May 9-13

This week in math students learned how to convert different units of measurement. They learned the mnemonic device "King Henry Doesn't Usually Drink Chocolate Milk," to help them remember how to convert the different units. Next week we will investigate mass and capacity. There will be a quiz on conversions on Wednesday. 

In science and language students presented their infographic on the human body and space. Students also evaluated their persuasive business letters, which will be returned next week. We will mail the letters next week. Please send a stamp with your child if he/she would like to mail their letter. 

Finally, our class performed in the spring concert. I was blown away by the talent and teamwork that the class displayed! 

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each day.

2) Complete the language work on editing and prefixes.

3) Complete the math work on conversions. 

Important upcoming dates:
Thursday, May 19th: pool

Friday, May 20th: homework due

May 2-6

Our week started out with a field trip to the Science Centre! Grade 6's participated in the Mission to Mars, while grade 5's learned about transformations of energy and about the human body in workshops. In our debrief back at school, students had a lot of highlights to discuss. Many thanks to our parent volunteers, Susan, Jamie, Howard and Mark, for coming with us! 

This week in math students continued to practice transforming objects, by translating, rotating and reflecting.  Students also created 3D solids from  top, side and front drawings. Grade 6's worked on creating isometric drawings of 3D shapes. Students wrote a math quiz on Thursday, which will go home to be signed on Monday. Our next unit is on measurement, including metric conversions and calculating volume.  

In language students completed their persuasive business letter. Students also began to research for a science/language mini project. Grade 5's are researching about the human body, while grade 6's are learning more about space. Both grades will create an infographic text about their chosen topic, and will present the information to the class.  

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each day.

2) Read the text about Roberta Bondar and answer the questions. 

3) Complete the math work on geometry. 

Important upcoming dates:

Thursday, May 12th: pool, homework due, spring concert (Start time is 6:30, and rm.     21 is performing. Please drop off students around 6:15.) 

April 25-29

This week in math students practiced transforming objects, by translating, rotating and reflecting. We also reviewed the names of 3D solids and matched the solids with their nets. Students also drew top, side and front perspectives of 3D solids. 

In language students began their outline and rough drafts of their persuasive business letter. We wrote a letter together as a class and shared the writing, revising and editing process. We will continue to work on the letters next week. The due date for the final copy is Friday, May 6th. 

We also finished our read aloud of the novel, "A Night Divided." One of the highlights of my week was witnessing the entire class chanting, "Read aloud! Read aloud!" when we were about to finish the book. It was an exciting novel, and gave us all a first hand perspective of life in East Germany in the 60's. I think that we all appreciate freedom in a new way after having read this book. 

Finally, we had a field trip to the Fox theatre where we watched an independent eco film entitled, "Chemerical." As a debrief we discussed how the film impacted us as viewers and from an environmental standpoint. Students now have a membership to Take Action films where they can watch other films made by the same producer. 

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each day.

2) Read the article, "Astronauts Return from Year in Space" and answer the questions.

3) Complete the math work on transformations. 

Important upcoming dates:

Monday, May 2nd: field trip to Science Centre

Thursday, May 5th: pool, math quiz

Friday, May 6th: persuasive writing due (This is being written in class, but final copies may be typed at home.)

April 18-22

This week in math students learned about the different types of transformations, including translations, rotations and reflections. In science students presented their device, toy or product that shows a transformation of energy. Students also presented their commercial to sell their device. In addition, students presented their speeches. (It was a busy week!)  I was so impressed with the students' writing and delivery!

This week we began our last inquiry of the year, which centres around the question, "What does it mean to be Canadian?" We analyzed the work of Canadian artists at the AGO and brainstormed a list of key values. Students will choose a key value and issue, and will write a persuasive business letter to a person in Canada in a position of value to try to create change. 

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each day.

2) Choose a topic for your letter and research if necessary. 

Important upcoming dates:

Tuesday, April 26: track and field day (AM for juniors) 

Thursday, April 28: pool

Friday, April 29: Fox theatre field trip

Monday, Mar. 2: Science Centre field trip

April 11-15

This week in math students reviewed concepts in decimals and wrote a quiz on decimals. That quiz included percents and ratios for grade 6s. The quiz will be handed back to go home to be signed early next week. Our next strand will be geometry. 

In language and science students continued their project of creating a toy, device or product that transforms energy. They are also creating a commercial to sell their product. 

Students also continued to work on a speech that will be presented to the class. Students will refined their science projects, commercials and speeches during the week. They will present next week. 

On Thursday our class took a trip to the AGO. We looked at the works of various Canadian artists, including Tom Thomson and Lauren Harris. In the afternoon students participated in a workshop, creating prints. Many thanks to our parent volunteers, Howard and Tanja, for coming with us!

Homework for this week:

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each day.

2) Practice saying your speech so that you're ready to present on your due date. 

Important upcoming dates:

Thursday, April 21: grad photos, pool

Friday, April 29: Earth day

April 4-8

This week in math students learned how to divide decimal numbers by 10, 100, 1000 and how to use long division when dividing decimals. Grade 6s also learned how to multiply by 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001, as well as how to calculate percent and use ratios. There will be a quiz next Wednesday. The quiz will cover fractions, decimals and, for grade 6s, percent and ratios. 

In language and science students continued their project of creating a toy, device or product that transforms energy. They are also creating a commercial to sell their product. 

Students also continued to work on a speech that will be presented to the class. Students will refine their science projects, commercials and speeches next week. The following week they will present them to the class.  

Homework for this week: (Due on Wednesday, because of the field trip and PA day.)

1) Read for at least 20 minutes each day.

2) Complete the math.

3) Complete the comma and semi-colon practice. 

4) Practice saying your speech if you're finished writing it. (A reminder that rough drafts must be written at school.) 

Important upcoming dates:

Wed., Apr. 13: homework due, Day of Pink (Wear pink in support of anti-bullying.), math quiz

Thurs., Apr. 14: field trip to the AGO (no pool this week) 

Friday, April 15th: PA day

March 28- April 1

This week in math students learned how to add and subtract decimal numbers, as well as multiply them by 10, 100, 1000 and by another decimal number. Next week students will learn how to divide decimals. Grade 6s will learn how to multiply by 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001. 

In language and science students continued their project of creating a toy, device or product that transforms energy. I provided all the electrical equipment for the students from a store called Creatron. Students have been asked to provide additional materials, like boxes or Lego, from home. Students will continue to build their device this week. 

Students also started working on a speech that will be presented to the class. Students can choose any topic, and can choose to write to persuade, amuse or inform. They worked on brainstorming topics and creating an outline. We also read and watched several examples of speeches and evaluated the speakers. Students gave positive feedback and constructive criticism in order to develop a better understanding of how to write and deliver an effective speech. 

Homework for this week:

Homework will begin again starting on Friday, April 8th. Students need to continue to read for at least 20 minutes each day.

Important upcoming dates:

Thursday, April 7th; pool

Wed., Apr. 13: day of pink

Thurs., Apr. 14: field trip to the AGO

Friday, April 15th: PA day