Good afternoon!

In today's class the students started off the day working on language. The students were asked to write fictional stories about the time the weather went wild! The students had a lot of fun writing on this topic!  Each student had a chance to share their story with the class, as a method of practising public speaking.  This practice will definitely help the students prepare for the oral presentations next month!  During language the students reviewed the difference between 'knew' and 'known' and 'rang' and 'rung'. We also read another chapter of 'Little House in the Big Woods'.  In today's chapter we had a great time hearing about Christmas at the Ingall's house.  Afterwards the students were asked to complete a comprehension activity where they compared the description of the Ingall's pioneer Christmas against their own holiday celebrations.  Ask your child tonight what they heard!

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students had a lot of fun continuing to explore pioneers.  In last class we finished up with the pioneers making their voyage from France, Spain and England over to North America.  In today's class we read and discussed what life was like for the pioneers once they arrived.  We spoke about the need to clear the land they were deeded, how they cleared the land, and what people/tools/equipment were needed to complete the task.  Students also began their first project of the unit- their A-Z Pioneer Dictionary.  In this book the students will be asked to design a dictionary full of terms and words learned in their pioneer unit. Ask your child tonight what letter of the alphabet they decided to start with today!

During mathematics today the students continued with their measurement unit.  In today's class the students continued working on using thermometers to help them read temperatures.  As a class we discussed benchmark temperatures to help guide them (30 degree is a hot summer day, 15 degrees is a fall day, today is -20 with windchill, etc).  Students were then asked to explore and sort temperatures in their math textbooks and workbooks.  Help your children put this concept into action at home by discussing everyday temperatures you see around the house.

Students also went to PE and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words, Language pages 102 - 103 and math pages 118 - 119.

Important information:  Student Council will be selling Candy Grams for Valentine's Day starting Monday, February 3rd.  The cost is $0.25 per gram.  Students will get to send a note and a Hershey kiss.   Candy Grams will be delivered to the students on February 13th in their classes 

Oral presentations will be taking place on February 27th at 9am here at SJA!  Students will be competing in the gym to win 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for their poem recitation (JK - Grade 3) and their speech presentation (Grade 4 - 9).  All students in our class have brought home their poems with them tonight to begin the hard work of memorizing their poems.  Students will be judged on their voice, poise, actions and memorization of their poem.  Our class will choose 3 students on the 20th of February.  These 3 students will represent our class in the final competition.  The in-class speech presentation will also be used as part of their oral language mark for this term.  Please have a look tonight to see which poem your child has been assigned! 

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 our new unit 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.  

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 Tuesday!

In today's class the students started off the day working on language.  In today's class the students explored and wrote their own alphabet poems!  As a class we read examples of different alphabet poems, and then the students had a chance to write their own.  The instructions were that the poems had to rhyme, and the order of the poem had to follow alphabetical order.  During language today the students also worked on dictionary work in their Language books.

During the Unit of Inquiry time today we continued discussing pioneers.  As a class we discussed the reasons that early settlers decided to come to North America.  The students were very fascinated while listening to stories of early settlers making their way from France, Spain and England across the Atlantic to North America.  The students also had a chance to create new title pages for their new UOI binders for the pioneers unit.  The students had a lot of fun turning the learning they have done so far into illustrations for their cover pages!

During mathematics today the students continued with their measurement unit.  In today's class the students continued working on telling time.  Students practised calculating elapsed time.  Students were given two sets of times and were asked to find how much time passed in between.  For example- when looking at the time 1:35 and 1:50, the students had to calculate that 15 minutes have passed in between those two times.  Students also practised their multiplication and Roman numerals in their Abeka math books.

Students also went to PE, Art  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words, Language pages 99 - 100 and Abeka page 55.

Important information:  Tomorrow is the next casual day at SJA.

On Wednesday January 29^th, Miss DaCosta’s grade two’s will be selling Rainbow Loom rings and bracelets for World Vision. Their goal is to raise money to provide school supplies and books for students in other who need them. Rings are 50¢ and bracelets range from $1.00-$2.00 (depending on the type of bracelet). Thank you in advance for your support in helping them raise money for charity!

Oral presentations will be taking place on February 27th at 9am here at SJA!  Students will be competing in the gym to win 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for their poem recitation (JK - Grade 3) and their speech presentation (Grade 4 - 9).  All students in our class have brought home their poems with them tonight to begin the hard work of memorizing their poems.  Students will be judged on their voice, poise, actions and memorization of their poem.  Our class will choose 3 students on the 20th of February.  These 3 students will represent our class in the final competition.  The in-class speech presentation will also be used as part of their oral language mark for this term.  Please have a look tonight to see which poem your child has been assigned! 

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 our new unit 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.  

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!

I hope everyone had a great long weekend!

In today's class the students started off the day with spelling.  The students copied down their new weekly words and worked on reinforcing them in their Spelling Workbooks.  This week's words focus on words where an 'r' is paired next to a vowel.  The students also worked in their journals today and reflected on the events from their long weekends.  I had a chance to read about a nice variety of events from tobogganing, to shopping trips, to ski trips.  It sounds like the students had a lot of fun!  Lastly in language today the students had a chance to finish the comprehension section in their novel studies from the third chapter of "Little House in the Big Woods' which we read last week.

During the Unit of Inquiry time today we began our new unit all about pioneers!  The students were very excited to hear about the next topic we will begin inquiring about.  In today's class the students worked together in a class brainstorm to come up with all the facts we currently know about pioneers, and to make a list of the things we hope to discover within this unit.  It is going to be a lot of fun when we get to see at the end of the unit whether our wishes for the unit came true!  As a class today the students also read a book about the first settlers to North America.  We discussed where they came from, and what made them want to take the voyage to North America.  Ask your child tonight what they learned today!

During mathematics today the students continued with their measurement unit.  In today's class the students focused on telling time.  As a class we explored two different ways of telling time.  The students saw that if the time is 1:45, it is possible to list the time as 45 minutes after 1:00 and/or 15 minutes until 2:00.  This was a concept they practised in their math textbooks and their math workbooks.

Students also went to PE  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words, Spelling Workbook pages 81 - 84 and Math pages 114 - 115.

Important information:  On Wednesday January 29^th, Miss DaCosta’s grade two’s will be selling Rainbow Loom rings and bracelets for World Vision. Their goal is to raise money to provide school supplies and books for students in other who need them. Rings are 50¢ and bracelets range from $1.00-$2.00 (depending on the type of bracelet). Thank you in advance for your support in helping them raise money for charity!

This Wednesday is the next casual day at SJA.

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 our new unit 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.  

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!

With the start of this new week, the grade 3 class at St. Jude's Academy will be starting our new Unit of Inquiry!  This new UOI falls under the theme "Where We are in Place and Time'.  In this unit we will be inquiring under the central idea 'Early cultures have helped shape our world.'

In this unit we will be exploring three exciting Lines of Inquiry 1. Life as an early settler in the early 1800s.  2.  How indigenous people used and viewed the land and resources. 3. Comparing the life of early-settler communities to our own lives in present day communities.

This unit is sure to be a great deal of fun, with many exciting activities and events to take place!!

Good afternoon!

In today's class the students started off the day with their weekly spelling test, as we will not be here tomorrow to do it on a Friday as usual.  All students will be bringing home their marked spelling tests with them tonight.  I ask that over the weekend the students re-write any incorrectly spelled words ten times each (including the bonus word)  During language the students also had a group discussion about the proper ways to use a dictionary and practised how to look up various words in the dictionary.  I encourage all students to use this method of finding words in the dictionary at home when checking for spelling and definitions of words.  We also read another chapter of 'Little House in the Big Woods' today.  The students had a lot of fun with this chapter which focused on how Pa made bullets, cleaned his riffle and went hunting in the woods.  The students were asked to complete a reflection in their comprehension packages after reading.

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students had their final period in the Forces unit.  In today's class the students worked on a reflection piece for their models we have been working on over the last while.  In today's class the students had to reflect on their outcome of their demonstration yesterday, decide on what (if any) changes were needed, and complete a self assessment.  This is the third and final section of their summative project which is now complete.  Congratulations to all students for their hard work!

I was having issues loading the videos of the students demonstrating their summative projects on to the blog yesterday so I have emailed all parents their child's video instead.  Please enjoy!

During mathematics today the students continued with their measurement unit.  In today's class the students focused on calendar work once again.  As a class we reviewed how to find dates in the future and in the past using a calendar.  Use your own kitchen calendars at home to quiz your children on what they have learned!

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 Language pages 97 - 98.

Important information:  The next P.D Day at St. Jude's is tomorrow!  There will be no school for students.

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 were due today if your child was interested in having hot lunches for February.

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 long weekend,

Mrs. Nelson

Happy Wednesday!

In today's class the students started off the day working on language in our Ontario Writing books.  As a class we discussed the important elements of report writing.  We reviewed how to write a report, and the uses of reading non fiction reports, and reviewed various types of non-fiction reports.  Students then had a chance to research and write their own reports on a topic of their choice.  Students were asked to use a writing organizer to help with the elements of the report, and then turn their organizer into real reports, written in paragraph style!  Ask your child tonight what they wrote about.  During language the students also continued reviewing the difference between 'may' and 'can' and 'to', 'too' and 'two'.

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students had a great time presenting their models to the class!  It was great to see all the hard work the students put in to these projects pay off with their in-class demonstrations.  We had a chance to see great examples of forces being put into actions and have a lot of fun doing it!  In tomorrow's class the students will have a chance to complete the write-up section of their project to discuss the steps they focused on during their demonstration, and any reflections they might have.  I have some pictures of the students with their models posted for you at the end of this posting!

During mathematics today the students began their next math unit- measurement.  In today's class we had a great class discussion about the need for measurements, the different ways we use measurement each and everyday, and what life would be like without the use of measurement.  Students moved on to begin working on the first concept of measurement in their workbooks- calendars.

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 112 - 113, Ontario Writing pages 38 - 41 and Language pages 95 - 96.

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

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 tomorrow!

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.  The students had the task of writing a fictional story about a time they became a famous movie star.  They had a lot of fun writing on this topic and we were able to hear many interesting stories about reasons they became famous.  Ask your child tonight what they wrote about.  Students also worked on the differences between 'to' 'too' and 'two' and 'sit' sat' and 'set' in their Language books.  Finally, during language we read chapter 2 of 'Little House in the Big Woods' and the students worked on the corresponding chapter in their comprehension packages.

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students continued working on their summative projects.  In today's class the students had their final construction of their cars/toys that they are busy creating for their summative projects.  Students will be asked to test/present their models in class tomorrow.  Keep your eye out for those pictures and videos of the presentation period as I am sure they are going to be a lot of fun!  As a reminder, with this project, 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.  

During mathematics today the students had their math unit test on their Data Management unit.  Marked unit tests will be coming home with all students shortly.

Students also went to PE  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words, and Language pages 93 - 94.

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

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.

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