March Classroom Update

March is upon us!

February has been an exciting month, but we are definitely ready for Spring!

Help! We need magazines with colour pictures for our next art activity! Please send in any magazines with your child to school. These magazines will not be returned. Thank you!

Olympics 2018

Grade 5 and 6 students read the Toronto Star to keep up with everything happening in Pyeongchang this February. Students researched sports that they found interesting and wrote morning announcements to keep the whole school in the Olympics loop. We were so excited to see Canada earn their best ever medal count. Congrats Team Canada!

Young Writers of Canada - Writing Contest!

http://youngwritersofcanada.ca/contests/

Visit the Young Writers of Canada website to learn more about the Annual Young Writers Creative Writing Contest, open to students ages 5 - 18 years.

Theme is open, 360 words or less and one entry per writer. DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2018.

Upcoming Dates and Events:

March 1 - Movie Night! 

- Doors open at 5:30pm

- movie begins at 6pm

- tickets can only be purchased at the door

- Your $8 donation gets you admission to the movie (Coco), 1 slice of cheese pizza, 1 bottle of water

- ALL CHILDREN REQUIRE ADULT ACCOMPANIMENT!

March 5 - Raising Confident Competent Children workshop @ 9:30 am in the Gym 

March 5 - School Council Meeting - 7pm in the Library

March 7 - Wellness Night 5:30 - 7pm 

- paper agenda has been sent home

- wellness professionals will be joining us for presentations on many interesting topics including: posture awareness, homeopathy for mental health, appropriate footwear for joint paint, and many more!

- classrooms will be open for exploration

- our classroom will have a focus on "Healthy Eating for Children"

March 7 - Student Council PJ Day

March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17 -- Grade 6 VIP with YRP Officer Alex Hon -- 1:20 - 2:20pm

- more information to follow shortly

In our classroom...

Literacy

1. Book Talks
Students are in the process of presenting their second book talk. If you have not seen it already, ask your child to see their rubric from their first book talk. The rubric provides clear expectations, positive feedback, and steps for improvement.

Please ask your child when they are presenting their second book talk and ask them to practice with you at home. As a reminder, due to privacy issues, the schedule cannot be posted to this blog.

2. Newspaper Article Presentation

Each Monday we listen to two presentations about current events from around the world. Students are working on these presentations at home. Students are marked on their Oral and Visual Communication. The expectations, the rubric, and teacher sampled were shared with students. Please ask your child when they are presenting and ask them to practice with you at home. Due to privacy issues, the schedule cannot be posted to this blog.

Math

Our units on Linear Measurement and Addition and Subtraction are complete. We are currently working on Multiplication and Division. This unit will be completed by March Break.

Science

We are continuing with our Science Units.

Grade 5: Properties and Changes in Matter
Big Ideas:
- There are three states of matter. (Overall expectations 2 and 3) 
- Matter that changes state is still the same matter. (Overall expectations 2 and 3) 
- Physical change refers to the fact that a substance can be changed from one form to another. (Overall expectations 2 and 3) 
- Chemical change implies the formation of a new substance. (Overall expectations 2 and 3) 
- The properties of materials determine their use and may have an effect on society and the environment. (Overall expectation 1)

Grade 6: Electricity and Electrical Devices
Big Ideas:
- Electrical energy can be transformed into other forms of energy. (Overall expectations 2 and 3)
- Other forms of energy can be transformed into electrical energy. (Overall expectations 2 and 3) 
- Electrical energy plays a significant role in society, and its production has an impact on the environment. (Overall expectation 1) 
- Society must find ways to minimize the impact of energy production on the environment. (Overall expectation 1)

Homework Reflection Sheets - As discussed in September, students may have some homework each night. Generally, homework is work that has not been finished in class, but may be supplemented. Students who do not complete their homework in a timely or efficient manner will be asked to fill out a Reflection Sheet. This sheet will come home for a parent to sign and must be returned to school the following day.

Please remember...
©      Homework is always be written on the white board at the front of the classroom, and students are expected to record their homework in their agenda books daily.  The students are expected to come home with students at the end of the day, and must accompany them to school each morning.  Please look over your son’s/daughter’s agenda book with him/her each evening, and if necessary, aid him/her in completing the required homework.
©      Students should be spending between 30 and 60 minutes completing homework each weeknight. 

©      In addition to homework, students are also expected to read a text (e.g., books, magazines, newspapers, instruction manuals), for 30 minutes each evening. 

©      Homework will be checked for completion regularly. Failure to complete assigned homework on a regular basis will affect student’s Learning Skills, as per the Ontario Report Card, and has a strong impact on student learning.

©      If students do not have assigned homework for the evening, it would be beneficial for them to practise their math skills or their keyboarding skills.  Free websites are available online.  Some examples are http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/, and http://www.nimblefingers.com

©      If students are unable to complete their homework due to extenuating circumstances, they are expected to have a note in their agendas from parents explaining the circumstances.

Thank you for your interest in our classroom and in your child's learning! 

Mrs. Longo

Police Chief For A Day - Grade 5 Contest!

York Region District School Board is proud of its strong partnership with the York Regional Police. This year, we will have an opportunity to highlight our partnership and showcase the talents and abilities of our students through the Chief of Police for a Day contest. 

Grade 5 students are invited to participate in this essay and speaking competition. 

The contest is sponsored by the York Regional Police Appreciation Dinner Committee and the winner will be asked to present his or her speech at the 26th Annual Police Appreciation Dinner on May 16, 2018. 

The contest is a great educational tool and a means to facilitate greater understanding between the police department and our students. Our experience over the past years has been rewarding for everyone involved. 

This year’s essay topic is: How does York Regional Police demonstrate leadership to ensure the community feels safe and secure? 

The contestants will be judged on the quality of content, and their public speaking ability. Speeches should be two to three minutes in length. 

Speeches are due to Mrs. Longo by Tuesday February 20, 2018.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Heart-o-Grams will be on sale starting Friday February 9 until Tuesday 13th, or until sold out.  Heart–o-Grams are either a Valentine’s lollipop or a pencil that will be delivered on your behalf to a special friend.

Heart-o-Grams will cost 50₵ each and will be sold at morning recess beginning this Friday. Get yours before they run out! Send a ‘Heart-o-Gram to show someone that you are thinking about them!

Proceeds will be shared equally between our Grade 6 Team Building Trip and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Thank you for your support!

Mrs. Longo, Ms. Curci, Ms. Kemp and the Student Council

School Council Meeting, Spirit Day, & Missing Resources

Reminder: School Council Meeting tonight in the Library at 7pm!

February 13th is BEACH DAY!!!

(But yes, we are still going outside for recess so please make sure you have appropriate outdoor clothing!)


We are currently missing several classroom calculators (blue, and in a clear case) and 3 Dell Laptop chargers. If your child accidentally brought any of these home, please return them to school ASAP.
Thank you!

Grade 6 Graduation

A notice will be coming home on Monday regarding Grade 6 Graduation. 

We are looking for parent volunteers to join the Grad Committee and help ensure that this Graduation day is special for all of our students!

Thank you!

Yearbook - Help Wanted!

The Grade 6 students will be starting to put together our yearbook. We are looking for a parent volunteers to come in and work with the students. The school has purchased a user-friendly Yearbook Program, and support from the company is readily available. 

If you are able to come in for an hour or so twice a month to work with 2-3 students in the library, please contact Robin Cockburn or Marni Longo.

We want to make sure this yearbook is special and that our graduating students, as well as the rest of the students will have a record of their memories here!

Thank you for your support!!!

February Classroom Update

January went by in a flash and February is here! 

*** We need your help! ***

Please send empty cereal boxes to school this week for our next art project! 

Thank you!

Upcoming Important Dates to Remember:

Thursday February 1st -- National Sweater Day! Thank you to everyone who dressed a little bit warmer so we could turn the heat down in the school by 2 degrees. Those 2 little degrees make a BIG difference to our environment!

Friday February 2nd -- Enjoy your PA Day! While your teachers are busy at work learning and working together, we hope you enjoy a safe and relaxing day with your family!

Wednesday February 14th -- Happy Valentine's Day! We will be celebrating Valentine's Day at school with a school dance. Feel free to dress in red, white, and pink, and tell your friends and loved ones how much you appreciate them!

Thursday February 15th -- Report Cards go home today. Celebrate your accomplishments with your family, and set out new goals for the remainder of the school year.

Monday February 19th -- Family Day! Spend the day with your family!

In our classroom...

Literacy

1. Book Talks
Our first round of book talks was a great success! Students are in the process of choosing a book for their next book talk. If you have not seen it already, ask your child to see their rubric from their first book talk. The rubric provides clear expectations, positive feedback, and steps for improvement.

Please ask your child when they are presenting their second book talk and ask them to practice with you at home. As a reminder, due to privacy issues, the schedule cannot be posted to this blog.

2. Newspaper Article Presentation
Each Monday we listen to two presentations about current events from around the world. Students are working on these presentations at home. Students are marked on their Oral and Visual Communication. The expectations, the rubric, and teacher sampled were shared with students. Please ask your child when they are presenting and ask them to practice with you at home. Due to privacy issues, the schedule cannot be posted to this blog.

Math
1. Measurement
Our unit on Linear Measurement is complete. This includes measuring lines, calculating area and perimeter, and converting units in the metric system. (km, hm, dam, m, dm, cm, mm). The units have gone home. Please review the unit with your child and sign and return the entire unit to school.

2. Addition and Subtraction

Our current unit is on Addition and Subtraction. Students will be solving basic math problems as well as multi-step word problems. Grade 5 students will work with whole numbers to hundred thousands and decimal numbers to hundredths. Grade 6 students will work with whole numbers to millions and decimal numbers to thousandths.

Science

We are beginning new units in Science and Technology. Students will be completing units on "Understanding Matter and Energy"

Grade 5: Properties and Changes in Matter
Big Ideas:
- There are three states of matter. (Overall expectations 2 and 3) 
- Matter that changes state is still the same matter. (Overall expectations 2 and 3) 
- Physical change refers to the fact that a substance can be changed from one form to another. (Overall expectations 2 and 3) 
- Chemical change implies the formation of a new substance. (Overall expectations 2 and 3) 
- The properties of materials determine their use and may have an effect on society and the environment. (Overall expectation 1)

Grade 6: Electricity and Electrical Devices
Big Ideas:
- Electrical energy can be transformed into other forms of energy. (Overall expectations 2 and 3)
- Other forms of energy can be transformed into electrical energy. (Overall expectations 2 and 3) 
- Electrical energy plays a significant role in society, and its production has an impact on the environment. (Overall expectation 1) 
- Society must find ways to minimize the impact of energy production on the environment. (Overall expectation 1)


Homework Reflection Sheets - As discussed in September, students may have some homework each night. Generally, homework is work that has not been finished in class, but may be supplemented. Students who do not complete their homework in a timely or efficient manner will be asked to fill out a Reflection Sheet. This sheet will come home for a parent to sign and must be returned to school the following day.

Please remember...
©      Homework is always be written on the white board at the front of the classroom, and students are expected to record their homework in their agenda books daily.  The students are expected to come home with students at the end of the day, and must accompany them to school each morning.  Please look over your son’s/daughter’s agenda book with him/her each evening, and if necessary, aid him/her in completing the required homework.
©      Students should be spending between 30 and 60 minutes completing homework each weeknight. 

©      In addition to homework, students are also expected to read a text (e.g., books, magazines, newspapers, instruction manuals), for 30 minutes each evening. 

©      Homework will be checked for completion regularly. Failure to complete assigned homework on a regular basis will affect student’s Learning Skills, as per the Ontario Report Card, and has a strong impact on student learning.

©      If students do not have assigned homework for the evening, it would be beneficial for them to practise their math skills or their keyboarding skills.  Free websites are available online.  Some examples are http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/, and http://www.nimblefingers.com

©      If students are unable to complete their homework due to extenuating circumstances, they are expected to have a note in their agendas from parents explaining the circumstances.

Thank you for your interest in our classroom and in your child's learning! 

Mrs. Longo