Author: jbennett31

All parents are invited to join us for K-5 for Kabbalat Shabbat in the gym on Friday December 21st at 1:30 pm.

The Grade Three class  is very excited about the OJCS Reading Challenge. We have already read 156 books in just three days! Adam P. is keeping a tally of books read, and I have a feeling he will be graphing our monthly results as well. Miss M. and I are so excited to see so much reading happening at home and school. We hope the children do not try to stay up until midnight reading 🙂 Miss M, and I have to start our reading too, as we are asked each morning about the books we are reading.

Our class voted for a Knesset Grade 3 Representative on Friday afternoon. A number of students put up posters and made a speech to the class. We kept the whole process low key as this was their first election. We  told the children to share why they would make a good grade representative to the Knesset. The candidates got up in front of the class and delivered the most heartfelt and  sincere speeches. One candidate told the class that he thought Grade 3 was the best class, and how he wanted to share the class with the whole school. Another candidate shared that he was a good listener, and he would bring forth all the ideas from Grade 3. All the candidates did a fabulous job and demonstrated respect for each other. The children had a difficult time voting for just one person.  Congratulations to Adam L. and Emmett for being chosen as our Grade 3 Rep, and alternate Grade 3 Rep. They will make excellent leaders for our class. It was an afternoon to remember!

The Grade 3 class was challenged to design and build a watering device for the plants they have grown. The children were so excited to design and test their devices.  Over the course of few classes, the children tested, and adjusted their plans as they tried to build the best watering device possible. An amazing thing started to happen in the class, the children started to help and encourage each other. One student told the whole class, “You don’t fail until you stop trying”. The children cheered each other on as they watched the watering devices in action. They helped each other fix the leaks – yes we did have water all over, but it was worth it! All the children were highly engaged and putting forth their best efforts. I am getting excited for more STEM challenges with Grade 3.

The Grade 3 and 4 classes got together at the beginning of the year, to discuss leadership, and what it means to be a good leader. The students created a list of proactive leadership skills that will help them become positive leaders at school. The students each made their own leader to put onto  class ‘Leader’ships. One student came up to talk with me to let me know that he couldn’t  promise to do everything on the list. The classes then had a meaningful discussion about the times when it is hard to be patient, and be a good listener. We talked about trying our very best each day, and improving upon skills that are difficult for us. All the teachers have full confidence in the students, and the positive leaders they can be this year. We are getting excited for an amazing year!

 

 

As you all know by now, we had a very special visit to Hillel Lodge last week. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the Grade 3 students and residents of Hillel Lodge in a pre-Rosh Hashanah event. We learned how to braid challah for the Ottawa Kosher Food Bank. The children enjoyed meeting an important Canadian leader. It was wonderful to see the Prime Minister take time to talk with each student and resident. I loved watching how proud one student was to introduce his great bubby to the Prime Minister. Another student was happy that the Prime Minister remembered going to his house a few years ago for Rosh Hashanah and asked how his family was doing. Following are their impressions: “It was cool meeting the Prime Minister, he was really nice. I had a lot of fun!”, ” I liked meeting Prime Minister Trudeau, he talked to all us.” It was a special afternoon, and a beautiful way to start the new school year!