We have many things planned for the week before the holiday starts. In English students are finishing up their letters to Santa. These letters and return addresses need to be "proofread" by parents before they go into the mail. By the way, no need for stamps when mailing to the North Pole! In French we are beginning to learn some of the irregular verbs, starting with être (to be). It is different than all other verbs and therefore needs to be memorized so that is can be applied correctly into our written and oral language. Ask your child to sing you the song we've learned to help us remember this verb.
Here is the verb "être" (to be) conjugated in the present tense, and the lyrics to our song:
Je suis Nous sommes
Tu es Vous êtes
Il/Elle est Ils/Elles sont
In a sentence, for example: "We are very talented." in French would be "Nous sommes très talentueux."
In Math this week we are continuing to learn division and how it is related to multiplication. For example, if 12 ÷ 3 = 4, then 3 × 4 = 12 and 4 × 3 = 12. We are also learning to read and answer word problems, and identifying what the question is asking. We are looking for words such as "more than" (plus que), less than (moins que), altogether (en tout) to help us figure out if we are adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing. Later this week, in preparation for learning to count money this term, we will have a "store" activity. Students will buy items using the dollars they have earned in class for speaking French and working hard. Each student will be purchasing at least one item. Also, counting coins will be part of our calendar routine in January. You can help your child be better prepared by helping them to identify each coin value, count and give change when at home or at the grocery store.
Today we had our Primary Concert rehearsal. Students have been working hard, practicing their ukulele song Mele Kalikimaka by Bing Crosby. Students are encouraged (and optional), to wear a flower/colourful shirt, and/or a flower lei, Santa hat or deer antlers for this Primary concert on Wednesday at 1pm in the gym. We hope to see all of you at there! There is also an Intermediate Concert on Thursday at 1pm (which include performances by Quadra choir and ukulele club members). Students in this performance are asked to wear black bottom, and white, red or green tops.
Friday is pajama and pancake day! Students can come to school in pajamas's and a pancake breakfast is generously offered to them by Coast Capitol Savings. Students are invited to come straight to the gym in the morning, anytime between 8:30 and 9:00 am. There will be no line up outside. An announcement will be made by the principal when it's time to leave the gym and go to the classroom.
See you on Monday, January 5th, 2015. Have a wonderful holiday everyone!
Mme Elise Garcin