Rm. 21 June Slideshow

Williamson Road Grad Slideshow, 2015

June 19-26

As I sit down to write this, it's hard to believe that this is the last week of the school year! It has flown by and it's truly been a pleasure. 

This week students have worked on culminating activities. In math students have been working on designing board games that involve probability. They've come up with some very creative ideas for board games. In language students we discussed the fact that music, including hip hop and rap are forms of poetry. Students are working on a final poem of their choice to perform at our upcoming poetry cafe on Tuesday.

In social studies students presented their projects on a First Nations group, European explorer or Canadian immigrant group. Students taught each other about their topic and answered questions from the class. These projects will be on display at our poetry cafe. 

In science grade 5s learned about the states of matter. We performed a couple of fun experiments involving freezies and popcorn to illustrate the "big ideas" in this strand of science. 

Finally, our grade 6s graduated today. I confess to having shed a tear more than once. Congratulations, Domenic, Ellie, Ben, Fiona, Isabella, Kalsia, Devin and Taylor. :-)

Important upcoming dates:

Tuesday, June 23rd: poetry cafe and celebration of learning (Parents are invited to attend.) 8:35- 11:25; Conquer Cancer with a Kick 3:45-4:30

Thursday, June 25th: last day of school- a bittersweet day :-)

Friday, June 26th: PA day

Homework for this week:

There is no homework for the rest of the year; however,  I spoke with the class this week about the importance of continuing to practise their skills over the summer. Simple workbooks used for even 10 minutes a day can help students retain their skills, particularly in math. These skills can be forgotten if they're not practised. I picked up a couple of Canadian Curriculum workbooks from Costco for my own children to use during the summer, and will ensure that they continue to read. The textbook Jump at Home, by John Mighton is also a good math text to use for extra practice. I don't suggest using these kinds of books for hours on end daily, as we want to develop our children into life-long, enthusiastic learners, but merely as a means to keep up the skills that the students have acquired. 

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

June 12-19

This week in math students wrote a quiz on probability that went home to be signed and returned. Students began a probability project, creating a board game that uses probability. 

In language students learned about the history of Japanese Canadians during WWII and wrote beautiful haiku poems on the topic. We also created cherry blossom art pieces. Our Junefest canvas is of cherry blossoms, and is dedicated to the Japanese Canadians who were put in internment camps in Canada during WWII. 

Due to the rescheduling of the track meet, I moved the due date for the social studies projects to Monday. On Monday students will present their projects to the class, and teach each other about their various topics. 

Important upcoming dates:

Monday, June 15th: social studies project due

Wednesday, June 17th: Mono Cliffs forms due for grade 5s

Thursday, June 18th: tour of Glen Ames for grade 6s

Friday, June 19th: pool for grade 5s, graduation for 6s

Tuesday, June 23rd: poetry cafe and celebration of learning (Parents are invited to attend.) 8:35- 11:25; Conquer Cancer with a Kick 3:45-4:30

Thursday, June 25th: last day of school- a bittersweet day :-)

Homework for this week:

There is no homework folder homework for this week. Students need to continue to read daily for at least 20 minutes each day. Social studies projects are due on Monday.

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Social Studies Project Success Criteria

Here is the success criteria for the social studies project that the students and I created together. 

June 5- June 12

This week in math students continued to work on solving problems involving probability. Students designed spinners that showed the probability of spinning blue as 0.2. They then performed experiments and we compared the theoretical vs. the experimental probability. 

In language and social studies students worked on the rough drafts of their paragraphs for their project, as well as their diary entry and art component. Students also learned what a bibliography is, and how to create one. We co-created the success criteria for the final presentation, which will be posted on the blog. 

We also read a beautiful book, featuring the art of Roy Vickers, entitled, "The Elders are Watching." We made text to text, and text to world connections to the book, including its connection to "War of the Eagles" and "The Lorax." Our Roy Vickers inspired paintings are hanging on display in rm. 21. Finally, we read parts of an article from the Globe and Mail entitled, " Truth and Reconciliation report calls for steps to improve First Nations' lives." 

Important upcoming dates:

Friday, June 5th: PA day

Wednesday, June 10th: probability quiz

Thursday, June 11th: social studies project due

Friday, June 12th: pool

Saturday, June 13th: Junefest  (Please send in your items for our beach basket by Thursday!)

Friday, June 19th: graduation

Tuesday, June 23rd: poetry cafe and celebration of learning (Parents are invited to attend.) 8:35- 11:25

Homework for this week:

There is no homework folder homework for this week. Students need to continue to read daily for at least 20 minutes each day. Also, social studies projects can now go home, as I have evaluated the process. Students can complete their final drafts at home. 

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson