May News

Spring may finally be here!  The days are still cool but the sun is trying to peek out behind the clouds.  The students and I are enjoying the warmer weather.  We will be keeping the doors and windows of the portable open this month so we can enjoy the fresh air.

Students of month:  Diligence

Three very diligent students were chosen to be the students of the month.  It is my pleasure to have such hardworking students in 3A.  Chelsea was absent at the assembly so she will be recognized at next month's assembly.

Fighting Island Field Trip

We enjoyed a fantastic day on Fighting Island.  We saw so many cool critters and had a wonderful exprience.  I am making a video of our day to send to the school board Science department.  The video will be posted on our blog next week.  A great big thank you to the parents who came out to chaperone our field trip.  A big Shazam to Mr. McGuire, Mrs. Politis, Mrs. Antal, Mrs. Virk, Mr. Murray, Mrs. Arndt, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Smith.  The kids loved having you and I appreciated the extra hands.

Heritage Village

Our next field trip is to Heritage Village in Kingsville.  This trip will complement our Social Studies unit about Pioneer Life.  Please note that I have had to change the date to Wednesday, May 15 because our original date is the raindate for our school Track and Field meet.

We will also need parent volunteers to accompany us on this field trip.  Please fill out the permission form and send it back to school as soon as possible.  I am only able to accept 6 volunteers.  Thank you for your interest.

Track and Field
The students will be preparing for their first school track and field meet during gym class.  We will be working on running and jumping skills.  Students who wish to, may also train with Mr. Mousseau at second nutrition breaks.  Proper running shoes and comfortable clothing is recommended.  All students are expected to participate at the school track meet.

Important dates to remember:

May 3:  Freezie Friday
Please send $1.00 to school if your child wishes to buy a freezie.  Proceeds will go to the Talbot Trail Special Olympics team.

May 15:  Heritage Village field trip
Please sign and return the permission with $15.00 to pay for the trip.

May 16:  School Track and Field day

May 17:  Raindate for Track and Field day

Curriculum News:

Math:  We have started our fractions unit.  This is a short unit and I am hoping to give the kids a test by next Friday.   Click here for some games about fractions:

Fraction games

We will then start a unit on time and money.  Students are encouraged to count the change they have at home and practise making change with their money.  For example, "If you buy something that costs $2.50 and you pay with 5 loonies, how much change should you get?"  This is a very difficult unit for students as the exchange of money is rarer these days.  Please take some time to practise with students at home.

Please click the following links for computer games to help students make change:

Making Change game #1

Making Change game #2

Making change game #3

Literacy:  Students will continue to write narratives that focus on the following -

1.  Setting
2.  Characters
3.  Problem
4.  Solution
5.  Clear beginning, middle and end

Students will be reading a variety of texts about pioneer times.

Social Studies:  Pionner times

EQAO:  We will continue to practise our test taking skills for EQAO.   This month, we will use last year's math and language tests to practise.  I will send a copy of the tests home after the students complete them so you can see your child's progress.