Homework
Hello Everyone - Welcome to our Homework Page.
Students can expect to have about 30 minutes of homework each evening in Grade 4/5.
If there is no official homework, please see that your child spends some time reading everyday.
Students can also be practicing their cursive handwriting, typing skills, addition or subtraction facts or multiplication tables.
Keeping a journal is another way students can make writing a regular part of their routines.
You will be able to find any homework assigned listed here, but may also need to check the "Google Classroom" for details about assignments. Tasks are listed by date and subject title there. I will post work on the classroom for students absent for extended periods of time to ensure they do not fall too behind in their work.
This Classroom website provides other valuable information besides daily homework requirements such as: vocabulary associated with the units and additional materials/resources under the subject headings: Math, Literacy, Science and Social Studies. I will continue to add information regarding the topics of study we will be visiting, in the weeks and months to come.
Here are some additional things you will need to know.
Scholastic - Use class code for ordering online. Class Code is ...
Class Code for Spark Reading Program is... 8EM55G
Class Code for signing into our Google Classroom is.... g3clhit
Friday, May 10th
Review/Learn Multiplication and Division Facts Grade 4 to 10 X 10
Grade 5 to 12 x 12
See Marvellous Multiplicaton and Dandy Dvision Sites on Google Classroom for some online practice - Sing and Dance along to Multiplication Rap songs -practice drill sheets
Multiplication and Division practice sites added to Google Classroom
Read Daily and record on May Reading Log
Read some Ken Nesbit Poetry ....Go to Kenn Nesbitt Poetry4Kids
Toiletries Drive for the United Way by May 22nd for those who wish to make a donation.
Grade 5 - Review notes for skeletal system - Quiz next Tuesday May 14th
May Newsletter
Hi Everyone
The time is just flying by and there is still so much to learn before this year is through!
We are well underway in our Habitats unit in Grade 4 and our Human Body unit in Grade 5. Transformational Geometry and Fractions/ Decimals are next in Math. We continue to work on the poetry unit we didn't quite finish in April and will focus on persuasive and informational writing throughout the month of May. The Grade 4 unit on Ancient Civilizations will also kick off later this month. Students will develop their research skills as they learn about the history and contributions made by Egypt, Greece, China and Rome. There will be an in school presentation to introduce the kids to these societies on May 21st. Grade 5 students will learn about Indigenous encounters with early explorers and hopefully will also develop an appreciation for the rich contributions they made to the story of Canada.
I am posting some pictures of the bridges and pulley and gear systems the children made in our Science units on Structures, and Machines and Mechanisms. The kids loved the hands-on component of these units and did an amazing job of applying their learning as they collaborated while constructing. There are some pictures of the Grade 5 field trip to Heritage Village to be found on the Google Classroom, as well.
Enjoy the warmer weather and the spring green that is suddenly sprouting all around us. We are planting lettuce in the Glenview Garden this week and look forward to watching it grow.
As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding anything going on in the classroom this month.
By the way, you will find attached letters with information about the Healthy Living unit which we will visit in a few weeks time.
Warm Regards,
S Flindall
April News
Hello Parents/Guardians
I hope this newsletter finds everyone well. We are looking forward to all the new learning April studies will bring to our Grade Four/Five classroom this month!
The children have been learning about the Solar Eclipse which will occur on Monday April 8th. Special glasses will be sent home with the students to view this once in a lifetime event. Please remember that this Monday is a PD Day.
We have a couple of other special events lined up for this month. On April 10th, Grade Four students will travel to the Royal Botanical Gardens as a launch to their next Science topic on Habitats and Communities. Grade 5 students will take a trip to the Country Heritage Park in Milton on April 25th to consolidate their Science learning on Forces and Structures.
We continue with our work on Multiplication and Division in Math and are nearly finished the unit on Measurement. The kids have begun to work with decimals and will focus on learning fractions later in the month. In Literacy classes the children will study poetry and focus on environmental themes in their reading and writing Making Connections to self, other books and the world as well as Inferring (reading between the lines) will be targeted in our read alouds and guided group reading sessions.
Thank you for donations of gently used shoes to the "Shoes for Souls" drive and also for the canned goods donated this month as well. We have until the 12th to continue to contribute to these worthy causes. Keep those litterless lunches coming for the month of April as well.
Please let me know if you would like additional information or have questions or concerns about any of the things we are doing in class this month. As always, I am happy to assist however I can.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Flindall
March News
Hello Families,
I hope this finds you well, and enjoying the longer days. Spring is finally on the way, and after what seems like a warm, short winter, perhaps we can look forward to a mild March break, next week.
After we return on the 18th, we will begin new units in Math, studying Linear Measurement, as well as Area and Perimeter. We will also continue our work on Multiplication and Division, as students work towards instant recall, and improving their ability to solve multi-step problems. The focus in Literacy will be to further develop the ability to make solid inferences and strong connections, while reading. Writing will focus on paragraphing and using dialogue in creative story writing. We will also do some procedural writing.
Grade 4 students will finish up Science units on Light and Sound by the end of the month, followed by another Science unit on Pulleys and Gears. The Grade Five students will complete their science work on Conservation of Energy, then learn about Forces on Structures.
As you have noticed we are having weekly check in quizzes in Math to keep the kids accountable for learning their tables, and as a way for me to ensure the concepts taught are sticking. I would appreciate signatures on these tests weekly, so that I know you are also aware of how the kids are progressing.
The kids thoroughly enjoyed the Fitness Clinic hosted by the visitingTiger Cat players. I have posted photos on the Google Classroom for all to enjoy. I have also added the most recent art projects completed by the kids. The Lawren Harris Arctic Landscapes turned out so well. Enjoy the gallery! Some of these pictures are definitely worth framing. You will notice that some tried a couple of other Group of Seven artists and may recognize The Jack Pine and The Red Maple are also on display.
As always, If you have any questions or concerns about anything going on in the classroom this month, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to chat with you in person or over the phone.
For those of you who are able to take time off with the kids, have a wonderful, safe and happy March Break!
Best Regards,
Sharon Flindall
Dance A Thon Information See Below
Our popular Dance-A-Thon is back! Thursday, February 15th
Help Glenview Parent Council raise money for new decodable home reading texts, upgrading our tech and classroom needs.
PLEDGE online at:
https://sites.google.com/view/danceyourbuttoff/home
Plus- we have COOL SWAG (choose the "order extras tab") available to purchase to enhance your little dancers experience. Each add-on package is $5 and goes directly toward our fundraising goal.
**the add-on swag packages need to be purchased in advance and will be handed out in the classrooms before the dance**
All details can be found on our dance-a-thon website.
All payments to be made through School Cash Online.
BONUS: Every $10 pledged will gain an entry into the bonus prize draw; a family fun night out (details to come!)
February News
Hello Everyone. I hope this newsletter finds you well and happily enjoying the mild weather we are experiencing. There is alot going on in the week ahead, and throughout what is left of this short month of February.
This Wednesday is Pancake Day at Glenview. These will be delivered to classrooms between 9:30 and 10:00 on the 14th, which also happens to be Valentines Day. We will also celebrate the day with Kindness cookies which will be pre-sold earlier in the week and delivered at the nutrition break on that day. These can be purchased for $2.00 each. Of Course this is voluntary, and proceeds from this fundraising event will go to the ROCK Outreach Center for Children.
Students are welcome to bring Valentines Day cards for their classmates if they would like to participate in an exchange Wednesday, as well. Please do not send any candy or other treats to class that day. I am sending a class list home with all the students so they can prepare Valentines over the weekend if they choose to participate. Also note, if the children bring for one, they should bring for all, as we would not want to see anyone feeling left out.
Thursday, February 15 is the Dance-a thon, which will occur at Saint Matthews church this year. The kids will walk over after the second break and end the day dancing to the music they have requested. This is alway such a fun event and all are looking forward to showing off their moves on the dance floor. Please remember that Friday the 16th is a PD Day and Monday February 19th is ‘Family Day. .
Also note that Report Cards will be coming home with your child on Tuesday, February 20th right after the Family Day long weekend. I am happy to set up interviews with anyone who would like to see me to discuss your child’s progress. I will also be contacting parents of children I hope to touch base with as well.
In addition to all of these exciting events, we end the month with the Grade 5 ski trip to Moonstone on Monday, February 26th.
We are working on new topics in Science this month, studying Light and Sound in Grade 4 and Conservation of Energy in Grade 5. These new units are providing opportunities for much looked forward to, “hands on” exploration as the kids engage in experiments to discover the properties of various forms of energy. We will also learn about the contributions made by many through storytelling and participation in a variety of activities to develop awareness and appreciation of Black History. In Math classes, students will study linear measurement.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding anything going on inside or outside of the classroom. I will be happy to get back to you as soon as I can.
Best Regards,
Mrs. Flindall.
January News
Happy New Year! I hope this letter finds everyone well and feeling rested after our holiday break. The kids seem happy to be back with their friends and are settling into school routines nicely. They are full of their usual high energy which is a good thing because it is going to be a very busy month around here.
Grade 5 students continue to learn about the Canadian Government and the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. We will have a visit by our local politician Kelvin Galbraith on the morning of January 18th to further develop student knowledge of municipal matters and the role of a Councillor. They will research a famous Canadian politician this month as well. In Social Studies class, Grade 4’s will learn about the characteristics of Canada’s 7 Geographic Regions and do some research on one of them. We will begin Science units on Light and Sound in Grade 4 and Energy Conservation in Grade 5 before January is over. Math brings continued development of skills in Multiplication and Division, as well as Problem Solving and Geometry.
Our trips to Active Aldershot have been going well. The children love the wide open spaces to run around, and all are well used to the routines of using a bus to get to Gym. We are beginning a unit on the disadvantages of Substance Use and Abuse in Health classes this week. The kids will have a quiz on the ideas presented to them and will also engage in some role play situations to practice refusal techniques to manage peer pressure.
Advertising techniques used to persuade consumers will be taught in Media classes. In addition, Guided Novel Study groups have been set up to review the features of fiction texts as a focus for reading this month, with emphasis on character and plot development and author’s messages.. January Reading Logs have been sent home, so hopefully the children will continue to develop the habit of reading daily. Forest of Reading begins this month as well, which provides yet another source of highly recommended good reads for the kids to access.
Please let me know if you have any questions about anything going on in our classroom. I will be happy to get back to you to address any concerns.
Warm Regards,
S. Flindall
December Newsletter
Welcome to our last newsletter of the year! We have lots of exciting things planned for what is remaining in the month of December.
Our new units have begun in Grade 4 and 5 Social Studies. After a quick review of the map of Canada and her major cities, rivers and lakes, Grade 4 students will move on to learn about the geographic regions of Canada, and Grade 5’s will study the three levels of Canadian Government. I hope this unit will help all to develop an appreciation for the beautiful and diverse landscapes and freedoms we enjoy in our wonderful country.
The children will begin units in Multiplication in Math classes. Students should be reviewing their times tables to ensure they know them with automaticity over the next several weeks. Grade 5 should know their tables to 12 x12, and Grade 4 should know them to 10x 10. I have posted some practice games on the Google Classroom, which all can visit to develop their skills. Once we return to school in the New Year, the children will delve into the opposite operation, division.
Students are currently developing their financial literacy skills. I have posted some information on the Google Classroom to help the kids develop their ability to make change to ten dollars (Grade 4) and one hundred dollars (Grade 5). All will be shopping the flyers I have brought into the classroom in the next couple of weeks to create mock menus and purchase food items within their allotted budgets.
We will be discussing the advantages of Healthy Eating and Nutrition in Health, and advertising techniques in Media Literacy classes. Students will create packaging for a product which can be sold in our classroom store after returning in the New Year.
The children are getting excited about the holidays. We have an Elf named Buddy who has joined our classroom and his rascally ways are keeping the kids quite amused. The kids have asked if we can have a Secret Santa Gift Exchange and all are very enthusiastic about the idea. I hope you are okay with them bringing a small gift for ten dollars or less for one classmate to give at our holiday party. We will have our class celebration on the 21st.
Best Wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season, and a happy, healthy New Year. I hope everyone will stay safe and enjoy the special times spent with family and friends.
Mrs. Flindall
November News
Dear Parents
October was a busy month and November will be equally action packed. We begin our Physical Education classes at Active Aldershot this week and the children are looking forward to taking a bus to Gym!
November 9th we will have a visit by Indigenous author, Melanie Florence. She will spend a period discussing her work with students and may include a reading of the book she authored, ‘Stolen Words.’ Remembrance Day will also be honored this week, on Friday, November 10th. Our classroom activities that day will be devoted to this important day with stories, poems, art and music.
We have been selected to be part of the Nature’s Near program, entitled The Secret Life of Coyotes. This promises to be a very engaging exploration of human interactions with native species. Even though we will not do our Grade 4 Habitats Science unit until the Spring, we could not pass up this amazing opportunity. This program also offers Grade 5 students a chance to consider the rights and responsibilities of citizens which aligns with their next unit of study in Social Studies. The program will occur in two sessions, one will be virtual on November 13 th and the other, an outdoor adventure on our school playground, November 16th. Outdoor sessions will occur even in wet weather, so ensure the children are dressed appropriately for that special day. This program offers Grade 5 students to consider rights and responsibilities of citizens
Progress Reports come home on the 13th so the children will be busy in the next couple of weeks, selecting their best work to show off to you in their Student Led Conferences. As you recall most of these interviews are scheduled for Thursday, November 23rd and Friday November 24th. Those who have not signed up for an interview time will be contacted soon to set something up.
The Book Fair is coming to Glenview and will be open Thursday evening and Friday morning during the interview times. This will provide you with an opportunity to pursue and make some purchases if you would like.
Science Units are drawing to a close and we will have unit tests on the material before the end of the month. Study guides will be coming home in the next week or two for students to begin their review. We are making rock candy this week to see how crystals are formed which will be a sweet culminating activity for both grades. All will have to wait patiently for the next 10 days as the crystals grow before their eyes, daily.
Our new Social Studies units will be related to Canada. Grade 4’s will learn about Canada’s regions and natural resources. They should be familiar with the provinces, territories and capital cities before we begin, so we’ll start with a review of the map of Canada. Grade 5 students will study the Canadian Government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
After Data Management lessons are completed, Multiplication and Division as well as Financial Literacy will be on the agenda throughout the rest of the month. Daily attention to the development of word study, reading and writing skills continue in our Literacy Workshops. At the end of the month all students will be asked to do a book review on one of the books they have read during their independent reading at home.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the units of study or if you are concerned about your child's well-being, socially or emotionally. It is important to me that all are feeling happy and safe and not stressed by curriculum content or the workload.
You will find reminders about dates of events this month on the Classroom website.
I look forward to meeting with everyone and having the chance to connect personally during our conferences in a few weeks.
Warm Regards,
Sharon Flindall
Grade ⅘ Teacher
Glenview Public School
October News
Dear Parents/Guardians
It was great to see such a wonderful turnout at our Meet the Teacher Barbeque last week. I enjoyed the opportunity to chat with so many of you as the children proudly showed off their work.
Thanks to all who signed up for an interview that evening to discuss the November Progress Reports. I will contact those of you who were not able to attend to set up an interview time, soon. These conferences will be student led and will occur during the week of November 21st to the 24th.
We are well into our Science units and the kids are enjoying the hands-on activities and experiments as they explore the properties of rocks and various materials. We are also ready to have our first Math test which will take place Friday October 20th . A Study guide will come home today with a list of the concepts covered.
Next week the CCAT testing for giftedness begins in Grade 4. Testing will occur the first period of the day on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Students do not need to do anything to prepare, other than have a nutritious breakfast the day of the testing and a restful sleep the evening before. We have spent time going over practice questions to give everyone an idea of what to expect before writing.
Next week, we also begin our Gym classes at Active Aldershot. Remember the children will be bussed over to the center and must participate in sock or bare feet. Many families who prefer wearing socks may choose the kind with the padding on the bottom to prevent slipping.
The weather is starting to change and so a pair of indoor shoes is becoming more of a necessity. Before we know it the leaves will be off the trees and we will be stomping snow off our boots. Please ensure your child has shoes for use inside the school.
Halloween is just around the corner, as is the annual Pumpkin walk. This is such an exciting time of year for the kids to participate in a variety of fun related activities in the classroom and the community. We will have a small class party and special activities to celebrate the day, but without the sharing of food.
Thanks to those of you who have sent a set of headphones for your child’s personal use with the chromebooks. They are being used to watch learning videos, listen to e books or participate in practice sessions from selected online sites. We do have headphones in the classroom, but not enough for every child.
Thanks also for signing off on the agendas daily and keeping tabs on the monthly Reading Logs. I am truly impressed with the good habits the kids are developing to read and stay organized by following routines and expectations.
If you have questions or concerns about anything going on in the classroom academically or socially, please do not hesitate to approach me with them. I am happy to chat with you and will respond as quickly as I can.
Enjoy the weekend, and all the colour in the changing leaves. Before you know it, the trees will be bare and we will be wishing for double digit temperatures again.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Flindall
Hello Parents
It’s been a good, “first full week” in Room 121. The kids are becoming familiar with our classroom library and getting into the routines of reading quietly to begin our Literacy periods. They are doing their best to complete agendas each day and keep classroom materials in their places. I am also proud of the efforts they are making to participate during lessons and work independently and quietly.
I am enclosing a timetable for your reference at home, so you can remember Gym and Library days. In the near future, you will also find a copy of the timetable on the classroom website under the subtitle “More” My Website
This year, our school will take part in the annual Terry Fox Run on Friday, September 22nd, to continue Terry’s dream of a world without cancer. If you are interested in making a donation, just click on the link to support our school’s fundraising efforts.
Terry Fox Run - Glenview Please be sure the kids come to school with sunscreen, hats and weather related clothing so they will be comfortable on that day.
We still have lots of nice weather ahead of us in the months of September and October, so for now we are having our Gym classes outdoors. (More news about what Gym classes will look like once the cooler weather arrives coming soon.) Next week we will have visitors from Toronto Rock share their expertise regarding the game of Lacrosse with our students, thanks to arrangements made by our generous Parent Council. The children will need to have proper footwear on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon of next week.
Most students have joined our Google Classroom but there are still a few who need to accept their email invitations. Please take a few minutes over the weekend to become part of our electronic classroom.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have about our routines or expectations. Hopefully the kids are coming home with positive news about the day and finding a little time to read in the evenings. Thanks to all for filling out the “Raising Rising Stars” forms. The information provided will help me to help your child have a great year and shine academically, socially and emotionally.
I look forward to meeting all who will be able to attend the Open House on October 5th.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Sharon Flindall
September Newsletter
Dear Parents/Guardians
Welcome to our Grade 4/5 classroom and the start of a brand new school year! For those of you who do not know me, my name is Sharon Flindall and I have been happily teaching in the junior grades for 19 years. I have three grown children and my favorite thing to do is to visit with them and their growing families. Hobbies of mine include cooking, reading, gardening and crafting. My husband and I also love nature and enjoy spending time together in the great outdoors.
Our first unit of study in Science is Rocks and Minerals in Grade 4 and Matter and Materials in Grade 5. Math classes will start with a review of addition/subtraction strategies to improve accuracy with larger numbers and mental math skills. Reading, writing and comparing larger numbers as well as place value will be the focus after that.
In Literacy the children will be developing their stamina to read quietly and independently in the first few weeks. We will also explore the differences between various genres (e.g., Mystery, Science Fiction, Biography, etc.) as I hope to encourage them to try new types of books and authors during their independent reading time at school and at home. It is important that everyone has a book they will enjoy reading with them daily. Students will bring home a reading log that should be filled out daily and returned at the end of the month.
There may be some homework in Math or Word Study a couple of times a week, but there should never be more than 30 minutes of homework nightly. For the most part, students will be given the time to complete their daily tasks in class. There will be times though when students may need extra reinforcement of concepts, or to complete work that is incomplete. Sometimes there will be project work or tests to prepare for, as well. Please let me know if your child is finding the workload too much and we will adjust accordingly.
I am hoping that the children will read at home in the evenings, particularly when no other homework has been assigned. It would be wonderful if you could find the time to read together and discuss the content. This helps to develop critical thinking skills and an appreciation for stories and the lessons they hold. Reading aloud is also beneficial to further develop fluency and oral expression. In addition, research clearly shows that daily reading has a direct impact on student academic success. Vocabulary and general knowledge increase, as does the stamina required to read for more sustained periods of time in higher grades. I hope we can work together to develop your child's daily reading habits and skills. I can assure you the commitment will pay off if you can encourage your child to see the value in it.
We will be using agendas this year so it will be important to check and initial them each day for reminders or assignments. They have been ordered and should arrive soon. We can only provide one free agenda to students each year so please guide your child to take good care of it. You will also be able to check homework expectations on the classroom website which can be accessed using the staff link on the Glenview School Website: Glenview Public School.
We have a Google Classroom as well, which will be used to help the kids keep up during absences, or if learning needs to occur online again for any reason. Students will also use the Google Classroom during class at times when we have access to the chrome books. Please be sure your child accepts his/her invitation to join the classroom. This will be sent to them soon and most of the kids are quite familiar with it by now. For those who need a refresher, students simply use their username and password to login to their HDSB school account and respond to the prompt to join.
We will have QDF most days and will also try to spend some time outside learning, daily. It is important that children come prepared for the weather, so they are comfortable outdoors. Once our timetables are firmly established, I will add these to the website. I will also send home a hard copy for you to keep on hand as well. Our Gym days are still to determined but we will have a weekly visit to the library on Monday afternoons.
I will be sending along a “Raising Rising Stars” question form for you to fill out at your convenience. This, of course is voluntary. I find that parents are often happy to have the opportunity to share valuable nuggets of information or tips that will help me better understand or motivate their children. I would like to know how the kids are finding their first week and if they are showing any signs of nervousness or anxiety about their return to school.
I hope you will always feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns about anything going on in the classroom or your child’s well-being. The days are busy but I will get back to you as soon as I can. I hope each one of my students comes home happy and excited about the things they discover here each day. I assure you I will do all I can to keep them engaged, safe, happy and inspired to offer their best in all subject areas.
I look forward to getting to know you as well as your children as the weeks and months go by. Our partnership will play an important role in the success of your child this year. Cheers to a safe, great year ahead!
Sincerely,
Sharon Flindall
April News
Dear Parents
I hope this finds everyone well and looking forward to the warmer weather ahead.
There has been a lot going on in our Grade 4 /5 classroom this month. The children are putting their financial literacy skills to use purchasing items in our “class store.” Problem solving as well as division, decimals and accuracy with linear measures are also being honed in Math classes.
We’ve begun our Habitats/Communities unit in Grade 4 Science and The Human Body in Grade 5. Both grades will soon begin independent inquiry projects to further their learning on a specific animal/habitat or body system. Students have been reading and writing poetry this month in Literacy classes. They have also been making inferences/connections in guided study and read alouds.
In honour of Earth Day, the children did a great job bringing litterless lunches to school last week. All very enthusiastically did their part to keep our school “green and clean” by picking up garbage along the parking lot side of our school property.
Our “Second Step” sessions on Kindness and Empathy with the Child and Youth counselor, Jenn Gillot are completed now. I will send summaries along in case you want to review strategies taught over the last 5 weeks. Hopefully students have benefited from the exercises and will remember to ask questions in order to reframe their thinking when resolving differences. Considering one another’s point of view and caring about the feelings of others is key to developing true empathy and understanding.
On Tuesday April 25th, Mr. Farnand has arranged a special “Be Fit” program day for the kids to reinforce the importance of being active. They should all arrive with a water bottle and Gym shoes to participate in their class session.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about anything going on in our classroom. As always, I am happy to do all I can to help and will get back to you as soon as I can.
Best Regards,
Mrs. Flindall
Spelling Assignment
Long O Sound - o-e, oa, ow
Red Group
bone, rode, own, pole, coal, goals, stone, hope, rose, moat, blown, boat
Blue Group
throat, oath, floating, known, closed, alone, postcard, drove, owner, roaming, stolen, toaster
Green Group
rowboat, loneliness, stowaway, remote, closer, clone, hailstone, coach, moaned, whole, limestone, exploding
Assignment
Write your words out neatly.
Make as many of the words as you can on your word list plural.
Underline all the nouns on your word list blue. (a noun is a person, place or thing) (noun) apple
Underline all the adjectives on your word list red. (An adjective describes a noun) Red (adjective)
Add “ing” and “ed” endings to as many of your words as you can.
Change the first letter of words on your word list to make new words.
Grade 4 / 5 News
Hello Everyone. Happy Snow Day! I am pretty sure the kids were jumping for joy this morning when they heard there was no school today!
Here is what is happening for the next several weeks as we work towards the break in March. As you know the kids have been mastering their multiplication and division skills in Math. They will continue to apply their learning to problem solving and mental math calculations with larger numbers. In addition, students will be using decimals as they begin units in linear measurement and develop their knowledge of financial literacy. In Science, Grade 4 students will learn about Pulleys and Gears, while the Grade 5’s explore structures and the forces that act upon them. Procedural and Narrative writing will be the focus in Literacy workshops and we will discuss visualization and point of view in the books we read.
Our Second Step Sessions have been going well. Last week in our 4th class, we focused on Emotion Management and students practiced rethinking a situation they have experienced personally. If you are interested in continuing your child's learning about this topic, here is a suggestion to help further the discussion at home. "Ask your child - How could rethinking help you the next time you are in a situation where you feel a strong emotion? It's important to note that rethinking is not a good strategy to use when someone is hurt or in danger."
Hopefully all have had the chance to view the report cards that came home a few days ago. I have set interview times with some parents, but am happy to meet or have telephone conversations with anyone who has concerns or would just like to touch base about your child’s progress. Please let me know if you would like to chat.
Enjoy the day,
Sharon Flindall
January Newsletter
Happy New Year Everyone! Hopefully all had a wonderful holiday break and are off to a great start in 2023.
January is going to be a very busy month in our Grade ⅘ classroom. New units are beginning in Math, Science and Health. The Grade 4 students are learning about Light and Sound while Grade 5’s learn about different forms of energy and their Conservation. In Math we continue to develop problem solving and multiplication skills; as well as study concepts related to 2 and 3 dimensional geometry.
We will begin new units in Health, diving into the dangers of smoking in Grade 4 and of alcohol and drug use in Grade 5. This month, we also start 10 weeks of mental health sessions dealing with managing strong emotions and problem solving strategies. A letter will be coming home soon with more information about these topics.
We continue to read and record in our monthly reading logs and develop stamina to read independently for longer periods of time. I am very impressed with the commitment of so many students who diligently read and record daily. In our Literacy workshops, students are being asked to make connections between the stories we read together in class as well as notice the author’s craft and make inferences to determine text messages. Students continue to hone skills in reading responses by providing answers that include proof from the story to support their ideas. Using descriptive vocabulary and opening and closing sentences in paragraphs is also a focus for writing classes this month.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the units of study or other things happening in the classroom. I am happy to chat with you over the phone or by email any time.
Best wishes for a fantastic new year ahead,
Mrs. Flindall
December Newsletter
Well, the student interviews and holiday concert are behind us and there are only a couple of short weeks left until the winter break. Here is what is happening in our Grade ⅘ classroom for the rest of the month.
Grade 4 will have a short Science quiz on Rocks and Minerals on Tuesday December 20th. A study guide will come home for the kids to use to help them prepare. They will also have a homework assignment on the uses of Rocks and Minerals around the house, which will be due by December 22nd.
Grade 5 students are working on Science experiments to learn about the properties of matter. They are using the steps of the scientific method to conduct these and are observing the results using the vocabulary learned in the unit. They will be assessed on their proper use of the terminology as they share their results. Grade 5 will also have a short matching, true and false quiz on Wednesday December 21st to share their knowledge of concepts. They will bring study guides home with them in the next day or two.
We are underway with a unit on time and will begin multiplication this week as well. Students are encouraged to visit the websites which will be posted on the Google Classroom soon to review their tables over the holiday break.
We will do some celebrating on the 21st with a class party. Hopefully all will remain healthy and be able to join in the fun. The class thought it would be fun to do a Secret Santa gift exchange. Students will be paired up and should bring a wrapped gift with their partner's name on it for the party. This gift should be small …between 5 and 10 dollars in price. I will send more information home about the gift exchange in the next couple of days.
My best wishes to all for the happiest holiday season and a new year filled with happiness, good health and continued prosperity.
Cheers,
Mrs. Flindall
November News
Welcome to November! It looks like we are off to a bit of an unusual start as we pivot between in class and remote learning for now. Hopefully the disruptions to our routines will be short lived.
The way things stand now, we will be learning asynchronously Monday, November 7th. Work will be posted on the Google Classroom for students to do independently. Tuesday, November 8th students will return to class for in person learning. They will come to class again on Thursday, November 10th as well, to be taught in person. Wednesday, November 9th and Friday, November 11th the children will be taught at home. A link will be established on the Google Classroom for them to log into for Wednesday the 9th. Students will use this link whenever they are expected to attend school virtually moving forward.
Online learning will be difficult for some students and families. Please know, I understand the challenges that come with juggling jobs and kids and the technical issues that come with this type of learning. Do not worry about timelines and completing every task if it is not manageable. I will be able to pick up the slack when the kids are with me on alternate days. My expectations are that all just do the best they can. That will be good enough.
As for academics this month; we are underway in our unit on Rocks and Minerals in Grade 4 and have begun work on the geographic regions of Canada as well. Grade 5 students continue to learn about Canadian Government in Social Studies and are learning about Matter and Materials in Science.
Students in both grades will do a short biography about a famous Canadian this month in Literacy. They will write some poetry and read stories with themes about peace for Remembrance Day. They will also discuss Ways to Resolve Conflicts in Peaceful Ways during Health classes this month. Students will also apply knowledge of parts of speech to write descriptively in our writing classes.
In Math we are currently studying ways to manage and interpret data and will continue to practice estimation strategies involving larger numbers. Looking for patterns in numbers and learning multiplication tables will also be explored in the weeks ahead. In addition, students will review concepts related to time, as we did not quite get to that last month.
Progress Reports come home soon and we will meet shortly after to discuss the children’s academic and learning skills. Reminders about the interview times most have already signed up for will be sent home this week. Those who have not yet had a chance to sign up for an interview will also be contacted to set up a time to meet, as well.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about anything going on in the classroom, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will do my best to make the way through online learning as comfortable and stress free as possible for all.
Best wishes for a safe month ahead. I look forward to chatting with you about the children soon.
Sharon Flindall
October News
Dear Parents/Guardians
With September start up routines behind us, we look forward to all that October brings in our Grade Four/Five classroom. It will be a busy month as there is much to do before the first reporting period in November.
Grade 5 students continue to learn about the role of the Canadian Government in their lives and will participate in a student vote to simulate the public's experience during the October 24th election. Hopefully parents can bring their children along to see “democracy in action” as they exercise their right to elect the municipal candidates they would like to represent them in the Burlington area. They will do a little research on a Canadian leader of interest to them. In Science, the next unit of study in Grade 5 will be Matter.
Grade 4 students will learn about Canada’s natural resources and commodities this month, now that they have some more understanding of our country's provinces and territories. They will explore the trading relationships between various parts of Canada and the products they produce, and also begin a mini-research project on a region of their choosing. In Science classes Grade 4 students will soon start to learn about the properties of rocks and minerals.
We continue to manipulate and practice working with larger numbers in Math and will start estimation strategies to add and subtract them. We are going to begin to use those larger numbers to solve problems to sharpen skills with precise answers as well. The ability to estimate will help kids know if they are on the right track and if their answers make sense. Both grades and will soon begin activities related to managing data and telling time.
Agendas have arrived!. These will become a valuable organizational tool for students and a way for us to communicate about things going on at school and home. Please initial these daily to confirm your awareness of homework assignments, tests or upcoming events. Remember you can also check the website to see daily assignments or view the monthly newsletter.
Testing for giftedness occurs the week of October 19th. This only pertains to Grade 4 students. Practice sessions will be conducted the previous week to ensure the children are comfortable with the testing format and the types of questions they will encounter. There is no preparation required for this, just a good sleep the night before and a healthy breakfast the morning of, to fuel those brain cells!
Wifi has been installed, so now we are able to incorporate more technology based learning into our day. I am asking students to bring their own headphones for use with the chrome books. They will be used several times a week at least for reading, writing and viewing materials, so the children should have a set of earphones to use for the listening activities.
Although mini-lessons and reading/writing sessions will occur daily, students should also have a book with them for quiet reading. If they have not been bringing a book in the last few weeks, it is important that they start to do so for this period of time, daily. Many have handed in their September Reading Logs and new ones for October will be sent home with this newsletter. We will discuss stories, making connections between them and practice summarizing their content this month. Remember that Monday is our library exchange day so new books can be checked out early every week.
Please remind students to dress for the weather as we will spend time outdoors daily for fitness breaks or outdoor learning. Thanks for all those boxes of Kleenex donated. They are much appreciated as the season for colds and respiratory illnesses is upon us. I will continue to remind the kids to adhere to proper hygiene protocol in order to keep each other safe and healthy in the months ahead.
I look forward to seeing you at the Open House this Thursday, October 6th. The children are excited to show you all they have been working on this month. For those who are not able to make it, I hope you will feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am happy to chat with you anytime and want to be sure the year is a successful one for all.
This weekend will be Thanksgiving. I think the last couple of years have taught us to be more grateful than ever for our many blessings. I wish all of you an abundance of those very best things in life: good health, the love of family and the peace of mind to enjoy it all.
Best Wishes,
Sharon Flindall
September Newsletter
Dear Parents
Welcome to a brand new year! I am delighted to be your child’s teacher and happy to
let you know we’ve had a great first couple of days together. The kids are getting used to the portable and are appreciating the easy access they have to outdoor learning and daily QDF opportunities.
For those of you who do not know me, I have been happily teaching in the junior grades for 19 years. I have three grown children and my favorite thing to do is to visit with them and their growing families. Hobbies of mine include cooking, gardening and crafting. My husband and I also love to go for long walks in the woods and along the Burlington waterfront.
Our first unit of study in Social Studies is Canada’s Geographic Regions and Natural Resources in Grade 4 and Canadian Government in Grade 5. Math classes will start with a review of addition/subtraction strategies to improve accuracy with larger numbers and mental math skills. Reading, writing and comparing larger numbers as well as place value will be the focus after that.
In Literacy the children will be developing their stamina to read quietly and independently in the first few weeks. We will also explore the differences between various genres (e.g., Mystery, Science Fiction, Biography, etc.) as I hope to encourage them to try new types of books and authors during their independent reading time at school and at home. It is important that everyone has a book they will enjoy reading with them daily. Next week students will bring home a reading log that should be filled out daily and returned at the end of the month.
There may be some homework in Math or Word Study a couple of times a week, but there should never be more than 30 minutes of homework nightly. For the most part, students will be given the time to complete their daily tasks in class. There will be times though when students may need extra reinforcement of concepts, or to complete work that is incomplete. Sometimes there will be project work or tests to prepare for, as well. Please let me know if your child is finding the workload too much and we will adjust accordingly.
We will be using agendas this year so it will be important to check and initial them each day for reminders or assignments. They have been ordered and should arrive by the end of the month. We can only provide one free agenda to students each year so please guide your child to take good care of it. You will also be able to check homework expectations on the classroom website which can be accessed using the staff link on the Glenview School Website: Glenview Public School.
We have a Google Classroom which will be used during extended absences or if learning needs to occur online again should there be a shutdown. Please be sure your child accepts his/her invitation to join the classroom. This has been sent to them already and most of the kids are quite familiar with it by now. For those who need a refresher, they simply use their username and password to login to their HDSB school account and respond to the prompt to join.
We will have QDF most days and will also try to spend some time outside learning, daily. It is important that children come prepared for the weather, so they are warm and comfortable outdoors. I have completed the most updated version of our timetable which you will find on the website. I am also sending a hard copy home with students for you to keep on hand as well. Our Gym day will be Wednesday afternoons and we will visit the library Monday mornings.
I am also sending along a “Raising Rising Stars” form for you to fill out at your convenience. This of course is voluntary. I find that parents are often happy to have the opportunity to share valuable nuggets of information or tips that will help me better understand or motivate their children. I would like to know how the kids are finding their first week and if they are showing any signs of nervousness or anxiety about their return to school.
I hope you will always feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns about anything going on in the classroom or your child’s well-being. The days are busy but I will get back to you as soon as I can. I hope each one of my students comes home happy and excited about the things they discover here each day. I assure you I will do all I can to keep them engaged, safe, happy and inspired to offer their best in all subject areas.
I look forward to getting to know you as well as your children as the weeks and months go by. Our partnership will play an important role in the success of your child this year. Cheers to a safe, great year ahead!
Sincerely,
Sharon Flindall
A declarative sentence makes a statement and ends with a period.
Example: The house is built on the hill.
Interrogative
An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends with a question mark.
Example: Where did you find my keys?
Exclamatory
An exclamatory sentence shows strong feelings and ends with an exclamation mark.
Example: She has the cutest new baby!
Imperative
An imperative sentence gives a command.
Example: Bring the box over here.