Best Wishes for Winter Break

The holidays are here!  Miss Kelly and I want to send out a big thank you for all the thoughtful gifts.  Your generosity and thoughtfulness is much appreciated.  We hope you all have a wonderful holiday and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!

Mrs. Soper & Miss Kelly

Homework Board - Thurs, Dec. 21

Homework Board - Tues, Dec. 19

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

Carolling started today at General Wolfe! It's one of my favourite Wolfe traditions.  It's pretty amazing to gather together as a school and sing - for whatever occasion!  We hope you can join us one morning this week. 

Friday is also the last day of school before Winter Break.  We will be having our gift exchange that morning, and a dance that afternoon.  We've attached a photo of the gift ideas in case you need some ideas.  Remember, generosity is about the thought not the money.

Happy holidays to everyone.

Mrs. Soper & Miss Kelly

Homework Board - Fri, Dec. 15

Thanks for the reminder Will!

Homework Board - Thurs, Dec. 14

French Verb Kahoot - Homework Board - Wed, Dec. 13

We started talking about French verbs today.  Try this Kahoot to practice!

Kindness & Generosity

Busy times in Division 3!  We've completed cards for seniors; we're collecting gifts for the Vancouver Christmas Bureau, and we are even prepping for some of our own festivities.  The kids have asked to have a gift exchange in class on Friday, Dec 22nd.  A notice went home with kids today, as well as was sent home through Remind this afternoon.  The gift should ideally be purchased by the student and is limited to between $7 and $12 before taxes.  Kids have posted gift ideas in the classroom for each other.  

We spent the month of November doing random acts of kindness.  Our goal was to hit 450 random acts in our a community, and we were way over!  Yahoo!  Once kindness kicks in, it just keeps on coming.  In the spirit of kindness, we are continuing our generosity this month.  Instead of an advent calendar, we have a kindness calendar.  Each day, we have a suggested act of kindness.  Maybe you've noticed some changes at home! (If not, ask why?)

Don't forget caroling is every morning next week!  

Mrs. Soper & Miss Kelly 

Homework Board - Fri, Dec. 8th

Not a great week for the blog... 😜 Next week will be better!

Homework Board - Thurs, Nov. 30

Homework Board - Wed, Nov. 29

Due Dates & VPL

Purdy's orders are due today!  Put those orders in to support Gr. 6/7 camp next year.  Also, today is the beginning of Theatrix's Lunchbox Theatre registration for interested Grade 5 students.  I am sorry to say the fliers did not make it home today, but check out this link to register.

This week, we are expanding our research skills.  We would like to encourage all students to bring their Vancouver Public Library cards to school in the coming weeks as we explore their databases.  If your child does not have a public library card, please fill out an application form and I can drop it off, or head to your nearest branch to get one.  

Thanks for your support!  

Miss Kelly & Mrs. Soper

Homework Board - Fri, Nov. 24

Homework Board - Thurs, Nov. 23

Homework Board - Wed, Nov 22

Homework Board - Tues, Nov 21

No Marks!?

Here is my explanation of the new marking system and communication of student learning.  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

NO MARKS!?

Perspectives

Division 3 has been spending time exploring different perspectives.  We started by talking about some often unheard voices in a war.  Now we are exploring current political movements and considering the perspectives of all of those involved.  We are beginning with the "Black Lives Matter" movement.  We don't know much about it so far, but we have a ton of questions!  This week, we will each choose one of our questions and see if we can answer it.  It will be our first foray into the Inquiry Process.

We have also introduced the new marking system that goes with the new report cards.  NO MARKS!?  There was a parent meeting at the school last week, and a letter went home with information about the new reports and marking system.  It included a link to the new reports.  Due to technical difficulties I can't post my overview tonight, but will work on it again tomorrow.  Check back!

Be sure to ask your child about our new marking/reporting system and why it is beneficial (even if the transition will be tricky).

Also, Ms. Husdon recommended a cool YouTuber, "How to ADHD."  It's a super interesting channel not only for those parents and kids with ADHD, but also for those of us just interested in the brain and how it works!


Mrs. Soper & Miss Kelly

Homework Board - Fri, Nov. 17

Homework Board - Thurs, Nov. 16

Homework Board - Wed, Nov 15

Homework Board - Tuesday, Nov 14

Don't forget, the Grade 5s are heading to the Symphony tomorrow.  Also, photo retake order forms went home today.   Be sure to ask your about them!

Miss Kelly & Mrs. Soper

Homework Board - Wed, Nov 8th

Homework Board - Tues, Nov 7

Remembrance and Kindness

As you know, Division 3 has been discussing some tough subjects around war lately.  In response, we are doing some random acts of kindness to spread peace and love in our community.  There are also two initiatives we are also participating in.  The first is through the Humanitarian Club.  They are raising money to buy a well for an underdeveloped nation through World Vision.  Their goal is $2500, which is about $150 a class.  Thanks to one generous family in our class, we have already hit our goal and we are trying to double it!  If this is something your family would like to support, feel free to send a donation before November 30th. We are also collecting leftover Halloween candy for the Salvation Army's Harbour Light Mission on the Downtown Eastside.   We will be collecting until the end of next week.   

Finally, a special thank you to the PAC and families of Wolfe for the new Space Net!  We are so fortunate in our community.  It's great to remember how lucky we are!  Check it out if you are around; it's high! 

Mrs. Soper & Miss Kelly

Homework Board - Friday, Nov 3

Questions And Remembrance

This afternoon we began our discussions about Remembrance Day with the reading of an amazing book called Rose Blanche. The book focusses on the experience of a Germany or French child and her interaction with children in a concentration camp.  As you can imagine, the students had many questions, and thanks to the knowledgeable, insightful, and empathetic students in our class our discussion was frank and truthful.  They made connections to Reconciliation and residential schools, to current conflicts, refugees, and even to tactics of warfare and power.  Our discussions and explorations/inquiry about this topic will continue over the next weeks, with a special focus on the different perspectives of warfare.  Your child may have questions, connections, or ideas they want to share.  Check in with them! 

On the flip side, Division 3 is doing good this month!  We are encouraging each other to do random acts of kindness.  In fact, we’d like to do a random act for everyone in the school (about 450 students and grown ups), so if your child unloads the dishwasher without being asked or helps his/her sibling with their homework - acknowledge it and spread it to someone else! With all this talk of war, we are spreading the love! 

Mrs. Soper & Miss Kelly 

Homework Board - Wed, Nov 1

Tuesday, Oct 31 Homework Board

Goals, Grade, & Games

Thank you to all the parents and students who joined us for conferences last week. Miss Kelly and
Mrs. Soper were thrilled to meet with everyone, and were happy to have the opportunity to speak about
the new report card and individual student goals. If you have any questions or comments about the new
reports, please feel free to contact us or Mrs. Nichols. This is a pilot program, so any feedback is helpful.

As part of the new reports, Miss Kelly is spearheading Fresh Grade in the classroom. It's a program that
enables students, teachers, and parents to communicate about assignments, curriculum, and goals
throughout the year. A mauve sheet went home last week with information to sign up. There are extras
at the front door, in case you didn't get one!

On Wednesday, we are having a short French spelling test on weather words. We have used these words
over the last month, and now it's time to nail them down! The following is a link to the
Kelly Soper Star quizlet page where you can find a unit on these 24 words. Practice, practice, practice!

Miss Kelly & Mrs. Soper

Homework Board - Thursday, Oct 26

Okay so it’s been a rough week for posting on the blog.  We still haven’t quite got the new routine.  The kids don’t remember without a teacher reminder,  and I don’t remember to post without their photos!  We will start fresh next week!  :)

Just a reminder that tomorrow is Play Day!  It’s one of my favourite things that we do at Wolfe.  It’s a truly magical thing watching big kids return to creative play.   Bring toys, games, books, puzzles, etc, no technology.  We are kicking it old school!  It’s going to be a great day.  

Mrs. Soper and Miss Kelly

Homework Board - Thurs, Oct 19

Goal Setting Next Week

Goal Setting conferences are next week.  Forms went home with each student today and need to be returned by Thursday.  We will try to accommodate everyone as best we can, and hope you can all attend.  The conferences will be formatted slightly differently this year in order to match our new report cards.  We hope you will find them informative!   

Mrs. Soper & Miss Kelly

Homework Board - Fri, Oct 13

Homework Board - Thurs, Oct 12

Homework Board - Wed, Oct 11

Homework Board - Tues, Oct 10

Homework Board - Fri, Oct 6

Happy Thanksgiving!  We are so very thankful for the lovely families in Division 3!

Homework Board - Thurs, Oct 5

Don't forget about the Walkathon tomorrow!  Our theme is old-timey robbers, so get your masks and prison stripes ready. 

Homework Board - Wed, Oct 4

Stay Well!

We are back to school and back to cold season.  In fact, on Friday afternoon 8 students from Division 3 were out of school! We'd really appreciate a donation of facial tissues (Kleenex) as well.  We only have 3 boxes so far this year and we are going through them quickly!

Here are some reminders on how to keep those germs away according to WebMD:

1. Wash your hands.

Hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent colds and flu.

Help your child lather up with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. To help her know how long that is, "sing the 'Happy Birthday' song twice," says Atlanta pediatrician Jennifer Shu, MD. Then have her rinse and dry hands well.

Let her know when to wash her hands. "I usually say wash after going to the bathroom, before eating, after coming in from outside, after using a tissue, and when the hands look dirty," Shu says.

If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer instead.

2. Use separate cups and utensils.

Kids often share drinks and food. But when someone has a cold or the flu, that can spread viruses.

Rubin recommends never sharing food or drinks, even if no one is sick. That makes the habit stick. Remember, people are often contagious before they start coughing or sniffling.

The same goes for you. "Parents can set a good example by doing the same and practicing in front of their children," says Yvonne Maldonado, MD, professor of pediatrics at Stanford School of Medicine.

3. Cough into your arm.

Teach your child to cough or sneeze into the inside of her elbow.

"In my opinion, the arm-crook sneeze/cough is the best public health invention since soap," says pediatrician David Hill, MD.

Show your child how. They should find it simple and silly enough to copy.

4. Get enough rest.

Kids need to get enough sleep: 10 to 11 hours a night for school-age children (ages 5 to 10) and more for younger kids. That can help their immune system work well and help them recover faster from cold or flu, Rubin says.

When your child has the flu, she'll probably want to sleep more. If she only has a cold and seems as active as ever, ask her to lie down and rest for a while, even if she doesn't fall asleep. Calm background music may help.

Tell her, "Just like eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep helps your body stay strong and fight germs," Shu says.

5. It’s OK to postpone a playdate.

Help your children understand that when they're sick, they need to stay home. If they go to playdates, birthday parties, and other activities when they're not feeling well, they can spread their germs.

"Teach them how to be a good citizen, that you occasionally don't get to go to the ballgame because you're sick, so you give your tickets to somebody else," Rubin says.

If your child is healthy and her friend has the sniffles, remind her to wash her hands before and after the playdate, and ask her not to touch her friend's hands.

Stay healthy and happy!  And don't forget about picture day this Wednesday.  

  

  

Homework Board - Thurs, Sept 28

Homework Board - Wed, Sept 27

Homework Board - Tues, Sept 26

Homework Board - Fri, Sept 22

Sorry I forgot about yesterday!

Homework Board - Wednesday, Sept 20

Homework Board - Tues, Sept 19

Happy Monday!

It was so nice meeting those of you who were able to make it to Meet the Teacher last week.  We look forward to meeting the rest of you as the year continues.  All parents should have received our Division 3 Welcome Package as well!  We encourage you sign up for Remind.com, so you can get the inside scoop on what we are doing in class.

Also, we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to platoon this year!  That means the Division 3 will be taught by other teachers throughout the year.  Applied Design will be divided into 4 short terms, with each term being taught by one of the following teachers: Miss Kelly, Mrs. Segers, Ms. Byrne, and Miss Walker.  Miss Walker will also be teaching Gr. 5 math and Gr. 6 social studies to both her class and ours.  Mrs. Soper will be teaching Gr. 6 math and Gr. 5 social studies.  If you have any questions about this, please feel free to send us an email.

This week, we will be creating reconciliation rocks.  On Sunday, Sept 24th Vancouver will be hosting a Walk for Reconciliation to help develop positive relations between Indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians.  Organizers asked children throughout the school district to create rocks that send positive messages to residential school survivors and their families.  Over the past 3 weeks, we have begun a discussion about Indigenous Canadians and the students have designed some amazing rocks with truly lovely messages.  We will be painting them this week and then delivering them to the walk.  The rocks will be given as gifts and put on display at Strathcona Park.  We encourage you and your families to join the walk, check out the website, or visit the display.

Walk for Reconciliation

Here's today's homework board:

Homework Board - Friday, Sept 15

Homework Board - Thursday, Sept 14