I hope it's not too late to still say Happy Holidays! It's been a crazy busy time of the year. I hope everyone enjoys their well rested two weeks away from school.
School starts again on January 5! See you then
Monday, December 29, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
Whole Numbers Math Test
There will be a Math test on the following on Tuesday December 16:
- 3-Digit Addition
- 4-Digit Addition
- 3-Digit Subtraction
- 4-Digit Subtraction
- Rounding
- Estimation
- Writing numbers in standard form, expanded form and word form
- Addition/Subtraction Problem Solving
Review sheets have gone home and will continue to go home. Please make sure all assignments are completed on time so that the answers may be checked during class time.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Parent Teacher Conference
Thank you to all families and students who came to make Parent Teacher Conference a success. Without the help of your support, we wouldn't have done it without you!
Thank you!
Monday, December 1, 2014
Spelling
There will be no spelling test for unit 12 for the week of December 1.
Spelling unit 12 work will be due for December 4
Friday, November 21, 2014
Verb Test
There will be a Verb test on December 2. Topics that will may be on the test are:
- Past tense verbs
- helping verbs
- irregular verbs
A review package will be sent home to practice on.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Unit 10 Spelling Test
Unit 10 is a cumulative of all the words we have been working on. Here is the list below and a copy of it will go home with the kids.
Unit 10 Spelling Test will consist of one word from each
unit. Please study all these words. Do a few words each night to see which ones
you know and don’t know.
Unit 1
rake
awake
snake
sale
tale
lane
became
plate
skate
chase
plane
airplane
Unit 2
prize
size
while
awhile
alive
fire
shine
white
invite
inside
outside
beside
Unit 3
yesterday
holiday
always
display
replay
stray
spray
mayor
crayon
highway
Unit 4
seem
needle
knee
between
wheel
speech
coffee
agree
steep
sweep
Unit 5
large
charge
party
army
sugar
garden
march
spark
shark
scar
Unit 6
hurry
marry
pretty
plenty
family
carry
berry
sorry
busy
only
Unit 7
packet
bucket
pocket
locket
ticket
stuck
struck
knock
chicken
backwards
Unit 8
stall
shell
jelly
jolly
collect
hollow
follow
fellow
gully
Unit 9
afraid
raise
fail
faint
contain
faithful
main
gain
again
plain
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Prayers and Thoughts of a Teacher
A parent had emailed this to me, and I also found it lingering on social media. I HAD to share this! Happy Reading :)
Dear Parent: About THAT kid…
ON 10 NOVEMBER, 2014
Dear Parent:
I know. You’re worried. Every day, your child comes home with a story about THAT kid. The one who is always hitting shoving pinching scratching maybe even biting other children. The one who always has to hold my hand in the hallway. The one who has a special spot at the carpet, and sometimes sits on a chair rather than the floor. The one who had to leave the block centre because blocks are not for throwing. The one who climbed over the playground fence right exactly as I was telling her to stop. The one who poured his neighbour’s milk onto the floor in a fit of anger. On purpose. While I was watching. And then, when I asked him to clean it up, emptied the ENTIRE paper towel dispenser. On purpose. While I was watching. The one who dropped the REAL ACTUAL F-word in gym class.
You’re worried that THAT child is detracting from your child’s learning experience. You’re worried that he takes up too much of my time and energy, and that your child won’t get his fair share. You’re worried that she is really going to hurt someone some day. You’re worried that “someone” might be your child. You’re worried that your child is going to start using aggression to get what she wants. You’re worried your child is going to fall behind academically because I might not notice that he is struggling to hold a pencil. I know.
Your child, this year, in this classroom, at this age, is not THAT child. Your child is not perfect, but she generally follows rules. He is able to share toys peaceably. She does not throw furniture. He raises his hand to speak. She works when it is time to work, and plays when it is time to play. He can be trusted to go straight to the bathroom and straight back again with no shenanigans. She thinks that the S-word is “stupid” and the C-word is “crap.” I know.
I know, and I am worried, too.
You see, I worry all the time. About ALL of them. I worry about your child’s pencil grip, and another child’s letter sounds, and that little tiny one’s shyness, and that other one’s chronically empty lunchbox. I worry that Gavin’s coat is not warm enough, and that Talitha’s dad yells at her for printing the letter B backwards. Most of my car rides and showers are consumed with the worrying.
But I know, you want to talk about THAT child. Because Talitha’s backward Bs are not going to give your child a black eye.
I want to talk about THAT child, too, but there are so many things I can’t tell you.
I can’t tell you that she was adopted from an orphanage at 18 months.
I can’t tell you that he is on an elimination diet for possible food allergies, and that he is therefore hungry ALL. THE. TIME.
I can’t tell you that her parents are in the middle of a horrendous divorce, and she has been staying with her grandma.
I can’t tell you that I’m starting to worry that grandma drinks…
I can’t tell you that his asthma medication makes him agitated.
I can’t tell you that her mom is a single parent, and so she (the child) is at school from the moment before-care opens, until the moment after-care closes, and then the drive between home and school takes 40 minutes, and so she (the child) is getting less sleep than most adults.
I can’ tell you that he has been a witness to domestic violence.
That’s okay, you say. You understand I can’t share personal or family information. You just want to know what I am DOING about That Child’s behaviour.
I would love to tell you. But I can’t.
I can’t tell you that she receives speech-language services, that an assessment showed a severe language delay, and that the therapist feels the aggression is linked to frustration about being unable to communicate.
I can’t tell you that I meet with his parents EVERY week, and that both of them usually cry at those meetings.
I can’t tell you that the child and I have a secret hand signal to tell me when she needs to sit by herself for a while.
I can’t tell you that he spends rest time curled in my lap because “it makes me feel better to hear your heart, Teacher.”
I can’t tell you that I have been meticulously tracking her aggressive incidents for 3 months, and that she has dropped from 5 incidents a day, to 5 incidents a week.
I can’t tell you that the school secretary has agreed that I can send him to the office to “help” when I can tell he needs a change of scenery.
I can’t tell you that I have stood up in a staff meeting and, with tears in my eyes, BEGGED my colleagues to keep an extra close eye on her, to be kind to her even when they are frustrated that she just punched someone AGAIN, and this time, RIGHT IN FRONT OF A TEACHER.
The thing is, there are SO MANY THINGS I can’t tell you about That Child. I can’t even tell you the good stuff.
I can’t tell you that his classroom job is to water the plants, and that he cried with heartbreak when one of the plants died over winter break.
I can’t tell you that she kisses her baby sister goodbye every morning, and whispers “You are my sunshine” before mom pushes the stroller away.
I can’t tell you that he knows more about thunderstorms than most meteorologists.
I can’t tell you that she often asks to help sharpen the pencils during playtime.
I can’t tell you that she strokes her best friend’s hair at rest time.
I can’t tell you that when a classmate is crying, he rushes over with his favourite stuffy from the story corner.
The thing is, dear parent, that I can only talk to you about YOUR child. So, what I can tell you is this:
If ever, at any point, YOUR child, or any of your children, becomes THAT child…
I will not share your personal family business with other parents in the classroom.
I will communicate with you frequently, clearly, and kindly.
I will make sure there are tissues nearby at all our meetings, and if you let me, I will hold your hand when you cry.
I will advocate for your child and family to receive the highest quality of specialist services, and I will cooperate with those professionals to the fullest possible extent.
I will make sure your child gets extra love and affection when she needs it most.
I will be a voice for your child in our school community.
I will, no matter what happens, continue to look for, and to find, the good, amazing, special, and wonderful things about your child.
I will remind him and YOU of those good amazing special wonderful things, over and over again.
And when another parent comes to me, with concerns about YOUR child…
I will tell them all of this, all over again.
With so much love;
Teacher.
I know. You’re worried. Every day, your child comes home with a story about THAT kid. The one who is always hitting shoving pinching scratching maybe even biting other children. The one who always has to hold my hand in the hallway. The one who has a special spot at the carpet, and sometimes sits on a chair rather than the floor. The one who had to leave the block centre because blocks are not for throwing. The one who climbed over the playground fence right exactly as I was telling her to stop. The one who poured his neighbour’s milk onto the floor in a fit of anger. On purpose. While I was watching. And then, when I asked him to clean it up, emptied the ENTIRE paper towel dispenser. On purpose. While I was watching. The one who dropped the REAL ACTUAL F-word in gym class.
You’re worried that THAT child is detracting from your child’s learning experience. You’re worried that he takes up too much of my time and energy, and that your child won’t get his fair share. You’re worried that she is really going to hurt someone some day. You’re worried that “someone” might be your child. You’re worried that your child is going to start using aggression to get what she wants. You’re worried your child is going to fall behind academically because I might not notice that he is struggling to hold a pencil. I know.
Your child, this year, in this classroom, at this age, is not THAT child. Your child is not perfect, but she generally follows rules. He is able to share toys peaceably. She does not throw furniture. He raises his hand to speak. She works when it is time to work, and plays when it is time to play. He can be trusted to go straight to the bathroom and straight back again with no shenanigans. She thinks that the S-word is “stupid” and the C-word is “crap.” I know.
I know, and I am worried, too.
You see, I worry all the time. About ALL of them. I worry about your child’s pencil grip, and another child’s letter sounds, and that little tiny one’s shyness, and that other one’s chronically empty lunchbox. I worry that Gavin’s coat is not warm enough, and that Talitha’s dad yells at her for printing the letter B backwards. Most of my car rides and showers are consumed with the worrying.
But I know, you want to talk about THAT child. Because Talitha’s backward Bs are not going to give your child a black eye.
I want to talk about THAT child, too, but there are so many things I can’t tell you.
I can’t tell you that she was adopted from an orphanage at 18 months.
I can’t tell you that he is on an elimination diet for possible food allergies, and that he is therefore hungry ALL. THE. TIME.
I can’t tell you that her parents are in the middle of a horrendous divorce, and she has been staying with her grandma.
I can’t tell you that I’m starting to worry that grandma drinks…
I can’t tell you that his asthma medication makes him agitated.
I can’t tell you that her mom is a single parent, and so she (the child) is at school from the moment before-care opens, until the moment after-care closes, and then the drive between home and school takes 40 minutes, and so she (the child) is getting less sleep than most adults.
I can’ tell you that he has been a witness to domestic violence.
That’s okay, you say. You understand I can’t share personal or family information. You just want to know what I am DOING about That Child’s behaviour.
I would love to tell you. But I can’t.
I can’t tell you that she receives speech-language services, that an assessment showed a severe language delay, and that the therapist feels the aggression is linked to frustration about being unable to communicate.
I can’t tell you that I meet with his parents EVERY week, and that both of them usually cry at those meetings.
I can’t tell you that the child and I have a secret hand signal to tell me when she needs to sit by herself for a while.
I can’t tell you that he spends rest time curled in my lap because “it makes me feel better to hear your heart, Teacher.”
I can’t tell you that I have been meticulously tracking her aggressive incidents for 3 months, and that she has dropped from 5 incidents a day, to 5 incidents a week.
I can’t tell you that the school secretary has agreed that I can send him to the office to “help” when I can tell he needs a change of scenery.
I can’t tell you that I have stood up in a staff meeting and, with tears in my eyes, BEGGED my colleagues to keep an extra close eye on her, to be kind to her even when they are frustrated that she just punched someone AGAIN, and this time, RIGHT IN FRONT OF A TEACHER.
The thing is, there are SO MANY THINGS I can’t tell you about That Child. I can’t even tell you the good stuff.
I can’t tell you that his classroom job is to water the plants, and that he cried with heartbreak when one of the plants died over winter break.
I can’t tell you that she kisses her baby sister goodbye every morning, and whispers “You are my sunshine” before mom pushes the stroller away.
I can’t tell you that he knows more about thunderstorms than most meteorologists.
I can’t tell you that she often asks to help sharpen the pencils during playtime.
I can’t tell you that she strokes her best friend’s hair at rest time.
I can’t tell you that when a classmate is crying, he rushes over with his favourite stuffy from the story corner.
The thing is, dear parent, that I can only talk to you about YOUR child. So, what I can tell you is this:
If ever, at any point, YOUR child, or any of your children, becomes THAT child…
I will not share your personal family business with other parents in the classroom.
I will communicate with you frequently, clearly, and kindly.
I will make sure there are tissues nearby at all our meetings, and if you let me, I will hold your hand when you cry.
I will advocate for your child and family to receive the highest quality of specialist services, and I will cooperate with those professionals to the fullest possible extent.
I will make sure your child gets extra love and affection when she needs it most.
I will be a voice for your child in our school community.
I will, no matter what happens, continue to look for, and to find, the good, amazing, special, and wonderful things about your child.
I will remind him and YOU of those good amazing special wonderful things, over and over again.
And when another parent comes to me, with concerns about YOUR child…
I will tell them all of this, all over again.
With so much love;
Teacher.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Rocks and Minerals test
Information for the science test
- use the task cards (multiple choice questions) to study
- labelling earth layers will be on the test
- read the information sheets with the fill in the blanks
Test will be in multiple choice format and labelling
Happy studying!
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Math quiz
There will be a mini math quiz on the rounding numbers to 10, 100 and 1000, writing numbers in standard form, and expanded form on Friday November 7
Review will be done at school but please study the review package that is given to the students.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
MTYP Field Trip Information
Here is a copy of the MTYP field trip form if anyone wanted to keep track of when we go and what time!
Monday, November 3, 2014
MTYP Field Trip
I would like to notify you that the MTYP field trip for November 13 has been moved to November 12 in the afternoon. Students will have their lunches early at school.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Noun Quiz
Just a friendly reminder to all families that the Noun Quiz was sent home for signing. Please have them signed and back to school so I can file them away by October 31!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Music and Fundraiser: Boston Pizza
Just to let you know, there will be a recorder test on November 6. It is your child's responsibility to know what will be on the test.
Boston Pizza fundraising is due on October 30. No late orders accepted! Get them in quick!!
Boston Pizza fundraising is due on October 30. No late orders accepted! Get them in quick!!
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Science Rocks and Minerals Defnition Quiz
Science definition quiz is Thursday October 30. The quiz will be in a fill in the blank format. We will be having a mock 'matching' quiz to practice.
Please don't hesitate to email me and ask questions if you need.
Please don't hesitate to email me and ask questions if you need.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Quiz on Nouns
The kids will be having a quiz on nouns on October 28.
Topics on the quiz will be: common noun, plural nouns, possessive nouns, and proper nouns.
You can help your child study by having them do a few questions from each worksheet that we practiced on. I will also be sending home a review sheet for them to practice on.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions
Sunday, October 19, 2014
How does weathering work in Rocks?
The best way to understand how weathering works for rocks is through experimenting! As Ms. frizzle always say 'take chances, make mistakes, get messy' and boy did we get messy and take chances.
We tested chalk in a variety of ways. We looked at it through a magnifying glass after it was tested in rough conditions. We used sandpaper, a plastic fork, vinegar, and we froze the chalk!
The results were pretty cool!
Look how hardworking and how much fun the kids had!
Picture Order
Just a friendly reminder that Picture orders are due on October 23. If you don't like the pictures, you don't need to return them. Mark your calenders for November 20 for Picture Retakes
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Math Retest
Math Retest on Patterns and Equations will be taking place on Tuesday October14.
A copy of the test has been distributed to be used as a "review" for those who are taking the test again.
Please sign the first test and return to school ASAP. Students will be allowed to take it home to study with. They will have to return it back to me on Tueday October 14.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Math Test - Patterns
There will be a Math Test on October 7.
This Math Test will consist of the following topics we have worked on:
This Math Test will consist of the following topics we have worked on:
- Patterns in 100 Chart
- Definitions: repeating pattern, growing pattern, shrinking pattern, pattern rule
- Increasing/Decreasing Sequences
- T-Tables
- Equations Involving Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
Extra review sheets will be given to help study for the test. It is recommended that the students pick a few questions from each worksheet to work from to enhance their knowledge for studying.
Please do not hesitate to email or message me on Class Dojo before the test for any questions.
French Quiz-October 2
French Quiz will be administered by Madame Cantafio on October 2.
The quiz will be on: Days of the Week, Colours, Shape
The quiz will be on: Days of the Week, Colours, Shape
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Science: Rocks and Minerals
Day in the life of a Fourth Grader
Occasionally, I find some time to snap photos of the students while they are working. Here is a snippet of the kids during 'Quiet Time' after lunch recess. During 'Quiet Time', students pick a book of their choice to read for 10 minutes.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Spelling- Week of September 22
Spelling Test will be held on Thursday September 25 in replacement of September 26. There will be no school on Friday September 26.
Spelling Textbooks have finally arrived and students will be expected to do their spelling work in a new notebook starting this Thursday September 25. Students are not to write in these workbooks.
Spelling Textbooks have finally arrived and students will be expected to do their spelling work in a new notebook starting this Thursday September 25. Students are not to write in these workbooks.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Spelling Unit/Test
Spelling Tests are administered on Fridays (unless we have no school on Friday, then it will be on Thursdays).
Unit assignments will be sent out on the same day after the Spelling test happens. Students will have some time to work on their assignment, but left over work will be sent home for homework. It is up to your child to use the time wisely. The assignment will be due the week after on the Friday they have their test.
We haven't received our spelling textbooks so we'll be using a photocopy version of it. Hopefully it will come back soon.
I hope this information is helpful!
First spelling test: September 19
Unit assignments will be sent out on the same day after the Spelling test happens. Students will have some time to work on their assignment, but left over work will be sent home for homework. It is up to your child to use the time wisely. The assignment will be due the week after on the Friday they have their test.
We haven't received our spelling textbooks so we'll be using a photocopy version of it. Hopefully it will come back soon.
I hope this information is helpful!
First spelling test: September 19
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Social Studies Map Test
We have been doing some reviewing on our Canadian geography. We have done a fair bit of fun activities that have helped us refresh our minds.
A Social Studies Map Quiz will take place on Friday September 19.
This map test will consists of: 1) labeling the Canadian Map; 2) Naming the Capital Cities of each province (Capital City labeling on the map will take place another time); 3) Naming/listing all 13 provinces and territories.
These links will help your child study for the quiz. They are also going to bring home their Social Studies folder on the weekend to start studying, but are expected to bring it back for Monday. I will provide an extra map for the students, an extra worksheet for the capital cities and a an empty list for the provinces and territories as their study tools to use at home.
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/flash/games/storePuzzle.html
http://www.mapsofworld.com/games/puzzle/canada/
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/mappuzzle/canada-puzzle.html
Tablet/iPad Games
GeoProvinces (Free)
Provinces & Territories of Canada ($1.99)
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/provinces-territories-canada/id530480825?mt=8
A Social Studies Map Quiz will take place on Friday September 19.
This map test will consists of: 1) labeling the Canadian Map; 2) Naming the Capital Cities of each province (Capital City labeling on the map will take place another time); 3) Naming/listing all 13 provinces and territories.
These links will help your child study for the quiz. They are also going to bring home their Social Studies folder on the weekend to start studying, but are expected to bring it back for Monday. I will provide an extra map for the students, an extra worksheet for the capital cities and a an empty list for the provinces and territories as their study tools to use at home.
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/flash/games/storePuzzle.html
http://www.mapsofworld.com/games/puzzle/canada/
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/mappuzzle/canada-puzzle.html
Tablet/iPad Games
GeoProvinces (Free)
Provinces & Territories of Canada ($1.99)
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/provinces-territories-canada/id530480825?mt=8
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Email Address
I finally have email! Although it is temporary, it still allows me to connect to you guys! Please feel free to email me at stesstes@hotmail.com
I have sent home another sheet for parents to fill in their email for me so that I can add all families to my address book. Please send this back as soon as you can! Or you are welcome to email me and provide your information!
I have sent home another sheet for parents to fill in their email for me so that I can add all families to my address book. Please send this back as soon as you can! Or you are welcome to email me and provide your information!
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Welcome to Grade 4!
Am I ever excited to work with this new group of kiddos! I can almost imagine how many fun things we'll do, the adventures we'll go on and the cool things we'll get to try out.
Mom's and dads, please fill out the student information sheet, volunteer sheet and milk, and return to school as soon as possible.
It's good to be back into routine and learning lots!
Just FYI, I will try my very best to update the blog at least once a week. I just can't wait to have the opportunity to chat with you. Homework will start piling this week, so don't think that it's going to be a breeze this first week.
Please do not hesitate to call me, drop by, or email me if you have any questions, concerns or comments! I look forward to working with you and your child. I envision a flourishing year filled with many learning opportunities!
Mom's and dads, please fill out the student information sheet, volunteer sheet and milk, and return to school as soon as possible.
It's good to be back into routine and learning lots!
Just FYI, I will try my very best to update the blog at least once a week. I just can't wait to have the opportunity to chat with you. Homework will start piling this week, so don't think that it's going to be a breeze this first week.
Please do not hesitate to call me, drop by, or email me if you have any questions, concerns or comments! I look forward to working with you and your child. I envision a flourishing year filled with many learning opportunities!
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