Art Reach

We had the arts reach people come and teach us about Mandalas.  They talked about mandalas from different cultures, including the first nations of the coast which we are studying in Social Studies.  As well as the art and painting skills they also included math concepts of symmetry and tessellation which are part of our math curriculum.  It was fun to paint on such a large piece of paper, which we usually don't get to do in the classroom.  Great Job everyone.

Fairy Tale Day

Tuesday was family literacy day.  Our school chose fairy tales as their theme and the morning was dedicated to studying, writing, exploring,  and most of all enjoying fairy tales. 

This is M's last week he and his family are moving to Galiano Island.  We will miss him and wish him all the best.

M.E. reading, writing and math. FSA, P.E. and Choir

Notices: 

Please Bring February Lunch Forms signed back to school 

C shows a harmonica that belonged to his grandfather

 We started the day with two worksheets, one reading, one math then wrote a story in their ME duo tang. I have started beginning the day this way instead of silent reading. We will be moving silent reading to after recess instead. I made the move to make better use of the start of the day brain focus.

The reading activity was a Just So story about how the bear got a short tail. The students read the story, answered questions about the story and put the story parts in the proper order. The students then wrote their own Just So story about things like, how rabbit got long ears, why the raven is black, how the cheetah got it's spots etc.

After recess the students did the reading component of the FSA tests. After lunch we had P.E. in the gym with the student's favorite running capture the flag like game.

This was followed by silent reading then choir. Those students not in choir listened to the music of Don Mclean and did a one page report oh him. Don McLean is one of America's most enduring singer-songwriters and is forever associated with his classic hits "American Pie" and "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)". Since first hitting the charts in 1971, Don has amassed over 40 gold and platinum records world-wide We ended the day in the computer lab working on power point.

 Great day everyone... See you tomorrow

Surprise Party and Mrs. S's Last Day

I have had the pleasure of teaching our kind and thoughtful class this year, as well as working with a very caring, fun, and engaging teaching partner, Mr. Wilson, for a second year.
This is my last week of work before going on maternity leave and today the class, with Mr. Wilson's help, planned a surprise party for me.
Yes, I was totally surprised and felt very appreciated!

While we were having Gym outside (the gym was in use and it was a beautiful day!), some students decorated our classroom and set up the surprise party. Yes, my husband and I are having a girl!

The party was complete with cupcakes, juice, decorations, cards, a class book expressing their favourite things we did this year, speeches, and a gift for my 4 year old daughter. My 4 year old always caries around a small stuffed animal and LOVES the stuffed turtle. Thank you for thinking of her too!

After speeches, which the grade 4s took very seriously and said from behind the podium, a group of girls also performed a cup song and sang, "We'll Miss You When You're Gone."

It was a fantastic and fun afternoon! I was blown away by the class' thoughtfulness and what they said during their speeches. I've had a huge smile on my face since this afternoon.

Everyone - you are very welcome for everything we learned and did together this school year. I've had a lot of fun teaching you and I learned from you too.

To Div. 4 - I may see you in the halls tomorrow (I teach grade 3 on Thursdays). If not, I wish you all a successful second half of the school year and keep being kind to one another.

Sometime after my baby is born, I'll come back for a visit and you can meet Baby Schneider.

Take care,
Mrs. Schneider

Horses, Library, Reading, Matisse, Cup-songs

Pictures will be added later

We began the day writing in our ME duotang. Yesterday we began our new unit in Social Studies on Transportation and the First Nations.   Along with canoes, kayaks etc. we will look at the importance of the horse, dog and other animals and their importance to first nations travel.  Yesterday we talked about how the introduction of the horse by the Spanish and how the horse changed the lives of first nations peoples.  They could travel farther, faster, haul more all because of the horse, to name a few things.  

This morning we started writing about the introduction of the horse to the plains from the perspective of the dog.  Prior to the horse coming the dog was the main animal used by first nations peoples. 

After ME we went for our weekly book exchange and library study.  The librarian also talked about horses, the buffalo hunt and Alberta.  

After recess the students had silent reading with their new library books.  This was followed by Art where we talked about the art of Matisse and then applied his style to creating an abstract image of the horse.

After Lunch we had silent reading or finishing off their Matisse style animals.

The next period was noisy and creative.  The students worked on making a clapping, cup turning, partner song to show knowledge learned during the social studies about the ways the first nations lives changed because of the horse.  A) hunting became easier, B) Their food supply changed.  C) They could hunt farther away D) horses became a status symbol E) Because they were nomadic it made carrying and moving camp easier [ NOTE: there will be a question on the test tomorrow about how the horse changed their lives]

Great Job Everyone.... Study your spelling See you tomorrow...

Goodbye, 2014! Hello, 2015!

Today students wrote and drew about something they are proud of in grade 4 so far, and then wrote and drew about a goal for 2015.
Their responses are insightful and thoughtful. We put them up in our classroom.

Mrs. Schneider

Welcome Back!

Happy New Year and Welcome Back to School!

Reminder: Please return signed report card envelopes

Reminder: Skating on Tuesday, January 13, 1:45 - 2:35.

 

We need a few more parent volunteers to walk with us to Pearkes Arena and to help tie skates.

 

Please email Mrs. Schneider (lschneider@sd61.bc.ca) if you are able to help us.

 

On Monday, students rotated through 6 Science stations to learn about Sound. Some stations had experiments, while other stations had materials to play with and try out. Afterwards students wrote about what they learned. Everyone had a fun time and learned how sound travels, how sound can be made, found instruments (common items from around your house), pitch, and vibrations.

 

 

 

 Mrs. Schneider