Week 2

This week we began our Science and Social Studies topics.

In Science, we began learning about waste. We looked at the three types of waste: garbage, recycling and compost. In our visual journals, we created a visual chart were we documented what we already know about these three types of waste. 

In Social Studies, we will be learning all about Alberta. This week we practiced how to use various maps and looked at the difference between cities, provinces/territories and countries. We applied our skills in a map scavenger hunt. 

We continued learning about our learning skills: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Self-Managing, Reflection, and Research. In groups, we did a jigsaw brainstorm and wrote descriptions for each learning skill. Then we collaborated in a shared document on Google Drive to create slides that defined each learning skill. Here are some pictures of us working hard in our groups!

This week we continued learning about the Growth Mindset. After reading the book "The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes" by Mark Pett and Garry Rubinstein, we learned that no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. As learners, mistakes are important because we can grow and learn from our mistakes. 

https://tinyurl.com/y9eblkam

We learned more about Carol Dweck's studies on a Growth Mindset vs. a Fixed Mindset. Someone with a...

Growth Mindset...
- is willing to try new strategies
- doesn't give up
- believes our brain is like a muscle and can grow
- thinks positively
- chooses more challenging tasks
- works harder 
- puts more effort into their work

Fixed Mindset...
- isn't will to try new strategies
- gives up easily
- believes your either smart or not smart
- thinks negatively
- chooses to do the easier tasks
- doesn't work very hard
- puts less effort into their work

Next week, we will begin our weekly spelling patterns. Every Friday on the blog we will be posting the following week's spelling pattern and some words that we will be working with to reinforce the concept. More details will be explained at the Meet the Teacher conferences next week.

Next week's spelling pattern focus will be short and long vowels. Some key words we will be using are: 

Short vowel words - hands, dentist, crack, bumps, solid, sticks, stand, trust

Long vowel words - safely, costume, idea, musical, opened, cubes, tight, these


Weekly Reminders for September 17-21:

Library Books - Library book exchange begins on Tuesday, September 18th. Students will be allowed to borrow two books each week, providing the students' library books were returned at the end of last year. Please return library books the following Monday to allow time for Mrs. Keall to check them in. If your child wants to renew a book they should bring it back on Tuesday to get renewed. 

Meet the Teacher Conferences - On Thursday, September 20th and Friday, September 21st will be our Meet the Teacher conferences. There will be no school on Friday, September 21st for students. Please sign up for a 15 minute block to meet with me and discuss the year ahead for your child. I look forward to meeting you! 

Terry Fox Run - Our Terry Fox fundraiser will be on September 27th at 1pm. We will provide more information about this closer to the date.