The classroom of Mrs. Langlois

Today in school students in room 7 explored the internet looking at different buildings in Ukraine (KC). We noticed sometimes churches have golden roofs (ST). Some of the building are old looking and rusty (GA). Some of the famous buildings had domes on top with a pointy tower (YT). In Science we were challenged to build a structure to hold a book 4 cm above the surface using only paper and tape (DD). In the morning, we also worked on our who would win books (SC).

In preparation for tomorrows run, our class discussed Terry fox, his goals, his passions and why he ran. I included in this discussion that we have a student at our school who is also fighting cancer like Terry Fox.  I shared that as a school, some of us may also want to support the student mentioned below by running for him. I know some parents are not signed up to receive emails so thought it was appropriate to mention on the blog. Students are welcome to bring a toonie in as support as well. Below is the email Mr. Emery sent to parents. Dear Parents, We wanted to give you a couple updates about the Terry Fox Run tomorrow. The current weather forecast is calling for 4°C and a light rain at the start of the run. Terry Fox ran through incredible adversity, including days upon days of adverse weather. It is our goal to continue the run unless field conditions become unsafe for our staff and students. Depending on the amount of rain falling at the time of the run we will likel...

The grade 3 students went on their first field study today. They took on the role of a Scientist. Prior to leaving we identified that scientists do many things including observing, sketching, experimenting, questioning and so much more. Today we focused on improving our skills of observing our surroundings, (we used 4 of our senses), noticing abnormalities of our environment, sketching interesting artifacts and questioning our surroundings.  "Today we got to visit a river and we got to sketch it and the things around it." (AF) "Today we went on a very long walk." (DS) Today we did sketching." (SC) "Today I saw a tree fungus." (MM) "Today at Fish Creek Park there was lots and lots of bugs everywhere." (ST) I want to send out a special thank you to the volunteers today. It was nice to see parents sketching alongside the students, and asking amazing questions.  Reminders : -Terry fox run is still scheduled f...

Last Thursday our class had a very deep conversation about what is working and not working in our class. Students shared that morning literacy time is working well, exploration time is enjoyed and class meetings are appreciated. Students voiced concerns about noise level and when we had exploration time (right after lunch). In addition, students gave suggestions on how to improve and make changes in our classroom. Through this process, it was shown how much students appreciated having their voices heard and ideas shared to make change within their own classroom. Ask your child how they voice their opinions during class meetings and how it may have created change in our room or how they hope to make change. Today in class, we began our exploration of buildings in other parts of the world, specifically Peru. To begin this exploration we searched images of "homes in Peru" and started to list characteristics of what we saw. It was brought to our attention by Mr. Emery when he v...

Next week the grade threes are going on their first field study. In preparation for this field study we have been working on journaling. This is an independent activity where students have a small task that they independently work on. The tasks vary from sketching, asking questions and thinking about what is around them. Today in the afternoon, we went outside to practice this skill. Each student found a spot away from another and worked on their task. In their journals, students were asked to look around and record what they saw, what they thought about and new wonderings. Many things were recorded to what they saw, many students could write about what they were thinking and some students were able to think of wonderings. Ask your child what they wrote about. Reminders: - Early dismissal tomorrow for parent teacher interviews - Field study forms need to be handed in - We still need 2 volunteers to participate in the field study next Wednesday. Please email the teacher if yo...

Mondays are going to be busy days this year. Students are eager to move onto each activity especially as we figure out our routines. Today we introduced a new routine after lunch to help us get back into the green zone. As your child the 4 activities we will be trying to implement. "Exploration centers changed. The ilab opened so we got to get books, or play math games, or conduct a science building challenge, or readers theatre" (TD) Last week students were asked "what does a Scientist do?" Many answers were given, so each day in Science this week, we will be practicing the skills of a scientist. Today students were enthusiastically working through the Scientific process experiencing that Scientists "experiment" to build new understandings. "Today in Science we made an experiment with milk, dish soap, and food coloring." Ask me what happened." SW   Reminders Field trip forms were sent home today. Please have them signed...

Students have had an amazing week. All have worked very hard at completing their work, trying their best and asking for help when unsure of the concept or task. For example, when reviewing place value and comparing numbers, many students were wanting to share how to say a number out loud while challenging themselves to try harder numbers. Students in grade three should be able to say and write (in words) numbers up to 9999 (nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine). This would be a great activity to practice. Spelling counts! In addition, "We made regulation spin charts" (AH) "We are finishing up our art" (JS) "We learned a math game called pyramid" (CS) "This week Mrs. Langlois version of soccer" (ST) "We learned the Scientific Method and put them in our books to make flip charts" (DD) Reminders Please book an interview next week. I would love to hear some more information about your children and how I can best support them thi...

This afternoon students in room 7 explored the Scientific Method. We began by listing the 7 steps. Next we watched a small video clip to help understand each step. Students are in the process of creating a vocabulary flip chart looking at each word to understand the process.  The words we are exploring are: procedure, problem, hypothesis, conclusion, new questions, materials, observations. Ask your child which order these go in! Student Reflections:  "Today I finished my zones of regulation tools." (DD) "Today we did a flip book of the Scientific method." (AF) "We continued to work on place value riddles." (GA) Reminders Please book a time for interviews, they are now open.

Sorry parents. I am trying to get into a routine of completing the blog before I leave the school, but today got away from me. This week our goal is to figure out our classroom routines. We are discussing what is working and what is not working. For example, in the morning we begin our day with silent reading. This is when students are at their freshest and able to focus on the text they are reading. We then have a small class meeting and jump into a writing activity. In the afternoons we are trying exploration centers. Ask your child which exploration center they went to today. In Math today students wrote a mini pre-assessment specifically to do with place value. I will be using this information to guide my next steps in Math. For example some students have strengths on reading numbers where as others have strengths in putting numbers in numerical order. I will be able to share some of this information with you at interviews. Reminders Parent conferences open tomorrow. Please ...

Students have had an amazing week getting to know each other, the class routines and reviewing concepts taught last year. For example . . . . . . in Math we have been playing two Math games to review place value. Have your child teach you either 'guess my number' or 'place value war'. By the end of grade three students in grade three should be able to understand, represent and say numbers up to the thousands place value (9 999). One of the key things that we worked on when we say numbers is to avoid using the word 'and'. Have your child explain why. . . . in Art we have been reviewing colour. We already know colours but we reviewed which colours are considered primary and secondary colours. We then identified warm and cool colours. We should have our art pieces completed for parent teacher interviews. . . . in writing we are getting back into the groove of remembering capitals at the beginning of sentences and periods at the end of sentences. Students comp...

The past two days have been excellent days. We have been looking at warm and cool colours in art. For example, the warm colours are red, orange and yellow.  The cool colours are green, blue and purple. You can come and see our beginning project using our new coloured paper. In Math we have been reviewing place place value by playing games. The two games we have been playing are "guess my number" and "Place value war". This morning we spent a lot of time learning about the zones of regulation. The colours are blue, green, yellow and red. Ask me about what each colour represents. From Room 7 students

Welcome to the 2019 – 2020 school year!   I would like to take the time to introduce myself, Denean Langlois. I will be your child’s grade 3 teacher. This year we will be working in room 7.   I will be waiting outside to meet you and your child Tuesday morning. I will be standing by the basketball hoops carrying a clipboard with my name on it to make it easier for you. Students will be using the north doors when they enter and exit the school at all times.   I would like to remind you of our school hours: 8:55am – 3:35pm, with early dismissal Fridays at 12:30pm.    To help your child be successful this year, please consider the following:   Eat a healthy, hearty breakfast   Have a good night’s sleep (go to bed at a reasonable time)   Send a healthy snack for morning flex time and if something is needed in the afternoon   Send indoor running shoes   My blog is in the process...