Hello Parents and Families of Division 12,

June is upon us, which means we have one month left in the school year. We still have plenty to do, so please remind your student that the school year doesn't end until the final day. With that said, we will have some fun activities, including a park day with our buddy class. More information regarding that will be sent home to parents via a formal notice.

Here is what we will be covering in regards to curriculum:

1) MATH: Area and Properties of 3D-Shapes
2) LA: Explorer Reports
3) SS: Finishing our unit on Explorers
4) SC: Light and Sound
5) PE: Field Sports continue
6) Health and Planning: Various Topics in Personal Planning
7) Spelling: Continues as Usual
8) Art: Paper Mache Dragons to be completed, followed by some seasonal 2D artwork

It's been a terrific year in Grade 4, and soon enough Div 12 students will be heading into Grade 5. Here's to a strong finish.

Dear Parents and Guardians,



Subject: MAY UPDATE



Well, here we stand with only 2 months remaining in the 2011-12 school year. It is an exciting time of year, but also a time when students must recommit to their studies, as we still have a number of tasks and topics to accomplish before summer break.



Here is our May curriculum update:



1. Math - Graphing, Geometry

2. LA - Developed Creative Story Writing - this is a major creative writing project that will take all of May to complete.

3. Reading - Stratified Reading Groups - some groups will begin reading novels

4. SC - We will complete Habitats and Communities, and most likely commence our Light and Sound Unit prior to June.

5. SS - Explorers! This is our final SS Unit. We will write another Research Report as a part of this unit.

6. Health and Planning - We proceed with various topics surround safety and personal planning.

7. Art - Paper Mache Dragons will likely take the greater part of May to complete.

8. PE - Field Sports and Games: Field Hockey, Soccer, California Kick-Ball, T-Ball, Capture the Flag, etc.



Here's the return of warm weather. Happy Spring!



~ Mr. Nast

Hello Families and Friends of Division 12 -

With Spring Break come and gone, we now have just 3 months left! And, with the students' academic abilities finely tuned, we will accomplish more in these last months than we have in any other equivalent period of time so far this year.

Here is the curriculum breakdown for April:

1. Math: Measurement and Time

2. Language Arts: First Nations Reports are almost done, then we will move to a lengthy creative writing project using The Writing Process and the 6 Traits of Writing.

3. Reading: Levelled guided reading groups continue, with texts increasing in length, and comprehension assignments continuing to become more unique and involved.

4. Science: Habitats and Communities (Biology) Unit

5. Health and Planning: Personal Safety, and Maturation

6. PE: A return to the outdoors! Field Lacrosse and various field games.

7. Art: Paper Mache Dragons

8. Spelling: Weekly word work continues.

Here's to a great month of April, and the return of warm weather.

Sincerely,

Mr. Nast

Hello Parents and Guardians of Division 12 ~

March is a month split down the middle thanks to our 2 week Spring Break holiday that begins on Saturday March 10th, and ends on Sunday March 25th. The first day back is Monday, March 26th.

Here is what we are currently working on in class:

1) Math: Fractions and Decimals
2) Social Studies: First Nations Studies
3) Science: Animal Habitats and Communities (starting after Spring Break)
4) Language Arts: First Nations research and report writing
6) Reading: Various leveled books and accompanying comprehension/extension assignments
7) Health and Planning: Various topics surrounding personal health and safety
8) Art: Painting (mixing hues, tints and shades), in preparation for making paper mache dragons
9) Spelling continues as usual
10) PE: Badminton, Scoops and Field Lacrosse

Current Major Projects:
1) First Nations Research Report and Technology Diorama (Due Date: Yet to be confirmed)

Once again, do not hesitate to contact me at the school if you wish to meet and discuss your student's progress.

I hope you have a great 2 week spring break.
Sincerely,
Mr. Nast

Hello Friends and Families of Division 12 -

February is upon us. Amazingly, this means we are crossing the threshold of the halfway mark to the year! Grade 5 is suddenly closer than the beginning of Grade 4...

Important upcoming dates to remember:

Feb.14th: Valentine's Day

Feb.17th: Pro-D Day / No school for students

Feb. 22nd: Symphony Field Trip

March 9th: Last day of school before Spring Break

March 26th: First day back from SB

April 6-9th: Easter Long Weekend

February Curriculum Update:

Math: Fractions

SS: First Nations Studies, Research, and Report Writing

SC: Habitats and Communities (starting when the content portion of our SS Unit finishes)

LA: Paragraph Writing, Report Writing, Grammar

Reading: Guided Reading Groups, Independent Reading

PE: Basketball, Fitness, Gym Games (+ our next team sport unit, which depends on the condition of the playing field)

ART: Elements of Art

Health and Planning: Various health and safety topics

Spelling: continues as usual

Here's to another great month in Grade 4 at Rogers! Please contact me by phone or by email to schedule a personal meeting to discuss your child's progress, or anything else :) Also, feel free to stop by the classroom.

- Mr. Nast

Hello Parents and Families of Division 12 ~

Happy New Year! Welcome back to the middle portion of the school year: a 2 month stretch to our Spring Break, which then runs from March 9th to March 26th. Hopefully everyone is feeling rejuvenated after a relaxing vacation, and ready to set down to work.

Here is what we will be doing in Grade 4 during this month:

1) LA: Paragraph Writing and Report Writing; Grammar

2) Reading: Guided Reading Groups and Comprehension exercises, plus independent reading

3) Math: Basic Division, Long Division and Graphing

4) SS: First Nations History in North America and Canada

5) PE: Basketball

6) Spelling

7) Health and Planning: Goal Setting and the "Friends for Life Program"

8) French: Simple Conversation (we are almost done French for the year)

9) Art: We continue to work through the "Elements of Art" by way of various projects each Friday afternoon

- feel free to drop by and join us during Art if you wish, Fridays from 1:30-2:30

Looking forward to a great January!

Sincerely,

Mr. Nast

Dear Parents and Guardians -

Amazingly another December is upon us. And, with winter holidays beginning on Dec. 17th, we are already only 2 weeks away from the end of the month. However, it is important to remember that we are still working very hard in class, right until the last day on Dec. 16th. That said, we will certainly take time in the coming weeks to mark the winter season - through Art projects, writing assignments, and other seasonal activities.

Specifically, this is what we will be doing in December:

1) Math: Division

2) Language Arts: Weather Book Talk Assignment

3) Reading: Focussed Reading Groups, with independent comprehension assignments

4) Spelling: Weekly home spelling assignments continue

4) Science: Our Unit on Weather continues and will be wrapped up.

5) PE: Floor Hockey and Gym Games

6) French: Basic conversation

7) Health and Planning: The Friends for Life Program (we are about 2/3 through this program now)

8) Computers: Basic PC and Internet usage (www.spellingcity.com<http://www.spellingcity.com>)

9) Performing Arts: Students are preparing for their winter performance

10) Visual Arts: We are currently working through the 7 elements of Art

As well, I encourage all parents and guardians to come into the class and say hello after school, especially if you are interested in a performance update for your student. I completely appreciate the challenges brought about by the current BCTF job action and am available for face-to-face consultations regarding your students' learning progress, challenges, and strategies for assisting at home.

Please call the school or email me if you would like to set up a meeting.

If I do not see you prior to the break: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Sincerely,

Mr. Nast