Bitstrips

Hello,

This morning, we started our day with a Math inquiry problem, involving Base Ten blocks and regrouping. I posted the problem on my Twitter account. The students worked with partners to solve the problem, then we had a group discussion, where we explained our thinking and shared our solutions. Next, the students finished their "Comparing Numbers" activity sheet. If it is not done, it should be completed for homework. Some students also started to work on "Regrouping" activities, they are not for homework, but students are welcome to work ahead.

In Language, we worked together on the introduction and the first main point for our new recount paragraph. When this paragraph is finished, the students will create a  comic to illustrate their written work.

Today, the students created their own avatar on Bitstrips and began to explore the tools they can use to make a comic strip. The students can work on Bitstrips at home, by following the link below.

http://www.bitstripsforschools.com/login/

Finally, in Science, we continued to explore structures, using our interactive program on the Smartboard.

Have a great evening.

Mr. Skinner

Our First Liturgy

Hello,

This post might be a little bit shorter than usual, as we just had our second fire drill of the year, just as I was writing my blog post.

This morning, we did some work on the whiteboards, comparing numbers and using the greater than and less than signs ( < and >). The students continued to work on comparing numbers and need to finish the activity sheet, dealing with adding and subtracting 10s and 100s, for homework.

During the liturgy, the students were well behaved and didn't require many reminders to give their undivided attention to the songs and readings.

For language, we worked on writing a recount together, creating introductions and our first main point. We will continue to work on this task tomorrow.

In Science, we worked on an interactive activity on the Smart Board. The students had to identify different materials that could be used to make structures and the benefits to using each material. They also examined how some structures, such as cars, contain multiple materials, and labelled various materials, such as tires being made of rubber. It was a fun activity and there were many volunteers who wanted to participate on the Smart Board.

A reminder that pizza orders are due tomorrow. Please return your forms and payments if you want your child to get pizza.

Have a good night.

Mr. Skinner  

Making Connections on Padlet

Hello,

We had a great morning working on the Chromebooks. The students made connections to "Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun, talking about times they had the courage to be themselves and not worry what others thought, and times they helped other people in need.

In groups of three, the students brainstormed ideas on chart paper, then they posted their ideas on the appropriate padlet (listed in the previous post). Finally, we got together on the carpet, discussed the connections we made and gave and received feedback, in order to improve our work in the future.

Next, in Math, we continued to explore differences of 10 and 100 and the comparison and ordering of numbers. We started by answering questions on the whiteboards. The students are really enjoying using this tool and I love it because it gives me instant feedback with regard to their understanding of the concept. They are taking it as a challenge, and are so proud of themselves when they can show me the correct response. Once we finished our warm-up, the students used their knowledge to answer similar questions in their Math workbooks. There were working on a double-sided sheet, but it is not for homework. They can take it home to work on, if they like, but we will continue to work on this task on Monday.

To end the day, we finished our art activity that connected to "Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun", we had a discussion about recycling (which products go in which bin) and caring for God's Creation.

Finally, if anyone wants to order pizza, please return your form and cheque as soon as possible. Thanks.

Have a great weekend, maybe I will see some of you at the Carp Fair!

Mr. Skinner  

Our Padlets are live!

Hello,

I'm sure you're all very busy at work, but just in case you have a minute and want to see how we are using padlet, the students are posting to these walls and making connections, right now!

http://padlet.com/craig_skinner/helpingothers

http://padlet.com/craig_skinner/courage


Feel free to check them out. Have a great day!

Mr. Skinner

Junglesport!

Hello,

This morning, we started the day with the following problem:

We used addition, subtraction and regrouping of Base 10 blocks to solve the problem.

Next, we used the whiteboards and worked in pairs to solve questions involving counting by 10s and 100s. We used addition and subtraction strategies to solve the problems. 

There is no new homework in Math today. If the students have finished all of the previous activities, they handed in the Math workbooks to me. If any of their work was incomplete, they were asked to bring it home, finish it for homework and hand it into me on Friday.

Next, we revisited "Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun." We had a class discussion and the students summarized the key events from the story and shared the important themes and the author's intended message in the story. The students said the book's messages were that it's OK to be different, that we should be brave enough to be ourselves, we should always help others, and that we should treat others how we want to be treated.

Then, in groups of three, we made connections to the story. We talked about times we helped others, or were helped. We also talked about times we were not afraid to be ourselves.

We listed the connections on chart paper and tomorrow we will be posting our thinking on a padlet board for the class to see.

http://padlet.com/craig_skinner/courage

http://padlet.com/craig_skinner/helpingothers

Finally, we went Junglesport. I will post some pictures from the activity on my Twitter account - @MrSkinnerocsb.

Have a great night.

Mr. Skinner

     

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun

Hello,

This morning, I booked the Chromebooks and everyone was able to log into their Google Drive accounts, so we can now begin to write and make presentations on our Drives.

We were also able to get everyone onto Dreambox and exploring the activities in the program. The students also had time to work on the activity sheet looking at "Comparing Numbers." The students should complete both sides of the sheet for homework. If the students have completed both sides of the sheet, they can continue to explore Dreambox at home (follow the link on my blog. Usernames and passwords are written in the student agendas.)

Here is the information for those looking to access Dreambox on a computer or a tablet.

For Language, we read "Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun." It's a wonderful story that talks about having the courage to be who you are. We discussed the story and made personal connections. Then, the students mad drawing that represented what makes them unique and special.

Finally, we continued to discuss the concepts of strength and stability in Science, after taking pictures of our structures. If you want to see what the students have created, I have posted the pictures on my Twitter account.

https://twitter.com/MrSkinnerocsb/status/646769546716647425

Have a great night.

Mr. Skinner

Time to Explore Dreambox!

Hello,

This morning, we started the day by solving this problem.

The students shared a variety of strategies, such as regrouping the blocks and adding the totals of each model.

Then, we continued to work on representing numbers in expanded forms and comparing numbers, The second expanded form sheet (p. 41) is to be completed for homework tonight.

In Language, we started to explore the Word Wall words. We discussed when we use words like "because" and "anyone", common spelling errors people make when using these words, and tips for remembering the proper spelling.

Next, we worked on our second recount, writing about our weekends and following the exemplar I created about my weekend. The students came up with some great ideas, now we will be adding some supporting detail. Each recount paragraph should have an introduction, three main points (with one to two examples/details for each main point) and a conclusion. We will continue to work on this recount on Wednesday.

This afternoon, we took out books from the Learning Commons for the first time this year, and had a chance to do some silent reading. 

I also gave the students their accounts and passwords, so they could start to explore the Dreambox program. I invite you to look at the site tonight. User names and passwords are written in the students' agendas.

https://play.dreambox.com/login/bau5/stas1

Just click on "Skinner - 3" then enter the User Name and Password and you can get started!  

Finally, in Science, we discussed some of the different parts that a structure might have, and the steps we could take to strengthen and support these parts of the structure.

I hope you had a chance to check out the Junglesport Website. I know the students are really looking forward to their chance to try it out on Thursday afternoon.

Have a great evening.

Mr. Skinner