Week of October 3rd

Our Terry Fox run at the end of September gave our class a terrific conversation about character traits. We discussed that character trait are unique attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs that contribute to our personality. Character traits can be positive or negative, often displayed through a person's actions and feelings. As a class, we discuss what characteristics we feel Terry must have possessed to be able to attempt and accomplish so much through his attempt and vision when starting out on his journey of hope. Our learning about Character traits discussed the importance of developing characters' physical and personality traits in fictional stories. Each of us used this knowledge to create a superhero. Our job was to identify a superhero, inform our audience of their physical and personality traits, and explain how they got their superpowers. We will continue to use these characters when we further explore story development. 


This week we used the award-winning book "The Best Part of Me" by Wendy Ewalk to explore what is the best part of us. This book was a great way to open the door to conversations about body image, self-esteem and diversity in our classroom. Each student created a paragraph highlighting what they feel is the best part of them. We also used this writing activity to instruct and introduce the importance of creating sentences using a variety of sentence starters and possible transition words. Throughout the next school year will also be doing a lot of photography. I have found that photography is a wonderful way to connect our learning from the outdoors to the classroom. To prepare the students for their first photography task, we took the time to discuss the following concepts that are a quick way to enhance any photo. 

- Taking photos at eye level

- Don't be afraid to experiment

-Tuck it in your arms when taking a photo ( no chicken wings)

- Line up your subject with natural lines in the environment.

-Frame your subject

-Try different perspectives

-Focus on the subject

-Follow the rule of thirds. 

The first photo attempts was a terrific success; below are a few examples.









In math, our tiny house structures are still underway. We have also introduced lessons reviewing with the grade 4's and introducing the grade 3's to polygons. Students need to know the characteristics of a polygon and the name of a polygon with 3 to 9 sides. We also learned about congruent shapes. Despite a shape having several different attributes such as size, shape, design, color or direction, only the size and shape of an object need to be the same in order for it to be congruent. Looking at congruent shapes also allowed us to discover a shape's symmetry line and detect if a shape is symmetrical or asymmetrical.


I would like to start going on our weekly community walks. Our intention this year is to head outside for a community walk every Wednesday afternoon weather permitting. Research shows that learning in an outdoor environment has wonderful benefits for our mental health, it helps to improve understanding for our more active learners and can help our students to develop environmental awareness and a connection to the land. While outside and throughout the year we will also discover what the land means to us and recognize the deep, physical, mental, and spiritual connection to the land that is part of indigenous cultures. In order to participate in community walks this year I will require the support of parents. If you are able to accompany us on a community walk please let me know as I need to have two parent volunteers a week. 

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