. In the afternoon Mr. Duyndam did a special presentation on recycling and took the students to the Gym for their Tennis lesson.

Notices:

Div 1. Mr. Duyndam's class is having a coin drive for Japan

nickels Monday / dimes Tuesday / Quarters wed / Loonies Thursday / Toonie Friday

Scholastic book forms

We started the day with our weekly test. Regular tests give the students practice with study skills, and let the student overcome their fear of tests.

After Recess we did our weekly graph. Today we graphed the students favorite type of pizza. Graphs are a great way to talk about fractions and percents in a fun and creative way. Graphing was followed by group work where the students compared 50 facts about bees and fifty facts about ants and then did a poster to show how they are the same. Group work helps students develop community skills through conversation. Having to compromise and work together is an important skill and not always present in grade 4 students.

After lunch all but four of the students went to buddies with Mrs. Dagg's grade one class to read and do math with them. After buddies we did 30 min of reading then a silhouette art project.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Friday Test

Friday Test

Spelling: Unit 25

Math: Comparing and ordering fractions

multiplication of three digit numbers by 21 (21 x 223, 21 x 312, 2;1 x 544) questions that will show an understanding of the process rather than challenge them on times table facts.

Socials:

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, hoping to find a route to India. Columbus sailed for King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of Spain. On his first trip, Columbus led an expedition with three ships, the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. His crew thought the world was flat and were thinking throwing him overboard. He talked them into waiting another week then on October 11, 1492, spotted the Caribbean islands off southeastern North America. They were met by the local Taino natives. Columbus thought he had made it to Asia, and called this area the Indies, and called its inhabitants Indians.

Thursday Update April 7

Rocks painted for students who finished their animal projects

.

I was absent today but here is the information I left the Sub

Before recess

Language arts two handouts. Comparing and contrasting a Bee and an Ant The students read through the facts and make a table of things related only to ants, only to bees and things related to both bees and ants. Have the students put the handout form in their Language arts Books.

Handwriting: In their Social studies books. Using the handout Two points of view. The students, in their best printing, write out the paragraph on the words of the Explorer Samuel Hearne. Then in their best handwriting they write out the second paragraph of the Inuit woman’s description of the same area she calls the tundra. (They can put them on two separate pages for two separate marks (2x the reward) Both pages need a picture, color, border… they know the drill)

After Recess:

Group Work. The students like group work. Today they can work by themselves or in small groups of two or three to Invent an animal. The criteria for students to design their project is on the back of the handout. (appearance/ Locomotion/ Diet/ Habitat/ Adaptations/ Life cycle/ Behavior/ defense / Survival/ Special information) The students need to do one page per category. IE one page on their defenses, one page on their habitat etc. If the groups seem to be wandering or loosing track, use the last half hour for them to present their new animal to the class. [Discuss the idea that animals develop and adapt to different environments so if the want to take an existing animal and simply adapt it for another environment that is ok… An underwater elephant… need flippers… gills etc… Or they can create a mythical animal like the Griffin.

After Lunch: 12:45 30 min silent Reading in their desks.

1:15 : The students can work on their mini-books due Friday or can continue to present their animals from the morning.

1:45 Tennis in the Gym. A visiting pro runs the event, help out as needed.

For the last period have the students make a poster on our school virtue of the month, generosity. There is an information sheet on generosity to read over with the students to understand this important virtue and generate talk about it… if you feel tie it in with what is happening in our community (the students collected juice containers for a local boy, and our world (japan)

Wednesday Update April 6th

Students at the bank collecting their pay for work completed.

Notices: Friday is Food 4 Fun

(only snack needed for students getting hot dogs or taco's)

Wednesday Express for those that did not indicate they would rather have an electronic version.

We began the day working on our mini-write a book (due Friday) followed by correcting Math from yesterday on Ordering and Comparing fractions. Today we assigned pages 258-259-260 (Fractions as part of a set of objects)

After recess the class went to music with Mrs. Awalt followed by Science where we continued on our new Science unit on Light. The students were assigned a one page report on "What is Light"

Today is early dismissal at 1:45. After lunch the students bought an extra 30 minute computer period for $80.00 to work on their Socials Power Point presentation. After computers we read for 30 minutes, cleaned up for 5 minutes then ending the day with a 10 min game of silent ball.

The students were dismissed at 1:45 to make time for parent teacher interviews (student led conferences.

Tuesday update April 5

Parent teacher interviews are a great time to share your work with your parents and of course a time let the teacher meet your family.

Notices:

Parent Teacher (student led conferences) today and tomorrow

1:45 early dismissal both days

Pink Eye

is going around some of the classes in the school. I have seen a few red eyes from lack of sleep Monday mornings, but no pink eye yet. However, if your child is complaining about their eyes please get them to the clinic or apply any home made remedies you have and keep them home during the active contagious period.

Today

Today we started with Library and Computers. The students began a power point project on "Is the World Round or Flat and Why?"

After recess we talked about the coming of Christopher Columbus to North America (the Caribbean) in 1492 and the students filled in a response sheet based on pages 118 - 119 of the text then began a one page report on Columbus.

In Science we talked a a lot about the brain and light and how light is seen and understood by the brain. No assignments were given as the talking and sharing part of the lesson went on too long.

In the afternoon we had a 30 min reading / catchup / get ready for parent teacher interviews period followed by a 25 min Gym period where we played bench ball.

Monday April 4th

Modeling Clay designs from our Social Studies Units

Notices:

Parent teacher Interviews Tue and Wed (student led conferences)

School dismissed at 1:45 on Tuesday and Wednesday
(If your child has not brought home the form with your interview time, come when you can during the interview times as the conferences are student led)

Food for Fun Friday

We began the week, and day as always, with our weekly spelling pre-test. This week is Unit 25.
[lazy volcano flavor piano recent really item pilot triangle climate gigantic program obey puny prepare vacant pulley menu (Bonus: mistake)]

After recess we had a discussion in Socials on the belief that the world is flat rather than round. (Still believed by the Flat Earth Society). The students then worked on a title page for our new Socials unit, Exploring the New World, the coming of Europeans to North America.

In math we corrected the two pages assigned on Friday and Assigned pages 256 and 257. These pages are on ordering and comparing fractions. Most students have the concept of writing fractions, and ordering fractions with like denominators and most students easily finished the two pages of work.

After lunch those students not in choir listened to and did a one page report on the Victoria born Nelly Furtado. This was followed by a reading period then Music with Mrs. Awalt.

Friday Update April 1st

Students with their flat clay images of First Nations, Inuit and Viking images

We started the day trying not to be fooled on this day of fun, April 1st. I managed to get the students to all line up outside again in the rain when the bell went, even though they were already in the school because of the rain buzzer. As well Mr D.. Mrs. Crystal, Mrs. Ireton and Mrs. Wilson had some students from other classes mixed in with theirs. I did not hang around long enought to see if they were noticed. Some said a few extra students in my class would probably go unnoticed by me for days, or is it if a few were missing.... except for some suspicious interest in making sure I had a cup of tea I managed to remain fool free...

Before recess we had our regular Friday test, which has been marked and sent home. The rest of the time before recess was used for catching up on all the work assigned this week.

After recess we corrected the math from yesterday and the students were assigned another two pages on fractions. In Art, following math, the students used modeling clay to make scenes from the Viking settelers to North America or from the First Nations People.

In the afternoon we had Buddies with Mrs. Dagg's grade one class where the students did math with our buddies followed by 30 min of silent reading in our class. Because it was an indoor lunch period and so many of our class are lunch monitors and gave up their lunch, we ended the day playing Literary Bingo.

Have a great weekend.... Mr W