Week #3 - Terrific Grade 3's!

Dear Families,

Another meaningful week for us! I am very pleased with how my students have smoothly transitioned from their distance learning and holidays to now being in class full time with all the new rules and routines placed upon them as a result of COVID-19 still being active.

I am VERY PROUD and so, SO PLEASED with their efforts and hard work. It is truly a JOY being back at school and I think I can say for us all, what a gift it is to learn and grow from one another :)

As you’ve probably gathered from my blog updates, we have been go, Go, GO with our learning in class! Look at how much we’ve accomplished in a mere 3 weeks! Looking forward to much more learning to be done in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Thank you to ALL the students who dressed up for our PJ DAY :-) It's wonderful seeing the children get into the spirit, it connects us!

Homework - "Reinforcing Learned Concepts at Home:"

Beginning next week (Mon. - Thurs.), your child will be assigned homework (see picture below) for WORD STUDY, READING COMPREHENSION, and EXTRA MATH PRACTICE.

Please know the purpose of this is for your child to not only practice learned concepts at home, but also to gain valuable learning skills and work habits such as responsibility, initiative, independent work, cooperation, and self-regulation.

I believe working on these skills at a young age will serve your child well and prepare them as they head into higher grades in their academic journey :)

I have prepared a parent note for my homework expectations. It will come home with your child in his or her agenda on Monday. Stay tuned!

Orange Shirt Day:

This week, I shared with all our students from K-8 the importance and meaning behind Orange Shirt Day through the morning announcements.

It is my goal one day to lead an Orange Shirt Day assembly to truly honour it as a school family. For now, we are all being educated through images, story books, and videos to gain a greater understanding of what orange shirt day represents and why we acknowledge it.

The Orange Shirt Day campaign - Every Child Matters (September 30th nationally) - recalls the experiences of former students of residential schools and is a commitment to ongoing reconciliation in Canada. Originating in British Columbia, 2021 marks the 8th year of the campaign.

September 30th is considered important in the residential school experiences of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people as this was the date when students would be removed from their homes to attend residential schools.

Our school will help honour and remember all the survivors and non-survivors on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30th, please have your child wear an orange shirt on this date.

In class, we say the PLEDGE everyday. Can your child recite it for you?

"Simcoe County District School Board acknowledges that we are situated on the traditional land of the Anishinaabe people. We acknowledge the enduring presence of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people on this land and are committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect."

Here are some key questions to ask your child to check what they've learned so far. I'll post the answers beside the questions, but see if your child can come up with the answers on their own. It's okay if they can't YET; I will be reinforcing these throughout next week and into the school year!

Indigenous studies is a passion of mine and is directly linked and ties into the Social Studies curriculum expectations.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR CHILD:

Why is orange shirt day celebrated each year on Sept. 30th?

That is the day children were taken away from their families by a state agent to attend residential school.

What does the orange shirt represent?

"Every Child Matters!"

Who started orange shirt day?

Phyllis Webstad.

Why the colour orange?

Phyllis' grandmother bought her a new orange shirt for the first day of school, but as soon as she got there, it was stripped off her and she never got it back.

I encourage you and your child to WEAR AN ORANGE SHIRT on September 30th to help remember the true experiences our Indigenous people of Canada faced. It is our class' mission to know the truth and move forward in the spirit of reconciliation & respect!

Kinley:

After our discussions this week about the Indigenous Peoples, Kinley made a connection and shared that over the summer, her Mom and her made a dream catcher.

In many Indigenous tribes, a dream catcher is a handmade willow hoop woven to a web or net. They can include feathers and beads, and they're traditionally suspended on cradles as a form of armour and protection.

Aww, thank you Rose for also bringing in a dreamcatcher to share with us. It's beautiful!

Dream catchers are widely viewed as a symbol of ONENESS among numerous indigenous cultures and tribes. They're also generally looked at as an indication of Indigenous identity.

Thank you Kinely and Rose for sharing your AMAZING dream catchers with our class family. It has inspired us to create our own dream catchers which we will do in art class very soon!! It will be an opportunity for us to honour and show that "we are moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect."

Evelyn:

The connections made to our Indigenous brothers and sisters didn't stop at dream catchers. Evelyn proudly brought in a book to teach us about the Anishinaabe people and their way of living which is closely connected to nature and all its inhabitants (animals).

Thank you Evelyn!! Your willingness and enthusiasm for learning about Canada's First People is inspiring and we will continue to learn more about the indigenous traditions, culture, and heritage which makes up an important part of our history!

Writing Goal:

We have been learning about what 'Good Writers' do in their writing. Together, we came up with some effective ideas that we will use when we WRITE!

Students will be encouraged to check over their work prior to handing it in and asking themselves:

Writing:

Over the next several weeks, your child will be learning about writing a Recount. Below, I have posted the expectations for this (see anchor chart photo).

This week, students had the opportunity to think and write about a special event from their life. Please ask your child what he or she chose to write about in their Recount.

I'm learning so much about my students from reading their entries! I am delighted to see everyone has enjoyed spending quality time with their family making special memories.

Math:

This week, our problem of the week focused on "Yogurt Toppings!" (see image below). Before beginning this lesson, we watched and listened to the video below which helped get our MINDSETS ready to take on a challenging math problem.

As your child's most likely shared with you, there is and will continue to be a daily emphasis on developing and maintaining a GROWTH MINDSET :-)

In class, I always do a modelled lesson, then give students an opportunity to work with a peer. After this, I provide a guided task, and finally, an independent piece for students to show me what they have consolidated (learned).

Below, you will find your child working as a T.E.A.M. ("Together Everybody Achieves MORE) to get their brains thinking of ways to solve the math problem :)

Please, take some time to sit with your child to talk about his or her strategies and some of the key learning(s) from this math question.

Throughout the school year, there will be an emphasis on "multi-step word problems"' where students are encouraged to use the 4-Block Problem Solving Method. See below!

Remember boys and girls, it's always important when beginning to solve a word problem to ...

UNDERSTAND --> PLAN --> SOLVE --> EXPLAIN

Not to worry, we're working hard on this in class and will continue throughout the school year!

Science:

Thank you to Mrs. Primmer (supply teacher) who was in for Mrs. Johnson on Monday for taking action shots of the class working hard on building simple machines which is a focus in science!

The kids LOVED IT and were actively engaged from the beginning of the lesson to the end. Please ask your child about this experience.

Tapping Technique:

Have you heard about the "Tapping Technique?" It's a scientifically proven technique that works to rewire the brain by sending calming signals to the amygdala, the stress center of the brain, allowing both the body and brain to release limitations from negative experiences, emotions, thoughts and much more that hold us back from creating the life we want.

Most people don't realize how big of an impact chronic stress has on their life. It affects their health, their ability to think clearly, and their ability to be happy and to create the life they want. It doesn't have to be this way though!

Check out the video below which gives you an explanation of tapping and how you can incorporate it into your life too!

This week, my students and I used the tapping technique in our Brain Gym routine and its benefits are almost instantaneous as I noticed my students brains and bodies were more calm, alert, and ready to learn.

Thank you Cooper for mindfully leading meditation and being authentically in the present moment.

Please ask your child about the tapping technique (therapy) and give it a TRY at home. May you too benefit from its calming signals sent straight to your brain (prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebrum).

Have a great weekend and KEEP TAPPING!

Terry Fox Run:

Great news! Our school will be participating in the annual Terry Fox Run next week! Please have your child dress in his or her "NOTTAWA SPIRITWEAR" or school colours (blue, white, grey) on Friday October 1st to help celebrate the 41st Anniversary of the "Marathon of Hope!"

On October 1st, our class and Mr. Bridson will be running around the perimeter of the school track during period 4 (12:30 - 1:00 p.m.).

Please have your child dress for outdoor weather, wear outdoor running shoes, and be sure to bring a water bottle.

If you are able and willing to make a donation to our Terry Fox Fundraiser, please do so through the following link below!! Many thanks for your support in this meaningful cause :)

Nottawa's Fundraising Link

We will NOT be collecting cash donations at school this year. Online donations only, please.

In class, we have begun our learning about Terry Fox and his remarkable legacy. In the coming days, your child will bring home some of their Terry activities for you to see and enjoy as a family! This will continue into next week and throughout the school year because I feel it is important to honour and recognize OUR CANADIAN HERO each and everyday!!

Ukulele & Guitar Club:

A message from Mr. Morin! "Guess what? Ukulele and Guitar Club will be starting Wed. Sept. 29th Yeah!!! You must arrive at school and be ready to play by 8:15 am.

We will be meeting in the gym each Wednesday morning. Bring your Ukulele or Guitar, or I will have one that you can borrow. If you take a bus, you will need to be dropped off at the front door."

Thank you Mr. Morin for volunteering your time to share your knowledge, passion, and love for music with our Nottawa kids! I know they'll appreciate this :)

Apple Picking

We are once again pleased to have the support of Kennedy Orchards located at 38 Townley St, Nottawa.

On Wednesday October 6th, from 4:00-7:00pm, you are invited to come to the Orchard and pick some delicious apples.

Reminder, it starts to get dark around 7:30pm this time of year, so come early for the best picking.

Special notes for those wishing to attend:

Bring your own bags to the orchard.
Unfortunately no pets.
All are welcome, friends, families and supporters of the school!
Suggested donation will be $1/LB which works out to about $20 for a full reusable grocery bag

All funds collected will be donated to the school to purchase Science STEM equipment.

Reeghan:

Thank you Mrs. Robichaud for sharing these adorable images of your family and the newest addition - Rusty!

Oh my goodness, dogs truly are a person's best friend. Lucky Rusty to have entered into a very caring and compassionate family!!

Reeghan enjoyed sharing a little bit about her puppy in class and her peers were heard saying, "Awwwww, he's the cutest!!" He most certainly is :-) I want one now too (HAHA)!