March 2026

March 27th, 2025

Welcome back, everyone! 🌟 It was so great hearing about all the creative experiments you tried over March Break with your kits—what an inspiring way to keep the learning going! 🔬✨

This week, we eased back into our routines. Monday started off a little quiet, but by Tuesday afternoon, we were back in full swing—especially once we picked up our recorders and started playing Hot Cross Buns 🎶 and explored Makey Makey for our upcoming Social Studies project (get ready to create something amazing! 💡).

From learning how to use a protractor to measure angles 📐 to kicking off a new 3-D art project 🎨, a lot was happening in our classroom. 

Here’s a look at what we were up to this week:

Language

In Language this week, we continued building our persuasive writing skills ✍️. After receiving feedback from Ms. Khan, students worked hard to apply those suggestions to their letters—revising and strengthening their ideas.

We then explored rebuttals, thinking about how to acknowledge an opposing view while still supporting our own position. This is a big step toward deeper thinking and more convincing arguments 💭.

To put this into practice, students took on the challenge of persuading Mr. Bondy about a potential change to the school day ⏰. They debated two options—an earlier finish or a longer day—by brainstorming pros and cons in groups before drafting their rough copies.

We’re continuing to focus on using the OREO method and making sure our reasons are clear and strong. We’re also emphasizing the importance of editing and revising—recognizing that great writing often takes several drafts and thoughtful feedback 📝.

On Friday, students reflected in their portfolios, responding to the question: What did you do this week that shows you worked hard? 💡 The variety of responses was fantastic, showing that students are really thinking about their learning, the challenges they face, and how they problem-solve.

Math

In Math this week, it was all about angles! 📐

We started by learning how to classify angles—acute, right, obtuse, and straight—using real-life examples to help make connections. Students then put their skills to the test with a sorting activity to reinforce their understanding.

Next, we took a “Views from the Six” approach 🏙️, exploring images of downtown Toronto and identifying angles using colour coding—red/orange for acute, yellow/black for right, green for obtuse, and blue for straight. This was a fun way to see how math shows up all around us!

By Wednesday, we dug into measuring angles with protractors. After watching a video, students practiced measuring and began comparing angles to familiar benchmarks—great to see their confidence growing!

We wrapped up the week by exploring triangles 🔺, learning how to classify them not only by their side lengths but also by their angles. On Friday, we began creating our geometry word wall, which will support us as we move toward our upcoming culminating task.

Science

In Science this week, both grades were busy with some exciting learning! 🔬

Our Grad 4s explored how drones are used in mining 🚁—from surveying land and creating detailed maps to safely inspecting areas that might be dangerous for humans. We began connecting this to our coding knowledge, thinking about how drones follow programmed instructions and how we might apply similar ideas in our own work 💻.

Meanwhile, our Grade 5s continued working on their life-sized human body projects 🫀. We continued to learn more about different organs and how they work together within body systems to keep us functioning at our best. It’s been great to see students making connections between the systems and understanding how everything is interconnected!

Physical Education

In Physical Education this week, Ms. Khan got us moving right away with a fun and competitive warm-up inspired by Simon Says 🏃‍♂️—a great way to build focus and get our energy up!

From there, students worked on developing their soccer skills ⚽, practicing both shooting and defending as they continued to grow their confidence in soccer

Of course, the soccer games were a highlight of the week, with lots of teamwork, effort, and excitement on display! 🙌 We have one more week of soccer ahead before we move on to a new sport—stay tuned!

The Arts

In The Arts this week, there was lots of creativity and new learning! 🎨🎶

In Music, students began learning the recorder, and it was great to see how their prior knowledge of rhythmic notation and notes on the staff supported them as they started playing Hot Cross Buns 🎵. Students are encouraged to practice for at least 5 minutes each day to build confidence ahead of next week’s quiz, where they’ll be performing the song.

In Visual Arts, students began an exciting 3D tiny house project with Ms. Khan 🏠. Using paper folding and creative design elements, they started building their ideal rooms—thinking carefully about the details and features that make a space their own.

The Wrap-Up

As we wrap up the week, just a few reminders for families 📣

Scholastic orders were due today, but there is still time to place an online order until Monday using our class code RC186231 📚.

We’re also looking forward to our upcoming field trip to Forest Valley next Thursday, where students will be learning all about maple syrup 🍁. Please remember to complete the permission form in the EMA and submit payment through School Cash Online.

Next week will be another short one, with no school on Friday, April 3rd, for Good Friday, followed by another short week after with no school on Monday, April 6th, for Easter Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend! 😊 I look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday.

March 13th, 2025

🎉 Welcome, March Break!

There is no school for students this coming week, and I’m wishing everyone a wonderful and relaxing break! 😊

This week brought a lot of fun and excitement with our Bring Your Parent to School events on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Parents had the opportunity to come in and see Math in action through games, breakouts, and a STEM challenge using index cards. 🧩📐 We are so grateful that so many parents took time out of their busy schedules to join us.

If you were unable to attend but are interested in seeing the slideshow with the activities that were shared, please feel free to reach out to me. 📩

We also had our final skating trip of the winter this week. ⛸️ It was wonderful to see how much students have grown in their skating skills while having such a great time on the ice.

Here’s what else we were up to this week: 👇

Language

This week in Language, students worked with Ms. Khan to learn all about persuasive writing. We started by learning the difference between an opinion and persuasion, and then moved on to the O.R.E.O. method—and no, not just eating Oreos! 😄 Students learned how to organize their ideas with Opinion, Reasons, Examples, and restating their Opinion.

By the end of the week, students put their new skills to the test by writing a persuasive letter to the classroom chairs asking them to come back! 🪑✉️ As you’ll see below, the chairs have clearly had it with a few of us!

On Friday, we also spent some time back in our blogs, reflecting on this week’s learning by answering the question: Did you try a new way of solving a problem or completing a task? How did it go? 💭

We’ve certainly grown in our ability to persuade this week… and I’m wishing parents lots of luck over the break! 😉

Math

This week in Math, we dug into our Geometry unit, focusing on the properties of rectangles and learning something that surprised many of us — a square is actually a rectangle! 🤯⬜

We learned that rectangles have several important properties:

🔹 They have 4 sides

🔹 They have 4 right angles (90°) 📏

🔹 Opposite sides are equal in length

🔹 Opposite sides are parallel

Our Bring Your Parent to School visits also gave us the chance to explore math in some fun ways. Families joined us as we learned new games like Make 10 🎲, participated in a word problem breakout using a KFC chart (not the chicken place… wow! I’m just realizing we’ve been pretty focused on food during our learning this week! 🍗😂), and took on a STEM challenge where groups used index cards to try to build the tallest tower possible. 🗼📇

After the break, we will jump back into Geometry and begin learning about angles. 📐

Enjoy a look at some of our learning below! 👇

Science

This week in Science, students had the opportunity to continue the work they began last week.

Our Grade 4s wrapped up the Cookie Mining activity 🍪⛏️, and their minds were blown by the results! Students calculated the costs of their mining operations and quickly discovered how expensive mining can be and how little profit they actually made. They were also surprised to learn about the significant environmental impacts that can come along with mining. 🌎

Meanwhile, our Grade 5s continued working on their life-sized human bodies 🧍‍♂️🫀. It has been so much fun to see these projects coming to life around the classroom! Their research, labelling, and colouring are making learning about human body systems super engaging for everyone.

Health

This week in Health, students participated in a labelling activity where they explored some of the effects of smoking and vaping. Using an image of the human body, they added and discussed different ways these substances can impact various body systems. 🚭🫁

One powerful question that came out of our discussion was: “If these are all of the side effects, why do people smoke or vape?” This led to an important conversation about addiction and how it can play a major role in why people may continue to smoke. 

Students also learned the difference between first-hand and second-hand smoke, as well as the difference between short-term and long-term effects. 

After the break, we will continue building on this learning with a sorting activity to help deepen our understanding and push our thinking as we work to determine the differences between them. 🧠

Physical Education

This week in Physical Education, students continued to hone their skills in soccer, and we saw some incredible matches! ⚽🔥

Students have been working on communicating with their teammates, passing the ball, and learning how to play as part of a team rather than as solo players. It has been great to see their teamwork and game awareness continue to grow.

We have a couple more weeks of soccer before we move on to our next sport. 🏃‍♂️

The Arts

In Music, we continued exploring music terminology with a focus on the staff. 🎼 Students learned about time signatures and what they tell us about the music, as well as the treble clef and how it wraps around the G line.

We also worked on learning the names of the notes on the lines and in the spaces of the staff. 🎵 Students are encouraged to keep practicing the names of the notes over the break, as this will really help support our learning when we begin playing the recorder, which is fast approaching! 🎶

In Visual Arts, we finally finished our 2-point perspective cityscapes, and they are incredible! 🏙️✏️ The attention to detail and effort students put into these pieces really shows.

After the break, Ms. Khan will be leading students in an art activity, and we couldn’t be more excited!

The Wrap-Up

It has been an incredible week in our classroom filled with learning, creativity, and lots of fun moments together. 🌟

Next week, we are off for March Break, and I hope everyone has a safe, relaxing, and restful break. ☀️❄️

Please note that student email addresses will be updated over the March Break. During this time, students will not have access to their TDSB accounts. When they return from the break, instructions will be provided on how to regain access to their accounts.

Science Kits were sent home today, and hopefully, they will allow for some extra March Break fun and exploration! 🔬🧪

Grad Photos will be taken on Tuesday, March 24th, for the grade 5s. Please come with your bright smiles 😃

Permission forms will soon be released on the EMA for our upcoming field trip to Forest Valley on April 2nd, right before the long weekend. 🌳🚌

A reminder that Scholastic orders are due on March 27th. Please remember to order online using our Class Code: RC186231. 📚

See you all back at school on March 23rd! 👋

March 6th, 2025

Welcome, March! 🌷☀️ We’re stepping into a new month and keeping our fingers crossed for some warmer weather ahead! After quite a stretch, we were finally in the classroom for a full five days — and we made every single one count! 💪📚

One of the highlights of our week was an incredible presentation on the Steel Pan by Earl La Pierre Jr. 🎶🥁. We loved learning about the history, culture, and vibrant sounds of this amazing instrument. It was an engaging and memorable experience for everyone!

We also jumped into exciting new topics in Health, Math, and Music, keeping our brains busy and our curiosity growing. 🧠➕🎵 It’s been a full, fun, and focused week in our classroom!

Here’s what we were up to this week:

Language

In Language this week, we officially wrapped up our biography unit! 🎉✍️ The final copies are now proudly displayed on the wall outside our classroom, so if you’re ever stopping by, please take a look. You’ll learn about some incredible young activists who are already making a powerful impact in the world. 🌎💪 We are so proud of the research, writing, and effort that went into these pieces!

We also dove back into our portfolios, continuing to build and add to our pages. 📚✨ On Thursday, students took time to reflect on our biography unit, thinking about what they learned and how their work showed that learning. As part of our Friday reflection, students responded to this week’s blog question: What strategy helped you the most this week in school? It’s always wonderful to see the thoughtful connections they are making as they reflect on their own learning.

Next week, we’re moving on to persuasive writing with Ms. Khan, the Teacher Candidate in our classroom. 🗣️📝 I can’t wait to be persuaded about all sorts of topics — I have a feeling we’re going to hear some very convincing arguments!

Math

In Math this week, we officially wrapped up The Party Challenge! 🎉📊 Students reflected on the total cost of planning their party and then took things a step further by learning that the average wage in Toronto is currently $37/hour. 💵

Using this real-world number, students calculated how many hours — and even days — they would need to work to afford their party. This led to some thoughtful conversations about whether the cost was truly worth it. 🤔💭 Many students also reflected on what they might do differently if given the opportunity to plan their party again.

I’m hopeful that this hands-on, real-life experience helped make financial literacy more meaningful and relevant. 💡💰

Next up, we’re diving into Geometry! 📐 Students will have the opportunity to explore 2D shapes, 3D forms, and angles as we begin this new unit. Stay tuned for some sharp thinking ahead!

Science

This week in Science, our Grade 4 students dug into the world of mining — literally! 🍪⛏️ Through a fun cookie-mining activity, they explored how minerals and rocks are excavated and learned about the real costs involved in mining. They also discovered how drones are being used in modern mining, from surveying remote areas to detecting underground resources in places like deserts and forests. 🚁🌍

Students were challenged to think like engineers: How might they design, build, and code a drone to locate precious materials that we use in our everyday lives? It was a great mix of creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning. 💡🤖

Meanwhile, our Grade 5s kicked off their life-sized human body project! 🫀🦴 Through reading and research, they’re exploring different organs and discovering how each one supports our body’s systems. I can’t wait to see all their learning come to life in this exciting project!

Physical Education

This week in Physical Education, we kicked back into soccer with some fun games and skill-building drills! ⚽💨 Students worked in groups, passing the ball quickly down the court with the last player responsible for scoring. After a few rounds, we added a team of “defenders” to make things even more challenging. 🛡️🥅

It was fantastic to see students collaborating, strategizing, and cheering each other on as they worked together to score goals. Teamwork, communication, and a love for the game were all on full display this week! 🙌🎉 I’m hoping that all this practice and teamwork will translate into even stronger performance in our actual games. ⚽🏆

Health

This week in Health, we kicked off a new Healthy Living unit on Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours. 🚭💡 With a focus on smoking and vaping, students played a fun and engaging true or false game to test their knowledge.

They also explored some of the ingredients in cigarettes and learned about how smoking affects the body. 🫁🔥 It was wonderful to see so much curiosity, thoughtful questions, and deep understanding as students connected the information to real-life choices. This week’s learning set a strong foundation for making healthy decisions now and in the future!

The Arts

This week in The Arts, our Music classes were all about building our foundation in music theory! 🎵📝 Students explored key music terminology through a fun flashcard activity and then put their knowledge to the test with a quiz. They learned about the staff, the treble clef, the values of different notes and rests, and time signatures. 🥁🎶 This important groundwork is getting us ready for an exciting next step — learning to play the recorders right after the March Break! 🎼🎹

In Visual Arts, students completed their 2-point perspective cityscapes, and these amazing pieces will be up on our walls shortly. 🏙️✨ It’s wonderful to see how the drawings came to life and the 3D effect that this technique added to their work. After the break, we’ll be exploring 3D works of art and preparing to create our own! 🖌️🖼️

The Wrap-Up

We are just one week away from March Break! 🌷

Next week, we’re excited to welcome parents into the classroom for our Bring Your Parents to School event at Victoria Village PS. Families are invited to join us for a math lesson on one of the following days:

• Tuesday, March 10 – Foundational Math Games

• Wednesday, March 11 – Math Problem Solving

• Thursday, March 12 – Building Transferable Skills Through STEM

Please check your email for the registration link. If you can’t find it, feel free to reach out, and I’d be happy to forward it to you.

Scholastic flyers were sent home today, and orders are due on Friday, March 27th. 📚✏️ Please remember to use Class Code: RC186231 when ordering online.

Next Friday, March 13th, we’ll have our last skating excursion before the break — get ready to glide on the ice! ⛸️❄️

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! I can’t wait to see all of you back in class on Monday! 😊🎉