Happy end of September!

Ms O'Halloran and I enjoyed meeting parents and siblings last night at Meet-the-Teacher.

Thank you for visiting our classroom and catching a quick glimpse of what the students have been working on during the month of September.

Bill Mason Centre: I have sent home a note with reminders about what to bring for our field trip on Monday (please check your child's agenda today). We will be outdoors all day (rain or shine). My fingers are crossed that the weather will cooperate and the sun will be shinning!!!

I would suggest that your child wears rubber boots and maybe brings an older pair of running shoes. We will be playing a game called "Predator & Prey" in which the students will be running around the forest like the game of tag.

• Students who are part of the the milk program will be given their milk once we return to school.
• Students who have any medical concerns or allergies please do not forget to bring your Epi pens and/or puffers. I will be carrying your extra Epi pen with me throughout the day.

Parent volunteers

• I will meet you in the office on Monday morning around 8:40 a.m.
• Remember to bring a "litterless lunch" and drinks to keep hydrated.
• I believe the adults will be included in the game of "Predator & Prey" therefore I would suggest wearing comfortable clothing and shoes.
• Thank you again for volunteering!!

Presentations: The Actualité presentations will begin Tuesday, Oct.9th. Please make sure your child has a Bristol board with the following information:

1. An explanation of the token (with specific details)
2. Pictures/drawings/photos
3. Creative titles, letters, texture and lots of colour

 I will be looking for expression and eye contact. I encourage the students to have a catchy introduction to get my attention. Please note that the students are not expected to memorize the entire presentation. I would like them to feel comfortable with their topic.

• Next Friday, October 5th is our first P.D. day of the year.
• Also please note that Monday, October 8th is Thanksgiving.
• There is no school for students on both days.
• Enjoy the long weekend with family and friends :-)

Physical Education: We have learned a new game called "Keeper of the Castle". This game focuses on the students coming up with strategies and working together as a team. We have also continued to play "Elimination Soccer Stations" a couple of times as it was a huge hit with the class. This game also requires some strategy work and soccer skills.

We will be starting our unit on Basketball next week. This will continue through the month of October. At the end of the unit I will be sending home a rubric for you to sign.

Language: Please continue to read with your child in both languages if possible. It is important for them to see new vocabulary and learn how to decode the words.

In French we have been working on using surrounding words in a sentence to help find the meaning of an unknown word. I have been encouraging the students to write down "new words" when they are reading and look them up either at school or at home to help expand their word bank.

At the moment we are writing paragraphs about habitats. We will be typing our good copies on the computer shortly.

Have a good weekend.

Week # 2

Homework: Ms O'Halloran & I have started our homework program. The students English work can be found in an ORANGE duotang and their French work in a YELLOW duotang. I have added an outline in the yellow duotang to help guide them. The students do not have to complete the homework on those particular days. I understand how difficult schedules can be with extra-curricular sports and family engagements which is why we give everyone a full week to complete the assigned homework.

Scholastic: I have placed an order for anyone who has sent in forms. Please note that these items should arrive before the end of next week (Sept.21st). When they arrive I will send them home with your child.

If you would still like to place an order for the September catalogues, I will be accepting order forms until Sept. 24th.

What we've been up to this week:

Sciences: We have learned about what type of habitat and food for a raccoon. We have discussed the difference between 'climat' & 'temperature" as well as noted the differences & similarities between habitats. All habitats must include "les besoins vitaux" which includes water, food sources, air, sun, soil and space. I have addd 2 more fun websites to help the students learn more about habitats.

We will be building terrariums next week. I will post the various types of habitats we are creating online at the end of the week. Stay tuned!!

Physical Education: More drills to improve our soccer skills which included strategies to help block a ball, throw a ball and kick a ball to a specific target. We talked about the importance of warming up their muscles before starting any physical activity to avoid injuries. We played a new game called "elimination soccer stations". If you are feeling adventurous this weekend, please ask your child to show you how to play :-)

French: We read a text entitled "Silence!" that focused on the importance of keeping quiet during library time. While reading this text together we worked on using surrounding words to help us understand new words as well as underlining key words.

Have a fantastic weekend!!!!

First week of school

We have finished the first week of grade 4!!!

Thank you for sending back all the forms so efficiently. Great job.

Here is a quick summary of what we have been doing in the classroom:

French: Conjugating verbes (1er groupe des verbes en "er") & writing "Mon Profil Personnel" about ourselves. These profiles will be presented in class next week so we can get to know our peers and teachers.

Physical Education: We went over the rules and expectations of the gym, created our squads and have learned some new warm-up games to get our blood flowing. Our first unit of the year will be soccer. We will be focusing on skills during the next couple of weeks as well as learning the rules and strategies to play the game.

Science: Habitats, habitats we love our habitats!!! We have started learning new vocabulary and the different types of habitats we can find in the world. Please review the following words with your child from time to time to reinforce what they mean and how they are spelt. Here our the first 10 words: environnement, prédateur, proie, chaine alimentaire, climat, température, habitat, écosystème, adaptation & animaux. I have added a section on the right with fun websites to learn about various habitats. These websites include games, activities, etc.

Visual Arts: We will always have art on Friday afternoon. Today we are creating "back to school supplies". The students have chosen various supplies they use and/or would like to on a sheet of 11 x17. The purpose is to create emphasis on the supplies by choosing bold colours and patterns to make them stand out.

Reading: I encourage the students to read for 10-15 minutes each night.

Homework: I have sent home a note explaining how our homework program will be set-up for this year. Please read it over with your child, sign it and return it to school next week. Homework will start on Thursday, September 13th.

Have a fantastic weekend !

Welcome back & classroom photos!

Bienvenue à tous les parents et étudiants en 4ième année dans la classe de Mlle Tessier et Ms O'Halloran à SPS.

Nous espérons que vous avez passez de belles vacances et vous êtes tous reposés pour une nouvelle année d'école rempli d'enthousiasme!!!

This website will be used by myself and Ms O'Halloran to keep parents and students updated on the following:

* Homework
* Test/Assignment dates and information
* Upcoming field trips
* Exciting things happening in the classroom
* Presentation schedules
* Reminders
* And much more!!

We encourage everyone to add this site as a favourite on your computer and to visit us frequently to stay updated.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us: natalie.tessier@ocdsb.ca or virginia.o'halloran@ocdsb.ca

We are anxious to get to know our new students and look forward to meeting parents at Meet-the-Teacher night Thursday, September 27th between 5:30-7:00 p.m.





Here is a quick look at our classroom.