Multiplication and Division Update

Students in 4R and 4L have been working hard to learn and use their multiplication facts to answer basic multiplication questions up to 9x9 (and sometimes beyond!).  They have been solving problems with multiplication and are now working on division.  One way to solve division questions is to look for a reciprocal multiplication question.  For example for 21 divided by 3, remember that 3 x7 =21, so 21 divided by 3 must equal 7. Another strategy is to use a multiplication chart.  Here is a great website with a printable multiplication chart to practise both multiplication and division.  http://www.mathsisfun.com/tables.html.  Scroll down and you will find a Math Trainer on-line activity, great for building speed and accuracy with multiplication.  The direct link is http://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html.

If you have an iPod, iPad or iPhone, you may wish to try out the free My Math App for quick flashcard questions to practise at home and on the go!  We also have some boxes of flashcards available for use at home overnight or over a weekend.  Please help your son or daughter to build skill and confidence multiplying and dividing by using these tools and others and taking time each day to practise.  They are building skills that will last a lifetime! 

Yours in immersion education,
Sharon Richardson

C'est le printemps!

It is hard to believe that we are officially in Spring, yet here we are!  With temperatures in the 20s already, students in 4L and 4R are working up a sweat completing les marches à suivre (step-by-step instructions) in French class, multiplying double and single-digit numbers and solving multiplication problems in math, and experimenting with light in Science.  We have also begun our reward program for French in and out of the classroom.  4L and 4R said Bye Bye l'anglais! on the Friday before March Break.  Students are now expected to use French for the majority of their oral communication throughout the day.  We hand out coupons to students who use French to communicate in complete and authentic sentences. Est-ce que je peux... and other well-practised questions and expressions do not count.  We are looking for students to formulate sentences using familiar vocabulary and structures to express themselves effectively, not perfectly, in French. Madame Lafond and I are impressed with the effort and level of communication in both classes.  Bravo tout le monde! 

Un gros merci - a big thank you - to all of you who are supporting students at home by reviewing the weekly expression and tongue twister and helping our students find opportunities to practise these sayings throughout the week.  Please continue to encourage this fun use of French, and to provide an opportunity daily, if possible, for students to read in French and English.  Each student picks at least one French book from the class library each week, and should be recording his/her reading in both languages each week.  The expression page and the reading log are checked on Fridays. 

We would love to hear from you with any comments, questions, concerns or ideas!  Please call the school (613.969.0140) or send in a note with your child to share your thoughts and insights. 

Yours in immersion education,
Sharon Richardson