Art Center Trip: March 23

The field trip to Hamilton's Art Center has been re-booked for the afternoon of March 23.  Please ensure your child comes to school with comfortable clothing,running shoes and a lunch! Our apologizes again for the cancellation last week.  We will be leaving the school at 11:10 and coming back around 2:30pm.

Homework Expectations

Classroom Updates

Upcoming Math Unit

Last week we started our multiplication unit which is part of the Number Sense and Numeration Math strand.  In this unit students will be expected to multiply whole numbers up to 9 x 9 using a variety of mental strategies.  

Taking time throughout the week to practice the basic facts with your child will help them develop the confidence required in this unit.  This can be done by...

• using flash cards that include 1 digit multiplication facts to 9x9
• Dreambox (expectation that students log on 40 minutes each week) - this is a very effective tool that allows students to practice a variety of strategies for solving multiplication questions in a differentiated learning environment
• math apps (a number of multiplication related apps can be found on the apple store, (ex Times Tables Quiz Multiplication Trainer)

Weekly Knowledge quizzes and drill practice sheets will be performed to ensure that students are acquiring the skills necessary before moving onto new concepts.  If your child is struggling, extra practice sheets and activities will be sent home with the hope that these can be completed with parental support.  

Literature Circles

As part of our reading program we have started our Literature circle groups.  Students have been organized into reading groups based on current reading needs, and will be reading a teacher-selected novel with this group.  Each week students will rotate through a series of jobs (e.g. summarizer, word finder, discussion leader, connector etc.) and will be expected to present their job requirements during weekly meetings. Class time will be provided to ensure your child has time to complete their assigned reading and their assigned job.

Homework Expectations

-A gentle reminder that students are expected to have a parent sign their agenda each night.  Agendas are checked each morning
-In grade four students should be reading a minimum of 20 minutes each night.  This can be in the form of shared reading, independent reading or listening to reading.
-Dreambox - students should be logging onto Dreambox each week for a minimum of 40 minutes each week.   
1. -Current Events - preparation for current event presentations is to be completed at home.  Please help your child select articles that are interesting to them personally, but also articles that are appropriate for all students in the classroom (ex. no weapons, violence, inappropriate language .)

Thanks for your continued support

Friendly Reminders

Just some friendly reminders as we begin our first week of school...

•  Physical Education: Please bring gym clothes (t-shirt and shorts/track pants) and a change of running shoes for Thursday as we will be in the gym Thursday and Friday this week!  Students will be encouraged to bring their gym clothes to school on Mondays and will bring them home on Fridays to be washed.   

• Music: Students have been asked to bring their recorders back to school on Wednesday.

• Allergies in the classroom: Post Corners is a peanut free environment. Please be cautious of the types of food items brought to school as we have a number of students with food allergies in our classroom.

• Reading Materials: Students are asked to bring reading materials for independent reading as we will be beginning our reading's workshop this week.

Looking forward to a great first week.  Please feel free to contract me (wattss@hdsb.ca) with any questions or concerns. 

-Ms. Watts

Welcome students and Parents to Grade 4!\

As we start preparing for the upcoming school year I want to extend a warm welcome to room 23!  I am extremely excited to meet each of you and to hear about the summer holidays.    

One of my personal goals is year is to incorporate technology into classroom routines, assignments and projects to ensure your child is strengthening their digital skills while also providing multiple opportunities to showcase their true learning potential.  Part of this goal includes maintaining a regular line of communication through the use of this website. Here I will be posting classroom information, upcoming assignments and homework requirements, recommended websites and resources to help support your child at home and important school events.  Please note that privacy settings have been placed on this website to ensure that only that staff, students and parents of Post Corner's are able to view and access any information.  

Looking forward to the year ahead,

-Ms. Watts