Week of June 13-17

We had a visit from the Learning Clicks program today.  Ask your child to show you the booklet they got and what they learned about careers.  The ladies shared some websites with us.  They are:

• learningclicks.alberta.ca
• OCC Info
• Personality Test

Curriculum:

• Math: We are starting the last unit of math for grade 4 - Venn and Carroll diagrams.
• L.A.
• Spelling: We are doing a final assessment of student spelling.
• Writing: Musical chairs writing and "fun" writing
• Science: Our amusement park building has begun.  We will still take any building materials.
• Social: In the history of Alberta, we are learning about how Alberta changed after becoming a province.
• PE: We are doing lots of track and field events.  Please make sure your child has proper gym runners for running (or socks if your child wants to use their indoor shoes and wear flip-flops as outdoor shoes - we don't care!)

This Week's Schedule:
Monday:

• Friday Letters due

Tuesday:

• School Council AGM 6:30 p.m.

Thursday:

• Hot lunch

Friday:

• Frolicking Friday

Week of June 6-10

We had a very exciting week last week with our Early School Day (the kids looked great and we had a great learning experience!), and the Cemetery Tour (where the kids were pleasantly surprised by how interesting and engaging the experience was!).  This week brings some more fun and excitement with our upcoming trip to Fort Macleod. 


Notes:

• THANK YOU!! to Peyton, Mikka and Mr. Nussbaumer for taking their spare time to create the Grade 4 Kickball League.  Games are Mondays and Wednesdays at lunch for students who are participating.
• Patroller training has started.  Ask your child what day they will be staying after school to train.

Curriculum:

• Math: We will be assessing our knowledge of multiplication and division and then we will learn about Venn and Carroll diagrams.
• L.A.
• Writing: We are going to try using Lego to write with!
• Spelling: Lesson 16 continues
• Science: Our final unit, "Building Vehicles and Devices that Move" will begin this week (see the letter that went home last Friday). 
• Social: As we get closer to the present day, we will be learning about homesteads.

This Week's Schedule:
Monday:

• Friday Letters due
• Library books due

Thursday:

• Fort Macleod - we leave promptly at 8:30 so do NOT be late or you will miss the bus!

Friday:

• Frolicking Friday

Week of May 30 - June 3, 2016

Are you kidding me right now?  June starts this week??  How did that even happen?!  Time really does fly when you're having fun I guess!


Notes:

• If you're wanting to order a Gregg LeRock CD, please have your order form and money in by tomorrow.
• If your child is interested in being a patroller next year, please have their form signed and returned by the end of the week at the latest.

Curriculum:

• Math: We're going to finish with division by the end of the week.  We are still focused on division in our Mad Minutes.
• L.A.
• Spelling: New words today.
• Writing: We are finished with Kenny and the Dragon and are going to start on some end of the year stuff.
• Science: The test for the plants unit is going home today.  Please sign and return it.  We're going to take a little break this week as we prepare for our final unit and learn some neat paper tricks!
• Social: Our Early School Days role playing was really great.  The kids really got into their parts and I think they learned a lot about what it may have felt like to be a student a long time ago.  I have to say though, it's exhausting maintaining the strict school marm façade!  Now we're onto learning about Alberta becoming a province.

This Week's Schedule:
Monday:

• Friday Letters due
• Library books due

Tuesday:

• Energy Day Assembly 12:45 p.m.
• Family Fun Night 6:00-7:15 p.m.

Thursday:

• Cemetery Tour with Belinda from the Galt Museum

Friday:

• Volunteer Tea 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Frolicking Friday

Science Review

Science Review

Study Guide – Plant Growth and Change

1. Define the following words: 

• Germination
• How a plant begins to grow
• Pollination
• When an insect (like a bee) transfers pollen from one plant to another and fertilizes it
• Photosynthesis
• The process of turning sunlight and carbon dioxide into food for the plant
• Chlorophyll
• The chemical in a plant that makes it green and helps in photosynthesis

2. What are the similarities and differences between the basic needs of plants and humans? (HINT: see VENN diagram)

• We need each other
• Both need
• shelter, love, water, food, sunlight
• Plants need:
• Soil
• Humans need:
• Clothing

3. Describe the Oxygen Cycle. (HINT: What gases do plants and animals give off?)

• Plants give off oxygen and take in carbon dioxide
• Humans breathe out carbon dioxide and breathe in oxygen

 
4. What are some products that we can get from plants?

• Cotton - jeans/clothing
• Latex - rubber (from trees) and gum
• Paper

5. What is the purpose of a plant’s:

• Leaves - absorbs sunlight and makes food
• Stem - holds the plant up, brings water up from the roots
• Bulb - stores food over the winter for some plants
• Roots - holds the plant in the soil, absorbs water

6. What is function of the different parts of a flower?

• Stamen/Carpel - reproduction
• Sepals - protection of the bud
• Petals - brightly coloured to attract insects.

7. What is the difference between a fibrous and tap root?

• Fibrous - like a carrot - one long root with little hair-like roots coming off it
• Tap - like a marigold - many roots all the same length and tangled together

8. What is the difference between simple and compound leaves?

• Simple - one leaf blade with a rib and veins that flow up the leaf
• Compound - made up of many little leaves

9. Describe the different stages in the life cycle of a bean plant? (HINT: Look at your title page).

• Seed begins to grow -> leaves and roots develop -> flowers bloom on adult plant -> seeds form in the flower -> plant dies and seeds are scattered

10. What does the inside of a bean plant look like?

• Embryo (new plant)
• Cotyledon (stored food)
• Seed coat 

11. How do plants begin to grow? (ex. seed)

• Water softens the seed coat and causes the seed to swell
• The embryo grows
• The roots grow down into the soil
• The stem grows up above the soil 

 12. What are the different ways that seeds scan be dispersed for reproduction?

• Water
• Fire
• Wind
• Explosive
• Scat (animals)
• Hitch hikers

May 23-May 27

Welcome back to the sun now that the long weekend is over!  I hope that if any of you went camping, you were able to stay dry and have some fun.


Curriculum:

• Math: We are now learning about how to divide with remainders.  We continue our division Mad Minutes, and this is an area that really needs some practice at home.
• Language Arts:
• Writing: We will be finishing up with Kenny and the Dragon this week. 
• Spelling: No assessment due to our trip to see Gregg LeRock
• Science: We will wrap up the Plant Growth and Change unit with a unit test on Thursday.  See the "Science Review" tab for the study guide
• Social: We will be learning about some of the many reasons people came to what is now Alberta

This Week's Schedule:
Monday:

• I hope you enjoyed the day off!

Tuesday:

• Medieval Feast - ask your child about how awesome our feast and festival were!
• Money for spring photos due (you can pay online following the directions on the form)

Wednesday:

• Ms. Arndt, an Education student from the University will be starting with us.  She will be here for six weeks.

Thursday:

• Field trip to the Yates to see Gregg LeRock

Friday:

• Frolicking Friday
• Favourite Book Character Day
• Intro to School Safety Patrol

Week of May 16-20

Market Day is almost here!  PLEASE check in with your child to see what they need for their stall (e.g. cups, juice jugs, napkins, baking, etc.).


Notes:

• Spring pictures went home today.  Money is due May 24 if you are ordering.
• Please make sure to see the email that went home about volunteering for the One School One Book Medieval Feast
• Speaking of volunteering, if you'd like to come help us with Market Day, we'd love to have you!

Curriculum:

• Math: Continuing to work on multiplication.
• LA
• Spelling: New words (Lesson 15)
• Writing: We are loving our Kenny and the Dragon One School One Book
• Science: Looking at seed dispersal and getting ready for our unit test next week
• Social: Postponed due to Market Day (it actually fits in with our social curriculum beautifully!)

This Week's Schedule:
Monday:

• Library books due

Tuesday:

• Need to be ready for Market Day

Wednesday:

• Market Day - students will be selling their wares and will have an opportunity to shop as well

Thursday:

• CAP (Classroom Agriculture Program) visiting

Friday:

• No school for an extra long Victoria Day weekend - enjoy!

Week of May 9-13

My apologies!  I completely missed transferring my post last week and today I am late!  It must be getting to a busy time of year...then again - it is always busy! 

As a grade 4 team we are excited for the kindness of your children and their willingness to host a Market Day in the help to donating to the Red Cross for the Fort McMurray fire relief efforts.  A note went home today to explain more about this adventure and the Market Day will occur on May 18.  (Yes, this is a quick turn around as we find it best and most effective).

Notes:

• Registrations are now past due.  Please send them into the office as it helps us to prepare for next year.
• Gymnastics will finish this week.  Please remind your child to bring a pair of shorts and short sleeve t-shirt to participate.
• The Galt Cemetery tour is this Thursday.  It is a fantastic field trip if you are able to join us.
• The hot lunch order for May is up on School Cash Online.  There will be a formal invitation to join us at the feast sent home this week.
• Don't forget to send back in the permission for The Fort field trip in June.   

Curriculum:
Math: starting on multiplying 3x1 digit numbers.  Practice those math basic facts for immediate recall of the facts up to the 9 times table.

Science: learning about what is inside of a seed and some different seed types.

Social: the building of the CPR and it's impact on settling the west

LA: today we launched our ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK project - "Kenny & the Dragon".  We will be reading the book for the next three weeks and going back in time to medieval days.

Week at a Glance:

Monday

• Friday letters returned
• Kenny & the Dragon - book launch

Tuesday

• Library day

Wednesday

• clothing order for Galbraith clothing closes today at 10 (online - school cash)

Thursday

• Cemetery tour - at noon.  Please send a lunch with your child as we will be eating at 11:15.

Friday

• NO school for students.  This is a Professional Learning day for staff.