Welcome Back

I hope you all had a wonderful Summer vacation filled with fun times with family and friends. We are now ready for a wonderful year of learning in grade 3. 

This year the students will have the opportunity to explore various concepts through centers. The classroom is designed with flexible seating, where the students are able to work in an area of the classroom that will best meet their learning needs. We have round tables for collaboration, a couch for a quiet space, wooden logs that bring the outdoors into our classroom, a lego table, and a standing table. Students will be encouraged to choose the most appropriate learning space based on their needs in order to meet with success. 

The students will have many opportunities to document their learning with the use of technology. We have iPads and Chromebooks available in the classroom for the students to publish their work. Our board believes strongly in the proper use of technology within our classrooms. We will consistently establish and review rules and appropriate behaviours when using technology and our Google accounts. Technology will be viewed as a privilege within our classroom. It will be reserved for those who can demonstrate being a good digital samaritan. 

We will be using the app Seesaw to document our learning throughout the year in both French and English subjects. The students will be bringing home a letter with information on how to log on. I have heard great reviews from teachers, parents, and student who use seesaw and have been incorporating the app within my classroom for the past two years. Parents are able to see what the students are learning throughout the day. You will be able to add your comments and encourage their learning processes throughout the day. I believe that this app helps with the dinner time discussion around the subject of "what did you do at school today?" They will no longer give the answer "nothing" :-) 

In terms of homework for the year, I will not be sending home weekly or nightly homework. We have so many learning opportunities during the school day. If you wish to further your child's learning at home there are two web-based programs that we will be using, mathletics and raz-kids. 

Mathletics: this is a great website to help students work on all the math concepts that are outlined in the Ontario curriculum. If you wish to help your child with concepts please work in the RAINFOREST section. If your child would like to work independently they may work in the ACTIVITIES section. I ask that parents DO NOT support their child in the ACTIVITIES section as the data is recorded and collected (as one way) for me to monitor their progress. 

Raz-kids: this is a great reading program that provides many leveled books with reading comprehension questions. If you wish to help your child with their reading I encourage you to read with your child for as little as 10 minutes a night. Ask your child deep and meaningful questions about their book and have them provide proof from the text to support their thinking. 

I will provide more information throughout the year on how to support their learning at home without the use of 'homework'. There are many conversations that can extend our school learning into their daily lives. 

I am looking forward to working with each child this year. It will be a fun filled year of learning. I can't wait to meet you all at our open house on Thursday, September 15th, 2016. 

Ms. Mousseau