Winter Sit Spots and Inline Skating

"Studies show that outdoor learning delivers many benefits-reducing stress, improving moods, boosting concentration, and increasing 

a child's engagement at school."

                                                                                 -Gwen Dewar, Ph.D.

This week we took advantage of the beautiful weather and took our science curriculum outdoors. Before going outside our grade 3's listened to a story by Cathy Camper entitled, “Ten Ways To Hear Snow."

We spent a beautiful afternoon examining and listening to the sounds of nature while celebrating the winter season. 

Science Outcome:

Students analyze and describe how plants and animals interact with each other and within environments.

Learning Objectives:

• I can be respectful interacting with nature
• I can minimize disturbance to plants and animals
• I can discuss First Nations, Métis, and Inuit connection with environments and their knowledge of and relationships with plants and animals.

"Alien In-Line is one of the most successful skating schools in the world and Canada's leading school skating program, providing instruction to more than 100,000 students per year."

This week students were really excited and maybe a little nervous to begin their Alien Inline Skating residency. The nervousness was quickly overcome when they got on their protective gear and started skating. Our instructor Ashley has been teaching us all kinds of new skills, as well as, new games to practice these skills. I have been so impressed with our students' bravery, determination and resilience.

I was especially proud when Ms. Hayes asked our students if they would be willing to help their Kindergarten buddies put on and take off their equipment. All our students excitedly agreed to help out! They have been incredible role models.

Physical Education and Wellness Learning Outcome:

Students investigate and demonstrate how elements of movement support physical activity.

Learning Objectives:

• I can apply movement elements when engaging in physical activity.
• I can adjust movement in response to the element of space.
• I can demonstrate directional movement in physical activity.

Story Writing & Geometry

"There is no greater power on earth than story."

-Libba Bray

This week we began a new narrative writing unit. As we are fortunate to have Ms. Hirsche working with us, we divided our Grade 3 students into three smaller equal groups..

To begin we wanted to have a baseline of what our students already know about story writing. Students were all given the same picture prompt to write about.

Before beginning to write, students shared what they saw in the picture, and then came up ideas about what they thought could be happening in the picture. They were asked to try and answer who, what, where, when, why and how questions. 

After they finished brainstorming, they wrote their individual stories. Then students were asked to revise and edit before sharing their stories in small group author chairs. 

We also reviewed how to provide peer feedback. We discussed the importance of being kind, but also constructive.

ELAL Learning Outcome: 

Students investigate writing and research processes that support informed written expression.

Learning Objectives:

• I can create written texts for a variety of audiences and purposes.
• I can create written texts using a variety of forms and structures.
• I can use organizational processes, methods, or tools to support the creation of written texts.

Geometry

Last week, students also began a new unit in Math. We are investigating Geometry. We began by examining the differences between parallel, intersecting and perpendicular lines. Students also learned about 90 degree right angles and began examining different 2D shapes.

Math Learning Outcome: 

Students relate geometric properties to shape.

Learning Objectives:

• I can understand and explain the vocabulary: parallel, perpendicular and right angle.
• I can demonstrate which shapes have parallel and perpendicular sides and which ones have right angles.

Limerick Poems

Happy New Year!


I hope you had a wonderful holiday surrounded by your family and friends!

This week students had fun learning how to write limerick poems. A limerick is a funny, five-line poem that tells a story, often about a person. It has an AABBA rhyme scheme, and a rhythmical pattern.

After reviewing how to determine the number of syllables in a word, students worked with a partner to create funny limerick poems together. Then after they had a better understanding of how to write a limerick, they were asked to independently write a limerick about Peru. 

We had a lot of fun sharing our limerick poems in the author's chair. We shared comments, compliments and questions to celebrate and help our classmates make their limericks even better!

ELAL Learning Outcome: 

Students relate the form and structure of texts to the communication of ideas and information.

Learning Objectives:

• I can investigate words or phrases applied to creativity in poetry.
• I can examine poetic structures that contribute to creative expression of idea.
• I can experiment with creating limericks.

Stop Motion Water Cycle

As we wrap up the Fall season and move into Winter officially tomorrow for Winter Solstice, we hope our grade 3 families start to enjoy brighter days over our winter break.

To wrap up our Science unit on Matter, students were asked to create a Stop-Motion Video explaining all the different parts of the Water Cycle.

Students worked cooperatively in small groups to create educational videos which showcased everything they learned during this unit.

We were excited to share our videos and found them both entertaining and informative.

Science Learning Outcome:

I can describe and diagram the changes of state of water using the water cycle.

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and a Happy New Year. See you in 2024!

Coming Up at Sibbald:

January 6th – School resumes after the Winter Break

January 14th – Fun Lunch

January 15th – School Council Meeting

January 20th – K-5 Alien Inline Skating residency begins