Oct. 31- Nov. 7

This week in math the students continued to work on solving problems involving patterning. We looked at several types of problems, including open response and multiple choice questions. The grade 6s began to work on patterns of divisibility. There will be a quiz on patterning on Monday. 

We continued to discuss our first inquiry topic, which is overcoming challenges and learning from failure, and read the book,  "Nelson Mandella," while focusing on the skill of inferring.  We also watched this inspirational video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c62Aqdlzvqk, and students discussed and answered questions in groups, then recorded their thinking on the board. 

Students also wrote a cloze reading quiz, which tests the use of context clues to understand. Ask your child about his/her quiz and strategies to improve this reading skill. Students read a text on Michael J. Fox, which is included in this week's homework, and applied skills that we've learned, such as summarizing and finding the main idea. 

In science students presented their research on the human body and space in the form of a power point. We've also begun to prepare for our field trip next week! In art the students collected leaves from around our yard and created multi-media prints. 

Important upcoming dates:

Monday, Nov. 3rd: pool, math quiz on patterning

Tuesday, Nov 4th: field trip to the science centre

Thursday, Nov. 6th: homework due, spelling quiz

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each night. Practise making inferences. What is the author saying without saying it directly? 

2) Prepare for your book chat. Due dates vary. (Many are finished.)

3) Complete the math work on patterning. 

4) Study this week's spelling words: your own personal list, and the 3rd 10 spelling demons. There will be a quiz on Thursday.

5) Answer the questions on Michael J. Fox. Re-read the text to answer the questions.
6) Complete the Bitstrip comic assignment on patterning: Make a comic showing a pattern (increasing or decreasing pattern) in the panels. Use 4-8 panels. Use creativity when creating your comic but make sure that the pattern can be figured out. You may use characters who are explaining or counting the objects that are increasing or decreasing in numbers, use speech or thought bubbles for the characters or captions for the panel. Remember to use copy and paste to save some time! 

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Oct. 24-31

This week in math the students continued to solve problems using patterns. We looked at linear patterns, ( 2, 4, 8, 16), as well as patterns in tables and on geoboards. Students also worked on showing their understanding of patterning through word problems.  Students participated in "author's chair," reading their independent writing work to the class or listening to others' work. They also engaged in a heated debate on who should be our next mayor. They participated in a mock vote in room 27, and were able to cast a ballot for the candidate of their choice. Much of the students' time this week was spent working on research and preparation for their science power point presentations, which will continue to be presented next week. 

Important upcoming dates:

Monday, Oct. 28thth: pool 

Thursday, Oct. 30th: homework due, spelling quiz 

Friday, Oct. 31st: Halloween parade at 1PM

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each night. 

2) Begin to prepare or plan for your book chat. Due dates vary. (Some are finished.)

3) Complete the math work on patterning. 

4) Complete the cursive practice. 

5) Study this week's spelling words: your own personal list, and the second 10 spelling demons. There will be a quiz on Thursday.

6) Write a letter to a character in a book that you are reading or you read most recently. Use my model to help you. 

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Oct. 17- Oct. 24

This week in math the students had a quiz on long divison, long multiplication, order of operations for grade 6's and word problems.  Tests are going home on Friday to be signed, corrected as much as possible and returned on Monday. We also began a new unit on patterning this week. 

We continued to discuss our first inquiry topic, which is overcoming challenges and learning from failure, and read the book,  "Gandhi: A March to the Sea" while focusing on the skill of summarizing.  We also discussed Malala's  Nobel Peace Prize win and watched her interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjGL6YY6oMs Students then wrote questions that they would ask Malala if they could interview her, then took turns role playing and answering their questions. Students also finished and evaluated their independent writing work. It was interesting to see the wide variety of writing interests, from poetry to comics to chapters of novels. 

In science students began to research new topics related to space, (gr. 6), and the human body, (gr. 5.) Students will present their research in the form of a power point. 

Important upcoming dates:

Monday, Oct. 20th: pool, Centennial celebration assembly 9:15AM
Tuesday, Oct. 21st: sports team day
Wednesday, Oct. 22nd: favourite singer/ band day

Thursday, Oct. 23rd: homework due AND dress like any decade day
Friday, Oct. 24th: spelling quiz and Willy wear day
Saturday, Oct. 25th: Centennial celebration! 

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each night. Practise the "say something" strategy while you read and after.

2) Begin to prepare or plan for your book chat. Due dates vary. 

3) Complete the math work on patterning.

4) Memorize the 7 times tables and review 3-6.

5) Complete the cursive and cloze reading activity. 

6) Study this week's spelling words: your own personal list, and the first 10 spelling demons. There will be a quiz on Friday.

6) Grade 6's: Complete the science work by researching and answering the questions. 

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Oct. 10-17

This week in math the students worked on solving word problems, including multi-step problems. The students also practised a different way to do long multiplication, called lattice multiplication. There will be a math quiz on Wednesday that will cover long divison, long multiplication, order of operations for grade 6's and word problems.  

We continued to discuss our first inquiry topic, which is overcoming challenges and learning from failure, and read the book, "Something Beautiful," while focusing on the skill of finding the main idea.  We also watched this powerful video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE,  and discussed then wrote a response to the question: "Did he fail? Why or why not? Justify your answer. " This could lead to some rich conversations at home as well. 

Students finished and evaluated their personal narrative stories and continued with independent writing. The students also began personal spelling lists to help focus on challenging words and how to remember them. Students received their CASI marks, which is a reading test, and reflected on how to improve. Ask your child about his/ her mark and how he/she can improve their reading responses. 

In science students finished their presentations on planets and body systems. We also did an election poll for our upcoming municipal election. The results of our class poll were:

Olivia Chow: 1
John Tory: 8
Doug Ford: 3
other: 0
undecided: 4
absent: 7

It looks like it's still anyone's race in room 21!

Important upcoming dates:

Monday, Oct. 13th: Thanksgiving

Tuesday, Oct. 14th: picture day! 
Wednesday, Oct. 15th: math quiz

Monday, Oct. 20th: pool ( We'll have pool on Mondays for a few weeks.) 

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each night. 

Because it is Thanksgiving weekend, no other homework will be assigned. A book chat assignment has been included in the homework folder. Students will sign up for a time in the next month to present their book chat. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Oct. 3-10

This week in math the students worked on long division.  We continued to discuss our first inquiry topic, which is overcoming challenges, and focused on Ruby Bridges. The students created a triple Venn diagram comparing Ruby Bridges, Terry Fox and Malala- lots of deep thinking! We also practised the strategy, "say something." Have your child explain the strategy to you and practise it while reading at home. 

We spent some time talking about failure, and how failure is sometimes part of learning and growing. 

The students also continued to work on independent writing and their personal narratives. They  "made friends" with the dictionaries and thesauruses and we looked at how to use each tool to help improve their writing.  In science the grade 6s presented their infographic posters on planets, while the grade 5s presented their life-sized posters of the different human body systems. We also began to discuss the different levels of government in Canada, and the upcoming municipal election, which lead to a heated conversation! 

Important upcoming dates:

Thursday, Oct. 9th: cross country meet

Friday, October 10th: homework due; pool (homework is due on Friday because of the meet)

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each night. 

2) Complete the cursive worksheets. 

3) Complete the math work on long division and the 6 times tables mad math minute. 

4) Complete the spelling work on " i before e, except after c."

5) Complete the reading activity on Rick Hansen and answer the questions. 

6) Start to gather information about who you will vote for in the municipal election.

7) Watch the following movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUpl0HDGq1Q

Comment below on the blog by answering this question: Much like book authors, screenwriters write movies with a message. Based on the trailer, what do you think the screenwriter's message is? (What is he/she trying to teach the world?)

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson