Principal’s Message:
Anyone Can Learn Math
If you follow the news, you may have heard or read that in the province of Ontario, we are working very hard to improve the teaching of Mathematics. Here at Sprucedale Public School we are working together to improve our math teaching.
In this month’s newsletter I am asking for your help at home with mathematics. One of the most important parts of learning is believing that you can do something or you can learn something. When we as parents say, “I’m rotten at math”, our children hear it and internalize that message as perhaps they are not able to learn mathematics. It is my belief that everybody has a math brain. In schools, we are realizing now that different people approach mathematics in a different way and that we need to learn to understand different ways of thinking. Everybody can learn math – with good teaching, with time, and support. We honour lots of different ways to do math. That means, please do not hesitate to show your child something about math for fear of not doing in the same way the teacher does it. Let your child know that there is more than one way to solve any math problem and that ultimately it helps you understand if you think of different approaches.
The second math idea I would like you to consider is that it is really important that children learn to think flexibly with numbers. What this means is that children understand that numbers can be put together and taken apart in lots of different ways. For example, the number 22 can be thought of as:
- 10 plus 10 plus 2
- Two more than 20
- Three less than 25
- Two tens and a two ones
- Twenty-two ones
- Two dimes and two pennies (quickly losing meaning for our youngest students in a penniless world)
We find people who are able to calculate well are very good at taking apart and putting numbers back together in very simple and user friendly ways. In other words, they find easy ways to do the math. For example when someone adds 29 and 15 they might think of 29 plus 14 plus one. They might first add the one to 29 to make 30 ( a easier number to work with than 29). Next they might add the 10 from the 14 to make 40 and then finally add the 4 to make 44. This is not the only way to mentally add 29 and 15. Many of you will have completely different ways.
You can help at home by being positive about mathematics, not hesitating to show your children your way of doing a question, and helping children to think of different ways to represent numbers. A ministry resource that might be helpful can be found at: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/parentguidenumen.pdf
I would love to hear your thoughts on the best way to teach mathematics. Please drop in and chat or give me a call.
Don Rauser
Very proud principal of Sprucedale Public School
Community Dance Brings Sizable Donation for the Playground
Thank you to our community partnersJ
Thanks to the generosity and hard work of our community groups, our Community Playground Fund has grown by 4000 dollars. This donation is the result of the community dance that was held on Saturday October 15th at the pavilion. It was a very fun evening with live music by Thorn and Roses. Our thanks go out to the members of the Shakespeare Optimists, the Shakespeare Opti-Mrs., the Shakespeare Firefighters Association, the Shakespeare Athletic Association, Sprucedale Public School School Council, Shakespeare Men’s Club and the Shakespeare Presbyterian Church. We would also like to thank the band, Rose and Thorns for their donation to the Playground Fund.
Remembrance Day Assembly
On Friday November 11, 2016 we will be having a Remembrance Day Assembly to honour our veterans and teach the children about Remembrance Day. The assembly will begin at approximately 10 a.m. Parents and grandparents are welcome to join us if they are able to do so.
Madd Canada Presentation for Grades 7 and 8 students
On Friday November 18th Madd Canada will be giving a presentation to grade 7 and 8 students on the dangers of impaired driving and getting into a vehicle with an impaired driver. The presentation includes a film entitled “In the Blink of an Eye”. Given how serious the subject matter is, the film is quite graphic. We ask parents of grade 7&8 students to review the trailer ahead of time. The trailer can be viewed at madd.ca/pages/programs/youth-services/school-programs/in-the-blink-of-an-eye/
A letter will also go home to grade 7 and 8 parents. We encourage all students to attend but as always we respect parents decisions regarding participation.
Parent Teacher Interviews
We are hoping to see all of you on the evening of Thursday, November 3rd or the morning of Friday, November 4th for our Parent Teacher Interviews. Education always works best when school and home work together. Good communication is an integral part of that partnership. At any time, please do not hesitate to contact the school if we can help with learning, either academic or social. If you are unsure of your interview time, please do not hesitate to contact the school at 519 625-8722
Dance-a-Thon
On Friday November 25th the students at Sprucedale Public School are going to dance the day away for a good cause. The Sprucedale School Council in conjunction with students and staff are hosting a dance-a-thon to have some fun and raise money for the new Playground. We are thinking the theme is going to be Beach Party – watch for Pledge Sheets and more information to come home soon.
Homework Help Online for Grades 7 to 10
We often hear from parents of older students that it is more difficult to support them at home with their math homework because it becomes increasingly complex. If your child is having difficulty, the first course of action is always to ask for help from the classroom teacher. Another option for those evenings and weekends when Mr. Hernden or Mrs Knechtel are not available is to visit Homework Help online. This is a free service that all of our grade seven and eight students have been registered with. They have access to one on one math help with Ontario Teachers. It is available 24/7 at no charge. There are also lots of math resources to review any concept. More info at homeworkhelp.ilc.org . On Thursday November 3rd our intermediate students will have a presentation to learn more about homeworkhelp online. My own son is in grade ten and we have found the website helpful.
Kindergarten Registration for September 2017
Kindergarten registration for September 2017 will be held at Sprucedale during the morning of Tuesday, November 22. Children born in 2013 are eligible for Junior Kindergarten during the 2017/2018 school year and children born in 2012 are eligible for Senior Kindergarten during the 2017/2018 school year. Registration packages are in the office. Please phone the school or drop into the office to register for an appointment and receive your package.
Scholastic Book Fair
The book fair is running this week in the library. It will be open Wednesday, November 2 at morning recess, Thursday, November 3 at both recesses and between 4:30 and 6:30 during parent/teacher interviews and Friday November 4 from 9:00 to 11:00 during parent/teacher interviews. Proceeds from the book fair help to buy books for our library.
Shakespeare Men’s Club Scares Away Hunger Supports Sprucedale Student Nutrition Program
The Shakespeare Men’s Club held their 6th annual Halloween Food Drive at their “Haunted Tour”. The Men’s Club accepted food donations to support the school’s Student Nutrition Program. Thanks to Barry Nowack and all of the members of the club for their continued support.
Me to We Food Drive Results
This year Me to We wanted to collect 500 non-perishable food items. We greatly surpassed that goal and collected 750 non-perishable food items. We would like to thank the parents/guardians who bought and sent in the food for us to reach our goal. The food that we have collected will be going to local food banks. We’ve collected enough food to feed 375 families. Mrs. Reinecker’s class ended up collecting the most food with 166 cans, beating Mrs. Yantzi’s class by 15 cans. Good job Sprucedale. Let’s try to get 1,000 cans next year.
By Makena and Lauryn