Happy Monday!

In today's class the students started off the day working on spelling!  All students copied down their new weekly spelling words into their spelling books and then worked on reinforcing their words in their Spelling Workbooks.  This week's words focus on words where 'r's are paired with vowels.  During language the students also worked on a reflection of their weekends in their journals.  We had a chance to share about our weekends where we heard about many interesting things like hockey games, birthday parties, trips to hotels and trips to Grandparent's houses!  The students also had a period to continue working on their novel studies which were begun on Friday.  In today's novel study period the students were asked to draw pictures and describe the pioneer house that Laura and her family lived in.

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students continued working on their summative projects.  In today's class the students continued working on the construction of their cars/toys that they are busy creating for their summative projects.  As a reminder, the students have been given the task of creating either a toy or a vehicle that is able to move all on its own using the power of one of the 6 forces that we have studied throughout this unit.  The students have been working very hard on this project and I have been seeing some great examples of forces put into action!  I posted a few pictures of the students working today at the end of this blog for you to enjoy!

During mathematics today the students had their final review period of their data management unit.  The students will be having their next math unit test tomorrow.  In today's class the students got back into their pairs and continued working through the unit in the textbook to pull out the major concepts that have been learned, and quiz each other on the most important material.  All students brought home a review package with them last week that I encourage them to use to review tonight in preparation for tomorrow's test.  I have circled the questions that relate closest to the questions on the test throughout the review package to help the students focus their efforts.

Students also went to PE, Art  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words,  Spelling Workbook pages 78 - 80 and math review package for tomorrow's math unit test.

Important information:  Every student brought home a field trip form with them last week.  Our class is going to be taking a trip to Black Creek Pioneer Village on February 11th!  This trip will correspond with the unit we will be starting shortly which focuses on the life of pioneers.  The cost of the trip is $26 and is due back with the permission form by Monday, February 3rd.  The SJA bus will be leaving the school at 9:15am and will return in time for regular afternoon dismissal.  Students are asked to come to school wearing their gym clothes, and appropriate outdoor gear to be able to spend the majority of the field trip day outside.  

February lunch forms have gone home with all students last week.  Order forms and payment if you would like to order your child hot lunches for February are due by January 23rd!

The accounting systems have changed since the school returned in the new year.  Parents are now requested to ensure that when paying for school related items (hot lunches, after school care charges, field trips, extra programs, etc.) that cheques are drawn for each individual item and not combined into one total cheque.  This is to help us ensure that all orders are properly processed, and that every child is taken care of.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

The next P.D Day at St. Jude's is on January 24th.  There will be no school for students on this day.

St. Jude's Academy's Annual Gala Dinner is approaching and it is sure to be an evening of fun and entertainment for friends and families alike!  Mark your calenders for this event which takes place on February 22nd at 6:00pm at the Sagan Banquet Hall.  The theme for this year's Gala is 'Legends of the World' which will be reflected in the buffet diner, and the short musical performance by St. Jude's students.  A silent action, raffle tickets and a 50/50 draw will also help add to the excitement of the night. Tickets for the event are $65 for adults and $10 for children.  Ticket prices for adults go up to $75 on January 14th so buy your tickets soon!

For more information about the Gala Dinner please contact Presy Malan at pmalan@stjudesacademy.com.  To donate items for the silent auction please contact Charmaine Tavares at lomaine@sympatico.ca  or Sudan Cashin at cashins@cashingroup.com.

Best regards,

Mrs. Nelson

Good afternoon!

In today's class the students started off the day working on language.  Students wrote their weekly spelling tests.  All students will be bringing home their marked tests with them tonight.  I ask that any incorrectly spelled words be re-written 10 times each in their spelling books (including the bonus word).  Students also had a chance to work in their Cursive books where they practised using cursive and punctuation.  The class also moved ahead with our new novel study today.  As a class we read our first chapter of "Little House in the Big Woods' and the students worked on their comprehension package that corresponds with the chapter we read.  Ask your child tonight what we read about!

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students continued working on their summative projects.  In today's class the students began the construction of their summative projects.  They had a lot of fun with this activity today!  It was great to see the students putting their knowledge of forces into use by creating a device that uses a force to move.  In today's class we saw parachutes, floating devices, and cars being made, among other things!  Have a look at some of the pictures posted at the end of this posting of the students working hard on their projects.

During mathematics today the students had a review period in their data management which is soon coming to a close.  On Tuesday, January 21st we will be having our next math unit test on the data management unit.  All students will be bringing home a review package with them tonight that I encourage them to use to review over the weekend in preparation for Tuesday's test.  I have circled the questions that relate closest to the questions on the test throughout the review package to help the students focus their efforts.

Students also went to PE  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, re-write incorrect spelling words ten times each,  and math review package for Tuesday's math unit test.

Important information:  Every student has brought home a field trip form with them tonight.  Our class is going to be taking a trip to Black Creek Pioneer Village on February 11th!  This trip will correspond with the unit we will be starting shortly which focuses on the life of pioneers.  The cost of the trip is $26 and is due back with the permission form by Monday, February 3rd.  The SJA bus will be leaving the school at 9:15am and will return in time for regular afternoon dismissal.  Students are asked to come to school wearing their gym clothes, and appropriate outdoor gear to be able to spend the majority of the field trip day outside.  

February lunch forms have gone home with all students this week.  Order forms and payment if you would like to order your child hot lunches for February are due by January 23rd!

The accounting systems have changed since the school returned in the new year.  Parents are now requested to ensure that when paying for school related items (hot lunches, after school care charges, field trips, extra programs, etc.) that cheques are drawn for each individual item and not combined into one total cheque.  This is to help us ensure that all orders are properly processed, and that every child is taken care of.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

The next P.D Day at St. Jude's is on January 24th.  There will be no school for students on this day.

St. Jude's Academy's Annual Gala Dinner is approaching and it is sure to be an evening of fun and entertainment for friends and families alike!  Mark your calenders for this event which takes place on February 22nd at 6:00pm at the Sagan Banquet Hall.  The theme for this year's Gala is 'Legends of the World' which will be reflected in the buffet diner, and the short musical performance by St. Jude's students.  A silent action, raffle tickets and a 50/50 draw will also help add to the excitement of the night. Tickets for the event are $65 for adults and $10 for children.  Ticket prices for adults go up to $75 on January 14th so buy your tickets soon!

For more information about the Gala Dinner please contact Presy Malan at pmalan@stjudesacademy.com.  To donate items for the silent auction please contact Charmaine Tavares at lomaine@sympatico.ca  or Sudan Cashin at cashins@cashingroup.com.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Nelson

Good afternoon!

In today's class the students started off the day working on language.  Students were asked to use their Creative Writing folders to write a fictional story on a topic of their choice.  Students enjoyed this activity as always and had a lot of fun writing and then sharing their stories.  During language today the students also worked on reviewing the use of 'can' and 'may' and 'teach' and 'learn'.  They also worked on the use of abbreviations in their cursive books.

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students continued working on their summative projects which are the final projects in this forces unit.  The students were introduced to their projects yesterday and were given a choice of either creating a car or a toy that is completely designed and made by them, and uses one of the 6 forces we have studied to make it move (gravity, buoyancy, magnetism, friction, muscular, static electric).  The requirements of the summative are simple- they can use any supplies they would like to bring in, and the toy/car has to be able to move using its own force and not the force of the student pushing or pulling it.  In today's class the students completed their designs, and also made a list of the supplies they need from home in order to start construction of their projects in tomorrow's class.  Please have a look at your child's agenda tonight to help them review and collect the supplies they need for tomorrow.

During mathematics today the students continued with their data management unit.  In today's class the students worked on conducting surveys. Ask a class we reviewed the elements needed to conduct a proper survey (topic, question, and survey choices) and the students reviewed surveys that have already been conducted.   Students then had the chance to conduct their own surveys within the class room.  They had a lot of  fun with this activity!

Students also went to PE, Art  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words,  math pages 110-11,  Language pages 91 - 94, and collect supplies for the project design session tomorrow.

Important information:  All students brought home a Highlights Magazine order form with them last week.  If you are interested in subscribing to the magazine, please send in your completed form by tomorrow.

February lunch forms have gone home with all students this week.  Order forms and payment if you would like to order your child hot lunches for February are due by January 23rd!

The accounting systems have changed since the school returned in the new year.  Parents are now requested to ensure that when paying for school related items (hot lunches, after school care charges, field trips, extra programs, etc.) that cheques are drawn for each individual item and not combined into one total cheque.  This is to help us ensure that all orders are properly processed, and that every child is taken care of.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

The next P.D Day at St. Jude's is on January 24th.  There will be no school for students on this day.

St. Jude's Academy's Annual Gala Dinner is approaching and it is sure to be an evening of fun and entertainment for friends and families alike!  Mark your calenders for this event which takes place on February 22nd at 6:00pm at the Sagan Banquet Hall.  The theme for this year's Gala is 'Legends of the World' which will be reflected in the buffet diner, and the short musical performance by St. Jude's students.  A silent action, raffle tickets and a 50/50 draw will also help add to the excitement of the night. Tickets for the event are $65 for adults and $10 for children.  Ticket prices for adults go up to $75 on January 14th so buy your tickets soon!

For more information about the Gala Dinner please contact Presy Malan at pmalan@stjudesacademy.com.  To donate items for the silent auction please contact Charmaine Tavares at lomaine@sympatico.ca  or Sudan Cashin at cashins@cashingroup.com.

Best regards,

Mrs. Nelson

Good afternoon!

In today's class the students started off the day working on language.  Students had a review about the use of advertisements and the important elements needed to be included in a good advertisement.  Students had a chance to create their own advertisements.  During language the students also worked on sentence writing in their Language books.

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students explored a webquest where they focused on forces in nature, and how humans sometimes have to protect themselves from deadly forces.  The students focused on landslides, erosion, lightening, etc.  The students had a great deal of fun with this activity!  They also had a chance to complete a reflection activity after the Webquest was completed.   Please note, the forces unit test that will be taking place tomorrow.  Every student brought home a unit review sheet with them last night.  I ask that this sheet be used to study and review for the unit test tomorrow

During mathematics today the students continued with their data management unit.  In today's class the students worked on interpreting and creating bar graphs.  The students focused on interpreting tally marks used from surveys that have been conducted, and then using the tally marks to create their own bar graphs.  

Students also went to PE, Art  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words,  math pages 106-107, Abeka pages 53 - 54, Language pages 87 - 88, and study for the forces unit test taking place tomorrow.

Important information:   The forces unit test will be taking place on Wednesday, January 15th.  Each child has a review sheet they have brought home with them last night to study in preparation for the unit test.  Please keep an eye out for the test review sheet!

All students brought home a Highlights Magazine order form with them last week.  If you are interested in subscribing to the magazine, please send in your completed form by Friday.

February lunch forms have gone home with all students tonight.  Order forms and payment if you would like to order your child hot lunches for February are due by January 23rd!

The accounting systems have changed since the school returned in the new year.  Parents are now requested to ensure that when paying for school related items (hot lunches, after school care charges, field trips, extra programs, etc.) that cheques are drawn for each individual item and not combined into one total cheque.  This is to help us ensure that all orders are properly processed, and that every child is taken care of.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

The next P.D Day at St. Jude's is on January 24th.  There will be no school for students on this day.

St. Jude's Academy's Annual Gala Dinner is approaching and it is sure to be an evening of fun and entertainment for friends and families alike!  Mark your calenders for this event which takes place on February 22nd at 6:00pm at the Sagan Banquet Hall.  The theme for this year's Gala is 'Legends of the World' which will be reflected in the buffet diner, and the short musical performance by St. Jude's students.  A silent action, raffle tickets and a 50/50 draw will also help add to the excitement of the night. Tickets for the event are $65 for adults and $10 for children.  Ticket prices for adults go up to $75 on January 14th so buy your tickets soon!

For more information about the Gala Dinner please contact Presy Malan at pmalan@stjudesacademy.com.  To donate items for the silent auction please contact Charmaine Tavares at lomaine@sympatico.ca  or Sudan Cashin at cashins@cashingroup.com.

Best regards,

Mrs. Nelson

Happy Monday!

In today's class the students started off the day recording their new weekly spelling words.  If you think you recognize many of these words- you are right!  This week the students are working on a review of words we have studied in previous weeks.  During language today the students also used their journals to write reflections about their past weekends.  The grade 3s were also very excited to be introduced to their new novel study today!  We have begun exploring 'Little House in the Big Woods' by Laura Ingalls Wilder as our next novel study.  In today's class the students were introduced to the novel, and the comprehension package that we will be working with along with the novel.  This is a great story and I am just as excited as the students to begin exploring it!

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students explored the use of safety devices and how humans sometimes require them to keep us safe from the extreme forces out in the world.  As a class we watched videos about the need for safety devices such as seat belts and air bags in cars, we watched how parachutes help create air resistance against gravity when falling from the sky, and we watched how bungee cords can be used to help counter gravity when bungee jumping.  The students were very interested in this safety videos!  They then worked on a safety worksheet where they analysed the forces in various pictures and the safety devices being used to counter the forces.  In today's class the students were also informed of the forces unit test that will be taking place on Wednesday, January 15th.  Every student has brought home a unit review sheet with them tonight.  I ask that this sheet be used to study and review for the unit test on Wednesday.

During mathematics today the students continued with their data management unit.  In today's class the students worked on interpreting and creating pictographs.  The students focused on interpreting tally marks used from surveys that have been conducted, and then using the tally marks to create their own pictographs.  Students practised using their pictures to represent one, two and five students.  Ask your child tonight what they learned!

Students also went to PE  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words,  math pages 104-105, Spelling Workout pages 73 - 76, and study for the forces unit test on Wednesday.

Important information:   The forces unit test will be taking place on Wednesday, January 15th.  Each child has a review sheet they have brought home with them to study in preparation for the unit test.  Please keep an eye out for the test review sheet tonight!

The next P.D Day at St. Jude's is on January 24th.  There will be no school for students on this day.

St. Jude's Academy's Annual Gala Dinner is approaching and it is sure to be an evening of fun and entertainment for friends and families alike!  Mark your calenders for this event which takes place on February 22nd at 6:00pm at the Sagan Banquet Hall.  The theme for this year's Gala is 'Legends of the World' which will be reflected in the buffet diner, and the short musical performance by St. Jude's students.  A silent action, raffle tickets and a 50/50 draw will also help add to the excitement of the night. Tickets for the event are $65 for adults and $10 for children.  Ticket prices for adults go up to $75 on January 14th so buy your tickets soon!

For more information about the Gala Dinner please contact Presy Malan at pmalan@stjudesacademy.com.  To donate items for the silent auction please contact Charmaine Tavares at lomaine@sympatico.ca  or Sudan Cashin at cashins@cashingroup.com.

Best regards,

Mrs. Nelson

Good afternoon!

It sure was a very busy week in our grade 3 classroom! 

In today's class the students started off the day with their weekly spelling test.  All students will be bringing home their marked spelling tests with them tonight.  I ask that all incorrectly spelled words be re-written ten times each over the weekend in their spelling notebooks.  

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students worked on an experiment testing the use of gravity.  Students experimented dropping balls from the air, and then worked on creating a contraption that will allow them to slow down the force of gravity.  Students timed their balls dropping before and after the use of their contraption to see if it did in fact help them slow down the speed of their balls dropping.  There was a great deal of excitement with this experiment.  Students may be taking the rest of their experiment worksheet home with them to complete for homework over the weekend!

During mathematics today the students continued with their data management unit.  In today's class the students worked on interpreting and creating their own graphs.  The students focused on interpreting the data in bar graphs and circle graphs.  They had a lot of fun in this work period!  Ask your child tonight what they learned.  They also worked on Abeka math where they focused on addition, multiplication and division.

Students also went to PE, Art  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, re-write incorrect spelling words ten times each, Abeka pages 51 - 52,  math pages 102-103, and complete gravity experiment worksheet if necessary.

Important information:   The next P.D Day at St. Jude's is on January 24th.  There will be no school for students on this day.

St. Jude's Academy's Annual Gala Dinner is approaching and it is sure to be an evening of fun and entertainment for friends and families alike!  Mark your calenders for this event which takes place on February 22nd at 6:00pm at the Sagan Banquet Hall.  The theme for this year's Gala is 'Legends of the World' which will be reflected in the buffet diner, and the short musical performance by St. Jude's students.  A silent action, raffle tickets and a 50/50 draw will also help add to the excitement of the night. Tickets for the event are $65 for adults and $10 for children.  Ticket prices for adults go up to $75 on January 14th so buy your tickets soon!

For more information about the Gala Dinner please contact Presy Malan at pmalan@stjudesacademy.com.  To donate items for the silent auction please contact Charmaine Tavares at lomaine@sympatico.ca  or Sudan Cashin at cashins@cashingroup.com.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Nelson

Welcome back!

It was a pleasure to get back to school after being away from the classroom!  It sounds as though the students were very excited to come back to school as well which was great to hear!

The students started off the day today working on language.  In today's class the students copied down their new weekly spelling words and then worked on reinforcing them in their Spelling Workbooks.  This week the words focused on consonant clusters.  During language today the students also had time to use their journals to summarize and reflect on their holidays.  The students had a chance to share their stories to the class which was great!  We got to hear about holidays that focused on families visiting, sports practices, outdoor fun, and a lot more!  During language the students also used their letter writing skills to write a letter to a friend welcoming them back to school after the winter break.  All students will be bringing home their welcome letter with them tonight!

During our Unit of Inquiry today we continued on with our unit all about forces.  In today's class we focused on how society sometimes has to use safety devices to aid us in the protection against forces.  As a class we watched a video all about seatbelts, and witnessed a demonstration of how and why they need to be used.  We discussed the scientific principal that 'all objects will stay in motion'.  Ask your child tonight what they learned!

During mathematics today the students began their new unit on data management!  As a class we discussed the meaning behind the term data management.  We broke down the two words (data meaning information and management meaning organizing) and discussed how a proper understanding of these two terms will help with their success in this unit.  In today's class the students began sorting shapes based on two attributes.  The students focused on the use of charts and Venn Diagrams to help them sort their data.

Students also went to PE  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words, Spelling Workout pages 70 - 72, and math pages 96 - 97.

Important information:   The next P.D Day at St. Jude's is on January 24th.  There will be no school for students on this day.

Best regards,

Mrs. Nelson