Exploring Grade 4 with Mrs. Colhoun

This week in Social Studies, we began exploring the fur trade and its role in the development of Canada . Students worked on building their background knowledge and understanding of why the fur trade was so important in early Canadian history. To bring this learning to life, we participated in a hands-on simulation where students took on the roles of European traders and Indigenous peoples. Through trading furs for different goods, they experienced how trade works in a real-world context. Students quickly began to understand that trade involves: needs vs. wants supply and demand making choices based on what is available It was a fun and engaging way to deepen their understanding, and there were some great conversations and problem-solving happening throughout the activity!

  Math Update 🧮 This week, we focused on learning two strategies for multiplication: the standard algorithm and the grid method for solving 2-digit by 2-digit and 2-digit by 3-digit problems. Students worked hard to build their understanding of how numbers can be broken apart and multiplied in different ways. To make learning active and engaging, we did a “Scoot” activity where students moved around the room solving a variety of multiplication problems. This gave them lots of practice while keeping the energy high and encouraging collaboration. Great effort all around! A quick reminder that continued practice with basic multiplication facts is very important, as strong recall helps students tackle these more complex problems with confidence and efficiency. Flash cards are a simple and effective way to build speed and accuracy at home.

This week, our class launched an exciting new inquiry project all about space! 🚀 Students began by choosing a personal topic of interest—anything from planets and black holes to astronauts and space exploration. They are learning how to research using a variety of sources, including Epic Books , which offers both informational texts and videos. This is a shift from our previous research tasks, where materials were pre-selected, and students are doing a great job navigating these new resources more independently. Our focus is on gathering information in three key areas: General facts History Importance (Why it matters) Students are using prompting questions to guide their research and help them stay focused on key ideas. As we move forward, students will begin crafting clear sentences using transition words (e.g., first, next, also, finally) to organize their thinking. They will then use their research to create a Google Slides presentation to share their learning. It h...

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day STEM Challenge! 🐍 We had some festive fun in our classroom this week with a St. Patrick’s Day STEM challenge! Students were given a very important mission: help rid Ireland of snakes! Using only a limited set of materials, students worked in small groups to design and build a tool that could lift or carry pipe cleaner “snakes” out of Ireland —without using their hands directly. This activity encouraged students to: Think creatively and problem-solve Work collaboratively with their peers Test, adjust, and improve their designs There were many innovative solutions, and it was great to see students experimenting, learning from mistakes, and celebrating their successes together. A fun and hands-on way to bring a little STEM (and a little luck!) into our learning! 🍀

This week, our class had an exciting opportunity to work with Trickster Theatre as we explored the province of New Brunswick through drama and movement. Students learned how to work together using bamboo poles as part of the performance, practicing coordination, timing, and teamwork. As part of the process, students helped create the title of our show, “Fundy Fight,” inspired by the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy and the stories we explored about the province. It was wonderful to watch students collaborate, share ideas, and bring their learning to life on stage. Everyone did a fantastic job creating and performing, showing creativity, confidence, and teamwork throughout the week. Thank you to everyone who was able to come out and support the show on Thursday night . The students were so proud to share their hard work with you! 🎭

Our classroom has been full of meaningful collaboration and exciting new learning this week! Students participated in a collaborative jigsaw activity to explore how Canada’s natural and cultural heritage is protected. In small expert groups, students read and discussed how governments, conservation groups, and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities work alongside Parks Canada. They learned about important initiatives such as culture camps, science camps, land management, and the preservation of significant cultural and natural sites. Students then shared their expertise with new groups, which led to thoughtful conversations and deeper understanding. They practised important communication skills by explaining their ideas clearly, slowing down, repeating key points when needed, and ensuring their group members understood. It was wonderful to see students supporting one another and building confidence as both learners and leaders. We also had an exciting in-school field trip to laun...