ELA:  We are enjoying studying the elements of Mystery Stories!  The students are using the Daily 5 framework to practise reading and writing mystery stories.  We started Guided Reading in small groups last week and will continue throughout the year.  As we explore more mysteries, we are becoming better detectives- finding suspects and solving crimes using intriguing clues!

Spelling words this week will encompass the theme and be tested next week on Thursday Oct. 31st.

OUR CLASS will be collecting supplies for WE CARE kits in November. These are supplies that will be sent to school children in Nicaragua. Canadian Lutheran World Relief funds the shipping and organization of these supplies. Shortly, I will send home a list of items for donation, but just wanted to bring it to your attention ahead of time. These can be purchased at a dollar store for a minimal cost.  If you feel you are unable to participate please let me know.

Math:  The grade 4's are working on estimating differences and using mental math strategies to subtract.  The grade 5's have been working hard to grasp how big a million is using multiplication (ex: how many toonies would make a million dollars) and are starting to estimate sums up to 100 000.

Science:  Today we looked at the relative distances of the planets outside with beach ball planets.  This week we will learn how gravity varies from planet to planet and begin demonstrating how the Earth's rotation causes the cycle of day and night, and how the Earth's tilt of axis and revolution cause the yearly cycle of seasons.

Thanks again to the volunteers that came on our field trip last week!  We appreciate your support and how you sacrifice your time for us!  Here are a few pictures from the field trip:

Completing a 'space mission'.

Trying out the pressurized chibis suit!

Learning about space exploration in different countries.

How much would you weigh on the moon?
                                                                                 

Looking for Mars!

Measuring the height of the landscape on an 'unknown planet'.