Mrs. Skwara's Class Blog Check out what we're doing and learning! 

May is going to be a busy month for 4S students. Here is a brief outline of what we have planned in coming weeks:

Human sexuality lessons will begin Thursday, May 12th from 2-3pm and continue the following 3 Thursdays. All grade 4 girls will be learning with myself and Ms. VanImpe and the boys will be with Mr. Mannix. The gender separation allows for students to be more comfortable discussing and asking questions.

The date for ‘The Big Race’ for our Vehicles that Move project is still undecided. We would like to wait for Mr. Mannix’s class to complete their cars so we can do it together. I will let parents know as soon as a date is confirmed. That being said, tomorrow will be the final afternoon students will be working on their vehicles at school. Most will have completed their working cars by then, if not they may choose to “tweak” them at home.

Friday, April 29: Half Day for students; PD afternoon for teachers

Friday, May 6th: Dance in Schools Assembly @ 2pm BES Gym (parents welcome)

Tuesday, May 10th: 1-3pm Visit to Banff Centre. Parent volunteers needed.

Monday, May 16th: Class photo (sometime in the morning)

Tuesday, May 17th: Nature Explorers

Friday, May 20th: Full Day PD: No school all day

Monday, May 23rd: Victoria Day (no school)

Tuesday, May 24th: Kananaskis Outreach Plant Play 1030am in gym (parents welcome)

Wednesday, May 25: Track and Field Day

Thursday, May 26th: Thankful Thursday Music Celebration 11am in gym (parents invited)

Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns or even just want to come join us!

Looking forward to a marvelous May!

For our unit on Vehicles That Move in Science, the children need to construct a vehicle at school that moves on its own without being pushed or pulled (batteries, electrical or gas powered motors are also not allowed).  They will be demonstrating their creations to the class. Students are to have the materials they need to build their vehicle at school Monday, April 18. Parents are welcome to join us in the classroom next Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at 2pm to help out.

Some popular choices in the past have been vehicles powered by balloons, rubber bands or mousetraps. However, students may choose to explore other propulsion methods. A quick Google search will show you many styles and ideas.

Once built, students will need to be prepared to share the following facts with the class:

• How was it made?
• What materials were used?
• How does it move?
• What design changes were needed to make the car move?
• What devices help control the vehicle?

We will have the Big Race sometime during the last week of April in the BES gym.

Remember, if you don’t succeed, try, try again!

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this project.  We are looking forward to the race.

 Welcome back, everyone!

It is hard to believe it is already mid-April.

We have a lot going on in the coming months, so I thought I would post a little “snapshot” of what’s to come:

Friday, April 22nd: Earth Day Celebration in BES gym 1030-1130am. Parents welcome 🙂

Friday, May 6th: Dance in Schools performance for parents (time TBA)

Monday, May 9th: New Crits on the Block. Studio visits with Banff Centre artists-in-residence. (*This may change to Friday, May 13th… I will confirm)

Tuesday, May 17th: Nature Explorers (Plants)

Friday, May 20th : Full day PD. No school for students.

Wednesday, May 25th: Division 2 Track and Field Day

Tuesday, June 14th: Plant Study with Alberta Parks in Bow Valley Park (Full Day Field trip)

Thursday, June 16th: Nature Explorers (Native uses of plants)

As always permission forms will be sent home for any field trip beyond Nature Explorers or a short walking one. We will be looking for parents to join us at Bow Valley Park and the Banff Centre. Grade four students will also be presented with the Human Sexuality (puberty) curriculum next month. Details of the subject matter to be covered will be sent home along with a permission form, soon.

Here’s to hitting the ground running, learning together and enjoying this beautiful Spring weather! 🙂

For tips and ideas for supporting your child’s mathematical  learning at home, please check out the “Math” page. It has been updated to reflect our upcoming unit on multi-digit multiplication.