Dear Families,

I hope you have an enjoyable Family LONG Weekend!  It will be nice to have that ‘extra’ day off on Monday to spend quality time with all our loved ones.  I do my best to appreciate and value my time off with those that I care about.

Here are some of the activities that I hope to get up to with my family and friends - dinner at Tesoro's, hike through the woods, and get in as much relaxation as possible.  Being a big sports fan, I’ll also be tuning into the NBA All-Star weekend.  Wishing you all a tremendous weekend too with your family!

Valentines Day:
Thank you to ALL the students who showed school spirit by wearing red, white, or pink! 

We celebrated Valentine’s Day with our class family along with the rest of the primary and junior division at the Valentines dance!  Everyone enjoyed bustin' a move on the dance floor :)

Thank you families who took the time and energy out of your busy schedules to purchase Valentines for all of US to enjoy!  It meant a lot to each of us and we appreciate it!  Valentines Day (and everyday) is an opportunity to express our love and gratitude for one another in our thoughts, words, and actions! 

Gratitude:

I am so moved by my students sharing their love and kindness with me each day they arrive with an open heart and open mind.  Like many celebrations throughout the year (e.g., Thanksgiving, Earth Day), I have shared with my students that Valentines Day is something that we must acknowledge and celebrate every day!  It is the right time ANYTIME to spread OUR ... love, joy, kindness, and peace!

Spirit of Giving:
In the spirit of gratitude, I came across this inspirational story about a Muslim man who is making a difference in the lives of those who are in need.  It connects well with our learning about Homelessness and supporting the Home Horizon Program.

Have a listen and be amazed at how a generous act of kindness can change someone's life for the better ...FOR GOOD!

Language:
Who is Rosa Parks?  Before you see the video with your child, check if he or she can give you some background knowledge of this important civil rights activist in their own words.  I think you will be delighted by how much they've learned about Mrs. Parks!

"The integrity, the dignity, the quiet strength of Rosa Parks turned her no ... 

into a YES FOR CHANGE!"

Math:

Students completed a diagnostic assessment to share what they know about multiplication and division.  I was pleased to see many used strategies (4-Block Solving Method) that have been taught throughout the school year to solve some of the word problems that were asked.

I have posted some of the questions that were asked and you may wish to go over these with your child on the weekend.

As always, please continue completing the extra math practice homework as this will help reinforce concepts taught in class.

Wye Marsh:

Earlier this week, we had the pleasure of having Jennifer from Wye Marsh plan, organize, and facilitate our second in school science visit.  The entire session took place outdoors which was wonderful to utilize our outdoor classroom!  Who doesn't love the outdoors?!

Everyone was thoroughly engaged in the lesson and really enjoyed the hands-on components by building shelters for a friendly competition, playing a prey predator game, and of course consolidating what we learned.  Ask your child about this! 

Our next in-class session will take place on Tuesday during periods 3/4.

Social Studies:

Over the next while, students will be learning about Canada's Physical Regions.  To get our minds activated with this, the kids worked in pairs and labelled a map of Canada :) 

To check for their understanding, ask them if they can name all 10 province and 3 territories as well see if he or she can name some of Canada's physical regions we discussed this week (see picture below).  

In the coming weeks, students will be assigned a physical region and work with a partner to complete a research project.  They had so much fun with the last assignment in social studies (grade 3's researched an Early Group of People in Canada; grade 4's researched a province or territory) so I thought an inquiry-based project again would be meaningful and enjoyed!

Mindfulness:
The NBA celebrates Black History Month.  Please listen and enjoy Doc Rivers thoughts paying tribute to the NBA's first black coach - Bill Russell.  One of the most powerful words from this video for me was:  "Red didn't look at him as a black man, but as a man who could coach!" 

I believe we have come a long way from the injustices of the past.  Today, we see each other not by the colour of our skin, but by the goodness in our hearts.  May we continue moving forward in this positive direction and ensure we keep it this way!!

Growth Mindset:

"Be the BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF NOW and EVERYDAY! - Felix

Namaste,

Ms. Gill