Hespeler Public School

300 Winston Blvd., Cambridge, ON N3C 3J6

Developing Potential Together in a Caring Community

2 June 2016
What an amazing field trip to Huron Natural Area. Our trip started with a little hiccup
as the 401 was moving at a snails pace. We ended up taking back roads and took
almost an hour on the bus to get to Kitchener! Once there, it was smooth sailing. We
enjoyed a funny and informative puppet show involving a leopard frog, beaver and
turtle. Learners were incredibly engaged during the puppet show but also outdoors
when we visited three different habitats - meadow, forest and pond. In Science, your
child has learnt about growth in animals and this trip tied well to the expectations of
the subject. We got to observe birds feeding and got our hands dirty as we searched
for creatures in the pond - we found some dragonfly nymphs, mayfly nymphs, snails,
clams, crayfish and a water tiger. We learnt that the water tiger is a predator! We
also learnt that beavers had created a dam and what was once a river was now a lake.
At this lake, we saw signs of beaver activity - logs that were gnawed. We also spotted
a bush turkey in flight, a leopard frog well camouflaged in the water, and a painted
turtle basking in the sun. What a perfectly sunny day for such a memorable field trip.
Thank you for the parents who came to help us on the trip. If youve never been to
Huron Natural Area, it is a fantastic (and free) place to visit with your family. Although
we didnt get a chance to play at the playground, it looked fantastic, with very natural
elements.

Here are a few things we have been or are still working on.
French
Continue our study of a variety of adjectives and verbs
Poetry
Components of letter writing
Introduction to er-verbs and the verb faire.
Learning etre vs. avoir verbs in the present tense through song and chant
Continued on reading and listening strategies such as making inferences
and searching for mots-amis and mots familiers
Using model texts to improve on writing
Independent reading and read with a partner, focusing on pronunciation,
comprehension and fluency
We learnt about the Pepenadores, the garbage scavengers who live at
dump sites in Mexico searching for anything of valuable (particularly
recyclable materials). This was tied to a read aloud of a book Pablo trouve
un tresor.
French project to create a reference booklet to compare the verbs etre
and avoir (common mistakes students make often are corrected when
they put the sentences side by side e.g., I have an ice cream. I am an ice
cream).
Math
Number patterns e.g., counting forwards and backwards, growing and
shrinking number patterns, identifying pattern rules, connection to
addition and subtraction, connection to multiplication
Relationship between addition and subtraction e.g., 7 + 6 = 13, 13 - 6 = 7, 13
- 7 = 6.
Addition and subtraction with and without regrouping, including
connection to base 10 blocks and the use of number lines to show ones
thinking. Using mental strategies when adding and subtracting.
Problem solving involving addition, subtraction and number sequences
Continued on money amounts
Introduction to fractions

 Measuring lengths, perimeter and discussing area, while being connected

to 2d and 3d geometry and patterning (skip counting) and number sense
(addition and multiplication)
Composing and decomposing 2d and 3d figures; Geometric properties vs.
non-geometric properties
Using manipulatives to help in problem solving e.g., base 10 blocks,
number line
Made skeletons of 3d figures using straws and modeling clay
Go on a 2d and 3d figure hunt around school
Used the app Explain Everything on the iPad to create a presentation and
to describe 3d figures using geometric terms

June is going to be a very busy month with many events that will likely impact our
routines. Ill be organising an end-of-year celebratory field trip to H
espeler Village
(Forbes Park, library and the fire station) - keep your eyes out for a letter to come
home soon.
Just a friendly reminder also to return all
library books by 10th June 2016
. Home
reading will also be coming to an end soon - Ill post an announcement when I know the
date. Finally, please join us on Friday 10th June from 5pm to 8pm at our annual
Fun
Fair
celebration - there will be many fun family activities and prizes to be won. Thank
you also for your donations to our theme basket. Finally, there will be a
primary talent
show
on Friday 24th June (time TBD) that you are welcome to come watch. Hope you
are all enjoying the summery spring weather.
Sincerely,
M. Chan
(519) 570 8086 Ext. 9147
wai-kin_chan@wrdsb.on.ca

http://chanhps.weebly.com