February 24-28, 2013

Reading: Historical Fiction - Making Inferences, shared and guided reading
Writing: Narrative Writing - planning and organizing ideas, creating believable characters
Math: Division - facts, grouping, repeated subtraction, arrays
Science (Ms. Halliwell): States of Matter
Social Studies: Government & Citizenship -roles & Responsibilities, quiz this week
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Adjectives - Describing Animals
Music/Drama (Ms. Craigg): Music Theory
Visual Art: Still life - ink & water colour
Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): Racquet Sports

Social Studies Homework

In Social Studies class today, we discussed the different levels of government (federal, provincial, municipal) and their responsibilities.  For homework, students were given a sheet to review the activity and discussion we had.  They have to list some responsibilities for the different levels of government.  Here is an "unsorted list" of some services provided by the different levels:

- recycling
- O.P.P.
- fisheries
- city police
- hospital
- garbage collection
- passports
- child care
- banks & money
- driver's licence
- R.C.M.P.
- public transit

Students can also add other responsibilities to their list as well.

Multiplication Facts

We are starting our multiplication and division unit this week.  By the end of the unit, students will be expected to multiply 2 digit numbers by 2 digit numbers (e.g., 46x82) and divide 3 digit numbers by 1 digit (355/5) using a variety of strategies, and use the concepts to solve problems. 

By now, students should be able to recall multiplication facts up to 9x9.  Knowing the facts will allow students to focus on the application of multiplication and solving problems (vs. doing the multiplying).  It is also essential that students know the basic facts before trying to do 2 digit multiplication. 

In class, we have discussed various strategies/tricks/tips to help us remember our multiplication facts.  Here is a link to the “finger method” that we discussed to help us with 6-9’s.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Tables-of-6-7-8-and-9-in-your-hands/

Students can also use skip counting/repeated addition to help them multiply.  Ideally, students should have them memorized so that they can recall the facts automatically.  Knowing multiplication facts will also help students divide when we get to that part of the unit.

Here are a few online practice games/websites that will provide some extra practice:

http://www.multiplication.com/games/all-games

February 10-14, 2013

Reading: Historical Fiction - Making Inferences
Writing: Narrative Writing - Generating Ideas
Math: Multiplication & Division - Launch, learning facts, problem solving
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Forces in Nature
Social Studies: Government & Citizenship - Launch, Roles & Responsibilities
French (Ms. Bordonaro): TBA
Music/Drama (Ms. Craigg): TBA
Visual Art: Still life - hatching/cross-hatching with ink
Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): Olympic Games