Life of Pi

We finally finished the book the Life of Pi and are overwhelmed with all the lessons the book taught us.  Here are some opinions from the students about the book.

1. The life of Pi was to me, the greatest book I ever read.  For a man to survive a carnivourous island, to a 400 pound Bengal Tiger, a human would have to have an edge.  Pi's edge of course, was God, Allah, the Hindu gods and even his parents will.  Pi was blessed to have survived and even though situations were grim, he still found a way to remain faithful.  "I don't really want to decide on a religion, I just want to love God".  To me Life of Pi was truly a story modeled after God. ~~ "J"

2. I liked how the book had great detail and voice that made you feel connected to the character and believe you were inside the story.  I could picture everything that was read.  It was an amazing story of survival, full of action and sacrifice.  ~~ "T"

3. The book made me realize that with hope you can survive even in the worst conditions. ~~ "A"


more opinions to come....

First Nations Unit

We have been enriched with so much learning about the First Nations People. 

1. Last week we made our totempoles and are excitedly waiting for them to be "cooked". 

2. We have also been working on our note taking skills and have learned a lot about how the First Nation People lived.  We are now taking all our learned information and applying it in a very creative 3-D display.  We are making information cubes and writing about how the First Nation People lived, along with how they contribute to today's society. 

3. We are excited to have a First Nations Tribal Vision Dance Troop come and perform for us in a few weeks.  Let's see who we can get up there to dance along with them. 

Musical Creativity

Here's a very creative music video.  Do you think you could make your own instruments?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A50UmcbZoE   (Call me maybe...bottles)

Happy Family Literacy Day

15 Minutes of Fun!

In honour of Family Literacy Day’s 15th year, ABC Life Literacy Canada is encouraging Canadian families to have "15 Minutes of Fun" learning together. Learning can happen at any time. Practicing literacy together for just 15 minutes a day has tremendous benefits for both children and parents. Here are some great ways to get started:

1. Create your own comic strip about your family.
2. Invent two new endings to your favourite book.
3. Make up a new recipe together and post it online.
4. Tell knock-knock jokes together while doing the dishes.
5. Sing five songs really, really loud!
6.  Invent a new game while playing at the park.
7.  Read a story to your pet (or favourite toy).
8. Make a paper fortune teller with eight fortunes.
9.  Write a silly poem and tell it to your family at dinner.
10. Log on to your favourite word game - can you beat your best score?
11. Create your family tree.
12. Play rhyming "I Spy" - "I spy something that rhymes with..."
13.  Play a board game together.
14. Text your friend and tell them about your holiday.
15.  Find 15 things that begin with the letter "S".

Check out this video on Family Literacy Day 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tmvApbmlJbU

Check out the website for more information on Family Literacy Day 

http://abclifeliteracy.ca/fld/family-literacy-facts-stats

Clay time!

We had so much fun creating amazing totempoles today.  The students are so creative and we can't wait for them to get "cooked" so that we can get them back to school to paint them.  We learned about how clay is found in the ground and can be many different colours depending on its location.  We also learned about Slip and Score, air hole placements and pinch pots and how important they are to designing our creations. 

 

Speeches - Due Feb 4th

The students have a choice to speak about any topic as long as it has some ties to our catholic values.  We will be working on them over the next two weeks.  Final drafts and the start of presentations will take place the week of Feb 4th.  Students will be randomly chosen to say thier speech, so everyone must be prepared. 

Flu

So it seems that the Flu is on an all time high.  We are very careful to wash our hands during the day and try our best to not spread any germs. Please remind your kids the importance of daily healthy habits.


http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/01/11/flu-season.html?cmp=rss

January updates

We have already been busy with the start of the new year. 

Social studies: We started our social studies unit on First Nations and have been comparing all the different types of creation stories.  We are going to be continuing on our adventure and learning more about the different types of tribes. 

Math: We are near the end of our measurement unit and will be having a test next week.

Language: We have read and analyzed some First nations legends and tales and were inspired to create our own.  It has been fun writing about how animals got thier special trait.  We will be starting our speeches soon, so start thinking about some interesting topics.

Religion: We have talked about the Epiphany and the significance of it.  We will be continuing our program and focusing on our grade 6 focus on faith question about human rights and responsibilities. 

Math test - Friday Jan 25th.

Our math test for our measurement unit will be on Friday Jan 25th.  Please review all concepts of time, money, surface area and volume. 

Math Problem

Okay adults....let's see if you can figure this one out.....

A room has a surface area of around 400cm2.  What are the dimensions of the rectangular prism?  Show at least 3 different answers.

Have your child explain thier thinking to you.   Have fun!!

Class Trip

Please make sure all forms and cheques are returned to school this week.  Parents/Guardians will be notified by Friday as to who will be joining us for our trip.  Please note that it is a 1/2 day trip and we will be back for our pizza lunch.  We can't wait. 

Ukrainian Christmas

The Ukrainian Christmas festive days according to the Julian calendar, start on 6 January, Christmas Eve, and end on 19 January, "Jordan" or Epiphany. At the end of the Sviata Vechera (dinner) the family often sings Ukrainian Christmas carols. In many communities the old Ukrainian tradition of caroling is carried on by groups of young people and members of organizations and churches calling at homes.  When the children see the first Star in the eastern evening sky, symbolizing the trek of the Three Wise Men, the Sviata Vecherya may begin. I n farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called the didukh which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries. Didukh means literally "grandfather spirit" so it symbolizes the family's ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table.

Merry Christmas to anyone who is celebrating this Sunday.  З Різдвом Христовим.  

Epiphany

Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian feasts. It was celebrated since the end of the second century, before the Christmas holiday was established. It is commonly known as Twelfth Night, Twelfth Day, or the Feast of Epiphany. It means “manifestation” or “showing forth”. It is also called Theophany (“manifestation of God”), especially by Eastern Christians. Epiphany is celebrated in Canada on January 6 each year. It remembers the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus and his baptism. Many Christians in Canada take part in Epiphany activities. These activities include attending special church services, sessions, luncheons or evening events that focus on the Christian meaning behind Epiphany. Sunday schools for children may include lessons or activities about the meaning behind Epiphany.

The English custom of mummering is practiced in Canada’s Newfoundland and Labrador province. It may begin as early as December 26 and usually occurs on January 5, or Epiphany Eve. It involves people disguising themselves with masks or costumes to cover their identity. They visit friends’ or neighbors’ houses to perform songs or dances. Often men dress as outsized women but they try to hide their identity.

Happy New Year

Wishing all of you a very happy new year.  I look forward to seeing what 2013 has in store for all of us.  Hope everyone has had a relaxing and healthy holiday season.