Happy April!
We have been very busy at school these past few weeks working on our inquiry social studies projects, science projects, cereal box book reports, a new unit in poetry, lots of math, tableau drama, media studies and art.
The kids are doing really well, they are looking forward to the spring season, and they understand that they are now in the last few months of grade four. It is still very important to remain focussed and diligent at school even though the nicer warmer weather is begging for us to play outside even more.
Thank you to our two volunteers, Wesley's mom and Christian's mom, who were chosen to join us to the TSO. It should be a great experience.
Please join us if you can on Inquiry Night, to see all the great learning that has been happening at LKS, from gr. 1-5. The kids have been working hard to complete their ancient civilizations projects and are looking forward to showing you all their hard work. We have just completed all of our book report/cereal box projects and they will be taking them home for you to enjoy shortly.
Dads, look for a special notice coming home soon. That's all I will say for now.
Finally, let me just thank again all the volunteers who come in for pizza lunch or for whatever else you give up your time to be a part of. I could not do all of this without you.
If you have any questions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me a note in the planner or drop by the classroom for a chat.
Thanks and have a happy and healthy Easter weekend.
Ms. Shklar
Monday 10 April 2017
Monday 6 February 2017
Happy February!
Time really is flying by! A big thank you to all the parents/nannies/volunteers who made our skating trip to the MasterCard Centre possible. I really appreciated all your help. The kids had fun, got some exercise and maybe ate too much candy.
Just a little reminder about our upcoming author's visit by Eric Walters on the 16th. If your child has one of his books, and would like it to be signed, please bring it in for an autograph. He is always such an engaging presenter, I know the kids will love him.
Just a few highlights about curriculum:
Language - right now we are focussing on Literature Circles. It is so great watching the children lead their own groups, come up with interesting questions, have meaningful discussions and even sample a dessert or two on topic. The kids are given a lot of in-class time to complete their work so most of it is being done in class. In the event that they are absent, or unable to finish it within class time, they are expected to prepare for their job at home.
Math - we just finished multiplication and a bit of long division. Please continue to practice these facts at home. We have also been learning through 3 part math lessons. Ask your child what this means. It's pretty exciting seeing the kids so excited to learn from each other. We are moving into Geometry this week.
Social Studies - we are moving into learning all about Ancient Civilizations. In order to understand how far we have come as a society, we have to understand where we came from. Right now we are still gathering and learning the basics, but an inquiry project is on the horizon.
Science - Mr. Iceton is teaching the kids about animals and habitats. The inquiry fair in April will showcase their projects in science.
Media Studies - We will be creating some anti-smoking posters as we are learning about this topic in health. We will learn about advertising techniques to create the most effective posters possible.
I think that is it for now. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me a note in the planner or to pop in for a visit.
Thank you,
Ms. Shklar
Just a little reminder about our upcoming author's visit by Eric Walters on the 16th. If your child has one of his books, and would like it to be signed, please bring it in for an autograph. He is always such an engaging presenter, I know the kids will love him.
Just a few highlights about curriculum:
Language - right now we are focussing on Literature Circles. It is so great watching the children lead their own groups, come up with interesting questions, have meaningful discussions and even sample a dessert or two on topic. The kids are given a lot of in-class time to complete their work so most of it is being done in class. In the event that they are absent, or unable to finish it within class time, they are expected to prepare for their job at home.
Math - we just finished multiplication and a bit of long division. Please continue to practice these facts at home. We have also been learning through 3 part math lessons. Ask your child what this means. It's pretty exciting seeing the kids so excited to learn from each other. We are moving into Geometry this week.
Social Studies - we are moving into learning all about Ancient Civilizations. In order to understand how far we have come as a society, we have to understand where we came from. Right now we are still gathering and learning the basics, but an inquiry project is on the horizon.
Science - Mr. Iceton is teaching the kids about animals and habitats. The inquiry fair in April will showcase their projects in science.
Media Studies - We will be creating some anti-smoking posters as we are learning about this topic in health. We will learn about advertising techniques to create the most effective posters possible.
I think that is it for now. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me a note in the planner or to pop in for a visit.
Thank you,
Ms. Shklar
Friday 23 December 2016
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
A big thank you to all the parents who took the time to make our Craft Morning a huge success! The kids had such a great morning, the crafts were really interesting and beautiful to make. You definitely gave me some great ideas :)
Also, thank you for all the gifts that I have received over these past few days, including the very generous class gift. I am always so touched by all the lovely cards and words being expressed during this time.
Finally, I want to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas holiday, filled with love, laughter, rest and hopefully some sleep.
See you in 2017!
Ms. Shklar
A big thank you to all the parents who took the time to make our Craft Morning a huge success! The kids had such a great morning, the crafts were really interesting and beautiful to make. You definitely gave me some great ideas :)
Also, thank you for all the gifts that I have received over these past few days, including the very generous class gift. I am always so touched by all the lovely cards and words being expressed during this time.
Finally, I want to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas holiday, filled with love, laughter, rest and hopefully some sleep.
See you in 2017!
Ms. Shklar
Monday 5 December 2016
December is here!
Dear parents and students,
We are officially in countdown mode to the winter break! The classroom is already buzzing with the anticipation and excitement of the holidays. And yet, there is still a lot to be done before then. Here's a sneak peak of upcoming events:
1. This Thursday we will going on our first field trip. I hope the kids really love it and learn even more about the importance of fitness and making healthy choices. The children are expected to bring their lunches, a water bottle and appropriate gym attire. They will be moving and sweaty all day, and need to be properly dressed. Hopefully this will result in a good night's sleep.
2. Winter concert on the 14th - the kids can be dropped off in our room at 5:30pm. The People of Pinataville should be in colourful, single colour tops with black bottoms. Sunglasses may also be worn. Please do not send your child with any hooks or weapons (for pirates) and patches (if they are wearing one) should be on their foreheads. After the show, the students will return to our class to be picked up.
3. Craft Day on December 19th - Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help run a station for our kids. They really do enjoy this time of year, and being able to come home with a few homemade crafts makes it that much more festive. Please have your child bring in a labelled shoebox to transport their goodies home on Craft day.
4. Finally, it was great meeting so many of you at parent teacher interviews. I really enjoyed discussing your children with you and talking about how well they have adjusted to the expectations of gr.4. If you have any questions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to come and speak to me.
Thanks and have a great evening,
Ms. Shklar
We are officially in countdown mode to the winter break! The classroom is already buzzing with the anticipation and excitement of the holidays. And yet, there is still a lot to be done before then. Here's a sneak peak of upcoming events:
1. This Thursday we will going on our first field trip. I hope the kids really love it and learn even more about the importance of fitness and making healthy choices. The children are expected to bring their lunches, a water bottle and appropriate gym attire. They will be moving and sweaty all day, and need to be properly dressed. Hopefully this will result in a good night's sleep.
2. Winter concert on the 14th - the kids can be dropped off in our room at 5:30pm. The People of Pinataville should be in colourful, single colour tops with black bottoms. Sunglasses may also be worn. Please do not send your child with any hooks or weapons (for pirates) and patches (if they are wearing one) should be on their foreheads. After the show, the students will return to our class to be picked up.
3. Craft Day on December 19th - Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help run a station for our kids. They really do enjoy this time of year, and being able to come home with a few homemade crafts makes it that much more festive. Please have your child bring in a labelled shoebox to transport their goodies home on Craft day.
4. Finally, it was great meeting so many of you at parent teacher interviews. I really enjoyed discussing your children with you and talking about how well they have adjusted to the expectations of gr.4. If you have any questions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to come and speak to me.
Thanks and have a great evening,
Ms. Shklar
Thursday 3 November 2016
November
Dear parents and students,
Hard to believe that November is already here. Time is really flying by. Don't forget to turn your clocks back Saturday night! I just wanted to mention a few things that have happened or will be taking place over the next few weeks.
1. A big thank you to all the parent volunteers who gave up their time to help supervise the students with our scientist in the school. I heard the morning was very successful and the kids had a great time learning all about pulleys and gears. It is always such a treat to have parents come in, so thanks.
2. Thank you to all the parents who donated snacks for our Hallowe'en party. They had a great time watching the movie, thank you Jack, and if you can believe, every last bit was eaten up.
3. I am lucky enough to be hosting a student teacher over the next two months. Her name is Oksana Byskosz and she is currently finishing her Masters of Science at Medaille University. She is great with the kids, helpful and engaging. Eventually, she will be taking over the teaching day, but for now she is still in observation mode. By the end of her placement, she will be required to video herself deliver a lesson and how the students respond to it. We will be sending home a media release form this Friday explaining what will be taking place. If you agree to it, please send it back in the Friday Folder on Monday.
4. Book Talk projects were sent home yesterday. They will be due on November 14th. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me about it. The outline and rubric are pretty clear and the children seem excited to get started on this at home project.
Again, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send me a note in the planners. Finally, I am really looking forward to chatting about your children in the upcoming weeks as reports go home shortly.
Ms. Shklar
Hard to believe that November is already here. Time is really flying by. Don't forget to turn your clocks back Saturday night! I just wanted to mention a few things that have happened or will be taking place over the next few weeks.
1. A big thank you to all the parent volunteers who gave up their time to help supervise the students with our scientist in the school. I heard the morning was very successful and the kids had a great time learning all about pulleys and gears. It is always such a treat to have parents come in, so thanks.
2. Thank you to all the parents who donated snacks for our Hallowe'en party. They had a great time watching the movie, thank you Jack, and if you can believe, every last bit was eaten up.
3. I am lucky enough to be hosting a student teacher over the next two months. Her name is Oksana Byskosz and she is currently finishing her Masters of Science at Medaille University. She is great with the kids, helpful and engaging. Eventually, she will be taking over the teaching day, but for now she is still in observation mode. By the end of her placement, she will be required to video herself deliver a lesson and how the students respond to it. We will be sending home a media release form this Friday explaining what will be taking place. If you agree to it, please send it back in the Friday Folder on Monday.
4. Book Talk projects were sent home yesterday. They will be due on November 14th. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me about it. The outline and rubric are pretty clear and the children seem excited to get started on this at home project.
Again, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send me a note in the planners. Finally, I am really looking forward to chatting about your children in the upcoming weeks as reports go home shortly.
Ms. Shklar
Tuesday 18 October 2016
Spelling
Dear parents,
You may be wondering where our spelling program has gone, if it has disappeared completely but rest assured, it has not. We took a short break from it because of the back to back short weeks. Also this year we are using a new spelling program called Wordly Wise 3000. This program encompasses many spelling activities, such as grammar lessons, building a stronger and more rich vocabulary, reading comprehension activities, mini quizzes etc. As you can see, that is a lot to cover in 1 week. Therefore, as a gr.4 team, we have decided to spread out the activities over two weeks instead. We felt that this would allow us to go deeper into the activities and for your children to feel more successful at them too. The new list of words will be coming home tomorrow in their planners, and the quiz will be the following week on Wednesday. The gr.5 team is following this same outline and is finding great success with it. I hope that clarifies any questions that you may have. If not, please do not hesitate to send me a note in the planner.
On a side note, we had a great presentation today at school called "The Power of 1". There was a lot of wonderful information and strategies shared with the children about bullying, bullying prevention, and how to deal with it as a bystander. Take the time to talk with your children about this very important topic. We all have the power to make a difference!
Go Jays Go!
Thanks,
Ms. Shklar
You may be wondering where our spelling program has gone, if it has disappeared completely but rest assured, it has not. We took a short break from it because of the back to back short weeks. Also this year we are using a new spelling program called Wordly Wise 3000. This program encompasses many spelling activities, such as grammar lessons, building a stronger and more rich vocabulary, reading comprehension activities, mini quizzes etc. As you can see, that is a lot to cover in 1 week. Therefore, as a gr.4 team, we have decided to spread out the activities over two weeks instead. We felt that this would allow us to go deeper into the activities and for your children to feel more successful at them too. The new list of words will be coming home tomorrow in their planners, and the quiz will be the following week on Wednesday. The gr.5 team is following this same outline and is finding great success with it. I hope that clarifies any questions that you may have. If not, please do not hesitate to send me a note in the planner.
On a side note, we had a great presentation today at school called "The Power of 1". There was a lot of wonderful information and strategies shared with the children about bullying, bullying prevention, and how to deal with it as a bystander. Take the time to talk with your children about this very important topic. We all have the power to make a difference!
Go Jays Go!
Thanks,
Ms. Shklar
Thursday 6 October 2016
Thanksgiving
I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time with your families, get some rest and have fun.
See you on Tuesday.
Ms. Shklar
See you on Tuesday.
Ms. Shklar
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