lundi le 31 janvier, 2017
In French grammar this week, students are continuing to learn to conjugate verbs in the passé composé (past tense). Our previous past tense lessons were focused on verbs ending in -er. Now we are learning to conjugate verbs ending in -ir and -re (for example finir and apprendre). This is a difficult verb tense with two parts. Part one is the verb avoir (to have) or être (to be), conjugated in the present tense. Part two is the past participle of the verb you are conjugating and just has to be learned and memorized (for example finir becomes fini, and apprendre becomes appris). The passé composé is used when past actions were completed at a specific time, a new feeling was expressed, or when a past event was interrupted. For example, "Yesterday I learned to multiply" (Hier, j'ai appris à multiplié). In writing this week, students will begin a rough draft of a story they illustrated and printed in a series of four images in art class. This story will include four parts: an introduction, a problem, a solution and an ending. The final product will be displayed alongside their artwork. In reading, guided reading groups and individual reading will continue on Tuesday and Thursday.
In Math this week, students are continuing to learn how to create a graph using a variety of examples. Once they are ready, they will choose a topic of personal interest to survey the class and display it on a bar graph. A review of multiplication and division will also help students get more comfortable with facts families (for example, 3X4=12, 4X3=12, 12÷4=3, 12÷3=4). During our daily calendar, students are counting money. They are also learning how to count change by counting up from the amount of the item to the amount of money being used for the purchase. For example, a pen worth $2.17 is purchased with $5, how much change do they need? Counting up from $2.17 to $5.00 is the change. After some practice, in small groups students will create at store and use paper money. If time permits this week, we will also review how to read a 25-hour clock (pardon the pun!).
In English this week, we will complete our short and long vowel sound study of a, e, i, o, u. Some students are preparing to publish their stories in Quadra's student newspaper, the Quadra Quill! Others are taking time to complete and correct their creative short stories.
In Social Studies this week, students are learning about the cultures and traditions of our northern people living in the territories and northern Quebec. By listening to oral history and studying a variety of artwork, students are gaining multicultural awareness and respect for diversity. In combination with art and social studies, on Thursday students will build a stone Inukshuk and decorate it using colours and words of inspiration (such as kindness, friendship, family, ect).
In Science, students will learn about the fragile balance of a food chain and food web through a story called "Wolf Island" by Celia Godkin. This is based on the true story of what happens when the highest link is removed. They are also collecting shoe boxes and other craft materials in preparation for a habitat diorama we will begin to create next week or the following week.
In PE this week we'll be playing hockey and other winter carnival inspired games on Friday with a rotation of activities in the gym. Throughout the week, we are also learning about some of Quebec's winter carnival cultural celebrations such as songs and maple syrup production!
Have a great week everyone and happy Chinese New Year!
Mme Garcin