Canada

The grade 3 students, as part of our Social Studies curriculum, are learning about Canada, its land, culture and people.  As an introduction to the unit, I showed the students a video created by CTV and shared at the closing news broadcast for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.  For me, so much of Canada, our people and culture was in this video, so it seemed fitting to share it with the students on the 1st anniversary of the 2010 Olympic Games.

After watching the video, I asked the students to share with me their thoughts, in writing, about what Canada means to them.  All of the students shared about their love for our country and some of the things they especially liked about it.  Their understanding and appreciation for our country touched and impressed me.  Mostly because, having grown up overseas, I am very aware of the privilege, living in Canada is, but find it so difficult to communicate it to a child who has never experienced life any other way.  Dariyah offered to share her thoughts with you.  Enjoy!!

Canada is the best place to live because you can go ice skating, swimming and tobogganing.  You can make many friends too.  The best part about the Olympics was how everyone had so much fun!  Dariyus got to go to two games of hockey and Canada won four gold medals!  Canada is my life I know how to spell it, read it, say it and be a part of it and Canada is the one country I'm going to like forever.
by Dariyah


Thanks Dariyah for sharing your thoughts so beautifully!  :)

Favourite Reads of Division 4

Mr. Village asked the students to write about the best book they have ever read.  Here were the responses:

The best book I've EVER read is a Magic Fairy book because it has magic, goblins and fairies.
by Tessa

The best book I've EVER read is the Three Little Pigs because I like it when the third pig is smart and uses bricks.
by Joey

The best book I've EVER read is The Magicians Nephew by C. S. Lewis.  I like this book because it has a horse with wings and it is relaxing.

by Cassandra

The best book I've EVER read is a cookbook because I like cooking and want to make food.
by Justin

The best book I've EVER read are the Narnia series.  They are awesome!  They are written by C. S. Lewis.

by Nate

The best book I've EVER read is Bone by Jeff Smith.  I like them because they are comics.
by Jalen

The best book I've EVER read is Bone by Jeff Smith.  I like Bone because it is funny and fun.
by Isaac

The best book I've EVER read is the Holy Bible by more than 40 authors.  I like it because it is a huge love letter from God!
by Hannah


The best book I've EVER read is Bone Ghost Circles by Jeff Smith because I like the characters and what they do.
by Keenen

The best book I've EVER read is The Simpson Comics by Matt Gronies.  I like it because it is funny.
by Malachi

The best book I've EVER read is Bone by Jeff Smith.  The Bone books are awesome.  I'm reading Tall Tales right now.  It is so cool.
by Chase

The best book I've EVER read is Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  I like every single book by Jeff Kinney.  They are awesome because they are funny.

by Mikeal

The best book I've EVER read is More Pies by Robert Munch because at my grandmas house we make pies.
by Dariyah

The best book I've EVER read is Bone by Jeff Smith.  I like this book because it is like a comic.
by Brad

The best book I've EVER read is Dear Dumb Diary.  It is so fun and really good.  It is about a girl who goes to middle school.
by Desi

The best book I've EVER read is Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  I like every single book by Jeff Kinney.  They are awesome because they are funny.
by Mikeal


The best book I've EVER read are the Bone books.  They are the best book I've read in my life.  The author is Jeff Smith.  It is my favourite because there is fighting.

by Noah


The best book I've EVER read is Put Me In a Book by Robert Munsch because it is short and sweet and Munsch is a great author.
by Hailey

The best book I've EVER read is Diary of a Wimpy Kid, "The Ugly Truth" by Jeff Kinney.
by Lexi

I always love to hear about the books that the students choose to read for enjoyment!  And I usually find myself adding a few new books to my "must read list".  Thanks grade 3/4 for inspiring me...I think I will start with a Bone book!  :)

Colours and what they represent

As part of our Science and Art Curriculum, we have defined colour and explored how colours combine to create other colours.  The students have used prisms to reflect light on paper and in doing so created rainbows, they have created colour wheels and explored primary and secondary colours, warm and cool colours and shades (adding black) and tints (adding white).  The students have graphed their favourite colour and explored what different colours commonly symbolize or represent through the website: Colours in Motion.  Recently, the students, completed a writing task, expressing which colour is most representative of them and why.  To complete their assignment, I have asked them to post their writing as a comment to this post.  So, check out which colour your child thought represented them, below.

Accelerated Reader Certificates

Every month we honor the students who have achieved a new level in Accelerated Reader that month with a certificate and a prize given during our Fox Awards assembly. This month, thirteen out of our eighteen students achieved a new level. Well done, Division 4!

Building a Structure

Our grade three students have been learning about materials and structures, and their task today was to build a structure that was 30 cm high and could support three heavy Math textbooks. Their materials were 30 sheets of paper and masking tape. Through trial and error, students figured out that making cylinders and taping them together was the most effective type of building. One structure held three Math books, while the other collapsed after adding only one Math book. Everyone did a great job of working together!

Presenting: Live! It's Fairytale News!

As part of our fairytale unit, we practiced a fairytale play called "Live! It's Fairytale News!" We performed it for our kindergarten buddies. It is a good way to practice fluent reading and gain confidence in our oral language skills. Enjoy!

Three Pigs Setting Projects

Every student did a great job on their three pigs setting projects. It was interesting to see the differences between the projects - even with the same criteria! The projects all included the three pigs houses - there are houses made of actual straws, ones made with various types of bricks, and every stick house looks different too. One project includes a real river with water, and several students have included the wolf and the three pigs as part of their projects. Everyone should be proud of what they have completed! Now Mrs. Thomas is going to take aerial photos of each project, and students will learn about coordinates and legends as this project becomes part of their mapping unit in Social Studies. Well done, everyone!