February 13

Weekly update and reminders

Reminders for this week:

  • WINTER FUN DAY IS ON THURSDAY!!! Here is a list of FAQ’s about the day that has also been shared with students and will come home with them tonight.
  • NO SCHOOL on FRIDAY, FEB 10th

Homework:

  • NO HOMEWORK! ENJOY THE BREAK!

Whats happening in grade 4:

  • Our JOIN competition submissions are coming in thick and fast. I will be reaching out with consent forms next week for those who are submitting entry. Those who chose to learn Sign Language, I will post a video update on there progress!
  • Our Stop Motion project is coming to a close. I AM SO PROUD of each and every student, their dedication and perseverance whilst completing. We most certainly have some budding directors, producers, set designers and editors even voice over actors… in our class!
  • We have been learning about persuasive writing; the tools and features that make our writing more convincing such as rhetorical questions, using facts and statistics to back up our opinions as well as repetition, exaggeration and emotive words.
  • Our Habitats projects have come to a close also – please see individual blogs for updates on this, this week.

Global connection:

Two students connected with a sign language interpreter from Israel – they connected for introductions and have sent a list of questions to assist with their JOIN project:

February 6

Weekly update

Reminders for this week:

  • Reminder about getting your ski forms and money into class! Winter Fun Day is fast approaching!
  • Want to support the Grade 8 grad trip? Each Friday hot chocolate will be sold outside of the gym!

Homework:

Whats happening in grade 4:

  • We started our entries for the JOIN competition as a part of JDAIM (Jewish Disability Acceptance Inclusion Month) from interviews to raps to skits and artwork…

Learning ASL:

Building sound background for an inclusive rap…

Interviewing younger students:

January 30

Weekly updates

Reminders for this week:

  • Reminder about getting your ski forms and money into class! Deadline is Friday February 3rd
  • Want to support the Grade 8 grad trip? Each Friday hot chocolate will be sold outside of the gym!
  • Calling all budding Grade 4 artists – click here for the Ottawa Kindness Art competition
  • Dress Down for CHEO on Friday, January 27 th – Don’t forget your loonies and toonies!

Homework:

  • Week 3 of Novel study and task check in. Next, Monday, February 6th is the final check-in where a minimum of 8 tasks should have been completed and your novel finished.

Whats happening in grade 4:

Stop motion recording time… some films have been shot and are in the editing stages!

Taking ownership of their own learning through self reflections and assessment:

Of course… More snow fun at recess!



January 25

Bell Let’s talk Day – 2023

Today, Grade 4 were introduced to Bell Let’s talk day! We talked about how our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Discovering activities that make you feel good and allow your mind and body to feel at peace is so important.

We built schedules for the morning filled with activities that promoted positive well being finishing up with gym time. We also created a classroom affirmations board:

One student created a comic strip with advice!

 

December 20

Ms. Brigitte… Our Librarian Extraordinaire!

A simple book request was all that was asked…

…Students created a book profile with likes and dislikes and it was left with Ms. Brigitte to share some recommendations ready for our independent novel study that begins in January. Also, some students had asked for book recommendations over the Winter break.

We walked into the library to a range (at least 3!) of chapter books based upon likes/dislikes for each student:

Brigitte ALWAYS goes above and beyond for the students (and for teachers!) The care and attention she puts into each and every workshop and task is beautiful! Thank you Ms. Brigitte!

December 16

Understanding your learning style

“CAN I DO IT ON SLIDES?”

“CAN I RECORD MYSELF?”

“CAN I DO AN INTERPRETATIVE DANCE?”

If this does not sound familiar, do you even work in a school? I even find myself asking these questions when completing tasks for Dr. Mitzmacher and Ms Gordon…”Do I need to complete my report cards in sheets, can I use google docs?”

Ownership and autonomy over our learning and work is closely linked with how much effort and what mindset we then proceed to complete the task in. As our journey through Grade 4 continues and students continue to evolve, it makes sense to begin to look into different learning styles and what works best for each person. I am very much a kinaesthetic learner who learns through doing but I also need to take notes and enjoy creating visual sections in my work… One never fully falls into one style, most people have a dominant style and then other ways can compliment. Understanding your learning style can really switch up your mindset and attitude towards learning! For educators, understanding your student’s learning styles can make it easier to create, modify, and develop more efficient curriculum and educational programs. For students, understanding their learning style can completely change their view on school. Here is a great resource to find out more about learning style and multiple intelligences.

Students completed a simplistic learning style quiz this week and began to build a study plan of strategies that works best for them. At the OJCS, we OWN our OWN learning…

Understanding Your Student's Learning Style | Connections Academy

 

 

December 15

Building community workshop

Today, 4B attended a community building workshop with Quinn, our in-school councillor. The students took part in a variety of games  to practise using focused communication, when working as a group and how to use our strengths to positively help others. Our workshops will continue after the Winter break with 4a.

We finished with an activity that is always a crowd pleaser… the human knot!