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
