Yearly Overview

 Dear Parents and Guardians,                                                   September 2012

On the following pages you will find an overview for the year and other important notes. 
We hope this letter will answer any questions you have regarding the grades 3/4 program.

OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR

 Teachers have required curriculum we need to teach, and other studies are developed based on the 
children’s interests. Personal interests may be explored over the year through independent study and 
project work.

The following topics will be explored through integrated learning this school year:

September:  Mapping Skills

                     Cricket Study

                     Novel: Cricket in Times Square

                     Writing – focus on ideas, types of writing, Inviting readers to Connect

         Science Experiments – What does it mean to be a Scientist?  How do we observe and

         record?

         Math – Number Concepts and Data Analysis

October        Habitat Study – Insect Project

                      Novel: Cricket in Times Square

                      Writing – Technical Power (adding details, voice, word choice)

          Continued Mapping

                      On-going Science Experiments – Processes of Science including hypothesis,

                      procedures, materials (safety) and conclusions.

                      Math – Place Value and Patterning

          Halloween

November:    Habitat Study Continued

                       Continuation of the novel Cricket in Times Square

                       Georgia O’Keefe Artist Study – Poppies

                       Writing – Inviting Readers to Question and Infer

                       Mapping of Canada

                       Math – Addition and Subtraction

December:    Seasonal Arts and Crafts

                      Completion of all thematic studies

                      Writing – in the third person and personification

                      Math – Addition and Subtraction

                       

January:      Begin Inuit Study

                     Novel: Yuit

                     Weather

                     Writing – Inviting Readers to Visualize (Seasons, Weather, Colour, Imaginary -  

                     Imagine a Creature)

                     Math – Multiplication and Fractions/Decimals

                    

February:    Continued study of Inuit

                     Continued study of Weather

                     On-going Novel Study – Yuit

                     Valentine’s Day and friendship activities

                     Writing – Inviting Readers to Transform Their Thinking (friendship, morals, bullying)

                     Math – Multiplication, Division, Fractions/Decimals and possibly Time

                                                                

March:          Formal introduction of Poetry – students will read and write poetry

                      Completion of Weather

                      Completion of Inuit

                      Math – Division, Time, Geometry

             

April:            Begin study of Pioneers

                      Continuation of Poetry

                      Begin Plant Growth

                      Novel: Harry The Poisonous Centipede Goes To Sea

                      Math – Division, Geometry, and Measurement

May:             Mother’s Day activities

                      Continued study of Pioneers                   

                      Continued study of Plant Growth

                      Writing – focus on the process – drafting to publishing

                      Math – Review of all Number Operations, and continuation of Measurement

           

June:              Father’s Day activities

                       Roger Hargreaves Literature Study

                       Writing – Inviting Readers to Transform their Thinking

                       Memory Books – reflections of the year

                       Math – Focus on Equations and review of all areas.

                     

Note: Please avoid having the children read the proposed novels before we study 
them in class.

Recess: Students are to go outside for valuable fresh air and exercise as weather permits. Supervision is provided outside at this time but not in the classroom. Therefore, if you wish 
your child to remain inside, he or she must bring a note to school that day. On rainy days 
students are required to stay in their own classroom. They have the option of playing “Rainy 
Day Games”, reading, going to the writing centre, working at their desk or playing math games.

Lunch: Students eat their lunch in the classroom quietly unless other arrangements have 
been made. If you deliver lunch to school please leave it on the designated table with their 
name on it, in the hallway in front of the office.

Student Agendas: To help build good organization and planning skills, students will be using 
an agenda daily. Students will write down any homework, memos or things to bring to school. 
This is also used as a tool for parents and teachers to communicate. We will check the agendas 
daily and we ask that you do so also and initial it daily. If you have any questions or concerns, 
feel free to write us a note in the agenda. In the front pocket of the agenda there is a space 
for students to bring home notices. Please check this daily to receive information from the 
school.

Birthdays:  Although it is not necessary, if your child wishes to bring in small treat to 
share on their birthday, please ensure that it is packaged for individual distribution 
such as cookies or cupcakes.   Please DO NOT SEND IN A WHOLE CAKE.   We do not 
have the time to cut and serve out individual pieces.  Your cooperation in this matter is 
greatly appreciated.

Homework:  In Grade 3/4 students will be expected to complete any unfinished work at home.
As well, students will often be assigned homework that correlates to what was taught in class 
that day.  This helps you to connect with what is being taught in class and allows the students 
to share what they are learning.  Please take this opportunity to teach your child good work/
study habits and help them to find a quiet place in the house to work and a regular time each 
day to do homework.  Please ensure that any work sent home is completed and returned 
to school the next day.  Students will receive a personal planning mark and part of that 
mark is based on how responsible they are about completing homework.

Homework is not the only way you can strengthen your child’s learning.  You should also:

v  Read to and with your child daily. Discuss the story for comprehension.

v  Have a regular Public library visiting time.

v  Practice basic math facts. Try using games and fun activities to boost confidence and ability. This should not be a stressful time for your child.

v  Go over work done at school with your child by signing and reading their agenda daily and looking over any work brought home.

v  When we are studying a topic, visit the library and try to find books on that topic to look at and discuss at home.

v  Play games with your children such as Scrabble, Dominoes, Chess, strategy games and card games.

v  Help your child rise early enough in the morning so they have time to eat a full breakfast, get dressed and be on time for school.

v  Help your child to remember the weekly routine and be prepared for gym and library days.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment of student performance and achievement is based on a set of specific criteria set out in the Ministry’s IRP’s (Curriculum guides). Student assessment is referenced to “widely held expectations” for children at each age level and is based on broad research in children’s learning development. The learning curriculum and the needs and expectations for each student are discussed with the students, so that they understand their part in their daily learning activities. Some projects and assignments will be assessed by both the teacher and the students based on criteria set together.  We form grades based on comments, assignments, conferences, projects, discussions, daily work, quizzes, test, etc.

Grade 3

With primary children, we use descriptive terms:

Exceeding expectations or Excellent

Meeting expectations or Very Good

Minimally meeting expectations or Satisfactory

Not yet meeting expectations or Incomplete

Grade 4

With intermediate children, we use letter grades:

A        The student demonstrates excellent or outstanding performance in relation

to expected learning outcomes for the course or subject and grade.

B         The student demonstrates very good performance in relation to expected

learning outcomes for the course or subject and grade.

C+      The student demonstrates good performance in relation to expected

learning outcomes for the course or subject and grade.

C         The student demonstrates satisfactory performance in relation to expected

learning outcomes for the course or subject and grade.

C-       The student demonstrates minimally acceptable performance in relation to

expected learning outcomes for the course or subject and grade.

Other Information:

v If you would like to help out as a parent volunteer, please see us personally. We often need parent volunteers to help with field trips.

v Our students have come up with a list of class.  They are:

1.     Raise your hand when you have something to share.

2.    Use good manners.

3.    Listen to the teacher.

4.    Be respectful.

5.    Stay safe.

6.    Be polite.

7.    Be helpful.

8.    Try your best.

Ask your child to tell you about the classroom and school rules and please review appropriate school behaviour with them. 

Our ESL teacher is Mrs. Ho for Level 1 students.  Mr. Jackson is our ESL teacher for Level 2/3/4/and 5 students and our Resource Teacher is Mr. Murray. 

Please feel free to approach us with any concerns that you have.  Mrs. Robson will be teaching Monday to Thursday and Mrs. Barker will be teaching on Fridays. When possible both of us will be available for all conferences and parent meetings required.   We work hard to plan our program and both teachers teach all subjects.   We communicate daily and both of us are equally knowledgeable of your child and their progress.

Sincerely,                          

Mrs. Robson        Mrs. Barker