Chers familles de Division 6,
This week in French Language Arts, students are learning to write a negative sentence which in French we call "la négation". This includes two parts 1) "ne" and 2) "pas". They always go before and after the verb. If the verb begins with a vowel, the e is dropped in the "ne" and becomes "n' " to avoid 2 vowels from being together. For example, "He is scared" becomes "He is not scared". In French this translates to "Il a peur" and "Il n'a pas peur". Today we read our pen pal letters from Doncaster and this week we'll being drafting our response letters. This is where we integrate many different grammar rules we are learning, such as subject verb agreements, masculine/feminine articles, singular/plural nouns, sentence structure, punctuation such as questions and exclamation marks and now negation. While grade 3's study English, grade 2's are doing a French novel study with Mme Roslton. This focuses on reading and reading comprehension strategies.
In Math, both grade 2's and 3's are participating in a Canada-wide math competition called Number Rumble! We are going to the computer lab once a day and this program includes questions about number recognition, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, money, word problems, geometry and time. You can go to www.10monkeys.com and "try for free" to see what it's like. Grade 2's have started a measurement unit with Mme Roslton. In grade 3, students are learning how to measure the perimeter of regular and irregular shapes with a ruler using different units such as mm, cm, m and even inches.
In English, grade 3 students this week are putting their Flat Stanley Projects together and continuing to read short stories and answer in full sentences. In Science, students are germinating bean, tomato, cucumber and lettuce seeds. We hope they sprout by the time our student-led conferences begin next week! Today we talked about the 3 things our seeds will need to grow: soil, water and sun. In combination with Social Studies and Art, students are creating a talking stick and learning about the importance of listening and taking turns when speaking. We will learn the Aboriginal origins and use of the talking stick on Friday when new have a visit with Pamela Bourque, our Aboriginal learning support teacher.
In PE this week, we are learning more tennis skills, such as holding a racket, balancing a ball and hitting a ball. This is a great sport for developing hand-eye coordination.
Our term 3 library block is now on Thursday's, so please return or renew library books every Thursday morning from now until the end of June. Note that next week on Tues April 19th and 20th we have student-led conferences. School is dismissed at 11:50am on both these days. I will be sending home a confirmation time for your visit this week.
Looking ahead, our next field trip with be on the morning of Wednesday May 4th to the Victoria Art Gallery. Please submit $2.50 (or $5.00 to help sponsor another child in the class) by the end of this week. I am still looking for one volunteer to accompany us by bus, please email me if you can join us.
Thanks for your support at home and have a great week!
Mme Garcin