I hope everyone received their gift to commemorate the special day.

I cannot stress enough how important it is for all students to practise their multiplication and division facts. Over time your child will become more accurate and efficient with his/her facts which will set him/her up nicely for success in grade 4. Our class has spent lots of time playing  different math games that did just that.

In Science, we are finishing up our unit on soil. Ask your child what humus is?

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER......

• Please have your child bring water bottles already filled with water to start their day off properly.
• Tuesday is Pizza Day for those who ordered it.
• Friday is Popcorn Day. Stay tuned to your child's agenda or the St. Rita website for more details.
• Report cards go home on Monday June 26th.
• Last day of school for the children is Wednesday June 28th

Hello Everyone,
The students used what they learned in their PERSUASIVE WRITING unit to convince me to change the seating plan one last time.

Thanks to Mrs. G for setting up a presentation put on by the Public Health Nurse to remind our students of the many functions of our brain and the importance of protecting such an important organ in our bodies. Ask your child to explain to you what 2 v 1 means.

Also in Health, we have been discussing the importance of dental care. We conducted a small experiment to see what would happen to the egg's shell when it came in contact with 3 different  materials. We'll see on Monday what happened! Ask your child what the outer layer of their teeth is called.

Our focus is Music and Dance in the Arts. The students had a chance to play two very familiar songs  using a percussion instrument called a boomwacker.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER......
Old math duotangs, homework books, spelling books, Young Authors stories and various other odds and ends will be coming home on Monday. These, as well as the other books that will be sent home at a later date, serve as excellent review material over the summer months for those "I don't know what to do on a rainy day" moments.

Yearbooks will also be distributed on Monday for those who ordered it in advance.

The St. Rita Annual School BBQ is this coming Tuesday from 5:30-8:00pm.

I'm back!
I am returning to St. Rita with a clean bill of health on Wednesday June 7th. I have met with Mr. McCarter to ensure that the transition between teachers is seamless so our students continue to progress through the curriculum. A big congratulations goes out to Mr. McCarter for a job well done.

Stay tuned for more information about what's been happening in our class.

A reminder that this Friday is a PD Day.

Hello Everyone,

Lots of information to share!

 In Math, we have concluded our unit on area and perimeter. Evaluation for this unit will be based on in class activities and tasks that were done. We are moving onto different strategies to multiply and divide. Please always encourage your child to practise his/her skip counting by various numbers as this assists with the accuracy and efficiency of multiplication and division.

In Language, we continue to work toward writing our good copies of our stories for Young Authors during Catholic Education Week.

In Science, the students have been observing and recording the changes happening to their bean seed.

  The grade 3s had the opportunity to participate in a block of Makerspace. The students were given the opportunity to problem solve by programming, by constructing, by coding and by developing electrical circuits to reach the desired goal. Ask your child to tell you about the bee-bot.

LATE BREAKING NEWS
I told the class on Friday that I will be away from class for awhile in order to have an operation. This surgery presented itself very quickly and is unavoidable. I will be away for at least 6 weeks. I can assure you that I answered all the questions that the students had and I will be leaving them in very capable hands with very detailed instructions to be followed so our class follows the intended progression of the grade 3 curriculum.

SWIM TO SURVIVE
A note is going on on Monday to remind the students that our class is going to Swim to Survive this Wednesday April 12th, 19th and 26th. Please do not send things for your child to shower with or money to buy a treat with as there is no time for either. The purpose of this outing is solely to know how to survive if your falls into open water.

Hello Everyone,
A busy week last week. Take a peek.
In Math, the focus was calculating perimeter and area in a variety of ways.

In Language, the class continues to work on adventure story writing. We have also had time for mini lessons such as learning how to finding a word in a dictionary.

In Science, we took a closer look at what really is inside a seed. The class was amazed with their findings. Ask your child what each label's function is.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER.......
Monday:         All library books due back to school please.
Tuesday:         Subway Day for those who ordered it.
Wednesday:    Chrome-Games-Stuffy Block as a result of pushing over 100 marbles!
Thursday:       Virtue Assembly at 10:15am  in the gym.
Mon.-Friday:   Family Life Created Sexual unit taught in class.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

There are 2 families in our school community that have suffered the devastating loss of their homes in the fire that occurred in our neighbourhood on March 12.

During this Lenten season, we ask for your prayers for these families during this very difficult time. In addition, if your family is able to make a cash donation, it would be very much appreciated. You can send in cash or a cheque (payable to St. Rita School) which will be given directly to the families. We will be collecting money until next Friday, March 31.

Thank you for your continued generosity and support,

The Charities Committee

​

In Math, we have begun to review what we already know about measurement in order to understand perimeter and area which is coming up. The past week's focus was to practise feeling comfortable with the units most common units of linear measurement- mm, cm, m and km. Ask your child what we measured with the orange measuring tool!

 The students became comfortable with using math vocabulary words such as length, width, height and distance.

In Language, we continue to work on adventure stories that have a given problem or obstacle. Soon, the children will be asked to come up with all the parts of an adventure story on their own in preparation for Young Author's.

In Science, we are learning about different parts of a plant. Below, is our experiment to see what the purpose of straw like tubes in the stem are used for.

Hello Everyone,
 I hope that everyone had a wonderful March Break. Prior to the holidays, the school enjoyed many daily activities to celebrate the Semaine de la Francophonie. Our class managed to keep our Math blocks consistent. Take a look at fractions of a whole AND fractions of a set.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER.........

• Math assessments coming home in your child's homework books to be seen and signed.
• Pizza Day on Tuesday for those who ordered the special lunch.
• Permission forms and information about the Swim to Survive Program will go home Tuesday to be signed and returned ASAP.
• Family Life letter will also be sent on Tuesday for you to read, sign and return to school ASAP.

Hello Everyone,
Our school marked the liturgical season of Lent by receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday. Ask your child about connections they have made to the story of Jesus the shepherd and the lost sheep.

In Math, we have finished off our unit on patterning. We looked at the question below as a class to discuss how all questions do not look the same so we need to use what we already know to set ourselves up for as much success as possible. It was interesting to see that some thought a different question was being asked because one was presented horizontally and one was presented vertically. (3a in the photo)

We briefly summarized what the class recalled about dividing things in equal parts to make a whole which led nicely into our next unit on fractions. Fractions as part of a set will be the focus in grade 3.

 In Language, we are busy writing an adventure story as a class to ensure that when the students are writing independently they have a good model to refer to. All the necessary parts are highlighted with a focus on the introduction to attract the reader plus the proper way to use quotation marks.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER.......
Our class is doing the Swim to Survive program on April 12th, 19th and 26th. These dates are later than Mrs. G's grade 3 class. Permission notes will be sent home right after the March Break.

All library books are due back to the school!!!! Many still are not returning them despite many reminders of the weekly date that has been set since the beginning of the year.

Journee de la Francophonie Week

Monday March 6th:  Je lis en Francais avec mes parents (find something that is easy and fun to read with your parents tonight)        

Tuesday March 7th:    Sub Way Day

Yaki presentation in French last  block                                  

Je regarde une video sur YouTube! Google Alain le lait, Carmen Campagne, Jaquot, Mini TFO

Wednesday March 8th: Journee de la Francophonie Celebration - 12:30-2:00 p.m. All are welcome.

Quel temps fait-il aujourdhui? What is today’s weather forecast?

Thursday March 9th: French book Buddies school wide

J’ecoute de la musique en francais!   

Friday March 10th: School wide Bingo in French last block
On dit bonjour, comment ca va a nos amis.   

Hello Everyone,

An announcement from the Principal....

Pathways to French as a Second Language

Pathways to French as a Second Language information has been sent home today,Friday February 24th, for Grade 3 students. Please complete the French program selection sheet and return it to the school by Friday March 3rd.

In Math, we continue to explore how to find patterns as a strategy for solving problems. Using a  t-chart is another way to organize the data (numbers).

In Language, we have moved on to narrative writing. We pulled out the good old GO MAP to review what we had in our schema from Grade 2-LOTS! In grade 3 we will look more closely at interesting introductions (opening sentences) to attract the reader and the proper way to use quotation marks when there is dialogue.

In Science, we are wrapping up our unit on Forces by looking more closely at some more forces in nature  and the power of wind (tornadoes) and water (floods).

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER.........
Tues. Feb. 28th        Shrove Tuesday Pancake Lunch
Wed. March 1st       Ash Wednesday Liturgy at 10:15 am
Thurs. March 2nd   Re-scheduled Pizza Day  from Tues. Feb 28th
Fri. March 3rd         Grade 3 FSL Pathways form due back at school

Hello Everyone,
A busy week filled with a tremendous amount of spirit. Sorry- no photos. I was having some technical difficulties and some unforeseen circumstances.
In Math, our new focus is on patterning. First, we uncovered what we already knew about patterning. The class was able to come up with many ATTRIBUTES that can change what a pattern looks like.

Our class will be looking more deeply into growing and shrinking patterns by looking at everyday problems that can be solved by following a number pattern.

In Language, we continue to look at QAR activities. Many texts that the students are practising with come straight from previous EQAO tests so your child will be comfortable with the testing format as well as confident at answering the questions to the best of his/her ability. In fact, the homework coming home this week may look different to you parents but I am sending home a Language EQAO package instead of the regular homework package. This will act as another opportunity for your child to practice plus give you a chance to see what it's all about. Last week's homework/spelling tests may not be corrected. I forgot to bring them home with me on Friday. 

In Science, the students are being exposed to forces that happen in nature. Ask your child what the word EROSION means and if it is a push or pull force.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER.......

Monday is Family Day so the school is closed to all staff and students.

Tuesday is pizza day for those who ordered it.

Wednesday is "Wear a Pink Shirt to School Day" to support anti-bullying

Thanks for your patience with the rescheduling of some interviews last week. Much appreciated.

Hello Everyone,
As a follow up from last week, here are the rest of the science presentations. Everyone did a fantastic job!

In Math, we have been exploring the concept of rounding numbers. We practised finding the 2 benchmark numbers, finding the midpoint  and deciding if we round up or round down. The photo shows students creating a number line using a copy of an 100s chart.

In Language, we are continuing to understand the idea of QAR by looking to see how we can make our answers even better. Ask your child what the photo below means.

In Science, we learned how magnetic force is considered one of the indirect forces through experimentation.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER........

• Report cards went home this past Friday with a letter stating whether an interview was needed or not. It is imperative that I get these letters back to me by Tuesday so I can accommodate anyone's schedule before this Thursday.
• February 13th-February 17th is Spirit Week
• Monday- Crazy Hair Day
• Tuesday- Red and White Day
• Wednesday- Chew Gum Day
• Thursday- Dress Like your Favourite Animal
• Friday- Pyjama Day
• 2nd Term Pizza and Subway Order Forms  now available on Cash Online
• DUE : FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17. 
• LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED

• Please ensure that you check your child's homework over once it is complete and take a moment to assist your child with any mistakes that may be found such as no upper case letters at the beginning of sentences or math answers that seem unreasonable. The few moments that you take will serve as an authentic teachable moment that I may not get to throughout the week.

• Please ensure that you see and sign the weekly spelling book your child brings home every Monday and writes about in the agenda. 

Hello Everyone,

In Math, our class continued to work with money. We practised buying 2 items at a store and had to ensure the right amount of change was given back. Some students commented on how there was no purpose to this seeing how a cash register does all the math for you in real life. We relied on brain power and not on the modern conveniences of technology to work on this concept. ;)

In Language, we continue to look at Question Answer Relationships (QAR) but are now providing evidence to answer the questions in a more specific and detailed way.

We began our Science presentations on Science in Sports. They are fabulous. The students are well rehearsed and confident to speak in front of their peers.

We also had a special treat. Ms. Diamond brought in part of a mammoth's tusk for the class to see. Lots of good discussion was centered around this artifact.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER........

*Subway Day on Tuesday for those who ordered it.

*Family Dance on Friday at Pius. See advertisement below.

*Report cards going home on Friday

*Pizza/Subway orders for second half of school year due Feb. 17th. See advertisement below.

2nd Term Pizza and Subway Order Forms  now available on Cash Online DUE : FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17. NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  Click here to register or sign into your account and pay Cash Online. You can use debit or credit card.  Snow Days - If pizza or subway food orders fall on a snow day, it will be cancelled.   Mark Your Calendar for 2nd term food days.  Pizza Tuesdays: March 21, 28 April 11, 18, 25 May 9, 16, 23, 30 June 13, 20, 27 Subway Tuesdays: March 7 April 4 May 2 June 6