Welcome to Grade 3/4

Mon, Mar 5

2012-03-05T16:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's Gospel was the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. Today we looked at the three different accounts and compared them. In all three accounts, Jesus took Peter, John and James to the mountain. There his disciples saw him with Moses and Elijah. Suddenly, Jesus' clothes started to glow a dazzling white and a voice from heaven said," This is my son, my beloved, listen to him." We talked about the significance of this event and wrote our own account in our Religion journals. They are keeping track of Lent on a countdown sheet at school, as well as the crosses that are in their homework folder.

CONGRATULATIONS to Isabella B. who is moving on to Bible Reading and to Arianna L. and Gemma N. who are both moving to storytelling. We will be reciting our class poem at Regionals as well on Thursday, March 8. The time will probably be around 11:30 again. Please ensure that your child has a change of clothes (tshirt, jeans, baseball cap).

Homework:
1. Transfiguration story
2. Spelling-- WTW
3. Math w/s
4. Random Act of Kindness (RAK)
5. PRACTICE CASEY AT THE BAT!

Grade 3's have a Provinces and Capitals Quiz on Wednesday

40 Days Begins... Reminders

2012-02-22T14:37:00.000-08:00

Today literally marks the first day of Lent as we celebrated Ash Wednesday with a Mass. A cross was placed upon our forehead with ashes. The ashes are made with the blessed palms from last year's Palm Sunday. Students are bringing home a Lent tracking sheet, very similar to our reading log. Each student is expected to do an act of kindness and to colour the sheets accordingly. I will check the sheets every Monday to ensure that we are keeping up with it. They are also bringing home a Lenten box. The offerings are for the seminarians.

TOMORROW is a field trip day. Grade Threes are leaving here by 8:20 on school bus so ensure that your child is at school by 8:15. Please meet in Mrs. Tyrrell's classroom. They will back by the end of the day. Grade Fours will have a regular morning with an early lunch. We will leave at 12:00 with parent drivers and we will be back by 2pm.

FRIDAY is our Class Speech Arts. Students will do bible readings in the morning. Poetry and speeches will be at 1:30pm. Parents are welcome to come at that time. The Local Speech Arts have been MOVED to Wednesday, Feb 29 (primary) and Thursday, Mar 1 (intermediate). Our class poem, Casey at the Bat, will be performed on Mar 1. Please ensure that your child has been practicing this poem along with their own. We are doing a dramatic reading, so students will be dressed in jeans, t-shirt and baseball caps (optional).

Monday, Feb 13

2012-02-13T15:17:00.000-08:00

A short week means we are EXTRA busy!!!
Grade 3 permission slips to Granville Island and their $11 were due TODAY! If you are on my "outstanding list" please email me or send the form and money in ASAP!

Grade 4s will also be going on a field trip on Feb 23. We will be going to 4-Cats Art Studio in Clayton Heights. Permission slips went out today and will be due (along with $5) on WEDNESDAY. I apologize for the short notice, but I just got word from PSG that they are able to pay for a portion of the fee :)

Please ensure that your child is practicing their speech arts pieces at home!!! Once again, our class recitation will be on Feb 24 at 1:30pm and you are invited to come and watch. The local speech arts will be on Mon, Feb 27 and I will notify you if your child is participating.

HOMEWORK:
1. French-- Colours w/s
2. Casey at the Bat-- News article
3. Math w/s
4. Spelling WTW-- Unit 19 (Test will not be until next week!)

REMINDERS:
Book reports are due on Wednesday
Star Student-- Cassie is also due Wednesday

Week of Feb 13

2012-02-10T22:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Parents:

We are almost 100 Days into school! WOW! This is a three day school week and will be very busy!

Just a few reminders for this busy week:

Second term book report is due on Wednesday. This was assigned a month and half ago so I hope they all come in on time!

We are working on our class poem Casey at the Bat. We will perform it at the Local Speech Arts in our school on Monday, Feb. 27. I will let you know the exact time when I know.

Students should be working on their own Speech Arts. We will have our class speech arts presentation on Friday, Feb 24. You are invited to come and listen to their presentations. We will begin at 1:30pm and work our way through the class. I will notify you if your child is moving on to present at the Local Speech Arts on Monday.

There will be no school this Thursday and Friday due to our Annual Catholic Educators Conference. Monday, Feb 20th is also a Pro D Day. I hope you all enjoy your FIVE day weekend!

Carnival and Open House is from 5-8pm. Please come and join us for fun games, delicious food and winter activities. We will have a Bistro if you want to eat a light meal or just a snack. We will also have a lot of treats, like cotton candy, snow cones and popcorn for all ages! Charlotte Diamond will be performing from 6-7pm, however, it is only open only to those who have wrist bands.We hope to see you there!!!

Sincerely, Mrs. Fonseca

Mon, Feb, 6

2012-02-06T15:54:00.000-08:00

REMINDERS:

We need to start memorizing Casey At The Bat. Speech Arts is coming soon! By Thursday, students need to be prepared to tell me their own poem selection and Bible reading. Grade 4 students are allowed to choose story telling or persuasive speech instead of memorizing a poem.

We are skating again this Wednesday!

Book reports are due on February 15 so students should be finishing their novels soon!

We need two parents to make us 2 dozen cupcakes each for the cupcake walk for Carnaval. Please email me or talk to me if you would like to do this :)

HOMEWORK:
1. Top Ten Reasons CCS is the Best!
2. Math w/s
3. Current Events questions

-Spelling Unit 18-- Define & write your own sentence for any 10 words-- DUE Wed
- Novel study questions-- DUE Wed

Tues, Jan 24

2012-01-24T16:20:00.000-08:00

Homework:
1. Novel Study questions
Grade 3s have started reading How To Eat Fried Worms
Grade 4s have stared reading Owls in the Family

2. Spelling WTW
3. Wordly Wise (3s-- Lesson 4 1,2,3)
(4s-- Lesson 5 A,B,C)
4. Math story and word problems

Tomorrow is Hot Chocolate sale day! Bring 50 cents.
Skating days are Feb 1 and Feb 8.

Monday, Jan 23

2012-01-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

We are preparing for speech arts already and our class will be reciting "Casey At The Bat" by Thayer. We will be memorizing it bit by bit and this week, we are working on the first two verses. The poem can be found on a link on the right bar.

We will be doing Stone Soup on Friday. Please send a bun or a sandwich for your child's lunch to accompany a soup that we will be making. They will need to bring their own bowl and spoon.

Homework:
1. Chinese New Year chart
2. Math w/s
3. 3-Panel comic strip
4. (Grade 4-- Weather chart)

Reminders:
Star student-- Matthew (due Fri)
Hot lunch forms (due next Mon)

Tuesday, January 17

2012-01-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

YAY! SNOW! While it is fun to look at and lots of fun to play in, we have to be very careful while we are out there. Please ensure that your child is PROPERLY dressed to go outside! This includes, boots or outdoor shoes, mitten/gloves, hats, etc. We do send them out for recess.

In an event of school closure, please check our school website at http://www.ccsunited.ca or listen to CKNW. Please do not call the school!

Tomorrow, we are going skating. We are walking to the ice rink and will be leaving school at 10:30am. We will be back by lunch time. Please do NOT send money for the vending machines. Students are not permitted to buy anything there.

Homework:
1. Potato News Story
2. Novel Story Prediction
3.Spelling W.P.
4-- Grade 4 Math-- FSA practice # 3-10

Thurs. Jan 12

2012-01-12T16:37:00.000-08:00

Homework:

1. Math w/s
2. CCS Brochure
3. Fables/Legend questions
Grade 3-- Socials map- coloured
Grade 4-- Science questions 1.1

Reminders:
Spelling, Math & Wordly Wise quizzes tomorrow
Carnaval slips due

Wed. Jan. 11

2012-01-11T16:08:00.000-08:00

Homework

1. Spelling-- Unit 14-- Challenges
2. Wordly Wise-- Read stories and answer questions in complete sentences
3. Math worksheet
4. V.I.P-- Title page

WELCOME BACK!

2012-01-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

HOMEWORK:
1. Spelling Unit 13-- Word Power
2. Feelings w/s
3. New Year's Resolution comprehension questions
4. (Gr. 3 only)-- Label Canada map, outline borders in red and water in blue (Do not colour!)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break together. Thank you so much for the thoughtful presents. and well wishes. As I told the students, second term is one of my favourite times of the school year, as we get to really do a lot of learning! We will be covering new topics this term and here is a very quick overview:

Grade 3:

Language Arts:

-sentence to paragraph writing

-whole class novel study

-term book report

-speech arts

-class newspaper

Math:

-Subtraction

-Geometry

-Word problems

Social Studies:

-Canada: Its Provinces & Territories

Science:

-Space

Grade 4:

Language Arts:

-paragraph to multi-paragraph writing
(essay, story)

-small group novel study in class

-term book report

-speech arts

-class newspaper

Math:

-Multiplication

-Geometry

-Word problem

Social Studies:

-Aboriginal Studies

Science:

-Weather

Grade Fours will be doing the Foundation Skills Assessment in the middle of February.

As a school we also have a lot of fun things happening! Please make sure you read the January school newsletter for details on Carnival! CHARLOTTE DIAMOND is coming! Please send back the survey at the bottom of the newsletter so we know how many people we are expecting.

Our class is also in charge of selling popcorn on Wednesdays at recess. Popcorn will be 50 cents with a two bag limit.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

YAY! We made it to Christmas break! I know the blog has been empty this week, but the kids and I have been working on a *Top Secret* project and could not publish their homework. I am happy to say that most of the students have been very good about completing things independently!

Thank you so much for all your support in the first four month of school. We all have goals that we will be working on, almost like New Year's resolutions for the next term! I cannot wait to get started up with all our new units! BUT first, enjoy your time together this Christmas season. I hope you all get to relax together and enjoy this beautiful time. Let us remember that this season is about spending time with loved ones and celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Wishing you all a very Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with love, joy and good health!
See you in 2012!

Love, Mrs. Maria Fonseca

Tues, Dec 6

2011-12-06T17:06:00.000-08:00

Lots of Reminders this week as we only have 7 1/2 school days left until Christmas Vacation!

We are collecting the following for the shoebox project: scarves and empty shoeboxes
Food Bank Mass on Thursday
Monday, Dec 12 is DRESS REHEARSAL for Christmas concert. Please bring your uniform to change into so that we don't get our outfits dirty! Our class needs to dress in their "Sunday Best". No jeans please.
Tuesday is our show. Matinee is at 1:30pm. Bring your outfits to change into at lunch. The evening show is at 7pm. Please be at school by 6:45pm. Meet in the classroom.
Wednesday, Dec. 14 is Pajama Day (Woohoo!)
Friday, Dec 16 is our last day with a Noon Dismissal.

Homework:
1. Christmas Spelling List in ABC order and write the number of syllables.
2. 5th Poem

Wed. Nov 30

2011-11-30T15:36:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that the Book Fair is now open in the Library. We will be visiting as a class tomorrow. Students who bring money are responsible for their money and purchases.

The Christian Servers are also selling candy-grams (candy canes with cards) for $0.50. Students may send them to their friends. They will be delivered to recipients by the Christian Servers on the last day of school. If you would like to send your child one, please let me know and I will get a card to you to write on.

Tomorrow afternoon we will start Three-Way Conferences after school. Please take note that there is NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, except for those who have to come for their conference.

Homework:
1. Poem (One Haiku OR Shape poem)
2. Math: Grade 3-w/s; Grade 4-Problem Solving questions #1-15
3. Star student sheet- Jaida

Tues, Nov 29

2011-11-29T15:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Liturgical Year! That's right! Last Sunday marked the First Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new liturgical year. During prayer, we light a purple candle from our advent wreath to signify that we are waiting for the birth of Jesus. Next week, we will be lighting two purple candles and we will be adding a pink candle in the third week. Finally, a fourth candle, a purple one, will be lit during the final week of Advent.

Homework:

1. Sound poem
2. Spelling-- writing the number of syllables for each word
3. Happy sheet
4. Fr. Mark sheet

Book Fair will be open Wed-Fri in our library. It will also be open during the three-way conferences. There will be no school on Friday due to the conferences. Students must come in uniform even on Friday!

Thurs, Nov 24

2011-11-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Pizza Day (along with our monthly banana "splits"). Students will be provided with a slice of cheese pizza, a juice box and a madarin orange. Please send a bowl, spoon and banana (optional) for our ice cream.

REPORT CARDS go home tomorrow. I have been having conferences with the students and going over their actual comments with them. Please feel free to discuss their marks with them when they get home. We can talk about any challenges they may have or goals they want to accomplish next week at our conferences. Dates and times will be given tomorrow.

Homework:
1. Math w/s-- quiz tomorrow
2. Spelling Challenges-- test tomorrow
3. Months w/s
4. Fact or Opinion w/s
5. Star Student-- Elizabeth

While the homework list is looking a little long today, we did have over an hour of work time in class, so they should not have a lot to do at home!

Tues, Nov 22

2011-11-22T19:05:00.003-08:00

Today we welcomed a new friend, Arthur W., Grade Three, joined our class! Welcome Arthur!

Homework:

1. Math w/s (Grade 3- Patterns; Grade 4- Three Digit adding)

2. Comm Skills (Grade 3- pg 14, 18, 19; Grade 4- pg 13, 17)

3. Writer's Brain (facts)

4. Act of Contrition Mini-Quiz tomorrow.

Mon, Nov 21

2011-11-21T18:03:00.000-08:00

Welcome to TERM TWO!!! Wow! Our first term together went by so fast! Report cards will be going home on Friday. I hope you had an opportunity to talk to your kids about what to expect and how they think they did last term. If you have not sent back your 3-Way Conference Sheet, please do so ASAP!

Homework:
1. Math w/s (3: Number Patters; 4:Double digit adding)

2. Spelling Test Corrections and Signature

3: Spelling-- Write the Words

4. Socials (3: Then and Now Toys; 4: Definitions)

5. Bring old magazines if you have some

Reminders:
Grade 3 & 4-- Act of Contrition Quiz WED
Grade 4-- Tales of Fourth Grade Nothing-- B/M/E activity due THUR
Grade 3-- Number patterns quiz on FRI

FRI is also Pizza (Walk-a-thon prize) and Banana Split Day.
Please bring a bowl, spoon and banana (optional)

Thurs, Nov 18

2011-11-17T16:15:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, the Grade Three will be participating in an in-school field trip about Pioneers all afternoon. This will take place in the Parish Centre. The Grade Fours and I will be working on the end of their Science Unit on Light, so if possible, please send a flashlight to school.

Homework:
1. Math w/s on bar graphs
2. Paragraph based on their O.W.I.
3. Star Student sheet-- Marcus

**Spelling Challenges is NOT for homework**

Tues, Nov 15

2011-11-15T17:01:00.000-08:00

Today, we looked at a report card template with the learning outcomes that we have been concentrating on all term. We read through the learning outcomes together and the students gave themselves a grade. Please go through these student graded "report cards" with them and see where they think they need to improve. This exercise should take the negative stigma away from report cards and any take away any surprises.

Homework:
1. Spelling Write the Words (Pls. see spelling tab for page numbers)

2. Comm Skills
Gr. 3: pg. 27 & 29
Gr. 4: pg 27 & 28

3. Math-- bar graph w/s

4. Self-report card

BOOK REPORT DUE TOMORROW!

Tues, Nov 7

2011-11-08T17:30:00.000-08:00

Reminder that there is a MASS on Thursday at 9am and an Assembly at 10:45 am.
You are invited to attend.

Homework:

1. Spelling Word Power
2. Math w/s (Quiz on pictographs on Thursday)
3. Wordly Wise (Gr 4-- 2A,B,C) (Gr 3-- Ex 1)
4. Fiction vs Non-fiction chart

Gr. 4-- need to know continents and oceans for a quiz on Thursday
Gr. 3-- a quiz on Now (Modern times) vs Then (Pioneer Times) on Thursday

Thurs, Nov 3

2011-11-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we will be having a walk-a-thon and fall sports assembly at 9:30 in the Parish Centre.

Homework
1. Math w/s
2. Walking story
3. Spelling Word Power
4. Star Student sheet-- Dominic

Holy Childhood boxes are due tomorrow. Thanks!

Wed, Nov. 2

2011-11-02T18:38:00.000-07:00

Today we attend Mass as a class to remember our loved ones who have died and also to pray for the souls in purgatory. This week, we continue to devote our daily prayers for these intentions.

You are invited to the Remembrance Day Assembly on Nov 10 at 10:45 in the Parish Centre. Our class will be leading the assembly.

The coin drive is still happening! If you still have your Holy Childhood boxes at home and would like to bring it in, please do so by Friday. We are also collecting candy for Agape until then.

Homework:
1. Writer's Brain, fill in Memory and Imagination "pockets"
2. Math w/s -- data analysis
3. Reading-- Gr 3- Compare stores now and then
Gr 4- Finish reading Ch 7-8
4. Socials-- Mapping, grid w/s

Tues, Nov 1

2011-11-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

Happy All Saints Day! How wonderful to see the students dressed up like Saints today. We talked about the different qualities that saints possess and how we would like to imitate these wonderful role models.

We are wrapping up the tail end of term one! I can't believe how fast time flies.
We are beginning graphing in math and have started our writer's workshop lessons. We are also finishing our term one novels in class. Their November book report is due on Nov 15 and that will be last thing I collect in terms of assessment for their report card. Please see the book report tab to read the specifics on the activity.

Homework:
1. Writer's invitation
2. Saint in the Making trading card
3. Spelling, Write the Words (words and activities in the Spelling List tab)

Thurs, Oct 27

2011-10-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the Coin Drive!

Please send spare change to make a big change!

Tomorrow is also Food Bank Mass!

Today we made sacrifice beads with the Grade 7's. Students are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of St. Therese of Lisieux, who kept the beads in her pocket and counted out the daily sacrifices she made. She then sent these sacrifices up to Heaven in prayer form and offered them up to missions. St. Therese is the Patron Saint of missions.

Homework:
1. Spelling-- Word Power & Challenges
2. Gr 4 only-- Wordly Wise # 1E

Book reports are due tomorrow!
Spelling Test and Rosary Quiz tomorrow!
Science quiz on light and energy for Gr.4's!

Tues, Oct 25

2011-10-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

It's a light homework night! I am waiting in anticipation to see all the book reports this week. I have already been wowed by some of the creative book reports that I have been given!

Homework:
1. Finish Peace Is... reflection
2. Math worksheet (gr 3 only)
3. Sentence worksheets (gr 3 only)
4. Wordly Wise (gr 4 only)

Monday, Oct. 24

2011-10-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

Today was the kick off for Missions Week. The cookie sale was a success! Tomorrow, the Grade 1 and 6 classes are doing a Band-Aid sale to make us aware of the need for medicine around the world.

Homework:
1. Spelling Unit 7-- Write the Words

2. Math w/s
Grade 3-- pumpkin number patterns (front side only)
Grade 4-- adding with double digits

3.Science
Grade 3-- Bean Lab questions
Grade 4-- Chapter 4 Quiz review (Quiz on Friday)

Reminders:
-Rosary quiz on Friday (They took home a study sheet today. They have to know the mysteries)
-Book reports are due on Friday (They may bring them in any time this week if they are done!)
-November book orders are due on Nov 4. Please let me know if these are intended gifts, I will make sure to pass them on to you directly.
-Remembrance Day poster contest in not mandatory. If your child wants to participate, the materials they need is available. They are due on Nov 7.

Thurs, Oct 20

2011-10-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

Next week is Missions Week. Your oldest child brought home a newsletter today explaining all the different activities that we are doing next week. Each class is in charge of a fundraiser that will raise awareness of the work that the Holy Childhood Association is doing in over 120 countries! Our class, along with the Kindergartens, is in charge of a coin drive on Friday. We are asking the whole school to bring in "Spare Change to make a Change".

On Monday, Mrs. Tyrell and Miss Losito's classes are doing a cookie sale. Please send a $1.00 with your child if they wish to purchase a treat on that day. Tuesday is a Band-aid sale and Wednesday is a bottle drive. Please check the school website for more details.

Friday, Oct 28 is also a Food Bank Mass, but we are extending the Food Drive until Nov 1. We are encouraging the students to participate in "Halloween for Hunger". They will bring cards with them while they go trick or treating and will say "Trick of treat or food to eat". The cards explain that we are asking for donations to the local Food Bank, either in lieu of or along with the treat they would normally receive.

FYI: We have been working with the other Grade 3 class in reading groups, four times a week for half an hour at a time. The students have been grouped by reading levels. Next week, the Grade 4's will start working with the other class in reading groups as well. We are so excited for this opportunity to collaborate with the other classes. These groups may change throughout the year, depending on the skills that we are working on.

No homework on the weekend... HOWEVER!

-The October book report is due on Friday, Oct. 28.
-There is also an optional walk-a-thon service sheet that is due on Monday. The students are asked to describe what works of service they did for their pledges.
-The Remembrance Day poster contest also went home today for those students who wish to enter. The due date is on Nov. 7th.

Enjoy your long weekend together! I will be at a writing workshop tomorrow and hope to get great ideas for our Writing Program!

Tues, Oct 18

2011-10-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

Homework:
1. Spelling-- Choose 6 of your spelling words (8 for Grade 4)
Write the definition for the words and then use it in a sentence.

2. Math worksheet-- practice for QUIZ on THURSDAY

3. Communicating Skills-- Alphabetical Order practice
Gr3-- p 25-26
Gr4-- p 8, 12

Welcome to Week 6!

2011-10-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

Reminders for the upcoming week:

-Scholastic book orders are due on Thursday, Oct 20.
-Star Student Sheets & P.O.W. are due on Thursday.
-For P.O.W. this week, we are focusing on extraneous information, taking out the unnecessary information. (Your child has a handout, along with their questions!)
-There will be a spelling quiz (the list and activities are on the blog), math quiz (ordering & skip counting for grade 3, number patterns for grade 4), nouns and verbs review on Thursday.

NO SCHOOL FRIDAY due to Professional Development.

Homework:
1. Read for 15 minutes.
2. Math worksheet
3. Spelling words in ABC order (We are not using the textbook this week. This is a review week)
4. Socials (Compass points for gr 3, Grids for gr 4)
5. Vivid verbs worksheet

Week Five Update!

2011-10-14T16:41:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lack of blogging this week. I have been busy with preparations for WE Day, which we took the Christian Servers to yesterday. It was a fun-filled day, with important messages for serving others and helping the needy. It gives me great hope to see that our world is in the hands of such eager youth who wants to make the world a better place.

A big THANK YOU for your contributions to our Thanksgiving lunch. We were able to share our lunch with the staff. As always, you provided us with such a generous lunch.

Photo re-takes are on October 27. Please write in your child's planner if you wish for them to take a retake.

Walk-a-thon money must be turned into the office ASAP. Today was the deadline for students to be added to the draw for prizes.

A few reminders for the upcoming week:
Wed-- Hot Lunch (Subway)
Thurs-- Living Rosary
Thurs-- Scholastic Book Orders for Oct are due
Fri-- NO SCHOOL-- Pro-D Day

Mark it on your calendar!
Book reports are due on October 28... have you started thinking about it yet?

Tues Nov 1 is All Saints Day. Students are invited to dress like a Saint, as is our annual tradition at CCS. If you need any help for ideas, let me know!

Nov 10 will be our Remembrance Day Assembly and our class will be in charge of putting this on. We will have it at 10:45am. You are welcome to attend. We won't have school on Nov 11.

Have a great weekend! See you on Monday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-10-07T21:58:00.000-07:00

Wishing you all a wonderful, blessed and safe Thanksgiving weekend!

The class did an AMAZING job fundraising for the walk-a-thon! Our class earned a whooping $1976.34!!! I am so proud of all their efforts. More importantly, I am impressed by the service sheets that I have been receiving from them. They have been creative in serving with joyful hearts!

It has been a busy start to our month with Walk-a-thon, Cross Country meets, Soccer Team and so much more. I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks, when we can buckle down and do our work until the Christmas rush begins. This week we started a new rewards program called Fonseca Bucks, where the children earn play money when they do things that they are expected to do. The "money" they earn can be traded in for prizes.

The Fonseca Bucks Rewards Program

The reward dollars are given out when you do the following things, but are not
limited to (which means a teacher can give them to you at their discretion):

-Monday to Friday ALL homework is completed (this includes planners) = $5

-100% on tests and quizzes = $1

- Clean desks

-Neat binders, duo-tangs, folders (work is put away properly and in order)

-Getting “caught” doing something good (tidying without being asked, helping out a friend)

-Work that is well done. It may be your best work or something that you put a lot of effort in.

What can I redeem the bucks for? Lots of things! Here are some examples:

-Small prizes – candy = $10

- Medium prizes- fancy pens, toys and trinkets = $25

-Big prizes- 5 minute extra recess = $50

- Free homework pass (must be used in the month bought) =$50

- Extra recess (15 minutes) = $75

10.5-- the walk-a-thon edition

2011-10-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry... I forgot a few reminders!

- Walk-a-thon permission slips must be signed or else your child will not be allowed to walk.
- Please send a FINAL total with your child so that we can see if we have met our $1300- goal.
- Hot lunch will be provided on Friday for those who ordered. It was a separate order form than October orders.
-Dismissal on Friday will be NOON!

Have a great evening!

10.5

2011-10-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

CORRECTION: Students are allowed to wear regular clothes for the walk-a-thon. Please make sure they are dressed appropriate for the weather. Any other parents who would like to walk with our class are more than welcome to join us!

Homework:

1. Read for 15 minutes.

2. Thanksgiving prayer-draft

3. Spelling activities-- Quiz tomorrow

4. Rubric activity-- fill in "generally meets" descriptors

5. Grade 4: Thanksgiving reading questions

Reminders:
POW-- due F
Star Student-- ALSO due F

10.4

2011-10-04T14:48:00.000-07:00

Homework:

1. Read for 15 minutes. Reading Log was distributed today.

2. Math w/s

3. Spelling-- Word Power

4. Gr 3: Then & Now booklet-- Transportation
Gr 4: Chapter 3-4 novel study questions

5. All About Me project due Tomorrow

Reminders:
Permission Slips for walk-a-thon ASAP
Spelling Test and Math quiz will be on THURSDAY due to the Walk-a-thon on Friday.
Star Student Sheet--Thalliyah-- due Th
P.O.W. -- due F

Welcome October!

2011-10-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

Here we are in our SECOND month of school and things are finally feeling routine. As promised, the kids will get another "sundae" party this month. Please send a bowl and spoon for Friday.

This month, as mentioned in my last blog, we will be focusing on Thankfulness. We will also be talking about praying the rosary and will be doing so in class. Please send a rosary to school with your child if you have any extras at home. They will be returned at the end of the month.

Homework:

1. Read for 15 minutes. I will send home a reading blog for October tomorrow.

2. Math worksheet
Gr 3: writing number words
Gr 4: recognizing number patterns

3. Socials (in their mapping booklets)

4. Spelling-- Write the Words (please see the spelling list tab for page numbers and exercises)

Reminders:

1. Please sign their spelling test, math quiz and P.O.W.

2. All About Me project is due on WEDNESDAY.

3. Walk-a-thon is on FRIDAY. Rain or shine, please ensure that your child is dresses appropriately. They must be in their school uniform. Girls should wear tights or their pants if it is cold out. They may wear rain boots if it is wet out. If you would like to walk with us, please email me so I know how many parent volunteers to expect. The more the merrier! If you would like to volunteer at a crosswalk, please email the office.

We love parent volunteers! You are more than welcome to come and join us in our classroom. Please let me know at least a day ahead so I can be prepared with work for you.

9.30

2011-09-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

I apologize for not having a homework blog post last night. I was coaching the Gr.5 girl's volleyball game and it ran late. As per usual, we do not have any homework assignments due on Monday, but if your child has outstanding homework, please help them get it done so that they are caught up.

Our class goal for the walk-a-thon is $1250. This works out to $50.00 per student. We are currently less than $100- away from our goal! Thank you for your continued support. We hope to get to our goal to earn a pizza party for our class.

I have sent home their first book report assignment to be completed by October 28. Please refer to the sheet that was sent home and if you have questions, please contact me.

We have been working on an in-class project called "All About Me". This has been on-going since the beginning of September. This whole package will be due on Wednesday. I will send it home next week if you would like to proofread it for your child.

In the next few weeks, we will start to talk about Thankfulness and how this works into our theme of Serve With Joyful Hearts. The students will be preapring for Thanksgiving in our classroom. We will have a class potluck to celebrate our own Thanksgiving lunch. I will be sending home a sign up sheet next week.

Please look at your child's uniform, Marcus is missing his red vest.

Wishing you all a restful and safe weekend! See you on Monday.

9.28

2011-09-28T17:15:00.000-07:00

Please ensure that your child's uniform is properly labeled. I ask that you please check your child's uniform at home to see if they accidentally took home Joseph's vest. It is labeled. Thank you!

Homework:

1. Read for 15 minutes.

2. Word Bird-- Students were given a "boring" word and need to look for synonyms for the word. They must write the interesting words on a peacock feather and colour the bird. The bird should be mounted on a construction paper.

3. Spelling activities-- Word Power and Challenges

4. Star Student sheet-- for Ken, must be coloured

5. POW due on Friday!

Reminders:
Hot lunch orders forms are due on Friday. If you need another copy, you can download them off our school website.

Spelling Tests and Math Quizzes on FRIDAY, Sept 30.

9.27

2011-09-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

Parents: Please sign your child's planner only upon seeing their homework completed. Every Monday, quizzes and test will be sent home for parent signatures. Please ensure that these are looked at and signed as it is part of their homework check.

Homework:

1. Read for 15 minutes. September reading log is due on Friday.

2. Math w/s
Gr 3: Place value and Standard, Expanded forms and written words-- QUIZ on FRIDAY!
Gr 4: Rounding to nearest 10 and 100, Estimating adding and subtracting-- QUIZ on FRIDAY!

3. Fall paragraphs (about Fall trees)

4. Science w/s
Gr 3: What are structures?
Gr 4: What is Light? and What is Natural Light?

5. Word Bird (Due Thursday)

Reminders:
Star Student sheet due Thursday
Spelling activities due Thursday-- Quiz on Friday
P.O.W. due Friday

9.26

2011-09-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

Homework:

1. Read for 15 minutes.
I am starting to collect their reading logs. If they have completed one side, they must hand it in to get their treat.

2. Spelling-- Write the Words (Please see the Spelling List tab for a complete list of their words and pages for their activities)

3. Ode to Autumn-- Read the poem and answer the comprehension questions.

4. Acrostic Name Poem-- Must use the letters in their name to describe themselves and decorate the letters of their name.

Spelling Test, Nouns Quiz, Morning Offering Quiz must be signed by a parent.

Reminders:
Star Student --Ken sheets due Thursday
P.O.W. due Friday
Hot Lunch orders due Friday

9.23

2011-09-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF FALL!

We have had a very productive week and are starting to get a handle on our routines. Spelling and Problem of the Week (P.O.W.) are assigned on Mondays. Students have time everyday to work on their assignments and are encouraged to ASK, ASK, ASK if they are unsure of the work.

Our strategy for POW this week was Draw It Out. Students are asked to draw out their solution. Next week, we will be working on the same strategy. If you would like to help them out with their POW, our steps are outlined in the tab "How To Solve Word Problems".

Next week's spelling list can be found in the tab Spelling Lists, the activities are also posted.

This weekend students are encouraged to go out and get walk-a-thon pleges. Our class goal is $1250.00. That works out to $50 per student. In addition, they should be doing service in thanksgiving for their pledges. I will collect their service sheets on Monday for participation marks. Thank you for your support in our service projects.

Have a great weekend!

9:22

2011-09-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

Check out our new page, "Kids at Work". This section will highlight some of the great work the students are doing in class!

TOMORROW IS PICTURE DAY!
Students must be in FULL uniform, this may include a cheerful smile :)

Homework:

1.Read for 15 minutes.

2. Math
Gr 3: Standard form, Expanded form and Written words
Gr 4: Rounding to the nearest hundred

3. Communicating Skills
Gr 3: Singular and Plural nouns (pg 20-21 A, B, C, D)
Gr 4: Singular and Plural nouns (pg 15 & 18)

4. Socials-- Mapping Skills
Colour map, answer questions

09.21

2011-09-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

Prayers that they should know at this level have been added to a new page on the sidebar.

Homework:

1. Read for 15 minutes.

2. Math
Gr 3: Expanded form (ex. 459 = 400+50+9)
Gr 4: Corrections and extra practice on Rounding

3. All About Me Project (2 parts, write up about their appearance and write up about their personality traits)

4. St. Matthew prayer ( a few lines about helping us to turn away from sin)

Reminders:
Star Student sheet due tomorrow
Picture Day on Fri
Spelling Quiz and Morning Offering Quiz Fri
Book orders due Fri

09.20

2011-09-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

Homework:
1. Read for 15 minutes

2. Math worksheet
Gr. 3: Place Value
Gr 4: Rounding

3. Communication Skills (Verbs)
Gr 3: pg 47 (A, B, C)
Gr 4: pg 21 (A & B)

4. Star Student Sheet-- for Arianna (due Thursday)

Reminders:
- Return library books tomorrow (or renew)
- Cross Country forms due Thurs.
- Book orders due Fri
- POW due Fri

Welcome to Week 3!

2011-09-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

Here we are... starting our third week together! Our schedule has some minor changes, but our PE, Library, Music and Computer times have NOT changed. Just some Language Arts have been shuffled so that we can do reading groups.

Homework:

1. Read for 15 minutes ( I will be doing a reading log check on Wednesday)

2. Novel Study:
Grade 3: Compare houses "Then and Now"-- Comparing the pioneer home and ours.
Grade 4: Comprehension questions #6-15

3 Problem of the Week (Due Friday)-- Make sure the proper steps are followed. Look at the link to "How to Solve Word Problems" found on the sidebar.

4. Sign spelling quiz, math quiz and math drills.

Reminders:
P.O.W. due Friday
Quiz on the words to The Morning Offering

Friday, Sept. 16

2011-09-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

Homework:
Read for 15 minutes

Reminders:
Terry Fox Walk on Monday! Please bring change!
Go out and get walk-a-thon pledges! Our class goal is $1250.

The spelling list is now available in its own page. Please click on the tab that reads "Spelling Lists" on the side bar. Unit two is now posted for our spelling test next week.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Thursday, Sept. 15

2011-09-15T18:11:00.000-07:00

Homework:

1. Read for 15 minutes.

2. Math worksheet-- Quiz tomorrow!

3. Science Title Page (Gr 3: Materials & Structures, Gr 4: Light & Sound)

4. Handwriting practice (e and l)

** We have been working on spelling activities in class all week. Some students were not able to finish it in class and are bringing it home to complete. **

Reminders:

Math and Spelling quiz tomorrow
Terry Fox Run on Monday. Please bring change!

Wednesday, Sept. 14

2011-09-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

It was nice to meet most of you last night. If you were unable to come, I sent a package home with your child. Please go through it and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me or email me.

Homework:
1. Read for 15 minutes.-- Your child is bringing home a reading log today. They are to colour an apple and get it initialed for every 15 minutes of reading time they do at home. Once one side of the sheet is complete, they bring it in for teacher check.

2. Haiku poem-- We talked about adjectives today and they are to write their own three line haiku poem about anything they want. Each line has a number of syllables it must contain (5-syllables, 7-syllables, 5-syllables)

3. Math worksheet (More place value practice! Quiz on Friday)

4. Balloon Tree worksheet (What kind of tree would you grow?)

Reminder:
Spelling Test--FRIDAY

Math Quiz-- FRIDAY
Grade 3- Odds & Evens, Place Value to hundreds
Grade 4: Standard and Expanded Forms, Written Words, Place Value to hundred thousands

Terry Fox Run-- Monday, Sept. 19. Please bring change!

Tuesday, Sept. 13

2011-09-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

Homework
1. Read for 15 minutes

2. Math worksheet
Grade 3: Place Value,
Grade 4: Writing numbers as words, Ordering numbers

3. Communication Skills
Grade 3: pg 12 A&B
Grade 4: pg 1B and pg 4 A&B

4. Socials -- Colour title page and finish map worksheet

Hope to see you all tonight at the Meet the Staff Evening. 6:30pm at the Parish Centre!

Monday. Sept 12

2011-09-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

Homework
1. Read for 15 minutes
2. Religion journals
3. Math (grade 3: Even Steven w/s; grade 4: Place Value-- #1-20, #1-15)
4. Bioglyphs

Reminders:
Meet The Staff is tomorrow at 6:30pm and starts in the Parish Centre.
Photo Day has been moved to Sept. 23.
Terry Fox Walk is on Monday, Sept 19 and we encourage students to bring change.

Spelling lists:

GRADE 3: Unit 1
sat, met, fat, bang, set, land, men, said, ten, here, end, ask, basket, often, pretend, hanger, arrive,
engine, pack, cap, helmet, about, after, answer, could

GRADE 4: Unit 1
apple, stick, plants, sent, had, rich, else, hid, dress, miss, autumn, then, mass, bath, hidden,
pineapple, restaurant, dresser, transplant, sticky, fax, compact disk, network, September, about

Quiz on Friday!

Survived the First Week!

2011-09-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

September 9, 2011

Dear Parents:

We survived our first week! This week has been full of reviews from last year and getting our brains back to school. As you have noticed, your child will be bringing their planner home daily. This needs to be signed every day, even if they do not have homework. The whole homework list still needs to be copied off the board, even if they have completed the task. The homework list will also be available on-line starting Monday. To check our blog, please go to our school website, www.ccsunited.ca and click onto grades and then “Grade 3/4”. You can subscribe to our class blog by typing in your email address and you will get a notification every time I update.

Some parents have inquired about a class phone/email list. Please fill out the form below, and let me know if you would like to be included on the list. If you do not want to be on the list, please send the form back anyway, so I know you have received the notification. Please return by Monday so that the list can be available by Meet the Staff Night, which is on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 6:30. It will start in the Parish Centre and then you will be invited to proceed to your child(ren)’s classrooms.

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at the school 604.574.5151 or email me at mfonseca@ccsunited.ca. I look forward to working with you and your child this year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Maria Fonseca

---------------------------------------------------

Family Name: __________________________________

o YES! Please include us on the list!

EMAIL: _________________________________

Phone number: _________________

o NO, thanks! Please do not include us on the list. (Do not provide email or phone number!)

Classroom Clean-Up

2011-07-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are excited about September, (I AM!) you will be happy to know that the Grade 3/4 classroom is starting to take shape. We will be using the previous 1V classroom and things are moving around to look more like a "big kid" classroom. I know there are many lazy days of summer ahead, but as the days grow shorter, we can start to see the beginning of a new school year on the horizon. Don't worry! It's still far off in the distance!

I hope you are all enjoying your summer holidays and return to school safe and relaxed!

Love, Mrs. Fonseca