Feb. 21-28

We've had a short but productive week! In math we've continued our work on fractions, converting mixed to improper fractions and back again, as well as finding equivalent fractions. Have your child explain these concepts to you to help strengthen his/her understanding. This week's homework is on equivalent fractions.

In language we viewed the students' rants using the Aurasma app. The rants were very well done, and demonstrated great passion and thinking! We also created graphic organizers, called Venn diagrams, that the students will use to complete this week's reading homework. In grammar we will focus on the use of the pronouns I and me, which will be applied to the reading homework. (The students will tell you that the incorrect use of these two words is a pet peeve of mine!) :-)

In science the grade 5's continued building bridges, while the grade 6's researched different types of sources of electricity and their advantages and disadvantages. They will present their findings next week.

In art the students finished mixed media works inspired by Paul Klee, and explained which elements and principles of design were most important in their work. They turned out to be very beautiful works of art! The students also created posters for the Olympics, which are hung in our room.

Finally, we have begun our third inquiry unit, on the topic of balancing our needs with others. We've begun to ask questions like, "How do we balance our needs with those of others?" and "How do we balance our needs with those of the planet?" We will use these questions to guide our thinking in all areas of the curriculum, including language, science and social studies.

This week's homework, which is due Thursday, Feb. 27th:

1) Review the times tables. This is so important for fraction and upcoming decimal work!
2) Read for at least 20 minutes each day and talk about what you read. 
3) Complete the assignments on Bitstrips that were started in computer lab. 
4) Complete the math work on equivalent fractions. 
5) Complete the character comparison:
Using your Venn diagram ideas, compare your personality traits with those of a character from a the book that you are currently reading. Choose at least two traits that are similar and two that are different. Be sure to include specific examples from the text. Also, be careful to use pronouns correctly and use compare/contrast transition words, such as also, similarly, both, but, on the other hand, whereas, however,  and while. 

Important dates:

Wed, Feb. 26th: pool and library
Thurs, Feb. 27th: homework due
Friday, Feb. 28th: junior ski trip to Dagmar

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson