December 3rd, 2012

News from grade 4 FI

Lquipe 4e
M m e O C o n n o r , S h i n g l e r a n d T o m s

H A P PY H O L IDAYS ! T HE Y A R E J US T A RO U N D T HE C OR N E R
HOT TOPICS
Happy Holidays Reminders Whats going on in gr.4 Important Dates 1 1 2 3

December is going to fly by and students are working hard to complete some major assignments and units before we leave for the holidays. December 21st is our last day before the holidays. That day we will be celebrating the upcoming HolidayWinter vacation. In the

morning, students are going to enjoy a nice breakfast snack (a reward for all of their hard work thus far this year) while playing games (bring a board game). In the afternoon, students would like to celebrate the upcoming season with a movie and treats. If you would like

to bring something for the festivities that would be much appreciated, please note that all products must be nut, banana and mango free. Please let me know with a short note in the agenda if you would like to bring something in prior to Wednesday Dec. 19th. The grade 4 team

R E M IN D E R S !
Back Packs: Each class in the school has gotten a backpack in hopes that we can fill it for an infant boy to help make their holiday season a happy one. Students went home with a sheet which highlighted a suggested item that they can bring in to fill the backpack. We have until December 7th. If you can, please bring them in over the next couple of days. We have been given a bag for an infant girl. Gift card for 10, 00$ to Walmart A kids towel Pair of winter mittens A winter hat Diapers (4-6) Baby shampoo/Baby wash Nestle Good Start Formula Stuffed animal A story book Baby powder Baby wipes Orajel Baby nail clippers A stroller rain cover Anything you would deem suitable for an infant 0-24 months approximately We ask that these items are in new condition and something that you would buy for yourselves or your child. Thank you for your support, Mme. Shingler

Contact with the teacher

If at any time throughout the year you need to speak with me or would like to book a teacher/ parent conference regarding a concern or a question, I encourage parents/guardians to let me know ahead of time in order to get your childs file ready. We can schedule conferences before or right after school. You can use your childs agenda for communication purposes as I will be signing them daily. You can also call at convenient hours such as before or after school (905) 6682225.

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Lquipe 4e

WHAT S

GOING ON THIS

MONTH

IN GRADE

4 FI

Math: Our patterning unit has begun. Students are learning numeric and geometric patterns. They will also create art work that resembles a piece from Gustav Klimts Tree of Life which will have a pattern design using colours and shapes. This month, we will be completing a small unit on coordinates and playing a few games along the way as well as creating some pictures that we will describe for a partner in hopes that they duplicate what we have created based on our coordinate description. Language: We have finished learning how to take jot notes from a non-fiction text and will be learning how to look at jot notes and then recreate a paragraph. Students are preparing their 2nd French book report at home focusing on a main character of a fictional story. Draft is due December 10th and we will be giving the students time to do their good copies in class. They will present their final product the week of Dec. 1719th. We have also been looking at a few different grammar points and how to use a dictionary online.

and their capitals. We have also looked at the 5 great lakes and 3 bays that surrounds Ontario. We have used the mnemonic HOMES to remember the 5 great lakes. We are now looking at the 7 physical regions of Canada. We have also been looking at symbols used on a map and how to create a legend and then natural resources. Physical Education: This month, students have been learning the various skills related to dogdeball. Next, we will look at different games using various equipment. Health: Students are coming to the end our Safety unit, where we focused on Bullying. We looked at different ways that people bully as well as Cyberbullying. Our next area of focus will be growth and development, looking at the four stages of development: baby, child, adolescent, adult. We will be looking at responsibilities for each age as well as the emotional development at each stage.

and sang by Katy Perry. We will then view different dance forms from around the world and using descriptive dance vocabulary to help explain what they are seeing, how they are moving, why they are moving and where they are moving. We will be using Venn diagrams to help compare dance forms.

Art: The students have worked hard to complete their art portfolios, which as you saw were very well done. We have worked on lines and warm/cool colours, Science: Our unit after the hol- our focus now is shape. idays will be pulleys and gears. Drama/Dance: Social Studies: Our Canada unit is well on its way. Students Students are continuing to prepare the school dance video ushave been working hard to ing the song Firework written learn the provinces/territories

News from grade 4 FI

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U P C O M I N G N EW S
ARTIST IN THE CLASSROOM We have the privilege of having Marianne Wooley come to our class on January 17th-18th. Jan. 17th-Mme OConnor and Jan. 18th Shingler/Toms. She will be teaching water colour painting techniques to the class. The students will be creating a framed watercolour painting. This is a morning/or afternoon that is a very fun and educational experience for the students. Mrs. Wooleys workshop is in line with the Ontario curriculum art expectations for grade 4. HOMEWORK UPDATE Starting in January, students will be asked to complete a math journal question at home every week. The question will be handed out on Thursday and due back the following Wednesday. The questions will be based on the topic that we are learning in class. You will be receiving a letter this month outlining the process and our expectations. Students have been and will continue to work on these types of questions in class throughout the year. POSSIBLE MEDIEVAL ADVENTURE IN SCHOOL (ALL DAY WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS) Knights in the Classroom Tentative Date: June 24th, 2013 Cost: $23.00 per student This program will offer the students a variety of different activities based on the Medieval Era. The cost will not be due until late May/early June, we are simply informing you of what is to come in the new year.

The cost of this activity is $12.00 per child, which includes paints and frames. Please send this in no later than December 21st, 2012. Thank you for your support.

O T H ER N EW S
Reading websites in French:

ITEMS IN NEED Have your child get into a habit of reading everyday in We are in need of tissues and paper towel now that the cold season is here. French whether it is a book, a website, a recipe, a
blogHere are two websites which can be useful for reading in French:

SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO REPLENISH FOR YOUR http://www.iletaitunehistoire.com/ (Go to sinscrire CHILD at the top, then access enfant and sign up for free) Come January, students will need to replenish their pencils, http://www.whitbylibrary.on.ca/clientlogintumbleboo colouring pencils or any other item which is now broken or k (enter your Library card code and enjoy the Tumble- misplaced. Also, shoes will need to be returned in order to book collection) check shoe sizes as our students are growing!

O THER

IN F O RM AT I O N

KEY DATES TO REMEMBER: December 7th All donations for the backpacks are due December 17thPizza Day December 21stLast day of schooldismissal is ONE HOUR EARLIER Be sure to take a look at the school website calendar for other relevant information and important dates.