Fascinating 4 News December 2014

In our classroom, we continue to live within the context of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate
Expectations which aim to form learners to be well-developed persons, good citizens, and
faithful Disciples of Christ. During the month of December, we will focus on becoming Effective
Communicators. In a childs words: I have a voice! I speak, write and listen as Jesus would
want me to, I care about others and speak up for them, I am honest, I think carefully before I
react or speak, I respect all people and their languages, I listen to the Word of God.
Religion and Family Life, the Arts: In December, we are focusing on Advent and the celebration of the Birth of Jesus. We will be
going to Holy angels Church to celebrate Mass on Dec 4 at 9:30 am; please join us there. And in conjunction with awaiting the birth
of baby Jesus, in Family Life we will be looking at the miracle of development in the creation of a baby (see note on reverse).
Math: We are learning to make connections as we explore and identify two-dimensional shapes using concrete materials and
drawings, as well as describe the attributes of those shapes using math language to create geometric Christmas decorations. Success
Criteria for students::
Make connections between math and literature, math, art, technology, home, community, and my faith.
Understand the meanings conveyed by definitions of quadrilaterals.
Identify and use the action words (e.g., model, draw, label, use, list, name, etc.) to respond appropriately to questions.
Describe how similar and congruent shapes are the same and how they are different.
Compare what the title tells me about a lesson with what the goal tells me.
Describe what captions explain that is not clear from the pictures alone.
Find the information I need to help solve problems and answer questions (e.g., read the entire question or problem
carefully, identify key words, look at diagrams, etc.).
Review the checklist before solving the problem to help me complete the problem.
Language: What fun we are having in literacy unit with our study of the diversity of life within the beauty and bounty of Canada. We
continue to work on the five step writing process: plan, draft, revise, edit and publish. Work on our spelling and grammar program is
ongoing. We will be reading a wonderful variety of Christmas stories. Also, remember that your child has access to an online reading
program from your home computer Raz Kids where I can track reading levels from my school computer.
Social Studies and Science: We continue with our study of Canadas political and geographic regions, as well as the biomes that
support a wide diversity of life in Canada. Students are doing a fine job of creating and presenting their ecotourism projects.
Phys Ed: This month we continue to focus on Net wall Skills, and co-operative games.
Music: Ms. Thorne has been working with our students to prepare for our Dec 3 Christmas concert. Please plan to attend!
French: Mr. OGorman continues to develop our students oral and written French language skills with games and projects about
family.
Homework: Your childs planner serves as a homework organizer, journal and communication tool, providing us with an excellent
means of communicating by sharing notes about your childs achievements, concerns and efforts. Please continue to initial your
childs planner each night so that I know you are aware of the work your child is responsible for. Grade 4 students are expected to
complete 40 minutes of homework per night. This may consist of unfinished school work, consolidation assignments, projects,
studying or reading.
Your partner in excellent education,

Ms. Intven Wallace

Website: http://intven.weebly.com/
Best Wishes for Faith, Hope, and Joy during the Christmas Season

Grade 4, Theme Three - Family Letter

Dear Family,
We are ready to begin Theme Three of Fully Alive, our family life
program. Because the partnership of home, church, and school
is so important, this letter is written to let you know what we talk
about in class, and to offer some ideas for your involvement.
For more information for families, please go to www.occb.on.ca.

About Theme Three

Theme Three of Fully Alive is called Created Sexual: Male and Female. God made us
male and female, and all of Gods creation is good. As in earlier grades, this theme is
presented through a continuing story. The message of this story is that we begin life as a
result of the love our mothers and fathers shared. No matter what happens later, nothing
can change that. It is part of Gods plan that we grow and are sheltered in our mothers
body before birth. After we are born, it is our family that loves and cares for us.

In Theme Three we will:

read a story during this theme about the Casey family, including the parents
celebration of 30 years of married life, the promises they made when they married,
and their efforts to adjust to the changes in their lives after Mr. Caseys serious
accident.
learn that husbands and wives participate in Gods power to create new life.
explore some of the gifts we receive at conception; and the gift after birth of ongoing
love and care from family, friends, and others.
discover more about the development and birth of babies, and learn the difference
between identical and fraternal twins.
explore the stages of human development, including adolescence and adulthood.

Looking Ahead:
New terms introduced in Grade 4 are amniotic sac, amniotic fluid, ova (the plural of
ovum), and sexual intercourse. The term sexual intercourse is used in the student book,
but does not include a physical description. The Grade 4 teacher book has a simple
explanation of sexual intercourse that may be presented by the teacher, depending on the
readiness of the class. This information is not included in the student book until Grade 5.
In Grade 5 the students will learn about the reproductive systems of males and females,
the gift of fertility, and the changes of puberty.

Your partner in excellent education,

Ms. Intven Wallace
Grade 4, Monsignor Morrison Catholic School, 519-675-4416