I hope you all had a great holiday and are having an awesome start to the new year. We hit the ground running and barely skipped a beat with the ongoing work. We’ve got some really great things planned for the coming months and I am genuinely pumped for it all. I’ll keep this update brief so I’ll just get right down to it. Psych!...Sorry... before I forget, I just wanted to remind you all that report cards will be coming home on Jan. 29.

Math - Fractions (and then Decimals)

We’ve moved on to our next broad focus in math with the start of our Fractions & Decimals unit. The unit will be split in two with Fractions being the first focus. In terms of topics, students will begin with Equivalent Fractions, then move to comparing Mixed and Improper Fractions and comparing fractions with like or unlike denominators. Our understanding of fraction concepts will then support our work with decimals. Students will convert decimals to fractions as well as fractions to decimals, after which a focus on decimal addition and decimal subtraction (to the thousandths) will round out the end of the unit.

When supporting your child at home, the continued practise of basic facts is huge, and you can feel free to take advantage of the links and resources on the Math Resources page. I will also be sending home some of the notes periodically that we develop in class to further support you as you work with your child - allowing you to see how things are explained or demonstrated in class.

Social Studies - The North-West Mounted Police

You no longer need to worry about your child getting a job. As of this past week, they’ve all joined the NWMP and are working to protect the west from the dangerous whiskey traders and other criminals. With all recruits beginning at the rank of constable, there are many opportunities for advancement (constable -> corporal -> sergeant) based on good behaviour and “conduct becoming of an officer” (yes, demotions are possible). Each troop (aka table group) will be commanded by a sergeant and they will be responsible for managing their troops, following the orders of their illustrious, brave and highly decorated leader Master Sergeant Polsky. As the commanding officer of Fort Macleod (formerly known as Room 3), I pledge to restore the rule of law to the chaotic reaches of this “Fish Creek School”. God Save the King!

This all to say that we’re well on our way to learning about the history of the NWMP, their impact on Canada’s past and how they came to be an international symbol of Canada with a reputation of hard work, tenacity and fairness. On the Social Studies Resources page, I’ve shared some really great links to NWMP Resources, as well as links to episodes of “Sergeant Preston of the Yukon” for some good old fashioned radio-wave bravado.

Science - Chemistry

We’re well into our chemistry unit now, having covered types of heterogeneous and homogenous mixtures, the Scientific Method, as the use of different solutes and solvents to create mixtures. We are currently working on understanding surface tension and cohesion as well as reversible/irreversible chemical reactions. The final piece of the unit will be a look at the roles of acids & bases in our world. We’ve got some really exciting experiments planned so be sure to ask your child what we’ve been up to (I apologize in advance for the mess).

Language Arts - Hatchet Novel Study

There’s been a crash! Brian Robison’s plane has crashed in the Canadian wilderness and now he has to survive all by himself!!! We’ve begun reading Gary Paulsen’s “Hatchet” and are really enjoying it so far. It’s stressful, scary and exciting all at the same time. As we complete chapters, we are discussing and exploring the issues raised while also completing comprehension questions and activities provided to them in their novel study duotang. Once they’ve finished the novel, they will be choosing from a couple options for a final, summative project.

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It’s been a crazy, busy past couple weeks between the start of the break and now the new year so thanks for all your support. Thank you to those of you that continue to work with your child on a daily basis to support their learning whether it’s with basic facts practise or with review of concepts from lessons. It’s absolutely appreciated and recognized.