to Grade Four

-Ms. Bowman-

​

Music:

Days 2,4,6

Physical Education:

Days 1, 2,3,4

​

Choir: Day 5

• The day begins at 8:45 and dismissal is at 2:55.
• Students should bring a water bottle to school each day and come prepared to spend time outside.
• If your child is being dismissed from school a different way than usual, please contact me via email or call the school office.

Communication

​

• check for updates and reminders in your email and your child’s agenda
• email at: andreabowman@nlesd.ca

​

• call the school at (709)722-7012

​

​

• Be Kind
• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible
• Be Safe

​

​

-When a student is absent, they should check with me to see what they missed.

​

-We have an “extra copy” box for extra memos and information that is sent home.

Evaluation

Evaluation of a child’s progress is a continuous and ongoing process. It is based on a variety of data sources including: teacher observation, conferencing, checklists, portfolios,

projects, oral/written assignments, group activities, check-ups, cumulative reviews.  

-We are using a 4 Point Scale:

4 Excellent

3 Good

2 Approaching

1 Not yet demonstrating

-Social Behavioural Indicators:

Consistently, Usually, With Prompting, Rarely

Ms. Upward IRT

In class support for lower student/teacher ratio learning groups…

​

• Guided writing
• Guided reading
• Spelling/Writing Strategies
• Social Emotional Learning Check-ins
• Learning strategies/resources to meet learning differences

Language Arts

​

The Language Arts program uses a variety of literature-based resources to meet the

prescribed outcomes. In ELA we use the “Moving Up With Literacy Place” resource.

​

The focus in all activities is on using language for a wide range of purposes. Students are expected to respond personally and critically to a range of texts, applying their understanding of language, form and genre. Oral language will develop through activities such as oral presentations, small group discussion and reader’s theatre. Novels are used for book clubs and teacher read-aloud purposes. We will be incorporating a literacy block which is a structure that teaches independence and give provides opportunities for guided reading with every student.

The integration of the main areas of language: reading, writing and representing,

listening, speaking and viewing, will be the focal point of our language experiences for the upcoming year. The writing process and the phases of the writing experience (Preparing to Write, Composing a First Draft, Revising, Editing, and Publishing) will be practiced routinely with a particular focus on planning as well as editing.

Mathematics

Students will develop skills in the areas of:

• Numeration
• Addition and Subtraction
• Patterns
• Data Relationships
• 2-D Geometry
• Multiplication and Division
• Fractions and Decimals
• Multiplying Multi-Digit Numbers
• Dividing Multi-Digit Numbers
• 3-D Geometry

​

Throughout this development, attention will be given to mental math, estimation, technology, and real-world applications in Mathematics (problem solving). We are incorporating a numeracy block structure, which is similar to the literacy block, and will encourage students to work independently on problem solving. This structure will engage them by providing choice and enable more small group instruction.

French

​

• Grade 4 is the entry point to the authorized Core French program and the beginning of French second language instruction for most students.
• The French program is an introductory one. Instructional time is devoted primarily to oral language development with secondary emphasis on reading and writing. In Grade 4, students are introduced to the language by means of listening and speaking.
• With an emphasis on communication, learners engage in experiences that help them explore relevant, interesting themes including: friends and family, animals and environment, food, sports and leisure, and school life.

​

​

Social Studies

• The main concept for Social Studies Grade 4 is “Exploration”.
• Students will develop both an understanding of what is exploration, the various aspects of exploration including the impact on both the people exploring and the people, place, or idea explored.
• Next students will study the physical environment of the world, noting similarities and differences in physical features in various parts of the world.
• Students then examine the concept of how humans and the environment interact. This is an important concept in today’s world, which is so concerned with sustainability.
• Students are given ample opportunity to examine how humans have impacted the environment in both positive and negative ways.
• They also examine how the environment has impacted such factors as where people live and work.
• The last unit of the course concentrates on Canada and examines the physical landscape of the country, the human landscape, the political landscape, and finally the symbols that give us our identity.

Science

The Grade Four Science curriculum includes the following topics:

• Rocks, Minerals and Erosion
• Sound
• Light
• Habitats and Communities

Through class discussion, individual/group investigations, and demonstrations students will be exposed to various scientific processes, such as observing, predicting, comparing, recording, making inferences, and drawing conclusions.

​

Religion

• The Grade 4 religious education curriculum focuses on historical, personal, and community and environment concepts in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

​

• The religious education program is designed to engage Grade 4 students in discussions about the role of traditions and expressions of faith in the personal lives of followers and the wider communities in which they live. In doing so, students have the opportunity to expand their own ideas about problems, questions, and issues.

​

• Evaluation will be based on in-class assignments, research, discussion, and various other activities.

Health

The emphasis on healthy living and a balanced lifestyle is emphasized in the grade four health curriculum. Content is taught using a variety of resources, such as information from the textbook, guest speakers, the internet, group activities, and visual representations.

Topics such as nutrition, physical activity, the environment, self-esteem, and social interactions are discussed to ensure our students learn to become well-rounded, globally aware, contributing members of society.

Art

The Art program focuses on visual art and the visual environment. Students study the elements of design (line, shape/form, colour, texture and space) through a variety of art works and observation of their environment. They also explore the use of art tools and are given opportunities to respond to the art created here in the classroom. Art activities are also integrated with other areas of the curriculum and seasonal events. Students will recognize that people everywhere use art to record ideas, feelings, and events.

Music: GRADE 4

Through a variety of music, recorder, activities, instruments, singing, movement, listening, improvisation, responding and dramatization, students will learn and discover the following key musical elements:

​

• Rhythm and Meter
• Melody and Pitch
• Harmony
• Form
• Musical Expression & Appreciation

​

Music Teacher: S. Lee (susanlee@nlesd.ca)

www.larkhallmusic.weebly.com - check out my music site for games, activities, songs, dances, playalongs, lessons, and more!

RECYCLING AT LARKHALL

Recycling will be restarting at school on Thursday Sept. 22 !

Here’s what you need to know:

• Every Thursday is Recycling Day!
• Bus students can bring a bag of recycling that won’t impede space in seats (i.e. shopping bag size - large garbage bags of recycling are not permitted on the bus). If wanting to bring a large number of items, parents/guardians and non bus students can drop them off on Thursday mornings at the front of the school next to the main door. Please write the name of the student, grade and # of items on a piece of paper and hand it to the teacher at the front entrance so your child gets a chance to win prizes.
• You can also drop your recycling off at any time at any of the four Evergreen depots in the city. (Two close to Larkhall: 79 Blackmarsh Road & 92 Elizabeth Avenue) Up to 10 bags per visit. Feel free to use the Xpress Kisok (drop off) and use the Larkhall Account #: 7227012 (our phone number)

​

Recycling cont’d:

​

• We recycle Aluminum cans, metal drink containers, clear plastic drink containers & tetra boxes (emptied and rinsed with straws and caps removed)
• Glass is not permitted to be brought to school but can be brought to the depot only.
• We do not recycle milk containers, infant formula, meal replacement drinks, concentrated beverages, other non beverage plastic containers
• Daily recess and lunch drink containers are recycled in school as well.

Here’s what to do:

• Please label bags of recycling with your child's name, grade and # of items
• The Kindergartens will bring recycling to their own classroom where they will be met with a member of the recycling team to accept and record # of items
• Grade 1 - 5 students will bring recycling items to the lunchroom downstairs when they arrive at school where they will be met with a member of the recycling team who will accept and record # of items. �

​

​

​

Recycling cont’d:

​

Here’s why it’s good to Recycle:

• Recycling helps our environment! It’s the responsible thing to do
• It brings money to our school to benefit students (i.e. playground equipment, buddy benches, technology and more!) MMSB will match funds raised!
• Students can win random prizes weekly and monthly. At the end of the year, our top 10 recyclers will win prizes! There will also be class prizes for top recycling classes throughout the year.

​

​

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR RECYCLING PROGRAM Thank you!!

​

If any parent/guardian is available to help on Thursday mornings with our recycling collection, please email teacher Susan Lee for information on how to help. (susanlee@nlesd.ca)

At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of their families.

-Jane D. Hull�

​

​

Have a wonderful year!