Dec. 12-19

This week in math the students continued to work on geometry skills.  Students wrote a quiz that will go home to be signed on Monday. Next week we will start a new math unit on data management, focusing on creating and interpreting different types of graphs. 

This week continued their work in literature circles. The last literature circle meeting will be next Tuesday. Students will work with their group members to give a book chat to the class. Students finished their second piece of independent writing and began their third piece.

We also began our second inquiry, during which we will investigate the question, "What is Power?" We will investigate who has power and who is most powerless, as well as how we as citizens can exercise our power to create change. Students began a social studies project on a social issue. Grade 5s will investigate an issue in Canada, while grade 6s will explore an international issue. We watched this video on the issue of homelessness in Toronto to get us thinking about social issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8KQlhwmsII&feature=youtu.be. 

Last but not least, we finished our read aloud of "I am Malala." It was a hard book for me to finish because I enjoyed it so much. We now have quotes by Malala up on our window to remind us of her strength. We also watched part of Malala's Peace Prize acceptance speech. You can see her full speech here: http://community.malala.org/malala-nobel-prize-speech-871079750.html. Additionally, we read a beautiful picture book entitled, "Malala, A Brave Girl from Pakistan; Iqbal, A Brave Boy from Pakistan. Ask your child about this book and what he or she learned from it. 

Important upcoming dates:

Tuesday Dec. 16th:  last literature circle meeting

Wed, Dec. 17th: pool

Thursday, Dec. 18th: homework due 

Friday, Dec. 19th: last day before the holidays; pyjama day

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each night. This can be a book of your choice or your literature circle book. 

2) Complete your role sheet for Tuesday's meeting. 

3) Continue to collect quotes from your book. (7-10) In class next week you will complete your assignment, which will be to create a page of quotes, as well as write a paragraph on your opinion of the book.

4) Complete your research notes for your social studies project. Take point form notes on your topic that answer the questions in the assignment. Remember to write down your sources. 

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson