HELLO DIV. 17!

15 March 2024 

Greetings, Muggles, Wizards and Witches of the Academic Realm!

In the latest turn of our magical scroll, Division 17 has been up to more than just wand-waving and potion-brewing. This term, our young sorcerers have embarked on a journey not just across the enchanted lands of Canada, but through the mystical realms of knowledge and cooperation, proving once again that our magic knows no bounds.

A Spellbinding Quest for Natural Resources: Our intrepid explorers have delved deep into the heart of Canada, unearthing the secrets of its land, people, and communities. Through their individualized research projects, they've uncovered how the pursuit of valuable natural resources has not just transformed the terrain but has also conjured stories of conflict and cooperation between First Peoples and Europeans, weaving the rich tapestry of Canada's identity. We will start the poster presentations right after spring break and host an open house to show off their wealth of knowledge and creativity! I am excited to see their presentations!

Magical Sports and Spells: Not ones to rest on their laurels, our students have taken to the Quidditch pitch and the volleyball court with equal zeal, showcasing their athletic prowess and team spirit. But the magic didn't stop there! They've also attempted to master the complex spells of 3 by 3 digit multiplication and navigated the intricate potions of measurement, proving their mathematical might.

Salmon Science and the Coho Conjuring: In a remarkable feat of environmental wizardry, Division 17 has raised Coho salmon, diving fin-first into the mysteries of salmon science. This magical endeavor not only highlights our commitment to Mother Nature but also teaches the importance of life cycles and ecosystems in our world.

The Power of Cooperation: Through it all, our young wizards have learned the invaluable spell of cooperation. Working together, they've tackled challenges both in and out of the classroom, strengthening their bonds and honing their skills as future leaders and change-makers.

A Novel Study of Harry Potter: And what would a term be without a nod to our own origins? Our novel study on Harry Potter has not only been a return to our roots but also a journey into the heart of bravery, friendship, and the eternal battle between good and evil. It's been a reminder that magic, in its purest form, is about more than just spells and potions; it's about the power of the human spirit to overcome, to love, and to triumph.

As we close the book on this term, we look back with pride at all we've achieved and forward with excitement to the adventures that await. Division 17, you've proven once again that the magic within us, combined with knowledge and cooperation, can change the world.

Until our next magical update, keep your wands ready and your minds open - and have a wonderful Spring Break!

With magical regards,

>>>> Mr. O'Connor

PS: Be sure to watch the video with your child and ask them about their wand writing project (which will be showcased at the literacy fair we're hosting on Tuesday April 2024 after school :)

09 February 2024

Hello Division 17 Families,

Happy Lunar New Year! 🎉 It's the Year of the Dragon! We hope this update finds you well and in good spirits! Here are some exciting happenings in our classroom.  To those who celebrate, we wish you a joyful Lunar New Year! Come check out our festive Lion Dance costume displayed in the classroom window. It's a vibrant celebration of the Year of the Dragon, and we're thrilled to share the joy with everyone. 

Ask your child about our Social Studies Adventures: Exploring European Contact with Indigenous People In Social Studies, we're diving into new lessons exploring European contact with Indigenous people. Students are engaged in historical skits, creating explorer trading cards, examining history from various perspectives, and honing their critical thinking skills. Recently, we had an enriching day where we collaborated with all grade 4/5 classes, fostering a dynamic learning environment.

The Math Mastery continues with: Multiplication, Division, and Subtraction. In Math, we're diligently practicing basic multiplication and division facts as part of our daily warm-ups. Additionally, we've embarked on a journey into multi-digit subtraction. For extra support and practice at home, please visit the math page on our website. Keep an eye out for a 2nd quiz coming home today – a great opportunity to showcase our progress! 

Our Science centers around the fascinating world of salmon, covering biomes, life cycles, sustainability, and sensing and responding. Unfortunately, we experienced a setback this week as our salmon eggs encountered what is known as a stress hatch and all of them died. The cause remains unknown, and the hatchery is investigating. After draining and cleaning the tank, we plan to retest the water. If all goes well, we may welcome new salmon eggs next week. Stay tuned for updates, and let's keep our fingers crossed for a second attempt at a successful hatch!

We appreciate your ongoing support and involvement in your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out. Here's to a fantastic weekend ahead - like that morning last week with the beautiful sunrise. 

Warm regards,

>>>> Mr. O'Connor

PS: Solve this riddle and write the answer in your agenda for a prize! 

In the Great Hall, I'm quite a sight,

Sorting students left and right.

With a hat upon a head so grand,

I choose the house where you will stand.

What am I? 

18 January 2024

Check out the art from students on our extra-curricular indoor soccer team from last term. Student could make a team logo if they wanted, and they did not dissapoint! Wow, well done! Basketball is in full swing right now - and a free, fun opportunity to try a new sport, make friends and get some exercise.

>>>> Mr. O'Connor

22 December 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are thrilled to share some exciting news about the recent project your children have been working on in class—the creation of fantastic felt foxes!

Our students have been exploring the world of design, hands-on skills, and technology through a fun and creative project that complimented our read aloud novel, Pax by Sarah Pennypacker. The project is part of the Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies curriculum, which aims to harness the natural curiosity, inventiveness, and practical instincts of our students.

During this project, your child has had the opportunity to design, make, and apply various skills to bring their felt foxes to life. From selecting materials to crafting and finishing touches, the students have been actively engaged in a learning experience that goes beyond traditional textbooks.

Why is this important, you might wonder? Well, in today's world, being able to design, make, and apply skills and technologies is crucial. These skills are not only practical but also empower our students to be creative thinkers and problem solvers—essential qualities for their future success.

We invite you to take a moment to appreciate the effort and enthusiasm your child has put into this project. The hands-on approach not only makes learning enjoyable but also equips them with skills that will serve them well in the future.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the first term. Happy Holidays to you and your family and we'll see you next year!

>>>> Mr. O'Connor

16 November 2023

This week at school has been rich with diverse and meaningful learning experiences for your children. Our class is captivated as we continue to delve into the class novel Pax, and the excitement is building with each turn of the page. The students created a brilliant art display of foxes (come in and see it!). Through social studies, we also delved into the vibrant celebration of Diwali, exploring its cultural significance and traditions. Speaking of cultural sigificance, we by commemorating Louis Riel Day on Thursday, our students gained insights into Canadian history and the importance of recognizing and respecting diverse perspectives. Be sure to ask about some of the facts we learned and transribed from a video!  Our this math week focused on lessons on place value, including the rounding of numbers, providing a solid foundation for numerical understanding. Next week we'll begin our look into addition and subtraction of large numbers. 

Last week's Remembrance Day assembly was a poignant event, featuring impactful speeches by Max and Nolan that resonated with the gravity of the occasion. Attending were many guests including members from the Navy, and a powerful drumming song by Rob Morris & Robert Louis. As part of our commitment to cultural inclusivity, students practiced and filmed the brand-new counting song, 'Máhsi ts'enįwę' by Leela Gilday. This song, commissioned as the Indigenous language song for 2023 in Dene Kede, marks a significant collaboration with the CBC Library Partnerships Program. We are proud to engage your children in such enriching and diverse educational experiences. Well done Div. 17! You're getting some great things done and learning many independent skills along the way.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the pictures below.

>>>> Mr. O'Connor

PS: We've been learning to play Boggle together! Boggle is a great tool for kids as it enhances vocabulary, spelling, critical thinking, and communication skills in a fun and interactive way. I challenge you to have a family challenge this weekend! Here are blank sheets for you to print and use at home.

30 October 2023

Hello Division 17! 

It's the day before Hallowe'en and we have so many exciting things to share with you!  First off, the trip to Veterans Memorial Lodge was a hit! It was great to see the excitement and joy from the residents as our class read spooky stories to them. During our recent field trip, Grade 4/5 students learned the importance of caring for and connecting with the elderly in our community. They gained empathy by interacting with the seniors and sharing their Halloween spirit. This experience taught them valuable lessons in compassion and community involvement, which will stay with them as they grow.

Last week at school, we had an exciting lineup of activities and lessons for your children. We introduced them to the fundamentals of rugby, focusing on teamwork and sportsmanship. Additionally, we covered essential cycling safety tips to ensure they are well-prepared for safe rides. For a touch of creativity, the kids engaged in spooky house writing, which brought out their imaginative storytelling skills. In math, we played engaging place value games to reinforce their understanding of numbers.  They are learning many things including how to read and write big numbers and use expanded notation. To celebrate the season, students from throughout our school created literacy pumpkins outside of school as a fun and educational bonus craft. Of course, outdoor activities including trail walk and time in our Beyond the Fence areas were a part of our routine, providing opportunities for exercise and fresh air. It was a week filled with learning and fun, and we look forward to more exciting weeks ahead.

>>>> Mr O'Connor

PS: Be sure to ask about the exciting finale to the read-aloud novel Almost Super and our new novel Pax.

12 October 2023

Hello Division 17! 

A quick update for you!  We have been busy working on several exciting projects, including a special focus on the Lochside Card Project. The theme we've chosen revolves around winter animals sporting cozy sweaters. Through our collaborative efforts, we've developed a collection of minimalist designs that showcase animal and artistic diversity. Among the featured animals are bears, cats, dogs, reindeer, and many more! 

In our math curriculum, we're currently jumping into a variety of topics, including patterns, basic math facts, and, most recently, place value concepts. Place value is a crucial foundation for various mathematical concepts, such as regrouping, multi-digit multiplication, and more within the decimal system. It also serves as the starting point for comprehending other numerical base systems. Our current activities focused on reading numbers and writing numbers from words. These can be tricky, but we'll tackle this one day at a time and keep a positive mindset. 

We are also focusing on building a strong foundation for effective writing through a structured approach.

• Topic Sentences: In our lessons, we emphasize the importance of a clear and compelling topic sentence. This sentence acts as the anchor of any paragraph, setting the stage for what the paragraph will discuss.

• Star Details: We encourage students to enhance their writing by incorporating 'star details' — these are the key ideas and vivid descriptions that make their writing stand out. These details bring life to their sentences and help readers visualize what they are describing.

• Details: Alongside star details, we teach students to include supporting information and examples to provide depth and context to their writing. These details further strengthen their arguments or descriptions.

• Conclusion Sentences: Concluding a paragraph effectively is a skill we emphasize. A well-crafted conclusion sentence ties the paragraph together and often serves as a transition to the next idea.

Additionally, we've introduced the concept of 'Triple Scoop Words' to make writing more engaging. These are exciting, descriptive words that add flavor and pizzazz to their sentences. Encouraging the use of these words not only enriches their vocabulary but also makes their writing more captivating.

Our goal is to equip students with a strong understanding of the basic writing structure while also encouraging creativity and flair in their expression. We believe that this comprehensive approach will help them become confident and effective writers.

>>>> Mr. O'Connor

PS: Be sure to ask about our game of four corners soccer today! The skills are top-notch and would rival Pacific FC! 

21 September 2023

Hello Division 17!

I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the incredible journey we've embarked on together as a class. Over the past couple of weeks, I've had the privilege of working closely with the students and discovering more about their unique interests and learning preferences. Our classroom is a diverse tapestry, filled with speed skaters, soccer enthusiasts, and hockey aficionados.  We have dedicated gamers, passionate math enthusiasts, and talented artists who could give Monet a run for his money. It's safe to say that we are a remarkable group, and I'm continually gaining deeper insights into each of you with every passing day.

Lately, we've been engaged in a series of captivating learning experiences, ranging from discussions on family and school values to rigorous math assessments and the creation of self-portraits. Our self-portraits are not just artistic endeavors; they also serve as reflections of our individual personalities, incorporating unique colors and facial expressions. These portraits have truly breathed life and character into our classroom. Bravo, wonderful students!

Our indoor and outdoor physical education classes have certainly left us feeling a bit tired, but they've also played a crucial role in helping us become healthier and more energetic. We've been focusing on mastering new running and soccer skills, and I must say, the progress has been impressive.

Additionally, we recently took an important step towards enhancing our digital literacy. With the guidance of Mrs. Malloy, we successfully set up secure passwords and accounts for our library computers. This means that, in due time, you'll be able to access your Google Classroom from the comfort of your own homes with just a simple login. For those of you who need a refresher on the login process, I've created a helpful resource page called "Tech Help."

I know that the pace of our journey may have seemed brisk at times, but they say that time flies when you're having fun, and that's precisely what we're doing. I encourage you to take some time this weekend to think about all the things I did and didn't mention—it's a great way to reflect on the wonderful progress we've made.

Wishing you all a restful weekend.

>>>> Mr. O'Connor

PS: Be sure to ask your child about the photos and videos below!