We have been working hard in these first 10 days to learn routines and share with one another what each of us needs to create a happy, healthy and productive Grade 4 classroom. Listening respectfully and carefully to one another will help us to create and ensure this climate in our class throughout the year. In these opening weeks, our focus has been on learning to collaborate together, to think critically about challenges and problems that we are faced with, to make good choices and then to reflect on our contributions to the class.
At the end of our Measurement project we had designed our Ideal Classroom and shared our plans with Ms. Richards. She was so receptive to our ideas that she mentioned our project to the architect who is thinking about what a new Junior School would need. We were happy to meet with him and present our thoughts. From our designs, we came up with some common important features that we think would help our learning and make a classroom really great! We quickly created a Google presentation, where all our ideas were amalgamated and shared together. Below is the presentation we created.
The students in 4J all personally reflected on the Mother's Day Tea on their individual blogs. Feel free to follow their links on our home page to read their thoughts.
Today in school we had a visit from the Oak Bay Fire Department. Captain Gill shared a very serious movie explaining the importance of checking to make sure your smoke detectors have good batteries and are in working order. After that, the students toured the firehouse, tried on some turnout gear and asked the firefighters some questions. We learned how to be safe in an emergency and how important it is to have a fire plan at home.
What is your fire safety plan at home?
What does the saying 'Get Low and Go?' mean to you?
Alumnus Emily Reid came to visit and perform for the Junior School. Many years ago, Emily started Grade 4 at SMUS. She also went through the Middle and Senior School. After she finished Grade 12 she moved to Nashville to study music management and singing and songwriting. She came back to sing some of her original songs with us. Mr. Farish, Mr. Reid, Mrs. Smith and Ms. Williams, all SMUS music teachers, all played in the band that backed her up. Her music was beautiful, fun and entertaining. It was a great way to start our week. Also, she answered our questions. She said she got her inspiration from her family and the things that happen in her life. Thank you Emily.
How did you feel when Emily Reid performed for us?
In Grade 4, to celebrate our Brain Awareness Week, students researched an inquiry question of interest to them. They then researched this question using text and online resources, decided how they wanted to share their findings, and presented a final piece using a format of their choice to an audience of their choice. These projects were all very different but stemmed from our same Driving Question: How can we as Grade 4 students inquire into how the brain helps us live our lives? Here are two examples of the finished presentations.
Emily and Claudia's Prezi about dreams and the brain.
Marina's RSA animate about sleep and the brain.
How does our brain help us live our lives everyday?
Today in assembly a group of Grade 4 Green team members shared their own interpretation of the story, Winston of Churchill, One Bear's Battle Against Global Warming. We learned that we can all make a difference in ending global warming. Today the Green Team has challenged us to turn out the lights for the afternoon to save energy. Tomorrow we will be on 'litter patrol', Wednesday we will be focussing on recycling, on Thursday we will try and use less water and on Friday we are encoureaged to walk or bike to school. Well done Green team. Thanks Caoimhe and Emily for creating the video below.
We practiced mindfulness in assembly today. Mrs. Piazza explained to us that mindfulness is focussing one thing. Today we focussed on sound using Mrs. Piazza's 'singing bowl.' Also in assembly some members of the yoga club taught us some simple poses to help us calm our bodies and minds.
When we practice mindfulness, how does it make you feel?