Studying & Preparing for Tests

 

 

Dear Parents,

The children will be having their first unit test this year in Science on Monday, November 21, 2016. It will be on the Waste and Our World Unit.  I would like them to develop some effective study strategies this year, and need your help. As much as possible, I will try to give the children at least 3-4 days notice of tests, and some indication of what will be on it.  At times this will be in the form of a multi-day in-class review of content.  At other times I will give them a list, either in handout form or as notes, and sometimes orally). I will also introduce them to various study strategies throughout the year. 

Here’s how you can help:

• set up a time and place for study
• help your child set up a schedule for the 3-4 days they have to study, and help them to break the material up into manageable chunks
• encourage your child to use several of the strategies and help them decide what seems to work best for them. Studying is very individual, and we all need to develop our own style.
• talk about test taking skills  ie: what to do if you’re stuck on a question, answering questions as completely as you can, not worrying too much, etc.

Thanks for your help at home. If there is anything I can do to help in the study process please let me know.

 

4V Social Studies: “Albertosaurus Project”

In Social Studies class, we have been recently exploring Alberta’s fossil heritage.  We have been examining how Alberta’s fossils also help to make our province unique. Students learned what fossils can tell about Alberta’s past and will discover why fossils are an important part of our heritage—a part of the past that we still value because it helps make us what we are today.

In 1884, a fossil find made Alberta famous around the world. Joseph Tyrrell was looking for coal. He was also mapping the land between the Oldman River and the Red Deer River. With his crew, he camped in the badlands, close to where Drumheller is now.  Tyrrell soon made an exciting discovery. He found the bones of a huge, meat-eating dinosaur. It would later be called Albertosaurus, after the province where it was found.

 

•You pronounce their name 'al-ber-tuh-sawr-us'. •The meaning of its name is 'Alberta Lizard'. •They lived in the Late Cretaceous Period. •They could run up to 19mph (30kph). •Their length was up to 9 metres (30 feet) •They weighed 2 tons (about as much as a car).

 

 

After doing some research, reading the fun facts and looking at the images in the text and on the internet, the students’ task was to recreate a drawing of an Albertosaurus in its prehistoric environment.  The students also made efforts to ensure the surrounding environment or habitat was incorporated into the background of their picture. Through completing their compositions, students had an opportunity to depict what their dinosaur and Alberta looked like millions of years ago.   The following are examples of some of the student work that was created.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remembrance Day Reflection

Each year on November 11^th, Remembrance Day, Canadians are asked to take a few minutes to remember those who fought and died for our freedom. We pause on this day in silence to remember those who died in war and to pray for the victims of war & conflict throughout the world.  This is a day to pray for peace, to consider what we are doing as individuals, as a community and as a nation to bring God’s peace into the world.

We are so fortunate to live in this great country of Canada . . . On November 11^th, every Canadian everywhere needs to remember that our rights and way of life came at a great cost namely the sacrifice of 116, 000 Canadian men & women who died fighting for our freedom and by the sacrifice of the other soldiers who survived those brutal conflicts and wars.

Taking a few minutes to reflect and wearing a poppy is way to show that we remember what they were fighting for.  We owe these people so much. 

I would like to conclude with a reflection/poem written several years ago by a wife of veteran who died in the war . . . It is entitled “Freedom Road” by Jacqueline Black. . . Let us recall the sacrifice of those who died fighting for our freedom . . .

 

They should never be forgotten ones
The brave young daughters and young sons
Who gave their lives so long ago
While fighting those who were our foe.

The world has changed; the time has past
And to some the years have gone too fast
To totally erase the pain they found
When comrades fell on foreign ground.

Now those of us who they died for
Must continue to stand and keep the door
Open, to honour and to show respect
Not allowing ourselves to ever forget.

It was freedom road they did pave
So proclaim your thanks to those who gave
As our anthem plays, sing clear and loud
And on Remembrance Day, wear poppies proud.

 

. . . for

 

It is the VETERAN , not the preacher,

Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN , not the reporter,

Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN , not the poet,

Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN , not the politician,

Who has given us the right to vote and the freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN , not the lawyer,

Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag,

It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag,

 

  ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. Amen

So on November 11th, at the 11^th hour of this 11^th month of the year, please take the time to reflect on the enormous loss that has led to our enormous gain. Remember them.  It’s the least we can do . . .

 

Gr. 4V Religion: “Be Merciful Just as Your Father is Merciful”

 

In the 4V Religion class, we recently explored the faith theme for the Calgary Catholic School District which is based on the virtue of “Mercy”. 

We are all invited to remember and give thanks for God’s abundant mercy; the Gospel reminds us that God always looks for us when we are lost and comes to meet us with compassion, forgiveness and love.  In addition to receiving God’s mercy, we are also invited to put God’s mercy into action . . . as God calls us to be merciful toward others just as God is merciful toward us. Let us remember to be compassionate, forgiving and loving as noted in the words from Pope Francis.

 

 

The students in 4V were given the task of creating a visual composition complete with a variety of imagery and illustrations which depict the various ways in which a person can “Be Merciful like the Father is Merciful”. Prior to starting their projects, we examined and brainstormed a list of ways in we can show mercy to others in our daily lives. These items were then incorporated into the design of their respective compositions.  The following examples feature student insights which highlight what this theme looks like at St. Clare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a tri-fold of the 4V “Be Merciful” project that was on display in the foyer of Ascension Parish for Catholic Education Sunday on November 5 & 6, 2016.