Feb 22 - Feb 26

Good evening everybody,

A reminder of a couple important dates this week.  On Wednesday, Feb 24th, it is wear a pink shirt day for anti-bullying.  East Elementary is an anti-bullying school, and to support it we ask that your child wear a pink shirt. Friday's hot lunch is Subway for those of you that ordered.

Language Arts

Writing:

In writing this week we are going to focus on a couple of things.  We are going to be looking at how to write interesting beginnings and endings to stories. An example of a beginning and an ending we typically see in writing are (Beginning: "My name is Kate and this is a story about a..." This type of opening sentence gives us information we usually already know based on the title.  We are talking about how to make the beginning capture the reader, using; a thought, dialogue, an action, or a sound. For example, "Hey, get over here!" yelled Mike.  This would be an example of dialogue that may get the reader interested.)
(Endings; "...and they lived happily ever after".  This ending is typical and doesn't really wrap up the story in an exciting way.  Story endings should sum up how the main character has grown and changed. Extended endings often include; a memory, a feeling, a decision, a wish/hope, a defining action.  We will get into more detail on this in a couple of lessons.

Phonics:

There will be a focus on consonant blends and digraphs this week, as well as some words ending in "y". A consonant blend is two consonants together that make 2 sounds, such as "st" and "tr".  A consonant digraph is two consonants together that make one sound, such as "ch" "th" and "wh".


Math

With our addition and subtraction to 18 unit, we have been focusing on addition and subtraction families.  We are now working on when an equation has a missing number and how we can solve it.  For example  8+ ( ) = 12, or  14 - ( ) = 3.

We have also talked about order or numbers in addition and subtraction.  In addition order does not matter.  For 5 + 7 and 7 + 5 we get the same answer of 12.  We talked about putting the larger addend first (the 7) for ease, especially when it comes to 2 digit addition.  For subtraction order does matter because 5 - 7 and 7 - 5 are not the same.  We talked about if you had 5 dollars and wanted to buy something for 7, could you do it?  No because you don't have enough money. If you had 7 dollars and wanted to buy something for 5, could you?  Yes because you would have enough and get some back. We will continue with this concept of order in addition and subtraction this week, then get into some mental math strategies such as making tens and doubles (doubles + 1, doubles -1).


Science

We are now well into our exploring liquids unit.  We have done a couple fun experiments that emphasize some important knowledge regarding liquids.  We have learned some terms such as viscosity (the thickness of a liquid), solution (when 2 or more parts look like 1, such as salt water or soy sauce), dissolve (when a solid disappears in a liquid upon stirring to make a solution), surface tension (water molecules on the surface binding together to make the surface strong), as well as freezing, melting, evaporating, condensing (changing states of matter).  We began our experiment today where we are attempting to make crystals.  We dissolved salt into water and put it into a jar with a pipe cleaner hanging in the water. As the water evaporates it will leave behind the salt crystals stuck to the pipe cleaner.  They are really excited to see some crystals start forming.


It is going to be a learning filled week, and the last week of February no less.  I hope everyone is enjoying the unseasonably warm temperatures brought to us by El Nino. I know I am, and so is Gizmo, my in-laws dog that my wife and I are dog sitting for this week.  Enjoy the warmth and have a great week.

Mr. Aasen

Feb 8 - 12

This week we have a very busy week coming up.  Wednesday is of course again popcorn day.  Bring 50 cents for a bag of popcorn for snack time.  Thursday we have our field trip to Telus World of Science. Please make sure you are at school on time so you do not miss the bus.  Friday we will do our Valentines exchange before lunch recess as stated in the note that went home today. Next Monday, Feb 15th, there is no school as it is Family Day here in Alberta.



Language Arts

New spelling words for this week are on the spelling words list.  We are continuing to do Daily 5 as well as phonics.  This weeks phonics lesson will have a focus on L and R blends.

Math

This week in math we will continue are unit Addition and Subtraction to 18.  The focus of this unit is mastering our basic math facts.  We have started out working with number families.  What addition and subtraction equations can we make using the same 3 numbers. (3+5=8, 5+3=8, 8-5=3, 8-3=5).  These are the 2 addition and 2 subtraction equations using 3, 5, and 8. This week we will be incorporating equal and unequal sets to go with our addition and subtraction equations.                  (eg. 3+4 = 5+2) (3+4 ≠ 3+3). 


Science


This week in Science we are beginning our Exploring Liquids unit.  I sent home the unit test for Hot and Cold temperatures and the one thing that really stood out for me is that many students are still having trouble reading a thermometer.  Any chance you get with your child to read and show thermometers, take the opportunity to do so. 

Our Exploring Liquids unit will consist of many experiments dealing with properties of different liquids, as well as an understanding of states of matter (liquids/solids/gases). We will also be testing properties of different materials and their ability to hold/repel/soak up water. It is going to be a very exciting unit. 

I am also looking for glass jars (washed) for one of our experiments.  Jars such as pasta sauce jars are the perfect size containers.  If you have any that you can send in with your child that would be much appreciated.



I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead and a great Family Day long weekend.

Mr. Aasen

The Winter Blues

Well, here we are in the middle of January already.  The weather is cold, the wind chill bites, and then we warm up to 0°C, within a matter of days.  Then repeat.  Freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw.  Typical central Alberta winters...

I have a few important reminders for everyone.  The permission forms for our trip to Telus World of Science have been handed out.  They are due back Tuesday, January 27th, with payment of $20. This money pays for exhibit admission, 2 programs, and transportation by bus.  For anyone that ordered from Scholastic this month, thank you for supporting our classroom.  The books have been ordered and will hopefully arrive early next week. 

This Friday, Jan 23rd, is TROPICAL DAY!  Dress up in your best beach wear, Hawaiian shirts, sun hats, lei's, etc.  Whatever you can think of that is tropical.  

Language Arts

Spelling:  Weekly spelling words you can always find in the spelling tab.  Next week though, there will be will be no new words as we have a review week, and the following week is only 3 days, so no new words that week either.

Writing: In writing, our focus has been on writing detailed story segments.  We are learning to use our 5 senses to help us with adding detail.  Sight (What do we see), Smell (What does it smell like), Touch (How does it feel/textures), Hearing (What does it sound like), and Taste (What does it taste like). Using our senses we can add detailed description to really dress up our critical characters, settings, and objects in the story. 

We are continuing to build up our reading and writing stamina by way of Daily 5.  The kids love it when I tell them we are doing Daily 5 and they have the choice of listening to a book, reading to self, working on writing, word work, or buddy reading.

Math

In math, we are finishing up our number concepts to 100 unit.  Over the past couple of weeks we have been studying different ways to represent numbers to 100, looking at equal and unequal sets, and comparing different groups of numbers. This week we will be wrapping up this unit by finishing comparing different groups of numbers and ordering numbers to 100.

Science

In science, we will be finishing our unit on Hot and Cold Temperatures this week.  Our latest outcome we looked at was insulation.  The students learned what materials are good insulators and the purpose of an insulator.  The purpose of an insulator is to help keep the temperature of something the same by keeping warm and cold temperatures separate. Once done this unit we will begin unit 3, Exploring Liquids.

Social Studies

We are also finishing up our second social studies unit this week. We will begin our next unit, Looking at People.  We will look at specific details of the people from the 3 communities, Meteghan, Iqaluit, and Saskatoon. We will look at things like, traditions, holidays, languages, and activities that the locals take part in from the 3 communities.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I hope you have been staying warm.  The temperature could really improve.

Mr. Aasen

Welcome Back

Welcome to 2016.  I hope everyone had a relaxing holiday. We are getting right back into the swing of things but here are a few important things..  

Wednesday, Jan. 6th is early dismissal.  You are to pick up your children at 2:15. Friday is hot lunch.  If you have ordered hot lunch, there were some errors with the hot lunch ordering program and one of the other schools orders.  If you could just log on to your hot lunch order page to make sure your orders are correct, that would be much appreciated.  Friday we have our weekly spelling test.  The words are updated.

Christmas Break Countdown

Hello everyone.  These next two weeks are a very busy time at East Elementary.  This Thursday will be our last library class before the break.  If your child is into reading lengthier books, may I suggest picking out an easy or short chapter book that can be read over the break.  They will have the book for a whole 4 weeks.  It may be a great opportunity for them to challenge themselves.

This Friday, Dec 11, we have our Christmas dress up day.  Feel free to wear reds and greens, Christmas hats, reindeer antlers, or whatever festive outfits you can think of.  It is all in good fun and celebrating. By no means is it mandatory.

Anyone that ordered Scholastic products, the order has been placed and I hope it will arrive in time to send home before the break.

Next week we have the annual East Elementary Christmas concert.  The students will be doing rehearsals Mon., Tues., and Wed. afternoons.  The first concert is at 1:00pm on Thursday Dec. 17th. The evening show will begin at 7:00pm, with the doors to East Elementary opening at 6:30pm.  The annual grade 6 fundraiser, the cake raffle, will also be taking place.  

The Grade 2's are asked to wear jeans and a western shirt for their concert "costumes".  

Friday, Dec. 18th, the last day before the break is going to be pajama dress up day.  The students will be watching a movie in the gym all together in the afternoon, kinda like a big pajama party. We will also be having our "Christmas" potluck.  I ask that everyone still brings their regular snacks and their regular but "light" lunch.  We will have some parents bring in cheese & crackers, a veggie platter, as well as a dessert/treat.  I will supply hot chocolate for the class as well.

We do have a spelling test this week, as well as next week, even though it is a very busy week with the concert, we still need to have one to stay on track with our spelling lessons.

There is no hot lunch on Friday December 18th.

I hope that everyone can have a wonderful and relaxing Christmas break.  I look forward to spending time with my family and friends as well as celebrating my birthday on New Years Eve.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Mr. Aasen

Book Orders

I have handed out the December book order forms today.  If your child would like to place an order, please have them returned to me by Tuesday December 1st, in order for them to arrive before Christmas break.  Thank you.

Mr. Aasen

Nov 23 - 26

Good evening.  This week there is no school for the students on Friday (Nov 27) as the teachers have a P.D day.  Other than that it is business as usual.  If you ordered Christmas cards they should be here by next week (December... Crazy!).  

Writing

This week in writing we will be looking at adding descriptive detail to our writing.  Writing in journals today, we talked about the 5 W's and how you can incorporate these questions into your writing to make it more detailed.  (Who did you go with?  What did you do/play/get/eat/watch? Where did you go?  Why did you do that/go there/like it?  When did you go?)

Math

This week in math we will be looking at estimation, and estimating numbers up to 100.  This is a difficult task for many students.  It is difficult to distinguish a pile of objects from being 30 or 100 for some and we will spend ample time on strategies and estimating skills.

Science

We continue our hot and cold temperatures unit.  Any opportunity you get to read a thermometer with your child at home will be beneficial in mastering the skills of reading thermometers and telling temperature.  Students will continue to struggle with the concept of having zero in the middle and getting bigger whether you go up or down from zero.  Emphasize with them the idea that any number with a minus in front of it is below zero and any number without a minus is above zero. (-4°C is 4 "ticks" below zero. 4°C is 4 "ticks" above zero).  We also are looking at the concepts of "warmer than" and "colder than" as well as freezing/melting/cooking/burning and how objects are affected by changes in temperature.

Social Studies

In social, we will be looking at the history of Iqaluit and why people have settled there.  We will discuss the cold climate and how it affects living there.  We will then do the same thing for Saskatoon and Meteghan.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Mr. Aasen