régions physiques du Canada

We are wrapping up habitats and starting a new Social studies unit; geophysical regions of Canada. We have already laid some of the groundwork fro this unit because it's all about the interaction between nature and humans. What natural resources and industries do we find in the different regions of Canada? How do humans use, interact, destroy and/or preserve nature?

Students will be investigating one particular industry or region of their choice. Evidently, we will also be learning about Canada's geography (particularly provinces and territories).

Here is our padlet containing overall curriculum expectations as well as some helpful links, videos, games to explore at home.

Comparing and contrasting habitats

Theses are the last few weeks of our habitat unit. This week we will be using this playlist to compare and contrast some Canadian habitats. Next week, we will look the interrelationship between humans and habitats (What effect do humans have on habitats? How do humans depend on plants and animals?)

Les habitats update

We've done tons of great learning on habitats already. First, we worked on defining what a habitat is. We also worked on describing different habitats using the science vocabulary words we were discovering together (You can see these along with student-self-reflection and teacher feedback in your students Google drive Science and tech folder). We also went outdoors to observe, take pictures and annotate some of the flora and fauna in our school yard (slides can also be found in the Science and tech folder). This week we are beginning a classroom inquiry on adaptations. We will start by writing what we think we know (ce que je pense savoir...) along with any questions we might have. Then, we will read books, look at websites and watch videos in order to confirm what we know, add new learning and answer our questions.

This inquiry will be done collaboratively as a whole class so we can learn the skills involved in an inquiry before trying it out in a small group then independently. First adaptations then food chains!

Livres! Livres! Livres!

Students are bringing home French books in a book bag for the first time today. Every Thursday they will be able to swap their book for a new one if they wish (and remember to bring the other one back). The books should be at the students level so if they find it too hard or too easy write a note in the agenda to let me know. Check out the chart below for questions to ask to support reading comprehension.

Calme, alerte et prêt à apprendre - Art!

We created some lovely art to demonstrate what we learned about self-regulation. Check it out here.

Je me présente...

We finished our Je me présente presentations yesterday. Students created slides to help them answer a few simple questions about themselves. Great presentations! Students and parents can view video of the presentations in their students French folder in Google drive. Not sure how to find it? Go to the school website then choose the Student portal tab. Finally, select the Google drive icon. Within, students have folders for every subject.

Les habitats

We are starting our first science unit this week, habitats. Here is our padlet with curriculum expectations and links of all kinds. If you are looking for homework/good home review, I strongly recommend the youtube playlist link you will find on the padlet. In particular in has a view simple books that are read aloud to the student.

Meet the teacher

If you happened to miss Meet the Teacher Night here are the cliff notes.

l'auto-régulation et l'auto-contrôle

This month the class is focusing on a learning skill but it's so much more than a learning skill! We are learning all about self-regulation. Self-regulation is our ability to regulate our emotions and behaviours in times of stress or anxiety. Our capacity to regulate our emotions allow us to be calm, alert and happy! According to educational research, self-regulation along with self-control are huge predictors in whether or not a child will thrive in school, adolescence and even later adulthood. Luckily, self-regulation is a skill that is highly teachable at any age. Being conscious of ourselves, our emotions, our triggers and our calming strategies help us to be more self-aware and self-regulate. T

To find out more more about self-regulation and how you can support self-regulation learning at home check out Calm, alert and happy! and/or Conscious discipline for parents.

première semaine

This week our learning goals are typical back to school goals. We are working on getting to know each other as well as the routines and procedures of the class. We have started preparing very short oral presentations to show the class a bit about who we are and what makes us tick. 

Yup...already...but it should be fun this week. 

Students are encouraged to bring two or three pictures or artifacts to help them tell me, and the class, a little bit about who they are. I would like at least one of the pictures to stay at school to decorate our lovely classroom (it will go back home with the student eventually or I can photocopy it if you don't want to risk damaging or loosing it)

Bring in as soon as possible but any time within the two weeks is fine.

Also, check out our September newsletter