Mrs. Spreen's Class Blog

Final Post...for 2014! We have had a lot of fun skating this week. Thanks to all parents who have come out to help us with skates - particularly those who came more than once!  While this consumed a lot of time, we also managed to fit in core curriculum. In Social, we began a study of Alberta's fossil heritage.  We are beginning to develop a sense of why fossils are important to us aside from being cool. We also have started talking about fossil fuels and their advantages, challenges and downfalls. In Science, we are continuing with waste in our world.  We are now finishing waste water, toxicity, and other producers of waste. In Language Arts we wrote a "Santa/Elf/Reindeer stuck" story. Some of these are very funny! We also completed our read aloud novel " The Giggler Treatment" by Roddy Doyle.  There were times when the entire class was roaring with laughter at the shenanigans in the story. Tuesday afternoon we constructed and decorated graham wafer ...

December 8 - 12, 2014 We have completed our experiment discovering how much waste our classroom creates in a week.  We collected everything that would normally be 'thrown out', sorted it into categories (we decided these together), and weighed each category. We discovered that we are wasting 4.8 kilograms (10.56 pounds) of food weekly!  We have decided we would try to eat more of the food brought in our lunched and to take home that which is not eaten rather than throwing it out. We also began our 'Garbage Garden" to see which begins to decompose first - photocopier paper, newsprint, magazine paper, construction paper, fast food wrapper, Styrofoam or plastic food wrap.  We will be digging up the samples after the Christmas break to discover what has happened during the past month. We will be discovering the other creators of waste in the next section of this unit.  We then have a few cool projects to complete to conclude this unit, a few days of reviewing and...

Happy snowy Friday!   Isn't this snow something?  Personally, I love it.  I know it causes a lot of trouble, makes it hard to get around, requires extra clothing...but it is so clean and quiet after a snow storm...peaceful. (Please don't throw a snow ball at me for saying this!) We have had a jam-packed week of learning.  We have begun to work on our "Writer's Notebooks" which is more formal way of recording our 'noticings' which we will be using to assist us when we write - whether it is a poem, a narrative, a list or any other type of writing.  Writing  begins with recording the noticing of sights, sounds, smells, and an awareness of feelings.  We watched both Denise Fleming's and Eve Bunting's episode of "Meet the Authour" and have implemented  some of their strategies into our notebooks.   We have also worked on grammar, spelling - suffixes on words ending with cc-y (consonant, consonant, y),and reading comprehension. We wil...

Friday, November 21, 2014 This week in science we have continued working on our flow chart of a product and its packaging from raw material through consumer consumption through to waste.  The students have been using Google Classroom to complete this task.  Using the technology for this project has added another element to their learning - and mine!  We have tackled many issues and resolved most of them by ourselves - yeah us!  We will be wrapping up these projects on Monday and then will be moving onto the next section of our unit - biodegradable and compostable. Social studies has taken us on an adventure through the different regions.  We will begin comparing the similarities and differences in the coming week.There will be a summative assessment on this section of our curriculum early in December - please prompt your child to bring home his/her passport to study. In LA we have worked on writing stories using a given prompt and without using dialogue. ...

Fruit and Cookie dough...is in... pick up will be tomorrow!  I just received this information so I apologize for getting it out to you on such short notice.

November 17 Concert Preparation As we draw nearer to the concert night, I will be posting reminders and notes for parents and guardians as they are provided to me.  Please check often so as to not miss any information.  We will also be writing this information into their agendas.   *For those parents, guardians, well wishers, friends, and family members who wish to take pictures during the Christmas concert, please note that the grade 4s will be seated on the west end of the gym. They will also be performing from this area.  (It is the side of the gym closest to the change rooms and storage area.)  *Adults are welcome to pick up their performer from the music room following the concert. ***Please advise Mrs. Spreen ASAP if you are not planning to attend the concert - this is for planning purposes only. ***** 33 days until Christmas Holidays!!

November 13, 2014 Christmas Concert is only a few weeks away.  As such Mrs. Stanski has asked: 1.  Please find out if there will be any students who are planning  not  to attend the Christmas concert . Students are sometimes playing instruments are saying line, etc. and it really is important I know who will be away so , I can prepare properly.   2.   Let your parents know what students should wear for the concert  .  No high heeled shoes for safety.     Grade 4 students are asked to follow the these rules- No buttons, zippers, sleeveless tops or dresses, or sparkles, or necklaces.  Long hair should be up.  This is to protect the hand bells. Would you please send an email to me indicating your family's intentions, barring the unforeseen, regarding attendance at Concert? Thanks!

November 5, 2014 Tomorrow we host our Remembrance Day ceremony in the gym at 10:30.  You and your family are welcome to join us for this ceremony.  The grade 4 classes will be reciting ' In Flanders Fields' as part of this ceremony.  We have been working hard to memorize the poem in anticipation of this performance. This week and next we will be working on Remembrance Day projects in Social Studies.  We have discussed many of the symbols we use and their significance.  We also have talked about the importance of honouring those who are actively involved in the military and those who are veterans. If you are interested in watching a very touching video about dedicating 2 minutes of silence to pay homage, please watch: http://youtu.be/0bXGZr-IJJ4  Tonight is the conclusion of our parent meetings.  I have enjoyed our meetings and being able to share some of our stories with you. Thanks for coming in and sharing with me as well. In Science, we h...

Happy Halloween! Tomorrow will be our celebration day at RBES.  Please have your child come to school in his/her costume if possible - there will be time to change at lunch recess if needed. We will be having a costume parade in the gym beginning at 1:00pm.  Please feel free to come to see all the spooky, creative costumes. Our class celebration  will be f ollowing the costume parade .  We have not made a firm plan for this celebration yet, but we will be playing some games, listening to some music and just hanging out with our friends.  A huge thanks to all families who will have so graciously sent snacks for us to enjoy! On a more somber note, there have been some more lice wander through the hairs in our school - please check out the link:  http://www.rbes.ca/ health-news-updates.html   for updated information about these critters. I am truly looking forward to having some fun with the students tomorrow - have a super time trick ...

Parent Meetings 2014 Parent meetings are being held on a common night of Wednesday, November 5 .  Please log into:   http://www.rbes. ca/parent-meetings.html     to book a time slot to meet with me.  I may also be available at other times for parents who are not able to make it in on the 5th.  Please contact me directly if you are unable to meet with me on the 5th. If you wish your child to attend, please bring him/her.  This is a parental decision; however, I would like to see the students as well so they know what is being said. Everyone needs a boost and it has been my experience that the students enjoy hearing how well they are achieving. Looking forward to meeting with each family!

October 23 Hello, Your child may be bringing home his/her first formal math assessment for this year.  There is a unique marking scheme which I would like to explain. I have used a three letter scheme - an I, N or B. "I" means INDEPENDENT.    The student can complete all or most tasks associated with this concept without adult help. "N" means NEEDS ASSISTANCE.  The student can complete some of the tasks associated with the concept but requires adult support to be successful. "B" means BEGINNING TO DEVELOP THE SKILL.   The student is beginning to understand the concepts related to the skill, but requires a lot of adult support to be successful. All students will fluctuate between these three levels throughout the year depending on the concept and the level of understanding.  This is normal.   As the year progresses, there will be more assessments given and each one will be 'marked' according to this scheme. I will use this same marki...

October 16, 2014 For a short week, we sure have a lot going on!   Our fruit and cookie dough fundraiser is continuing - please be sure to return all order forms and money to the school by October 24.  The supplier can then begin to assemble our order for speedy delivery.  Orders will come to the school after the November fall break. The NED Show will be arriving at our school on Friday October 17 at 1:30 pm.  Please feel free to join us as we learn to N ever give up, E ncourage others, and D o our best. Merchandise from this presentation will be on sale for the week following the presentation. There is a family movie night on October 24.  An email is being sent home with the details of this exciting event. Money raised from the movie night will be used to help with the purchasing of smart boards and related technology. We will be having a math test tomorrow on Patterns and Relations.  This is the test which was postponed from last week.  Ther...

Welcome to October! This is a busy month for grade four.  We begin with a parent meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2014 to discuss the upcoming trip to DRUMHELLER.  Your voice is important, so please be sure to come and have input as to how this trip will happen.  Discussion topics will include: chaperones, financing, curricular ties, dates and more. School photos are being taken on October 7, as well.  I f your child is wearing 'fancy' clothes for photos, please send along a set of regular clothes to be worn after photos are taken. Hot lunch and milk programs begin this month - if you did not purchase either yet, you will have to wait until November to begin. Deadline for November orders is October 24. We will soon have our set timetable for the year - I will be sending home a copy of this as well as placing one inside of the agenda - glued inside. For math this week, we are trying to wrap up the patterns unit with a unit exam on Friday.  Your child will be...

September 26, 2014 What an excellent Terry Fox Run/Walk!  A huge thank-you to all organizers and volunteers!  The students completed a short walk because of the rain, but as Mr. Henderson stated, "Terry ran in all kinds of weather.  He didn't let the rain stop him." Well done, RBES students! This week in language arts the students have been introduced to "The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups" revealed and illustrated by David Wisniewski.  It is a story written to enlighten children to the 'real' reasons parents tell children to do things - not the lies we have been passing along. We have been using the book to guide our vocabulary development and to begin to notice differences in text.  As it is an engaging story, it also helps us to become engaged listeners.  Other lessons from this book will be helping us to develop as writers using mentor text. Math has been a continuation of Patterns. We have discovered many ways to investigate, name and continue...

TERRY FOX I do not know of anyone   who has not been touched by cancer in some way - whether personally, through a friend, relative, neighbour or acquaintance.  Since Terry began his first cross Canada run millions of dollars and research hours have been spent trying to figure out the causes and cures for this ravaging disease. It is through continued support for this research that there will come a cure. RBES is doing our part by hosting a Terry Fox Walk/Run on September 26 beginning with an assembly at 10:00 am in the gym.  Shortly after, we will be leaving together to travel our route hoping to make it back to the school for about noon.  Please come with us if you are able. We are asking that students donate a " Toonie for Terry " which will be forwarded to the Alberta branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. Students and staff will be provided with a sticker to name a person for whom they are running. Please talk about this with your child to determine th...

Hand Bells Are Coming! Hello, all! In music, your child will be playing hand bells.  Mrs. Stanski has asked that the students do not wear shirts with buttons, zippers or sparkles on the front.  She has also asked that all long hair be tied back. These requests are for safety reasons.  Please check your child's clothes before he/she leaves home in the morning. Thanks!

September 12, 2014 Happy Friday! Our first full 5 day week of school is nearly finished.  (The students are in PE as I write this.) This week we have begun our Science unit: Light and Shadows.  We have done a few experiments with flashlights and different objects in our classroom.  We have learned that some objects can emit light and others can reflect it. Our Social Studies classes have led us on a discovery of the cardinal and ordinal directions as well as the provinces and territories of Canada.  We will be having a quiz on the provinces and territories next Thursday.  Hopefully, the students remember to review their notes over the weekend. Math has begun with the Patterns unit.  We have discussed position patterns, number patterns and calendar patterns.  We have also begun to do some work with multiplication facts.  We will need to know our basic facts quickly and easily by the end of grade 4, so please help at home with this skill. ...

Thursday, September 11, 2014 Hello!  Our first full week of school is drawing to a close.  Check here tomorrow for an update of what we have accomplished this week! Tuesday, September 2, 2014 We have successfully completed our first full day of school for this year! What a fabulous day!  We had a great presentation from Mary Lambert this afternoon, and the students thoroughly enjoyed it. We have written in the agendas, as this will be our daily communication tool.  Please initial the agenda daily indicating you have read the notes. In the daily section of the agenda, there are 6 icons at the beginning of each row which we have titled as a key for future reference. These will not be identified each week, as it will become common knowledge what each icon means. As well, 4S's Blogspot address (which you must have found!) and my email address were written. I am looking forward to a fantastic year with this dynamic group!

Welcome to Grade 4! I am so excited to begin this adventure with you!  We will be in our classroom on Tuesday morning, and we have a great presentation for the afternoon.  Be sure to get a lot of rest this weekend so you are ready to learn next week.  See you Tuesday!