Dec. 11-18

This week in math students worked on identifying parallel lines and sorting triangles by side and angle. There will be a second geometry quiz on Wednesday that will cover all the concepts learned in this unit: measuring, naming and creating angles, naming and drawing polygons, identifying lines of symmetry, rotational symmetry and sorting triangles by side and angle. 

In language students have continued to work with their literature circle group, reading a novel and meeting to discuss it.  Students finished writing a piece of dialogue, focussing on using the correct format. 

Homework for this week:

There is no homework this week or over the holidays. Students should continue to read daily. 

Important upcoming dates:

Tues., Dec. 15: TUSC field trip, choir to legislature

Wed., Dec. 16: math quiz, holiday concert (Room 21 is not performing; we will perform in the spring concert.)

Thursday, Dec. 17: pool

Friday, Dec. 11: school- wide pyjama day! 

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Dec. 4-11

This week in math students wrote a quiz on creating, measuring and naming angles. That quiz went home on Tuesday to be signed and returned. We also worked on identifying lines of symmetry and the order of rotational symmetry in figures.  

In art students finished a visual art project that answers one of our inquiry questions on empathy. Those pieces are now on display in the hall.

In language students have continued to work with their literature circle group, reading a novel and meeting to discuss it. Students finished their independent writing on Out of My Mind and completed a self evaluation. That work is also on display in the hall. Our class also learned how to use quotation marks to show dialogue in writing and began working on a piece of writing that includes dialogue. Additionally, students completed a self reflection of their learning skills by writing their own report card. 

Finally, I sent home a field trip permission form that needs to be returned by Monday, please. If any parent is able to come with us on that trip, your help would be appreciated!

Homework for this week:

1) Read and complete role sheets for literature circles.

2) Complete the math work.

3) Cursive practice.

4) Create a Bitstrips comic related to your literature circle novel.  

Important upcoming dates:

Tues., Dec. 8: literature circle meeting

Thursday, Dec. 10: pool, homework due

Friday, Dec. 11: literature circle meeting, craft sale (students need to bring $)

Wed., Dec. 15: TUSC field trip

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Nov. 27-Dec. 4

This week in math students learned how to create different types of polygons, including triangles, using a ruler, protractor and compass. There will be a quiz next Tuesday on this concept as well as creating, measuring and naming angles. 

In art students began to work on a visual art project that answers one of our inquiry questions on empathy. 

In language students have continued to work with their literature circle group, reading a novel and meeting to discuss it. We also had a celebration of our read aloud novel, "Out of My Mind." We had a book club type meeting together and had a quiz team challenge. Students are now working on a written response to the novel. Here is that assignment:

Out of My Mind Assignment

Choose one of the following ways, (#1-11),to respond to the book Out of My Mind. You can use this assignment as your next independent writing piece if you like. Use the writing process (outline, draft, revise, edit, final draft/ publish.) Remember to use 3 peer editors. The success criteria will be the same as for independent writing. This piece of writing will go up in the hall.

Rough draft due Tuesday, Dec. 1

1. Write a paragraph or essay on one of the following questions. (Remember a main idea, 3 supporting points, conclusion and transition words.)

a) Did you enjoy the book Out of My Mind? Explain.

b) What did this book teach you about empathy?

c) Some books are transformative- they change the reader. Describe how this book changed you.

d) Why did the author name the book, Out of my Mind?

e) Some characters are round and others are flat. (They’re also sometimes called dynamic vs. static.) Round characters change throughout the book, while flat characters stay the same. Choose characters from the book and explain in which ways they are round or flat.

2. Write a poem about the book, or a series of poems.

3. Write a song about the book. You could perform it if you would like to.

4. Write an epilogue for the book.

5. Re-write the ending or some part of the book.

6. Write an additional chapter or scene.

7. Write an interview. Include questions and answers.

8. Write a letter to the author or to a character.

9. Write an advice column to a character.

10. Write a prologue for the book.

11. Write a scene from a different character’s perspective.

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes every day. 
2) Complete the cursive practice.

3) Complete the cloze reading activities.

4) Complete the apostrophe practice. 

5) Review for the math quiz as needed. (Create angles, measure them, and name them.)
Important upcoming dates:

Tuesday, Dec. 1: math quiz, literature circle meeting
Thursday, Dec. 3rd: pool, homework due

Friday, Dec. 4th: literature circle meeting

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

French class update

Here is an update from Mme. Helder regarding French class:

In French class, we have been working on a unit about classroom supplies. This is an important unit because it gives students the vocabulary they need in order to communicate in simple, practical ways about the objects they use daily in the classroom. The kids have played a game where they had to guess what supplies were hidden in a bag, and a clue-like game where they had to use deduction skills to discover a secret sentence. These games helped them learn a few different ways to formulate questions and responses. They have also done some reading and listening activities throughout the unit. In the coming week, we are going to focus on prices, and we'll even create a shopping list and a budget. This is a great opportunity for some financial literacy learning. If you are looking for ways to extend their learning at home, here are a few ideas:

1. Involve them in the creation of a shopping list
2. Teach them a little bit about how you budget (shopping or groceries are a simple example)
3. Give opportunities for some real-life calculations while out shopping together
4. Practice French numbers as they can get complicated past 60! 

Our final activity will be to simulate a shopping experience, the kids are pretty excited about it! 

Thanks!

Sherise Helder

Nov. 20-27

This week in math students learned how to identify and create different kinds of angles, including acute, obtuse, straight, right and, for grade 6s, reflex angles. The class also discovered that all angles in a triangle add up to 180 degrees, while all angles in a quadrilateral add up to 360 degrees. 

In science the grade 5s wrote a quiz on the states of matter. That quiz went home yesterday to be signed and returned. We also visited Mr. Gilbert's class to see their science projects. I was impressed with how well the students in room 21 engaged the grade 2/3 students, and how kindly they responded to their great work. 

In art we started a piece on empathy. Students are using the creative process to plan, then create a piece of art that answers one of our inquiry questions about empathy. 

In language students began literature circles. Each student is in a group of 4-5 other students and together they will read their novel and meet twice a week to discuss it. We also (sadly) finished our read aloud of the novel Out of My Mind. Next week students will choose a way to response to the novel, including writing an epilogue, poem, creating a piece of art, a collage, or any other way that they would like to respond. 

Homework for this week:

1) Complete the math work on angles. (you will need a protractor) 

2) Read for at least 20 minutes every day. 

3) Complete your literature circle role sheets for Tuesday and Friday. 

4) Complete the cursive worksheet.

Important upcoming dates:

Tuesday, Nov. 24th: literature circle meeting #2

Thursday, Nov. 26th: homework due, pool

Friday, Nov. 27th: literature circle meeting #3

Monday, Nov. 30th: picture retakes

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Nov. 12-20

This week in math students wrote a quiz on data management. That quiz went home on Wednesday to be signed and returned. On Thursday we started our third math strand, which is geometry. We began with naming polygons and their key features. 

In science the grade 6s finished their inquiry on biodiversity with Ms. Salter's grade 6s. The grade 5s presented their song, rap or skit to help their classmates remember key science concepts about the states of matter. 

In art students learned about and practised the blind contour method of drawing. Students found it challenging, but also amusing! 

In language and social studies students presented their rants on a social or environmental issue. We also did a shared piece of writing for our veteran, Bob Fraser. Here is the letter that we created together: 

Wed., Nov. 11, 2015

Dear Bob,

We, the students of room 21, would like to thank you for all that you have done.  Because of your bravery, millions of people to this date have freedom. In our society, there are many ideas of what a hero looks like. To us, you are a true hero.  Not everyone has the strength and bravery to do what you did for our country. Not many people would selflessly risk their lives for others. We appreciate all that you have done. 

We hope that you realize the change that you’ve made in our world. You’ve given us hope, freedom and peace, and those are things that are priceless- gifts that cannot be bought. We will never forget you and everything that you have done. We cannot thank you enough. 

Sincerely, 

The students of room 21 (grades 5/6) and Ms. Davidson

Homework for this week:
1) Complete the math work polygons. 
2) Read for at least 20 minutes every day. (Your next reading response is due next week.)
3) Complete the cloze reading work.
4) Complete the editing for capital letter work. 
5) Complete your reading response.

6) Complete the cursive worksheet.


Important upcoming dates:

Thursday, Nov. 19th: homework due, pool

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Nov. 6-13

The first two months of school have flown by in room 21! We've been working hard and have had a great time learning together. 

In math students have been working on data management, which includes creating and interpreting graphs and data. Students have learned how to calculate the mean, median and mode from data. They also learned how to detect bias in graphs and how companies sometimes use bias in graphs. There will be a quiz on these concepts next Tuesday. 

Today we looked at this map and graph. The students described patterns, made inferences and asked further questions. As a class we came to the conclusion that some other countries do better than Ontario in math because their students 1) persist longer with problems, and 2) practise math skills more often, for more hours. I put up the anchor chart below to help us remember that success comes from persistence and practice. 

In language and social studies students have continued to refine and practise their rants on a social or environmental issue. Students began presentations yesterday and will continue next Monday and Tuesday. Students also wrote reading quizzes and recorded their marks in agendas, to be signed. Students completed and submitted their second independent writing this week as well. 

In science the grade 6s have been doing an inquiry in biodiversity with Ms. Salter's grade 6s. The grade 5s have been learning about states of matter. They have done some hands on experiments and worked on creating a song, rap or skit to help their classmates remember key concepts. 

In art we have been learning about figure drawing. Students learned about the correct body proportions and have practised using the spiral drawing method and the sausage method to draw figures. 

Finally, we have continued with our inquiry on empathy. Our read aloud novel, entitled, "Out of my Mind," has been very engaging and has created a great sense of community in our class. Together we have shared the ups and downs of the main character, Melody, as she has struggled with the challenge of life with cerebral palsy. 


Homework for this week:

1) Complete the math work on scatter plots. 
2) Read for at least 20 minutes every day. (Your next reading response is due in 1 1/2 weeks.) 
3) Read the text entitled, "An Outpost Disaster," and answer the questions. 
4) Complete the spelling work on plural spelling patterns. Practise those words. 
5) Practise your rant if you haven't presented yet. 


Important upcoming dates:

Tuesday, Nov. 10th: math quiz
Wednesday, Nov. 11th: pool, Remembrance day assembly
Thursday, Nov. 12th: homework due
Friday, Nov. 13th: PA day

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Sept. 21

Due to current job action, this blog will not be updated until further notice.

Sept. 18-25

This week in math students compared numbers to 100 000 for grade 5s and numbers to 1 000 000 for grade 6s. We also reviewed addition and subtraction of large numbers. There will be a quiz on these concepts, plus place value next Tuesday. 

In language we read the book, "The Best Parts of Me," and worked on creating our own photographs and pieces of writing. These are being displayed outside room 21. The learning goals were related to writing, art and learning to have appreciation for others by appreciating ourselves. 

In social studies we learned about the levels of government in Canada, and the major political parties. Students put themselves on a political line regarding their opinions about issues in Canada and the world, in order to better understand the stance of our political parties. 

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes every day.

2) Complete the math work on addition and subtraction.

3) Complete the cursive practice. If you would like to be exempt from cursive practice, write me a letter, in cursive, explaining why you don't need practice. 

4) Read the article on Syria and answer the questions. 

Important upcoming dates:

Tuesday, September 22nd: pool, math quiz

Thursday, September 24th: homework due

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

September 11-18

The first week of school has flown by! Despite the heat and roofing, we've had a great first week together. We began our week by learning the classroom routines, including our community agreements. The classroom agreements are based on the Tribes method. They are as follows:
1) mutual respect
2) attentive listening
3) appreciation/ no put-downs
4) the right to pass and participate
5) safety first
Please ask your child about these agreements and how they help a classroom function well. 

Even though the week has been short, we've packed a lot in! This week in math students worked in groups to create calendars that will be displayed throughout the school year. We also developed success criteria for working together with others. We reviewed place value from previous years and focussed on numbers to 100 000 for grade 5s and numbers to 1 000 000 for grade 6s. Students expressed their understanding of numbers by placing them in place value charts, and by writing them in expanded form, standard form and in words. You can help your child with these concepts by writing down large numbers, like 345 609, and having them say the number in words. 

In language we established our classroom routines for independent reading and discussed how readers choose books. We also discussed how to choose a "just right" book, in order to progress as readers. Students wrote letters to their future selves, which they will read again in June. We also wrote down all our "I Can'ts" and had a funeral for them. We've changed our "I Can'ts" to "I'm learning to," and "I'd like to improve upon." 

We began our first inquiry, which is "What is Empathy?" We will be discussing this question and those related to it, like, "How can empathy create change?" and "What happens when there is lack of empathy?" over the next few months. We read books together on the topic, including, "Is There Really a Human Race?" and "My Teacher is a Monster!"

Finally, many thanks to Maggie and her dad Patrick for our surprise learning experience this week. Patrick brought in baby chicks for us to see and hold. We learned that you can put a chick to sleep by rubbing its stomach. Who knew?! I was impressed with the level of empathy that the students showed the chicks, in their great care of them. 

Important upcoming dates:

Monday, September 14th: announcement about Mono Cliffs for grade 6s

Tuesday, September 15th: pool

Tuesday, September 22nd: welcome back BBQ

Homework for this week:

There is no homework folder homework for this week, as the grade 6s may be away next week. Students need to continue to read daily for at least 20 minutes each day. Any unfinished work will also go home to be completed for the next day. 

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson