Hello, 4A families!
Here is a window into our classroom learning this week so far! (Reminder that Thursday, Sept. 18th is PHOTO DAY and also the first Hot Lunch day of the year for those who have ordered.)
Bible: Jesus Feeds the 5000
In Bible class today, we again explored the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, as told in the Gospels, and we reviewed several children’s Bible versions as well.
Reading this story helps students see Jesus’ compassion and power, understand that God provides abundantly for His people, and recognize that our small offerings can be used by God in extraordinary ways. We talked about how faithfully retelling Scripture can be a joyful act of reverence and learning.
Another goal was to help students build their memory power and become familiar with the sequence and details of the story, connecting it to our Language Arts lessons on story structure and retelling.
Together we reflected upon and analyzed this story’s portrayal in The Chosen, and remembered how it was shared in chapel last Friday. We emphasized that dramatizations show creative choices that may or may not have basis in Scripture, and we can enjoy these versions while also being critical thinkers who return to the Word itself when we have questions.
We also listened prayerfully to Josiah Queen’s song Fishes and Loaves, which deepened our reflection. Students then practiced retelling the story in small groups, aiming to be biblically accurate while using strong storytelling skills.
The students did a wonderful job retelling this story, and we are already dreaming up creative ways—like dramatizations, costumes, and puppets—to bring these Bible stories to life together.
Crew: Rowing Together
In our morning Crew sessions, we’ve been focusing on what it means to work together as a team in a Christ-centered way. We’ve been exploring how good teamwork requires us to not only listen to what others say, but also to notice how they say it—their tone, body language, and the cues they give. This helps us learn when it’s the right time to join in, support, and row in unison with our team toward a shared goal, and when it’s appropriate to pursue our own individual tasks.
Using this metaphor of rowing, we’ve talked about how we can go further when we work together in step with God’s plan, striving together toward His Kingdom purposes. One of our exercises, for example, was a mirroring activity where students practiced carefully watching and reflecting a partner’s movements. This kind of practice develops empathy, attentiveness, and awareness, helping us grow into supportive, attuned members of our learning community. Play the mirroring game at home—giggles are guaranteed!
As well, we had a story and group discussion about where/how we can see and experience God in our world.
Math: Place Value, Expanded Form, Math Facts & Comparing Numbers Using <,>, and =
In Math, we have been deepening our understanding of place value, focusing on ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, and ten thousands. Students have been representing numbers in standard form and expanded form, and we will soon be extending this work to include word form as well.
We have also been practicing strategies for comparing and ordering numbers, and playing math games to build fluency with basic facts. As well, we have worked with basic multiplication arrays. We have been skip counting by 3s and 5s and identifying and creating basic pattern with addition and subtraction. Practice: Ask your child to sing skip counting by 3s to the tune of “Jingle Bells”.
To support conceptual understanding, students have been using base-ten blocks as manipulatives. This hands-on practice allows them to “make change” and regroup concretely, so that when they move on to more abstract strategies—such as carrying and regrouping in addition and subtraction—the process will have tangible meaning.
For the next few weeks, I will ask students to bring home their daily math work to share with a family member (and/or complete if they need more time). The sharing is the homework. Teaching others is great review!
The purpose is to both inform families and give students practice using mathematical language while reinforcing concepts taught.
Language Arts: Paragraph Writing
In Language Arts, we’re continue to build on our storytelling skills and also launching expository writing.
Our year-long goal is for each student to be able to craft a well-organized paragraph that includes: a hook (an attention-getter such as a question, surprising fact, or vivid image), a clear topic sentence (a complete sentence that states the controlling idea of the paragraph), three or more supporting ideas developed with specific details and examples, transition words/phrases to create logical flow (e.g., first, for example, in addition, finally), and a concluding sentence that synthesizes the main idea (not just repeats it).
Today we used the “hamburger writing” model and a key focus was distinguishing a Title from a Topic Sentence:
Title: a short label/preview; not a full sentence. Topic sentence: a full sentence (subject + predicate, capitalized and punctuated) that states the controlling idea and sets the purpose for the paragraph.
PHE: Leadership!
It’s been great to get back into the gym! Today in PE, our student PE leader introduced the ground rules and gave the safety talk before leading the class in a mini-sticks hockey game. This first session included a short skills practice, and on Thursday we’ll build on it with a larger game in the gym.
A big focus in PHE this year is on empowering student leadership—every child will have the opportunity to serve as a PE leader multiple times. Under my guidance, leaders instruct their classmates through warm-ups and stretches, modelling skills, and helping set a positive tone for fair play, safety, and teamwork in activities and games. Through all of this, students will also be learning to monitor their physical exertion, build body awareness, and support one another in growing stronger together while respecting boundaries. We’ve had a lot of fun already, and we’re excited for more!
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all the students and families participating in extracurricular athletics this year. We recognize the extra time, effort, and commitment it takes to attend cross-country meets and other activities that challenge students in new ways and new settings. Your support and dedication are greatly appreciated!
Tiffany Poirier 