We are heading into the latter part of the first term. There are a few updates about coming events:
• Thursday, Nov. 18 craft making in the morning (also photo retakes)
• Thursday, Nov. 26 pizza day sponsored by Lightfoot class
• Thursday, Dec. 3 Goldstream
• Wednesday, Dec. 9 Fulford Creek monitoring in the morning
• Tuesday, Dec. 15 Concert
We have started practicing our skit "Noel" with Mary Freeman
There are other events happening which will be added as they come up. Whole school events are usually on the Fulford School calendar.
Please make sure that your child has a change of clothes, inside shoes suitable for wearing in the gym, and boots or solid shoes for outside. It is muddy!

A few important dates coming up!
• Wed. Nov. 4 - We are walking to the Fulford Estuary for the afternoon. Parents are welcome. Contact me if you want to come along and be involved in our scientific study of the estuary.
• Tues, Nov. 10 - Ganges field trip (Swim, Remembrance Ceremony at GISS, and play at Artspring)
• Dec 3 - Goldstream field trip with K-1 class

Just a few updates:
Thursday is pizza day. Our class is sponsoring it and thank you for all the prompt orders.
If any parents have time to help on Thursday that is appreciated. Please call or email.
Other important dates:
•
• Nov. 10 Remembrance Ceremony at the High School, we are going (updates to follow)
• Dec. 3 Goldstream Field Trip (updates to follow) Parents are welcome
• Parent help is always encouraged. Please contact me!
• Keep reading at home with your children, the reading logs are up to date. Thank you!

Just a few updates:
The students have been asked to bring a sock for their dried apple puppet. This is not a new or fancy sock, just a lonely clean used sock that we will use to make the body for the puppet. Please don't fret, we will have extras. We will also soon be doing our science monitoring in the Fulford estuary with Cate McEwen.
In Math, we are working on place value and regrouping.
I have been very impressed with our class in a group commitment to work on fitness. This can be shown very clearly in our active bar graph in the hallway where we keep track of our laps run around the soccer pitch.
Great job, everyone!

You child should have brought home a home reading log today. What should your child read? Hopefully, something enjoyable but also "just right". This means challenging and engaging choices but not material that requires frequent prompts and frustration for the reader. We can work out appropriate books brought from the school that will work for the reader.
Most forms have been returned regarding our field trip to Cusheon Cove next week. Thank you!
We are having a pre-session with our Conservancy coordinator on Thursday. Also this week:
• Bus safety on Tuesday before lunch play
• Making dried apple monsters Tuesday afternoon
• Wednesday early dismissal (11:30) There are still sign up times for Wednesday afternoon but we can also work out other times to meet

We are starting to make characters out of dried apples for a puppet play. This will be part of an integrated unit which will dramatize the Magna Carta!  (in time for Hallowe'en)
Please check out the Fulford School newsletter for other school information.
Also, it looks like the kids are bringing excellent big snacks and lunches. Candy and pop are discouraged as part of regular lunches and snacks.
Thanks!
Lindsay (Mr. MacQueen)

Welcome to a new school year! Our class is grades 3 and 4 and we have 21 students. The intention of this blog is to keep parents updated and provide a venue for student work and showcase our learning experiences. There are a few housekeeping details. Please return all appropriate forms that come your way and also the student fee is greatly appreciated.
Some important dates coming up:
• Sept. 23 - early dismissal 11:30 (sign up sheet in class or contact school for appointment)
• Sept. 29 - field trip to Cusheon Cove (permission slips to be sent out on Wed. Sept 16)
• Sept. 21 - start of Home Reading Program
My email is lmacqueen@sd64.bc.ca, home phone is 250-653-2018. I hope to see you on the 23rd but you can pop by the school or we can arrange other times if you want to meet.
I hope to update this blog weekly or as necessary.
It's been a great start!
Lindsay (Mr. MacQueen)

Just a note to update for next week:
Monday - School picnic at Drummond in the afternoon. In the morning we will be preparing for student led conferences on Tuesday afternoon

Tuesday - morning preparing for afternoon conferences
Afternoon from 1:30 to 2:30. Students will lead their parents on a brief tour. Come any time during the hour. There will be juice and treats in the room. The conference itself should only be about 15 minutes.

Wednesday - Class pizza party at lunch. I will provide pizza, students may bring something to share.
There will be an appreciation tea for parents and volunteers from 2 to 3

Thursday - early dismissal (11:30) Report cards are handed out, recognition certificates are given out in our room, and it is also the grade 5 leaving ceremony

Tomorrow, June 3, we are walking to Drummond Park in the afternoon. We will leave a little after 1 and we will be walking from the school. We will return to Fulford School on the bus just before 3. Students need to wear footwear appropriate for shallow water. This can be boots or crocs or water shoes.
The purpose of our trip is to explore a low tide with Cate McEwen who is our school's Scientist and Water Expert.

We had an excellent field trip to Burgoyne Bay last week. Thanks so much to Neal, Sofiya's Dad, Shaun, Ares' Dad, and Marcia, Nina's Mom, for their chaperoning skills on this trip. We learned a lot about the intertidal zone.
We are working on our track and field skills. Next Tuesday, the 26th, the grade 4's are going to Portlock Park for the District Meet. Grade 3's will stay at Fulford for the annual "Fun Day". Parents are welcome at both events. Please contact me for details.
Please make sure that your cildren have good footwear for running and jumping at school. Also lots of nutritious food and water bottles.

So far, we have had excellent presentations on boating safety and awareness when we are swimming and playing in and on the water. Thanks so much to the Marine Search and Rescue and Rainbow Road Pool!
Next week we will be finishing our swimming fun and learning at the Rainbow Road Pool on Tuesday morning. Also, we are involved in the Shoreline cleanup on Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday we are going to Burgoyne Bay.
We have been working on Body Systems in Science and we have been learning about IPAD Adobe Voice presentations with the help of Mr. Lightfoot.
Please make sure that your kids have a hat, lots of water, and plenty of healthy snacks at school. We are spending way more time outside.
Track and Field is our PE focus. We will be running hard and working on our skills in several events.

Here are some important dates that have so far been booked:
• April 23, 1:00 pm - Spring showcase
• April 28, 9:00 to 11:00 (including travel time) free swim lesson at the pool for MacQueen class
• April 30, afternoon (clay project)
• May 4, 10:30 to 11:30 - Boating safety presentation
• May 5, morning swim lesson
• May 6, clay in the afternoon
• May 7, environmental art with Lisa Lipsett in the afternoon
• May 12, swim lesson in the morning and shoreline cleanup in the afternoon
• May 13, Conservancy field trip to Burgoyne Bay
• May 14,  Lisa Lipsett afternoon
• May 20, Grade 4/5 Rock Camp Show (Rock Kamp is every Tues 11 to 12 before this date)
• May 21, Lisa Lipsett afternoon
• May 26, Grade 4/5 track meet
• May 28, Lisa Lipsett afternoon
• June 4, Lisa Lipsett afternoon

We are also at the time of year when we are low in class supplies. It would be great if all students had refreshers of pencils, erasers, etc. for the remainder of the year. Also, it is super important to hydrate, drink water, at school. It is better than juice which often has too much sugar.
Please check the school newsletter and calendar for other events.
As mentioned, free swim lessons have been offered at Rainbow Road  Pool. This is a great opportunity, and I am sure that all students will benefit in honing their skills and staying fit.

Another issue that has come up recently is that quite a few students, more than usual, are asking for food or saying that they do not have enough in theirs lunches. Please make sure that you talk to your child about lunches and snacks. We do have some extra food, and the kids are very good about sharing, but maybe there just needs to be a bit more food provided.

Sorry about the lack of info on this blog. I am currently setting up another site that will be more secure. I am uncomfortable with this type of blog which is open to the world wide web.
If you have concerns you can always email me, call me, or see me at school.
In Math we are currently working on fractions. In writing we are exploring various short poetry forms. In Science we are growing plants and we will soon be raising butterflies.
We will be moving into our track and field unit in PE.
Please check the Fulford newsletter for school wide activities.
Lindsay

We are into 2015 and in the next couple of months we will be:
• re-learning routines
• focusing on friendship and healthy relationships
• continuing our reading groups
In the subject areas, the breakdown is as follows:

Math
We are working on multiplication skills, and division/multiplication families. There will be regular problem-solving activities and integrated activities involving geometry, measurement, and application of skills. We are making journals.

Social Studies
We will be studying First Nations and Canada. We will also continue to explore mapping and community.

Science
We will be studying Earth sciences and continuing into Life sciences including eco systems and the biosphere. We will be doing hands on experiments involving elements and physical change.

Writing
We are learning about sentence structure and paragraphs. We are working on printing and cursive writing. We journal regularly and explore forms of poetry.

Reading
We are learning and developing strategies to increase fluency and appreciation of text.

Gym
We are learning basketball skills this term. We will also be playing hockey, building fitness, and playing cooperative games.

This blog is intended to inform and keep families up to date with what is happening in class and at school. Please also check the regular school newsletter. Mr. MacQueen (Lindsay)
can be reached at school or email, lmacqueen@sd64.bc.ca