Mrs. Garlow's Classroom Blog

Literacy

In reading, we will begin our unit on Reading to Learn.  This unit will support students in developing skills to read non-fiction texts by understanding the organizational structure, grasp what the author highlighted, and recognize information that supports and embody the big ideas. 

In writing, students will continue to revise and edit their personal narratives using peer and teacher feedback in the new year.  Students are also using their self-assessment checklist to monitor areas that need to be developed in order to improve the quality of their writing.  Students will then be transitioning from editing to publishing their narratives.  Once students have completed their stories, we will be inviting families to our publishing party so you may hear these spectacular stories!

Math

In math, we will move onto our next unit on Probability in the new year.  Students will predict the frequency of an outcome; relating fair games to equally likely events through various experiments and games.

Science

In science, we will be wrapping up our unit on Structures.  We will be investigating different shapes and its impact on the strength and stability of structures.  Students will also be working in small groups on a design challenge when they return.  

Social Studies

We are approaching the end of our unit in social studies.  Students will be conducting a final inquiry on a topic they are interested in learning more about that is related to our unit: Communities in Canada 1780-1850.  They will working on their research project independently and students will present their research to the class.  Creativity is encouraged!  Some possible inquiries could include:

• Which treaty territory is your school and home situated on?  When was the treaty made and what promises are in it?  To what extent have the treaty promises been met?
• How can we honour and acknowledge existing treaties?
• Conflict and impact of the fur trade
• Outlawing of the Potlatch
• Important inventions
• What were some of the major challenges that different groups and communities faced in Canada from 1780 - 1850?  What were key measures taken to address these challenges?

Waaban Indigenous Teacher Education Program

Waaban Indigenous Teacher Education Program is a new program that officially launched this year from the collaboration between York University and the TDSB as a meaningful response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.  The program educates a new generation of teachers prepared to address the needs of First Nation, Metis and Inuit students, families and communities.  Grounded in Indigenous Knowledges and Pedagogy, teacher candidates will be working with a variety of people to gain knowledge, insight and skills for teaching and learning in Ontario schools.  Please join me in welcoming Dakota Dillen-Touluse who will be starting a placement in our class in the new year.


Wishing you all a wonderful winter break with your families.  May the new year bring you health and happiness!

Mrs. Garlow's Classroom Blog

Hello Families!

Our class has been busy preparing for the winter concert with Mr. Alexander.  The concert will be held tomorrow evening at 6:30 pm in the gymnasium.  Please bring your child(ren) to school for 6:15 pm and drop them off in room #222.  After the concert, please return to room #222 to pick your child up.

There is no specific colour palette or attire but children often like wearing something extra special for an evening performance.

I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

Mrs. Garlow's Classroom Blog

Math

Students have been busy exploring subtraction strategies and the concept of constant differences in our subtraction unit.  They have been exploring these themes through the investigation of ages and birth years of family members.

As we wrap up our unit this week, please make sure to review number sense (addition and subtraction), the relationship of number sense to algebra, and how it can be applied when measuring.  A study package was sent home yesterday outlining the expectations, concepts covered, and some practise math worksheets.  Please make sure to take the time to go through the package with your child.  A check-in was also sent home today so you can see where your son/daughter is experiencing success and the area(s) where they may need more practise.

Below are some charts from our 'math strings'.  All of these were solved using mental math.  As students communicate their strategies orally, I recorded their thinking to make it visible by modelling the strategies on an open number line.  Strings are structured to develop and build upon students' understanding of number patterns and to explore the relationship between the sequence of numbers which are strategically crafted.

A good habit is to go over the charts with your child.  Including our learning wall that documents the process and arc of the learning from the initial investigation, explorations, strategies that emerged as well as the overarching big ideas.

Addition and measurement learning wall

                  

Exploring the strategy of constant difference

   

Learning wall of unit on subtraction and algebra

Visual Arts

We will be wrapping up our unit our Eco-Art and picking up where we left off in our unit on identity for visual arts.  Last week students created beautiful memory rocks in response to the read aloud If You Find a Rock.