Sept. 26- Oct. 3

This week in math we continued our first numeracy unit. The grade 5s continued to work on multiplication, while the grade 6s learned to solve problems using the order of operations, or BEDMAS. There will be a quiz on these concepts on Tuesday, Sept. 30th. 

In language we continued our independent reading program and our read aloud of the novel, "I Am Malala."  We continued to discuss our first inquiry topic, which is overcoming challenges, and focused on Terry Fox. We now have some quotes by Terry up on our window to remind us of his strength.

The students continued to work on independent writing and we began to write personal narratives as well.  In science the grade 6s continued their inquiry on planets, while the grade 5s worked on their  life-sized posters of the different human body systems. 

Important upcoming dates:

Tuesday, Sept. 30th: math quiz -gr.  long multiplication, multiplying with multiples of 10 ; gr. 6s- long multiplication and order of operations (BEDMAS) 
Thursday, Oct. 2nd: homework due

Friday, Oct. 3rd: pool 

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each night. 

2) Complete the cursive worksheets. Students who wrote me a persuasive letter in cursive are exempt from this. Letters can be submitted anytime. 

3) Complete the math work. Review the 5 and 6 times tables. 

4) Complete the spelling work on plural nouns.

5) Complete the cloze reading activity by writing words in the blanks of the story that make the most sense. 

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Terry Fox Run

Sept. 19-26

This week in math we continued our first numeracy unit. The students are now working on long multiplication and solving problems involving multiplication. The students also tracked their 4 times table speed and progress by doing "mad math minutes" and graphing their speed. 

In language we continued our independent reading program and our read aloud of the novel, "I Am Malala."  We started to discuss our first inquiry topic, which is overcoming challenges. We watched this powerful video, and talked and wrote about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES5_B-1Golw

The students wrote a CASI test this week, which is a reading comprehension test. I will use this test to help guide my instruction. The students also began to work on independent writing by brainstorming topics and genres of interest to them. In science the grade 6's began an inquiry on planets, while the grade 5's began to create life-sized posters of the different human body systems. In art the students finished their beautiful "I Am" multi-media project, which are now on display outside the class. I'll be sure to send those home, as they're frame worthy! 

Important upcoming dates:

Thursday, Sept. 25: homework due

Friday, Sept 26: pool (Note: our pool day has been changed from day 3 to 4 in order to accommodate the strings program.)


Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each night. 

2) Complete the cursive worksheets. Those who would like to be exempt from practising cursive need to write me a persuasive letter in cursive explaining why they should be exempt. 

3) Complete the long multiplication worksheet and 4 times tables mad math minute. (Maybe you can race someone at home!)

4) Read over the list of high frequency words. Put a dot beside any word that you don't recognize right away. Practise reading those nightly. We will use this list in the future for spelling practice.  

5) Go to Bitstrips and complete the first assignment. You will need to put yourself in a comic and introduce yourself. Don't forget to spell check before you publish!


Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Sept. 12-19th

We've had another great week of learning in room 21! This week in math we continued our first numeracy unit. There will be a math quiz on Tuesday, Sept. 16th. The quiz will cover place value (numbers to 100 000 for grade 5's and 1 000 000 for grade 6's), as well as addition and subtraction of large numbers.  The students also tracked their 3 times table speed and progress by doing "mad math minutes" and graphing their speed. Many students were surprised by how much faster they got with practice through the week. 

In language we continued our independent reading program and finished final drafts of,  "A Letter to our Future Selves," which are now on display in the room. The students also wrote "I Am" poems about themselves. The students created a watercolour piece of art on which they will write their poems. We also continued our read aloud of the novel, "I Am Malala," which has already lead to some rich discussions and thinking. In science the grade 6's began to learn about their first unit, space, while the grade 5's began to study the human body. 

Important upcoming dates:

Tuesday, Sept. 16th: math quiz
Tuesday, Sept. 16th: BBQ and curriculum night (5:30-7:30)

Thursday, Sept. 18th: pool

Homework for this week:

1) Memorize the 4 times tables and review the 3's. Review for the quiz on Tuesday.
2) Read for at least 20 minutes each night. This is so important!! 

3) Go to Bitstrips and create your Avatar. 

4) Grade 5's, go to the link on the human body, and 6's to the link on the planets and play the game.  


Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Sept. 5th-11th

This week has flown by! We've been engaged in Tribes activities, such as community circle, as well as cooperative activites. This week in math we began our first numeracy unit, starting with place value.  In language we began our independent reading program. The class voted on an organization system for our class library, and chose to alphabetize by author's last name. Now we have a beautifully organized class library! . We also broke in our writing folders by beginning a piece entitled, "A Letter to our Future Selves." The students will read the letters again in June, 2015. We are working through the writing process of brainstorming, writing a draft, revising, editing, then writing a final draft, within the format of a friendly letter. We have sqeezed a lot into 4 days! 

Important upcoming dates:Thursday, Sept. 11th: pool
Tuesday, Sept. 16th: BBQ and curriculum night

Homework for this week:

1) memorize the 3 and 4 times tables ( if you haven't already)
2) read for at least 20 minutes each night

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Welcome to 2014-15!

Dear Parent,

I hope that you had a wonderful summer. I look forward to a working together to help your child achieve success and grow. My teaching philosophy is based on the Tribes method, which emphasizes mutual respect in order to create a safe, caring environment in which everyone can succeed.

I believe that parents and teachers must work as a team in order for students to be successful. As such, I ask you to please email me directly with any questions, concerns or information at msbronwyndavidson@gmail.com. You've made it to the blog, which I update every Friday with all important dates and homework.  You can subscribe to the site and receive automatic updates by clicking on the link “subscribe via email,” and adding your email address. I’m also available to discuss more pressing issues over the phone, or in person. The school’s phone number is 416 393-1740. I believe that any problem can be solved by communicating and working together.

I ask you to provide your child with the following items this week:

·      $7 for an agenda if you wish to purchase one for your child. The agenda is used as an organizational tool for your child to record homework., but if you wish that your child use another tool, like a notebook, that’s also fine.

·       pencils, an eraser, a highlighter and markers

·      memory stick (USB)

Here are a few other details:

·      Students should bring or wear running shoes to school every day for phys. ed., DPA (daily physical activity) and dance.

·      I have attached the homework policy for you to review.  

·      I have also included the schedule for room 21. If it helps with family organization to send swim suits and towels on Mondays, please do.

·      Please remember to return the contents of the September package ASAP.  Frances will thank us! J

I look forward to a great year together!

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson