Movement and Mindfulness in the Classroom

Our classroom is full of not only active learners, but also mindful learners. You may have heard your child mention the different "brain breaks" we do in our classroom daily.   Brain breaks are quick movement breaks (1-2 minutes) when our minds need "re-energized". These movement breaks help cross the mid-line of your body which help both sides of your brain engage. Some of our favorite ways to stay active in the classroom include "busting a move" with Just Dance on the projector screen, and movement games.

Just as we need brain breaks to re-energize our brains, there are also times where our minds are so busy with thoughts it makes it hard to focus on the task at hand. Mindfulness is the practice of living in the present moment by focusing our attention and observing what is going on around us. Our classroom LOVES to practice belly breathes for just a few minutes each afternoon. Students choose their own spot in the classroom to lay down, close their eyes and focus on their breathing. The students know that if their thoughts wander to past or future thoughts (Example: what happened last recess, what they are doing after school etc.) they are to bring their mind back to the present moment and relax with the help of some calming music. School can be a long day for many students and sometimes the last period of the day is the hardest to remain focused. However, it is amazing how productive and engaged our class is, all the way up until the final bell, after participating in a mindfulness activity! These kids impress me every single day! Check out how engaged these hardworking students are - WOW! Way to go Grade 3/4's!

It is so cool to see the students beginning to recognize when their bodies need more "fuel" by requesting either a movement or mindfulness break as needed throughout the day.  Research shows mindfulness has the potential to improve attention, focus, self management skills and lower anxiety/stress levels.

GMS Achievers Assembly
Our January/February "Virtue of the Month" was kindness and there was no shortage of kindness in our classroom! Our "Kindness Club" board is exploding with random acts of kindness thanks to our caring classmates! The students chose two students who they thought were deserving of the kindness award. These two students were Austin and Joey! Congratulations and don't forget to keep paying it forward!

Fun With Friends Program
This week we had our first Friends for Life class, taught by our school counselor Danielle Desjerlais and Brenda Dubois from Child and Youth Services. Each student was given their own Friends for Life workbook and they really seemed to enjoy the different conversations and problem solving activities.

FRIENDS stands for:
F = Feelings
R = Relax
I = I Can Do It!
E = Exploring Solutions and Coping Step Plans
N = Now Reward Yourself!
D = Don't Forget to Practice
S = Smile, Stay Calm, and Talk to Your Support Networks

New Strategies: 
This week we have added a new strategy to help us expand our vocabulary and comprehend new words. By using word parts (pre-, re-, un- ful- etc.) we can determine the meaning of words! For example the pre-fix "Re" means "again" such as rewind, rewrite and rethink. Our class was even rapping to a song about prefixes this week! Who knew word parts could be so fun - and catchy!

We have also been working on the comprehension strategy "Making Connections". During this strategy, students make connections between a text and their own experiences (Text to Self), connections between two different books (Text to Text), or connections what they read to something they know about the world (Text to World). Next time you are reading with your child, ask them if they can make any connections to what they are reading. Students LOVE to share their personal connections!

Important Dates:
Thursday, March 6:   No School (PD Day)
Friday, March 7:        No School (Teachers Convention)

100 Days Smarter!

*Important* Friends for Life Program
On Thursday a permission form was sent home for the Friends for Life program that will be taking place in our classroom. It is a weekly program that will run from the last week of February until mid April.  The program will be presented by our School Counsellor, Danielle Desjarlais and Brenda Dubois from Child and Youth Services. During this time, students will explore their feelings, build strategies for dealing with challenges, and work on building positive relationships with others. Our first "Friends for Life" class will be on Tuesday, February 25. *Students must have permission to take part in the program. Please fill out the permission form, if you have not already done so,  and send it back with your child on Monday, February 24. If needed, I have sent a copy of the letter/permission form which was sent home with your child, in an e-mail to all parents.

100 Days Smarter
Can you believe we have already been in school for more than 100 days this year? WOW! Our class has been busy thinking and writing about their future! This weeks writing prompt was "What do you think you will accomplish by the time they are 100 years old?" We have soon to be doctors, veterinarians and even a future paleontologist in our classroom!

Mid-Week Motivation!
On Wednesday morning, the students were quite surprised at the messages that greeted a few of our students as they entered the class! I love to highlight student achievement in different ways! Although the students initial reaction was pure shock that Ms. Cameron "broke the rules" of "No writing on the tables!" they loved the words of encouragement. The students know that I like to surprise them and although not everyone will receive a special message at the same time, everyone will experience a surprise message at some point in the year!

What's in Ms. Cameron's Bag?
Our class has been focusing on a new comprehension strategy this week called inferring. Our inferring detectives were using what they already know (schema) and clues within the text to figure out what the author is trying to say. For example: If they author describes a loud, booming sound coming from outside as a character enters the house with soaking wet hair,  we can infer that there may be a thunderstorm and it may be raining - even though the author doesn't directly tell us it was storming.

The students enjoyed playing "What's in Ms. Cameron's bag?" and making inferences based on the items. For example the students inferred that my car keys might mean I had my license and that I drove to work instead of taking the bus or walking. The "Style and Home" magazine had students inferring I was redecorating, planning to paint, or enjoy home decor. My favorite part of the activity was the laughs we had about how many of the items (daily planner, kleenex, cough drops, band-aids among others) had students inferring that I was "always prepared!" (They have me pretty figured out already!)

Inferring Detectives
A good detective uses what they already know, looks for clues and puts the missing pieces of the puzzle together! Schema + Clues = Inferring!

Helpful Prompts to Practice Inferring:
I'm thinking that....
I predict...
I'm guessing that...
I think it means...

Great Canadian Mail Race!

On Tuesday, our class received a letter from a Grade 3 student named Keaton from Creston, BC. The letter explained that his class was participating in the Great Canadian Mail Race which required students to write and mail a letter (the old fashion way) to another grade 3/4 student in Canada. Our class feels so lucky that out of all the schools in Canada, Keaton chose to send his letter to Gladys McDonald! The letter encouraged our class to participate in the race as well. Chloe is writing a response letter to Keaton and all 28 other students are writing to a different location across Canada! The first student to receive a letter back "wins the race".

Our class was bursting with excitement to join the Great Canadian Mail Race and start writing letters of their own! I wish you could see their excitement as they huddled around the map, discussing which province they would choose to mail their letter to! This is a great activity for students to practice writing friendly letters for an audience while learning about different provinces from kids their own age!

Special Lunch
The Boston Pizza Lunch was such a fun treat for our classroom this week!

Happy Valentines Day!
Many of our students were wearing "red, white and pink" to celebrate Valentines Day! As the students made their way around the room delivering their valentines with such excitement our class was buzzing with cheer - and kindness! I couldn't think of a better way to end our week together!  I'm sure going to miss my class next week!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

Important Dates:
February 24: Friends for Life Permission Forms are Due
February 17-21: February Break - No School
February 26: GMS Achievers Assembly: Kindness Virtue

Ms. Cameron

Week at a Glance!

Accuracy Strategies: I Can Read the Words!
This week we have been practicing our accuracy strategies! Accuracy strategies provide students with the tools to decode complex words. We have been stretching out words (or should I say "st-ret-ch-ing" out words!), flipping vowel sounds and looking for word parts or "chunks" to figure out how to decode challenging words. I love how collaborative our learners are! They love to challenge one another, teach each other and celebrate new findings together!

From Researchers to Writers!
Students are working towards completing their research reports about how to keep our bodies body healthy. Students have developed their pre-writing into rough drafts and are currently revising and editing their work. We have been using checklists to learn how to properly edit our work. Our writers have also been learning to give constructive feedback during the "Peer-editing" phase of their writing. It is a real treat to watch these kiddo's work together to improve their writing! They are a very talented group of writers!

Water Challenge - Bring Water Bottle on Monday!
In health, we are learning about the importance of healthy eating and being active. Next week we will be participating in a water challenge! Please help your child remember to bring a water bottle to school on Monday to keep at their desks.Our goal is to drink the recommended amount of water daily (at least 8 glasses per day).

Although our challenge is one week long, I encourage students to keep their water bottle at school after the challenge has ended. Having a water bottle eliminates frequent trips to the water fountain and ensures proper hydration. Not only is staying hydrated associated with energy levels, but it also affects our concentration and focus. The more hydrated we are, the better we learn!

Scholastic Book Orders
February's book order's were sent home this week. If you wish to place an order please makes cheques payable to Scholastic Canada Ltd. Book orders are due Tuesday, February 11th.

Important Dates:
Monday, February 10: Class Water Challenge Begins (Bring Water Bottle)
Tuesday, February 11: Scholastic Book Orders are Due
Thursday, February 13: Boston Pizza Lunch
February 17 - 21: February Break - No School

Ms. Cameron