Hello Parents/Guardians of 4/5A,
Welcome back to another exciting year at Lambton Kingsway. If you are new to the school welcome to one of the best schools in the country.
I wanted to take a few minutes of your time to explain who I am and where we are heading in room 122 for the first 4 months of the school year. We are already up and running full speed and I am finding the students are adjusting to life in school quickly.
As the saying goes, this is not my first rodeo. I have taught in the TDSB for 22 years in grades from Kindergarten to Grade 8 and in subjects ranging from Outdoor Education to Health and Phys-Ed. I spent 7 years at LKS from 2000 to 2007. I believe in high expectations and I will be working with students for the first few months to develop the skills necessary to push their boundaries, take risks and stay organized and engaged.
I have been hanging outside the school in the morning and at lunch and touching base with some of you. I am aware about the concern with the split grade. I am highly capable and grade 4/5 is one of the most effective splits. To ensure success with this type of class students will need to work hard to network with peers and focus. Independent working can be a significant asset. If you want more information about how we will proceed to ensure everyone gets what they need drop in. I am more than happy to share the plans for the year.
Our studies for the first four months of the year will be;
Math Number Sense and Numeration, Patterning
Language Reading, Writing and Communication, Vocabulary
Social Studies Grade 4: People and Environments/Political and Physical Regions of Canada
Grade 5: People and Environments/The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship
Science Grade 4: Rocks and Minerals
Grade 5: The Human Body
Art, French and Physical Education will be taught by teachers on rotary.
Please check the planner and sign it every day. Please note, if you do not wish to sign the planner each night you must let me know as soon as possible. Once I get parent emails from the office I will be sending a weekly email blast to keep you notified of what has and will be happening.
Every day a literacy item needs to come to class, comic book, graphic novel, e-book on device, novels, non-fiction/fiction items, newspapers (the more varied the better) everyday read with or give your child time to read at home (Update: At this point 60 percent of the class is remembering this one. Please assist to make this a 100% reality as students need to read what interests them, picking up a random book in the classroom and going through the motions of reading does not work at this level)
Water bottle and healthy snack, makes the brain work better.
If your child desires an absolutely silent work environment ear-phones are great to keep out periphery noise. The noise level is usually conversational but even that low level can make it hard for some.
School supplies and completed work. I will give work to complete and time in class to finish it. If you find your child is doing lots of homework, let’s meet and get to the bottom of why. It is often traced back to classroom focus and time management.
The best way to communicate is by email. james.graham2@tdsb.on.ca. Keep an eye on the website for upcoming events.
Take care,
Jim Graham