What's new!!

First thing is the diorama projects, which are due for Monday. Here is a copy of the assignment. The students have had 12+ classes to work on these so hopefully they are well on their way to being complete. They are also encouraged to use Showbie, which is an app or site that is used to store their written work in.

Next up is the digestive system design project they are suppose to make. I have sent home a sheet with it that has to be completed as well. They can bring in their model or email me a picture of it. Here is an example;

The students assignment looks like this: 

We also had a juggler come by and perform for us. His name was Robin Chestnut and he also worked with the kids to show them how to get started. 

Have a good weekend! 

Potlatch newsletter

This is the current edited version letter I sent home. Sorry I copied an old one! 

Book orders

Today I called to see what was taking the book order so long to get here and apparently there was a problem with their system on the day I placed an order. A few people have reported the same problem and there is no record of the order at all. They have switched to a new system and so I will have to put the order in again tomorrow when I return! Sorry for the delay, as I know I was excited for the order, as many of the students were and are! 

Update

Today in class I spoke to the kids about how grade 5 is the year to work on becoming more responsible for their work. We have had 2 items that were assigned as homework if they were not done in class. Most kids did get it done in class or did it as homework but a few didn't accomplish either. I explained how it will never go away (the work) and if you are not getting much done in class the result will always be homework. Some will obviously be working to catch-up during "finish up Friday" time. Unsure if this is pertaining to your child then just check the agenda and see if there was a note put in there during the week. 

Other news: 

Students will be having a quiz on Monday  on nutrition. They will need to know what fats, carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins/minerals are. They also need to know how to read a label in a food item. Finally they also need to understand the way the food guide is set-up and what kids their age should be eating. I have included this information incase they forget to bring it home.

Next week we will be starting some art that goes along with studying the Northwest coast tribes. Eventually this will include making plaster masks and holding a Potlatch. Look for a newsletter to come home about this. 

In Science we are needing some flyers with food pictures in them so please send any in that you may have. 

Presentation September 15th

PAs your child might have already told you, we are going to have a special presentation that has recently been created on September 15th, after morning recess. I have included a picture of the information for you to read over as well. The most exciting part, I think for the kids, is that a television company will be here filming parts for a news report. I think it is CTV, but don't quote me on that. I will double check media release forms to see if any students cannot be included in the footage. Thanks. (I hope it isn't too blurry for you!) 

First homework! Yah!

This is my "bucket" of 10 items that I shared with the class. It may come in a box, bucket or bag of any type and there must be 10 items. I expect them to be brought in on Monday. The items I chose present me...

The Rubik cube represents my son who loves puzzles. 

The book because I love to read.

The medal for coaching basketball which I also play. 

The calculator because I love math. 

The pencil because I love doing art. I am a good artist.

I have an eraser because I have an eraser collection and did when I was little. 

I have a games price because I love to play games. 

The Elsa doll to represent my daughter who loves Frozen. 

An inhaler because I have asthma.

These are glasses because I need them but need a new pair. 

I hope this helps your child to make a collection to share with the class. Have a great weekend! 

Welcome back to a new school year!

I am excited for a new year with a few new faces in the class. I think this year is going to be one of the best years ever! Remember to bring your forms that were given to you at the meeting. Also please make sure you have indoor shoes and your gym stuff.

I will be sending home some curriculum information and your home reading program on Friday! Make sure you ask me any questions or voice any concerns right away so we can have a great start to the year. My email is wjensen@sjsd.net. See you Friday at 8:35 am sharp!

P.S. I hope you liked the cookie!

Hoja

Today the acapella group Hoja performed at Athlone. They were awesome and had a powerful message about anti-bullying! 

We learned about the water cycle in Science and there will be a quiz on Monday. 

Tomorrow we are going to see the play "In the Woods". A few students still need permission slips in but they were away today. Many kids are falling ill and the class so I have reminded the kids to properly wash their hands all the time. 

Also a permission slip was sent home about the Track and Field Day. They are both white so don't be confused. 

Important Dates And News

Hoja will be performing at Athlone on May 10th in the morning. They were a musical group that came a couple years back and the kids loved them. 

The Grade 5s will be bussing to see the play put on by the Bruce students. On May 11th in the morning (permission slips were due back for Friday the 6th.)

A few students will be playing in a volleyball tournament on May 12th. This only applies to a few kids. The original letter had said May 11th but there was a notice sent home about a date change. 

Our TIA artists comes Monday for the first of 3 visits. He will be doing some Beat box and music stuff with the kids. 

Mrs. Carter has a few letters to send home to parents who may be available to help with the plant orders and all of the sorting that is needed. I will send it with students who I think maybe their parents might be available. If you want to help and don't get one just let me know. 

Things We've Been Doing

In Language Arts, we have been working on a poetry unit and just finished making these 3 stanza haiku poems about the seasons. Another part of that includes these personifications!

We will soon be starting our debates and persuasive essays. 

Also to end the year we are reading a novel called "Indian Captive". This is based on a true story of Mary Jamieson whose family was attacked and captured during the battles for the continent. When seperated from her family she was forced to live as a member of the Seneca tribe. Eventually her feelings transform and she grows to love the life, even refusing to leave. It ties in well with our Social Studies too. 

Getting back into track

Sorry I haven't been blogging much about the class as home life is crazy busy. I will try and be more consistent for you. 

First let me update you:

The toy sale took place on Wednesday and Thursday this week (was a purple sheet sent home). 

E-night went well and we had about half the students in our class stay and help out for the evening. They did a great job and people loved the activities. 

Running club has started in the mornings and there is a volleyball program that some students were selected to participate in based on an expressed interest in gym class. 

We will be having a unit test on patterns and relations on Monday next week (May 2). A review booklet will be sent home this week. Some students didn't do well in the quiz on patterns because they confused the rule with the pattern, which made it hard to answer a couple of questions. I think the quiz has helped them to differentiate between the two. 

We have a field trip booked for June 6 at the Manitoba Museum and more information will be sent home. I will post some other important dates when I am back in the classroom on Monday. 

Pink Day tomorrow!

Not sure how many kids will remember but it is Pink day tomorrow to show how how we stand up to bullying. 

Also there will be a science quiz on Monday. It will be about the phases of matter and their characteristics. Also the change of state model. Here is a replica of what they have to use for studying. 

Your child also received a fundraiser booklet for ordering plants. What a great idea! They aren't much different in price from what you would pay at a store. 

We are just finishing up writing our Memoirs and also our exaggerated versions. Many of the kids have shown progress in their writing and continue working on their goals. 

In social studies we are making advertisements through a keynote presentation that would have enticed people to come live in New France. Once they are done you should be able to view them in showbie! I am also still marking the board games and students will be able to bring them home for the whole family to play soon. They did a pretty good job on them but still need to work on revising their writing parts. There was an overall improvement from their design project of the diorama though. Many were able to develop a better plan and make sure to use the design process  properly. 

Yes I am Fly Guy for character day today! 

Symphony and change for the retest in math

Tomorrow will not be the retest day for math. I am feeling a bit under the weather (okay, very much under the weather.) Incase I don't make it in on Friday I am going to reschedule the re-test for Wednesday. This will ensure I am there to give it. Thanks for your understanding. 

On a positive note we did enjoy the symphony today. It was centered around the Olympic theme. 

We will do something for Valentine's Day in the afternoon, even if I am away. Students are welcomed to bring cards but must include everyone. Treats can be brought in but make sure they are nut free. 

Science fair forms are being sent home for those who wish to participate.

Have a good long weekend!

Math test

I have marked the math tests for number concepts and the students did alright. I found that many are still developing test taking strategies and I will continue to work with them on this. For example they need to skin the test first and do questions they know first. This helps reduce stress. Many students need to ask for help on questions because the worst thing I can say is "I can't tell you that" but the best thing is you understand better to get the correct answer. 

I am going to offer a retest which will take place on Friday. I will send home additional review package to complete at home and will offer a help session after school on Thursday from 3:15 to 4:00. 

I will send the tests home tomorrow to get signed and returned. 

Sorry it's been awhile...

Where to begin...

1. We have been working on our board games for Social Studies on an European Explorer who came to Canada. The students have one more double class and then we will test them on Tuesday. After the first test they can change anything that needs to be changed. I will post an outline on Monday of what the assignment entailed. Students seem to have improved in their planning compared with the last project. (Sorry I thought I had saved a post as a draft which did have thre pictures in it but it has dissappeared.) 

2. Math night is on Tuesday! Hope you can make it! 

3. Permission slips for 2 performances we are going to were sent home. Not sure about volunteers so will check into it. One is the divisional performance called the Lion King and the other is for the symphony. 

4. There was a review package sent home for math. It should be used like a mini test. Have the students try to do all the questions without reference. Then try to look back on the ones that were hard. We will go through the answers in class the day before the test. I have moved the test to Friday as we have one last section to go through and that is adding/subtracting decimals. (Get out the money!) and we may do more on estimating. The test has multiple choice and some long answer.

5. This week is kindness week and many things will be going on. I will add a picture of that information tomorrow at school. 

6. In LA we are reading Maniac Magee as a class and writing memoirs which we will turn into tall tales. Once they are finished then they will be posted.