Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Suggestions for Learning from Home

Hi all.

i miss you

Know that I, and all your teachers at Ernest Morrow, are thinking about you during these times. I know that some of you will be looking for things to keep you busy, so the CBE has put out some suggestions for you. These are suggestions only for online resources, activities, and parent supports.

Next week is spring break, so please enjoy yourselves. Remember to connect with family and friends, even as it means doing so from a distance. Be kind to one another. And wash your hands ;)

"Children are naturally curious learners and there are opportunities at home to engage their learning. We have created a webpage that offers a variety of educational ideas to support literacy, numeracy and wellness at home for this week. The resources are meant as suggestions only. You may choose to use the links and activities as needed over the next few days as more long-term educational programming is considered."



Monday, March 16, 2020

March 16 Learning Resources

Important Information:

The purpose of teacher blogs is to inform students and their families of day-to-day learning and activities throughout the school year.  We will continue to communicate learning opportunities and will provide links to online learning resources through these blogs.


Important information related to all school decisions will continue to be emailed to parents/guardians and can also be found on the CBE website (www.cbe.ab.ca).



This week we are finishing the Integers Unit in Math and the Planet Earth Unit in Science. Below you will find many resources that students can access from home.

Math:
We continue to work on adding and subtracting integers pictorially, using integer tiles and number lines, and symbolically. These skills can then be applied to word problem solving.

In class we have been working on eight stations that will help students understand integer concepts and develop their integer skills.

Most students have completed some of these stations last week. Please work on those you have yet to complete or do extra practice if you feel this is needed.

***Stations 7 & 8 are a great way to reflect on your understanding and develop your skills.

Station 1: Use a number line: subtraction or addition
Station 2: Integer counters: subtraction using integer chips
Station 3: Row Game
Station 4: The Zero Principle
Station 5: Integer fact families practice
Station 6: Situations involving integers (word problem practice)
Station 7: Making up integer problems
Station 8: "Big Picture" Ideas about integers

Access khanacademy.org to learn more about adding and subtracting integers.

Integer Jeopardy might be a fun way to review key terms and concepts from this unit.

If you would like any extra help or resources email Mrs. Matheson at mammatheson@cbe.ab.ca.

Science:
We are learning about Fossils and the Geologic Time Scale. You can read about Fossils in the Fossils Presentation and watch the two videos on the last slide.

We will do a final poster project about the Geologic Time Scale.

Click this link for a description of the project requirements.

March 9 - March 13

Math

We continue to develop our integer skills. Students have learned several models to demonstrate addition and subtraction of integers including modeling with integer chips and the number line.



Science
- Students learned about rocks and minerals and mineral identification.


- Students completed a lab to identify the minerals pictured above using mineral properties and tests they learned about. This was a challenging lab and they problem solved like emerging scientists.

March 2 - March 6

Math
- we worked through real-world problems involving decimals
- Integers were introduced this week. Students did a pre-assessment
- We used a couple of analogies to develop concepts in Integers - Elevator Math, and the movie "Up"
- Students used number line and integer chip models to solve addition and subtraction questions that they made up on their own.

Science
- students completed their mountain landscape paintings from last week
- we watched a video about glaciers  What are glaciers, and how do they impact the land?
- Ms. Harbour came to our class to tell stories - both western and indigenous - about where the Okotoks "Big Rock" came from and how it got there.
- Additional info on the Okotoks Erratic
Alberta's Government Website
CYARK Okotoks Erratic Project
- students created a 6 panel "comic strip" that outlines the story of the big rock, either from a western science, or indigenous perspective.

Friday, February 28, 2020

Feb 24-28

Math
- we spent this week building understanding of division, using the area model from last week
- we examined different strategies for division, including repeated subtraction and the long division model.
- we used number strings to develop proofs for division.

Science
- we watched a video to demonstrate how mountains form at convergent boundaries and subduction zones How Mountains are Made
- Ms. B came by and taught us different techniques for watercolor painting.
- we are using the skills of careful observation in art and science to paint mountain landscapes in Alberta.

Upcomming Dates

March 20 - Non Instructional Day (no classes)
March 23 - April 5 - Spring Break (no classes)

Friday, February 21, 2020

Feb 18-21

Math
- we spent this week developing an understanding of multiplication using an area model like the one below
Image result for decimal multiplication area model
- we practiced multiplication using strategies like the box method and the standard algorithm.

Science
-students took notes from the textbook about 3 types of rock - Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary
- I did a demonstration of the rock cycle using crayons and heat. Ask your student about it.
- We completed a virtual lab activity on the Rock Cycle (see the previous blog post for more info)

Upcomming Dates

February 25 - Stampeders #EndBullying Presentation from 9-10AM
February 26 - Pink Shirt Day
February 27 - Calgary Hitmen Be Brave hockey game

Virtual Rock Lab

Today we are using an online lab to learn more about the different types of rocks and the rock cycle.
You will record your learning in a google doc:

Types of Rock and the Rock Cycle


  1. Open the doc
  2. Make a copy for yourself called "YourName_Types of Rock and the Rock Cycle"
  3. Share the copy with Mrs. Matheson using mammatheson@educbe.ca
  4. Answer all of the questions (fill in the blanks as necessary).

The virtual lab is at:

Suggestions for Learning from Home

Hi all. Know that I, and all your teachers at Ernest Morrow, are thinking about you during these times. I know that some of you will be ...