Fascinating Four News January 2015

In our Morrison school community, we 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 January, we will focus on
becoming Reflective and Creative Thinkers. In a childs words: I have
ideas! I have thoughts and opinions that matter, I make good
choices, I have hope for the future, I solve problems with
knowledge, understanding and prayer, and I know we are all
equal.

*Term 1 report cards go home on January 30. Please plan to attend interview night with
your child on February 5. More details in our February newsletter.
Math: Our Fascinating Fours will be investigating linear and time measurement. There will be opportunities
to measure, to choose appropriate measurement units, and to relate measurement units to each other. At
home, using a household ruler, your child could practice measuring and record findings using millimeters,
centimeters, and decimeters. It is important for children to practice measuring accurately using tools such
as rulers. At home, you and your child can look for opportunities to measure how long certain activities
take to complete in hours and minutes, as well as to draw a floor plan of your home, calculating area as
well as perimeter.
Language: We continue with our Nelson balanced literacy program that includes read aloud, shared
reading, guided reading and independent reading. Our focus will be on identifying characteristics of
legend, writing with a strong voice, explaining why different audiences respond differently to media texts,
making inferences while reading and listening. In our writing, we continue to work through the writing
process, the six traits of writing, word study and grammar. Please note that every Friday we have an
assessment to see how students are progressing.
Religion and Family Life: In Fully Alive we are exploring the themes of Living in Relationship and
Growing in Commitment. In religion, we will study Epiphany in the context of Jesus gift of Himself to our
world as we look at the relevant New Testament passages. Please join us at Holy Angels Church for our
Epiphany Mass on Jan. 8 at 9:30 am.
Phys Ed and Health: This month we are performing a wide variety of gymnastics skills, and putting them
together to create routines. We will continue to work on our Basketball Skills as well as playing indoor
games. In Health our focus is active living and nutrition.
Science and Technology: We begin our year by reviewing the biodiversity in Canadas life systems and
studying how this and environmental factors affected Early Peoples of Canada. Also, this term we will learn
about Forces Acting on Structures by building projects that involve levers, gears, ramps, and pulleys.
Social Studies: We are beginning to look at early First Nations societies in Canada with reference to their
political and social organization, daily life, and relationships with the environment and with each other.
Drama, Dance and Visual Arts: We will be enjoying the opportunity for a variety of fun and exciting
performance activities that connect to our Early Peoples topic. Within the joy of art making, we continue to
enjoy our experimentation with colour and design
Music: We continue to sing and play musical instruments with our wonderful music teacher, Ms. Thorne.
French: Monsieur OGorman will be studying and reporting all about weather with our students.
Please continue to sign your childs planner every night so that you are aware of work done in school; as
well as the 40 minutes of homework your child should be doing every night. At any time, if you would like
to see your childs portfolio, send a note in the student agenda. Sign and return the portfolio the next day.

Your partner in excellent education,

Ms. Intven Wallace

Grade 4 teacher, Monsignor Morrison Catholic School, 519-675-4416

intven.weebly. com

website:

www.