Welcome to Grade 4!

Community. Collaboration. Compassion.

Welcome students and parents to a new and exciting year in Grade 4! I’m looking forward to sharing many wonderful learning experiences with you. Taking risks will become common practice in our classroom, and in doing so, we will learn to persevere and reach for our goals.

We are without a doubt a group of unique individuals. Together let's celebrate our diverse backgrounds, develop our skills and become aware of who we are as learners. We will work collaboratively to make our thinking visible, developing the appropriate mindset so that growth in all areas of our learning is achieved.

Growth Mindset... What is it? Throughout our learning journey, working collaboratively is important so that goals are reached - both as individuals and as a group. Nurturing the appropriate mindset (Carol Dweck) is key in order to grow in all areas of our learning. Being open-minded to new experiences will enrich our learning and deepen our understanding of what it means to be engaged, ethical citizens in a dynamic world (Graded School's Mission Statement).

What Makes You Say That?  These simple, but powerful words, activate our minds to build explanations from what we see or know. Embracing change and flexibility in our thinking allows us to develop our understandings and teaches us to consider multiple perspectives. Learning to reflect and make meaningful connections will create a culture of thinking for active, healthy and mindful living! 

Parents: Make your Child's Thinking Visible at Home!  Take a look at the following PDF that lists and explains ten applications to help you make your child's thinking visible. 

Josefina's CSI Thinking Routine: Who am I as a Learner?
 - Synthesizing and organizing ideas by capturing the heart through metaphors

Together, We Can Help Each Other Grow! This first of week of school, our class had the opportunity to write goals based on the Graded Core Values. Students, please take the time to read and share your goal with your parents. I wonder, in what ways could we support you so you can achieve your goal with success?

Ana Lucia: "My goal is to be more CURIOUS. I will take action by reading and researching more on my iPad. This goal is important to me because if I don't research and read, I will not be able to learn new facts." 

Julia: "My goal is to be more of a RISK-TAKER. I will take action by raising my hand up more in the class and speak in front of the class. This goal is important to me because if I'm not a risk-taker by raising my hand and presenting something to the class, I will never know if I'm right or wrong and I won't learn new things." 

Victor: "My goal is to be more CURIOUS. I will take action by asking more questions. This goal is important to me because asking questions is important for learning, so I could learn new things." 

Esther: "My goal is to be RISK-TAKER. I will be more involved in activities and raise my hands more often. I will also try to do my best when they ask questions. It is important because you can get over your fears and be brave. It can make you more confident."

Antonio: "My goal is to be a RISK-TAKER. I will take action by trying new stuff. This goal is important to me because I like to try new stuff and it helps me learn new subjects."

Yasser: "My goal is to be more BALANCED. I will take action by studying more. This goal is important to me because it is going to help me a lot with my grades." 

Gabriel: "My goal is to be more INNOVATIVE. I will take action by creating new things or sharing more ideas. This goal is important to me because when I grow up, I can be a good scientist." 

Brody: "My goal is to be more CURIOUS. I will take action by asking more questions. This goal is important to me because I don't ask that many questions when I actually need to, like on a test or a project. If I don't know something, I'll ask a question."

Rome: "My goal is to be more BALANCED. I will take action by doing a fair amount of things in the day - half learning, have playing. This goal is important to me because it's the best to have an equal amount of your time."

Thais: "My goal is to be more of a RISK-TAKER. I will take action by sharing my ideas with the class. This goal is important to me because how am I suppose to grow and have a job being shy and not speaking?!"

Moise: "My goal is to be more INCLUSIVE. I will take action by calling someone that is never played with. This goal is important to me because I want to make new friends."

Pedro: "My goal is to be more of a COMMUNICATOR. I will take action by communicating more and using other ways to communicate. This goal is important to me because I want to communicate or talk with better vocabulary and communicate with more people."

Anika: "My goal is to be more of a RISK-TAKER. I will take action by raising my hand to answer a question several times. This goal is important to me because it will help me to be more confident."

Isabella: "My goal is to be more RESPONSIBLE. I will take action by doing my stuff that I have to do and not wait. This goal is important to me because I need to work on it to help me use my time wisely."

Jasmine: "My goal is to be more RISK-TAKING. I will take action by maybe volunteering to go up and talk to the whole class. This goal is important to me because I want to be more open to people and not to be shy."

Josefina: "My goal is to be more of a RISK-TAKER. I will take action by talking in front of the class. This goal is important to me because I will pass from being shy and be more confident."

Ana Catherine: "My goal is to be more BALANCED. I will take action by playing with other friends. This goal is important to me because it is fun making new friends also."

Matteo: "My goal is to be more BALANCED. I will take action by talking less to my friends. This goal is important to me because I want to get better grades."

Gaia: "My goal is to be more RESPONSIBLE. I will take action by taking care of my things more. This goal is important to me because I normally lose my stuff and have it all messed up, so I really need to work on it."

Eduardo: "My goal is to be more REFLECTIVE. I will take action by learning by my mistakes. This goal is important to me because lots of times in school you are going to reflect."

Maria Paula: "My goal is to be more REFLECTIVE. I will take action by talking at the right time. This goal is important to me because I will become a better student."      

Bela: "My goal is to be more of a CRITICAL THINKER. I will take action by thinking harder thoughts. This goal is important to me because I need to get better at making connections in my learning."