Friday, May 26, 2023

Syllables

Throughout the year in grade three, we have talked about syllables within words. At this point, most students can proficiently identify words with "open", "closed" and "magic e type" syllable rules.  We will continue to work on mastering the remaining types of syllables in longer words.   

Why teach about syllables?

• Dividing words into parts, or "chunks" helps speed the process of decoding.
• Knowing the rules for syllable division can students read words more accurately and fluently.
• Understanding syllables can also help students learn to spell words correctly.

Syllables at Home

One of the "games" we play is having "chunks" of words written on to note cards, paper or white boards. Students then arrange the "chunks" into proper word order. Students also enjoy clapping, stomping or jumping out the syllables of longer words. 

For example clap one time as you say each syllable: /ap/ (clap) /ple/ (clap). 

    • One syllable words: fork, knife, spoon, car, straw, door 

    • Two syllable words: table, baby, cracker, napkin, pizza 

    • Three syllable words: banana, strawberry, lemonade

A helpful hint when determining the number of syllables in a word is by placing your hand under your chin. Each time the jaw "drops" is a syllable of the chosen word. (We don’t worry about directly asking how many syllables are in the word, that is not the focus of the task. Instead focus on "chunking" to help read and spell the word correctly.)

Friday, May 19, 2023

Creating Jot Notes About Plants

    The grade fours spent this week gathering information about the appearance of a Canadian plant (Sage, Red Cedar, or Sweet Grass), as well as it's Indigenous ceremonial and medical purposes. Students then used their mapping skills to chart where their chosen plant lives and record the preferred growing conditions.

Grade Four Curriculum Connections:

• I can describe the importance of plants to humans and the environment.
• I can locate information about plants in a variety of resources and then identify the key facts.
• I can organize the information found using jot notes.

Students took the opportunity to share their findings with others...

 

"Sage is considered sacred and is used for smudging."

"Sage can be used for rashes, a sore throat or tea."

"Red Cedar is called the 'Tree of Life'."

"...is mixed with sage to treat infections."

"Cedar can treat aches and pains, it is in my sauna room."

"... has lots of vitamin C and can treat colds."

"Sweetgrass reminds us of  love and kindness."

"It can be braided, dried or burned for it's smoke."

"...is used in a sharing circle."

"Can be used for the skin, eyes, coughs or sore throat."

"DO NOT eat or drink it you WILL be sick."

Trickster Week (May 8-12, 2023)

 Trickster Week In Room One

  In between Trickster sessions, Sibbald students continued their "Curiosity" inquiry by having a chance to explore cross curricular concepts through literacy, math, science, social studies and art tasks.

When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes                                                    (Division One Text)

Kinders and Grade One

The Bug Girl by Sophia Spencer          (Division One Text)

Grade One

Okatok - The Blackfoot Legend of the "Big Rock"

Ksistsikoom - The Blackfoot Legend of Thunder

Grade Three

Grade Five

Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams

A historical fiction story set In South Africa about children who collect wire to create toys that move. We tried to create our own Galimotos.

Grade Four
The Bug Girl: Maria Merian's Scientific Vision by Sarah Glenn Marsh

(Division Two Text)

Grade Six - Kandinsky Abstract Bugs

The Story of Kites by Ying Chang Compestine

Grade Four

Many thanks to everyone that helped make this fantastic week happen!

Friday, May 5, 2023

May 1 - 5, 2023

Blog # 21

Using Poetry to Develop Reading Skills

    April was "Poetry Month", throughout the month the grade threes explored several poems to refine their reading skills.

A Little Poem for Poetry Month

by Jack Prelutsky

I'm glad we have a Poetry Month,

But still, I wonder why

They chose a month with thirty days —

Were months in short supply?

I wish that they'd selected

A longer month, like May.

I'm certain I'd appreciate

That extra poetry day.

Of course, if they'd picked February,

I would be aghast,

For February's very short

And passes far too fast.

But April's not as short as that,

So I don't hesitate

To say I'm glad it's Poetry Month.

Hooray! Let's celebrate.

Why we read poems:

• Can be humorous which may appeal to young readers.
• Many rhyme or repeat which adds a predictability and fosters self-confidence while reading. 
• Are short in length, students can practice reading the same passage numerous times.
• Work well for "choral reading" where everyone in the small group can read it aloud at the same time while monitoring their accuracy, pace and volume.
• Students can search for words that contain skills previously discussed such as letter combination sounds, synonyms/antonyms, locating nouns, verbs and adjectives or suffixes and prefixes.
• Provide an opportunity to teach new vocabulary.
• Develops retelling or summarizing skills.

A few of our favourites: