Room 5&6 (Grade 3/4) Taradale School

Today, we celebrated the season with some gingerbread houses. Please take a look at the creations made by the students in Room 5/6. Don't forget your weekend journals (3 of them) over the break. Stay safe, have fun, and we will see you on Thursday January 9, 2020!

Hey team! Remember - there is NO SCHOOL on Friday December 20! December 19 is the last day! Pick 3 of these to write about over the break. Each piece should be AT LEAST one page long. We don't care when you do them, just please make sure to have three written by the time you return to school on January 9, 2020. Remember, each entry should be AT LEAST ONE PAGE LONG :) Write about what you think it would be like to be an elf. Why do you think red and green are Christmas colours? Are there any other colours that should be included? Write a story about having a pet reindeer. Write about someone who has been kind to you this year. Are candy canes the best holiday treat? Why or Why not? Should kids even have a Winter Break? Or should we just keep going to school, with no breaks? What do you miss most about school over the break? We look forward to hearing your writing when we get together again in 2020!

Read for 30 minutes each day. Cozy Comfy Day is Wednesday December 18. If you would like, wear your coziest clothes (PJs, onesies etc.) please do so. Please do not bring stuffies, blankets, pillows or slippers. Remember that next week we will be going outside to snowshoe during gym. Dress for the weather, because it is cold! The last day of school before Winter Break is Thursday December 19. Have a great weekend!

The look on Ashish's face said it all...he couldn't believe that his snowman was talking to him!

Winter Celebration is on Thursday December 12. Please refer to the blue notice that was sent home this week. Hope you see you all there! Please read for 30 minutes each day. Remember to read about topics you enjoy and talk to your parents, siblings, friends about what you have read. Have a great weekend!

Weekend Journal starter I came down the stairs, looked in the living room and what I saw made my heart sink...

Here is your story starter for this weekend's journal: My toes and fingers felt like they were made of ice, and my nose was so blue, I looked like Rudolph the Blue-Nosed reindeer. Can't wait to hear your stories! Also, only 14 days of school!

Dear students and families, Many of you have asked for questions to ask students when they read books at home. Thinking about such questions helps students better understand the books they read. Here are some examples:

Hey, team! Here is this weekend's story starter: I peeked through the curtains. There was a limo parked outside with two bodyguards. I heard a knock at the door… You have a THREE DAY WEEKEND, so make sure you make time to write! Also, make time to read each day. And keep an eye on our crazy weather. Have a great weekend, and we will see you all at student-led conferences!

We have done 8 writing prompts so far this year! This is the ninth! Crazy how fast time is going... Today, students brought home a list of dates from the blog where we posted writing prompts. Any highlighted dates were not competed by your child. You can check missing weekend journals by searching the blog. Please sign and return to school on Monday. This weekend's prompt is a bit different. I will give you the first line to a story, and you write the rest! Her foot slipped and she started to fall. I can't wait to hear your stories! Have an excellent weekend!

Next Thursday evening, and Friday morning, is student-led conferences. You can book online, or call our school office if you need assistance. While both Ms. Hansen and Mr Duncan will be present, the focus is really on each student as they communicate all the things they are working on, and the routines they have established at school. We look forward to seeing all our families!

There is NO SCHOOL on Monday November 11. We are collecting non-perishable food items for the Veteran's Food Drive. Please bring to help those who fought for our lives in Canada. With the weather getting colder, it is important to remember that children should be coming to school properly dressed for the weather. Everyone should be wearing a warm jacket, gloves, toque, snow pants and boots. Please ensure your children are leaving the house dressed for the weather. It is CBE policy that kids go outside until the windchill drops to -18 degrees. Please remember that your goal each day is to read for at least 30 minutes. And here is your Weekend Journal Prompt: What are some ways you, as an 8 or 9 year old child, can make change in the world? Think of realistic things you could start doing TODAY to make a difference.

The Taradale School Remembrance Day ceremony will be Friday November 8 at 10:00am. The grade 3/4 choir will be performing at the assembly, and parents are invited to attend. There is no school on Monday November 11. We are collecting non-perishable food items for the Veteran's Food Drive. Please bring to help those who fought for our lives in Canada. With the weather getting colder, it is important to remember that children should be coming to school properly dressed for the weather. Everyone should be wearing a warm jacket, gloves, toque, snow pants and boots. Please ensure your children are leaving the house dressed for the weather. It is CBE policy that kids go outside until the windchill drops to -18 degrees. Please remember that your goal each day is to read for at least 30 minutes.

The Taradale School Remembrance Day assembly will be this Friday November 8 at 10:00am. The grade 3/4 choir will be performing at the assembly. There is no school on Monday November 11. With the weather getting colder, it is important to remember that children should be coming to school properly dressed for the weather. Everyone should be wearing a warm jacket, gloves, toque, snow pants and boots. Please ensure your children are leaving the house dressed for the weather. Please remember that your goal each day is to read for at least 30 minutes.

Our Remembrance Day ceremony is on Friday November 8. We will be collecting donations of non-perishable food items for the Veteran's Food Bank. This is a great way to honour those who fought for us, and support people in our city who are in need. Here are some examples of non-perishable food items:

Tomorrow is a professional day for teachers so there is NO SCHOOL. A reminder that daylight savings is this weekend. Don't forget to turn your clock back one hour on Sunday. Please read for at least 30 minutes each day over your long weekend. Weekend Journal Prompt What is your biggest fear? How will you conquer your fear?  (remember to use detail!) If you're out trick or treating tonight, remember to stay warm and safe. Have fun! Happy Halloween!!!

It is picture re-take day on Monday. If you were absent, or your parents want a new picture, make sure you let Ms. Hansen or Mr. Duncan know. This weekend's journal prompt is: Describe an event that changed your life forever, or make up and describe an event that would change your life forever.  We will check journals for completion on Monday, and share them as well. Have a great weekend!

Tomorrow is a half day! Please read for at least 30 minutes tonight. Halloween in next Thursday. Students are invited to dress up in a costume if they wish. We ask that, for safety reasons, costumes do not have masks and that props like weapons or wands be left at home. Students should arrive at school already dressed in their costumes. Please do not bring candy to school on the day as we will be having a classroom celebration.

School picture retakes will be on Monday October 28. If you would like retakes for your child, please let them know so that they are included on Monday.

If you're looking for some math practice over the Fall Break, Ms. Hansen and I recommend students continue to work on: Addition basic facts (mental math). 2-, 3-, and 4-digit addition (with and without regrouping). Number sense (i.e. Number of the Day - how many different ways can you represent a 2- or 3-digit number?). The following websites may also be useful: https://www.mathplayground.com/grade_3_games.html http://www.mathgametime.com/ http://www.math-aids.com/ Have a great Fall Break!

Today (Thursday October 10) is the last day of school for students. There is no school on Friday. We will see you back on Monday October 21! Monday October 21 is Election Day in Canada. To prepare, we talked with students about the key parties in the election. We also watched some campaign ads. They are very interested in the election, and may have some questions for you at home!

You will have two writing prompts over the Fall Break. Mr. Duncan and I will be checking on Monday October 21 that you have done both :) 1.  Write a short story about what it might be like if you woke up one morning with a mermaid tail. 2.    If you were in charge of the whole world, what would you do to make the world a happier place? Have fun, get exercise, spend time with your families. Don't forget to read every day (at least 30 minutes). We will see you on Monday October 21 (Election Day!)

Everyone in rooms 5 and 6 would like to send a huge thank you to the volunteers who came with us to the Shepard Landfill today. Thank you to: Balbir Gill Yi Zhang Shawn Petrucha Amardeep Singh Nancy Duncan We couldn't have done it without you all! It was an eye opening day and everyone learned a lot. Students were making personal connections and will be sharing everything that they've learned with their families.

Hey friends, As discussed today, we will act as though the field trip is on, so come to school prepared to go! 1. Dress for the weather! It is easier to cool down, than it is to warm up. 2. Bring a big lunch, a good snack, and water. 3. Remember, you are ambassadors for Taradale, so act responsibly and respectfully! It will be a great day for us :)

Read for at least 30 minutes each day over the weekend. Our field trip to the Shepard Landfill is this coming Wednesday, October 9. If you have not yet returned the field trip forms, please remember to bring them on Monday. If you do not return the forms, you will not be able to go on the field trip. Next week is the last week of school before Fall Break. The weather is supposed to be good on Saturday and Sunday. Try to get outside to enjoy it before our next snow fall. Have a great weekend!

If you were the Prime Minister of Canada, describe one thing you would change. Give at least three reasons why you would make this change. Remember to:  Write the date at the top. Start writing from the margin on each line (the margin is the red line that runs from the top to the bottom of the page). Write with as much detail as possible. Use your neatest writing. Reread what you have written and self-edit your work (look for spelling, uppercase letters in the right spot, and punctuation.).  When you're reading your work, as yourself, "does what I wrote make sense?". If it doesn't make sense, then see if you can change it so that it makes sense. Try to write at least one full page.

A reminder that our field trip to the Shepard Landfill is next Wednesday, October 9. If you have not returned the field trips forms, please do so as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please let us know. Please read tonight for at least 30 minutes. Congratulations to ALL room 5 and 6 students for the hard work they put into yesterday's assembly. Ms. Hansen and I have had a number of teachers tell us that they were very impressed with the content and quality. Well done, everyone. You should all be proud of yourselves.

If you have joined the grade 3/4 choir, please remember that tomorrow at lunc is your first choir practice. If you normally go home for lunch and you are in the choir, remember to bring your lunch tomorrow so that you can eat at school.

Our class's assembly is tomorrow at 1:30. Parents and families are encouraged to attend! The kids have been working hard preparing for it :) Field trip forms are due as soon as possible. Our field trip is next Wednesday, October 9. It is very important that we get signed field trip forms. Without signed forms, students will not be able to join us. As well, we ask that each student brings $7.00 to pay for the bus ride. If you have any questions, please contact your child's classroom teacher.

We discovered a printing error on the field trip forms that were sent home on Thursday, so we re-printed and sent new forms home today. Please make sure you are signing the forms that are 5 sides long. Also, please bring $7 for our field trip. Monday is Orange Shirt Day - please wear orange or your favourite shirt. We mark this day each year in order to remember the survivors of residential schools. Our assembly is on Tuesday October 1 at 1:30 pm. Your writing prompt for this weekend is: Why do we have Orange Shirt Day? Do you think it's important? How does it make you feel?

We sent a yellow parent letter and itinerary home today about our October 9 trip to the Shepherd Landfill. Students also have a white Acknowledgement of Risk form - please sign and return the white form as soon as possible! The field trip is $7.00 - you can send exact cash, a cheque, or pay in the school office. For more information about cost, please see the yellow letter. We are in need of parent volunteers. In order to volunteer, you must already have your police security clearance. Please let Ms. Hansen or Mr. Duncan know if you are available to join us! Tomorrow is Terry Fox Run. Please bring any donations you can. Our school goal is $1600. Thanks so much! We are seeing a big change in Calgary's weather. Please ensure you are keeping up to date on weather forecasts, and that students are coming to school dressed to go outside.

Orange Shirt Day is Monday September 30. Across the CBE and Canada, people will wear orange to remember the painful legacy of residential schools. It also reminds us of the strength it takes to overcome. Join us by wearing any orange you have! Terry Fox Run is Friday September 27. Please come dress to run/walk. Also, we will be collecting money to donate to Terry Fox for cancer research. Last year we passed our goal, raising over $1500! This year, our school goal is $1600. Please bring your donations and toonies for Terry! Grade 3/4 is going to the dump! We will be learning what the City of Calgary does with our waste, recycling, and composting. We are scheduled to go on Wednesday October 9. Permission notices will be sent home as soon as we are able to. We are in need of parent volunteers! If you have your police clearance, and are free to join us, please send a note, or email Mr. Duncan or Ms. Hansen to let us know! Thank you in advance :)

Reminder: Conferences are tonight and tomorrow morning. You need to book a time (no drop-ins). Ms. Hansen & Mr. Duncan are FULLY BOOKED Thursday evening. If you do not have a time booked, we will not be able to meet with you on Thursday. We DO have some spots on Friday, so please check online or call our office. There is NO SCHOOL on Friday September 20. We will see you all on Monday September 23! Have a great weekend, don't forget to read and do your weekend journals.

Weekend Journal -  Have you ever volunteered to help someone? What did you do? How did it make you feel?

Read for 30 minutes each day. Remember to do your first weekend journal. School photo orders are due Monday. Please return demographic forms. Please remember to book parent teacher conferences. Have a great weekend!

Would you rather be rich or famous? Explain why. Remember to think about who, what, where, when, why and how. We want to write with detail and description. Think about using capital letters and punctuation in the correct spots. Start writing on each line at the margin (red line running vertically).

Tomorrow is early dismissal. Read for 30 minutes tonight. Please book parent teacher conferences. Remember to return demographic forms. School photo orders due Monday.

Our class assembly is on Tuesday October 1, at 1:30. Families are encouraged to attend! Also, parent-teacher conferences are next week - Thursday evening and Friday morning. Please see the notice that was sent home last week, the Taradale website, or call the school office for more information. ****Please note that Thursday evening is very busy, and both Mr. Duncan and Ms. Hansen are 99% booked already ****

Please read for at least 30 minutes tonight. We have been using CBC Kids News to practice research skills and to start learning about what is going on locally, nationally and internationally. If you would like to look into CBC Kids news, the website is: https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/ Please remember to book parent-teacher conferences.

There is no school on Monday. Read for 30 minutes each day over the long weekend. Remember to book parent-teacher conferences. Please return demographic forms as soon as possible. Try to get outside to enjoy the last bit of summer! Have a great weekend everyone.

Read for at least 30 minutes tonight. Please return Demographic forms. Conference booking now open online. Please book in! Early dismissal tomorrow (12:15). No school this Monday September 9.

Demographic forms have gone home. Please complete the forms and return to your teacher. Areas to sign and initial have been highlighted. Online conference booking opens this week. If you are having problems booking online, please speak to someone in the Taradale School office. Read at least 30 minutes tonight.

Read for 30 minutes each day. No school Monday! Have a great long weekend!

Remember, you do not need a lunch tomorrow, just a snack. Dismissal is 12:15. Also, this weekend is Labour Day long weekend! No school on Monday September 2. Plenty of time to go outside and play, and to read, read, read!

Read for at least 30 minutes. Remember to pay for lunchroom. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and get outside!

Just a reminder that tomorrow morning you need to have picked your animal and matching virtue for your story - we start tomorrow! Eagle -> Love Buffalo-> Respect Bear -> Courage Sasquatch -> Honesty Beaver -> Wisdom Wolf-> Humility Turtle -> Truth

Read for at least 30 minutes per day over the weekend. Return lunchroom forms. Have a great weekend!

Healthy Snacks and Lunches We invite you to support your child to participate in our healthy nutrition goal by providing a piece of fruit or vegetable each day for snack time and in their lunches.   With a focus on our Student Purpose Statement, ‘I come to Taradale School to learn’ , parents are also requested to please not send treats for their children’s birthdays. It is important to dedicate our instructional time to learning. Research has shown that drinking water and eating fruits and vegetables is essential for good health and can help concentration throughout the day. Examples snack or lunch foods that are not appropriate are: Chips Chocolate bars Candy Pop Energy drinks Thank you for supporting this initiative! Read for at least 30 minutes. Tomorrow is half day Friday. School ends at 12:15 every Friday.

Read for at least 30 minutes. Remember to return lunch room forms. Drink lots of water, because it's a hot one!

Greetings families! We've been making steady progress on our time capsules. We hope to have them completed by the end of the week. Picture day went well. Despite early worries, nobody in our classes broke the camera with their smile. Please read for at least 30 minutes tonight. You can read independently, or with someone else in your family.

Get ready for your first full day of the new school year on Thursday! Bring your A games, ready to make new friends, and learn! See you soon  :)