Week 8

This week we had an expert from Green Calgary give us a presentation about landfills. We learned that the garbage in our landfills are compacted and that it takes a really long time for garbage to decompose. Once the garbage is compacted there is no more room for oxygen which means that decomposers like worms, bacteria, insects, fungi and microorganisms are not able to break down the waste.

We were given the challenge to build a model of a landfill. We had to protect the ground water underneath the landfill from the leachate that might seep in. Leachate a harmful liquid that is made from the mixing of garbage and rainwater. If leachate gets into our ground water it can contaminate it. Some of our models were successful and some were not so successful, but we kept trying and showed our Growth Mindset.

In Science, we went to our assigned classrooms and collected their recycling, compost and garbage. Today we sorted through what we had gathered and wrote down our observations. We will be using the data we collected to determine the next steps in our WM inquiry.

In Social Studies, we continued learning about Alberta. We have been working on a map of Alberta to understand the boundaries of the different regions. The six regions of Alberta are Canadian Shield, Foothills, Rocky Mountains, Grassland, Boreal Forest, and Parkland.

In Math, we started addition. We showed our understanding using the base ten blocks strategy.

We have been working on writing. We have been practicing how to write a strong sentence using the 4 Strong S's. The four Strong S's are Specific, Sensory Words, Strong Verbs and Show vs. Tell. 

Next Week's Spelling Pattern:

R-Controlled Vowels - Bossy R! 

When the letter r follows a vowel, the vowel is usually forced to change its sound. That’s why we call it the “Bossy R.” In most small words with one vowel in the middle, that vowel has a short vowel sound as in the words bad, hen, sit, fox, and fun. 

The sound of the vowel changes if we replace the last letter of each of these words with the letter r: 

Fat changes to far

Cat changes to car

Hen changes to her

Sit changes to sir

Fox changes to for

Fun changes to fur. 

Reminders:

In-line Skating - Please return the signed blue form for in-line skating by Thursday November 1st. We will be starting our first session on Friday November 2nd. Please have your child bring their helmet to school if they have one. 

Halloween - This year at Panorama Hills School students will be allowed to dress up for Halloween. This will take place in the afternoon only on October 31st. If you choose to partake in this activity, please ensure your child has a costume that can be worn under, or easily put on over their clothes. Because of the high volume of children changing all at once, they won't be able to use the bathrooms to change into their costumes. Wearing a costume is optional. Your child may wear orange or black clothes, Panorama Hills School spirit wear, or their regular clothes. 

Winter Weather Clothes - Please remember to have children bring snow pants and boots during the colder, wet season. The field can get very wet as snow melts. Extra socks in their backpack would be great as well.