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.