Hello, 4A families!
Here are a some dates to mark on your calendars for December:
– Dec. 9th – Christmas concert evening and matinee performances. Tickets can be purchased here.
– Dec. 17th – Whoville Day
– Dec 19th – Festive Sweater Day (last day before Christmas break; dismissal at 11:25)
BUNNY NEWS! What does our class pet do when he is not teaching in the 4A class? Follow along on Bachelor Bob’s amazing time travelling adventures with this link to his new Instagram account, “Bachelor Bob, the Time Travelling Bunny”: https://www.instagram.com/bachelorbobtimetravellingbunny?igsh=MW55cnpzczBhbWVyeQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Lately in Math, we have been learning how to round numbers to the nearest tens place and hundreds place. We have added a “Rounding Numbers” Math Centre into rotation for extra practice.
As homework, each day students are asked to (1.) bring home their completed math work, (2.) briefly show and explain it to a family member, and (3.) finish any incomplete work they may have missed during class time.
If your child is struggling with rounding, you might share with him or her some YouTube math tutorials such as the ones below or go over the worksheets together.
Here is a copy of the extra practice sheets students will be using this week with answer keys. (You do NOT need to print or use these at home, since we are covering and marking them in class; however, this is here for your reference.)
In Science class we have been learning this term about scientific questions, planning and structuring lab reports, safety and ethics in scientific inquiry, and how animals such as bunnies sense and respond to their environments. Today also learned about three mains states of matter: solids, liquids and gases.
We even enjoyed an exuberant states of matter game in the gym during which students ran around like particles who work together to demonstrate sudden changes of state.
Science Enrichment: A 4th State of Matter
Some students dove in to challenge themselves by learning about a 4th state of matter: plasma!
Memory Verse Strategy
“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
– Isaiah 40:31
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
This term in Bible class, students have been learning more about what the Bible says and how to study it closely and meaningfully.
Our goals in memorizing Scripture are to help students grow closer to God’s Word, understand it more deeply, and empower students with transferable skills they can use for the rest of their lives as they read and interpret the Bible.
To support this, today we practiced a step-by-step strategy using Isaiah 40:31. Here is the process we followed:
1. Break the verse into meaningful chunks
We divide the verse into shorter lines so students can focus on one thought at a time.
2. Identify key words
Students highlight or underline the most important words in each line and discuss why those words matter.
3. Explore different translations
We look up how these key words are translated in different Bible versions. (e.g. We compared the NIV and ESV today). Students discovered that slight differences in translations’ wording can enhance and help reveal deeper meaning. (In the students’ NIV version it says “hope in the Lord,” while in the ESV version it says “wait for the Lord,” which means that one translation seems to emphasize trusting confidently in God’s goodness and promises, while the other seems to emphasize being patient and trusting God’s timing. Students are encouraged to think, pray, and check with their families to round out their understanding of each memory verse.)
4. Draw or symbolize each line in a Scripture Map
Students create simple illustrations or symbols for each line of the verse. This becomes part of a “Scripture map,” which helps them build a visual memory of the passage.
5. Build memory with both auditory and kinesthetic connections
Students create hand or body actions for each part of the verse. Both speaking a verse aloud while acting it out helps anchor the words in mind and body.
Tiffany Poirier 