Bitstrips

Yeah!  Our bitstrips account is up and running.  Parents/Guardians, the students are excited trying to set up their avatars and start creating fun and interesting activities.  Don't be concerned if your child wants to do their homework. :)

Below is the link for the site.  Students will receive the password to access the class list on Tuesday.

http://www.bitstripsforschools.com/?logout=1

Phew! September is coming to an end.

Phew!  We survived the craziness of September.   The start of the school year always bring about many new changes and challenges.  Thankfully we got through it all together and in one piece. 

 

Hope everyone has a little rest this weekend. 

Halton Water Festival

The grade 5 students had an amazing opportunity to visit Kelso and learn many different facts about water and water conservation.  They visited different stations that explained about conservation, sewage systems, septic systems, PH levels of different items, balancing our earth and the importance of Reducing, Re-using and Recycling.   We were fortunate to have great weather and truly enjoyed the day outside. 

Weekend Updates

• Gr 5 science test has been moved to Monday Sept 23rd.

• Both gr 5 and 6's will have a Math Unit test on Thursday Sept 26th.  Students will receive a review tips on Monday to help with studying.  

• Don't forget Picture day on Monday 23rd

• Gr 5 class trip on Wed 25th.  We should be leaving between 8:45 - 9:00 am. Please come dressed appropriately for outdoor activities.  

Oakville Green Association Presentation

Today the grades 5 and 6's both had presentations from Oakville green association.  The grade 5's talked about ZERO WASTE and the 6's RESTORING NATURE.  Both presentations were very informative and made us think about importance of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling. 




Check out the link for more information....

 http://www.oakvillegreen.com/

Religion assignment - due Sept 26th

We have been studying about the importance of being a good person and talking about special people/life givers in our world.  The students will be doing a writing assignment about either someone special (gr 5) or a life giver (gr 6) of their choice.  All writing will be done in class.  We have been learning about writing a proper paragraph and including lots of detail in our work.  The students have received an outline of the assignment and might require to do some research at home.  Feel free to ask them who they have chosen and why.  The final good copy will be typed and due Sept 26th.

Multiplication

Students are required to know their multiplication tables up to 12.  We have been multiplying by 2-digit and 3-digit numbers by using place value.  Here's an example.  Have your child explain it to you and try some at home.  We also listened to some songs to help us with our multiplication.  Here are some...sing along...  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzXcI49jdV0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3pq1ay8l-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3huvvxUHDmM

   13  (10 + 3) 
x 21   (20 + 1)
1 x 3 = 3
1 x 10 = 10
20 x 3 = 60
20 x 10 = 200
               273

197  (100 + 90 + 7)
x 68 (60 + 8)
8 x 7 = 56
8 x 90 = 720
8 x 100 = 800
60 x 7 = 420
60 x 90 = 5400
60 x 100 = 600
             13396

Grade 6 - Fun-gi experiment - Due Oct 2nd

Mold is something that we often take for granted....bet you never thought you'd hear that.  It is a fascinating organism that has many different uses.  The students have been given a task to perform an experiment that will give them an opportunity to investigate mold.  The experiment will take about 2 weeks to observe and the students are required to record everything they see and measure.  Each student received a booklet to complete and should be handed in on October 2nd.

Due: October 2nd

Grade 5 trip - Sept. 25th

The grade 5's have a wonderful opportunity to attend the Halton Children's Water Festival on Wednesday, September 25th.  They will learn about the importance of ground and surface water and will participate in a variety of interactive activities.  Please return forms to school by September 20th.

The program runs RAIN OR SHINE! It is an all day OUTDOOR event! Have students check the weather report and dress accordingly. They advise to wear running shoes/boots (no flip flops!), dress in layers, bring hats, sunscreen, insect repellent and hand sanitizer.

Make sure to bring a nut-free lunch in a disposable bag that is clearly marked with your child's name.
Any parents with a criminal record check at the office and are available to attend, please let me know. Volunteers will be randomly chosen and notified via the agenda.

Curriculum night - Wed. Sept. 18th

Curriculum night is a great night to find out what we will be learning this year.  I look forward to meeting all of you and am excited for what the year brings us.

1st session 6:30 - 7:00 -  I will be with the Grade 6
2nd session 7:05-7:35 - I will be with the Grade 5

Both of my grade teaching partners will be doing a presentation for each times, however, I will be with the grade 6's first and grade 5's second.  I will try drop by each session for each grade after the initial presentations.  If you have any major questions or concerns and didn't get a chance to talk, feel free to write me a note and we can connect.

Grade 6's - room 209

Grade 5's - room 207

See you then.

Terry Fox - Sept 30th

Our Terry Fox walk will be on Monday September 30th.  Students have received their pledge forms and are ready to raise money to help find a cure for Cancer. Please bring in the forms by the end of next week.  After the walk, there will be a student-teacher floor hockey game.  Students who bring in donations will be placed into a draw for a chance to join the student team.  We have jersey's for all who are participating to wear during the game.  The students voted to the "Leafs", while the teacher will be the "Canadians".  It should be a fun day!

Turtle Island Festival

Grade 6's ... looking for something fun to do this weekend, check out the Turtle Island Festival at Crawford Lake. 

 

Discover more about First Nations culture at the 21st annual Turtle Island Festival at Crawford Lake this Sunday.  From 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., visitors can learn about Iroquoian culture through storytelling with Chief Top Leaf, create crafts, go on discovery hunts, sample Nature’s Tea or stroll through the village and check out the Native Arts and Crafts sale.

 

Admission to the festival is included with the park entry fee, $7.25 for adults, $6.25 for seniors, $5 for children (ages 5 to 15) and free for children ages 4 and under.

 

For more information on the festival, visit www.conservationhalton.ca or call (905) 854-0234.

Crawford Lake is located at the corner of Guelph Line and Conservation Road, 15 km north of the QEW and five km south of Hwy 401.

Math quiz - Friday

Things to study

Grade 5:

• writing large numbers in Standard form, Expanded form and Words
• ordering large numbers from least to greatest OR greatest to least
• understanding the VALUE of a number and it's place value
• adding and/or subtracting 4-digit

Grade 6:

writing large numbers in Standard form, Expanded form and Words

ordering large numbers from least to greatest OR greatest to least

understanding the VALUE of a number and it's place value

problem solving based on a 5-digit number  

**Make sure to use your time wisely and
start reviewing all the math concepts we have been learning.  **

Water bottles needed

If you have any clear plastic water bottles at home...we would love them.  Please don't throw them into the recycling bin, but bring them into school.  We are in need of a class set and will be using them for a fun upcoming art activity.  Every bottle is welcomed. 

Picture Day - September 23rd

Set a reminder on your calendars for our school picture day.  

September update

Math:  Whole Numbers.  We will be looking at whole numbers based on their place-value and comparing and ordering them.  We will also be writing numbers in numeral form, expanded form and picture form.  Feel free to ask your children about LARGE numbers in society and what they represent.  Example: population of Oakville versus Toronto or Distance to a city or town or planet.  UNIT TEST SEPT 26th

Gr 5:  Look and compare numbers up to the Hundred Thousand units, multiplication and division
Gr 6:  Look and compare numbers up to the Hundred Million units, multiplication, division, prime numbers, BEDMAS

Language:  Conventions.  We are writing paragraphs about our super powers while looking at our conventions.  Students will be editing their work and learning how to use proofreading marks in order to improve their writing.

Science:  We will be starting our science units next week and can't wait for all the fun and exciting experiments and field trip that will come our way.

Gr 5: Matter (what's the matter?) - Quiz Sept 23rd
Gr 6: Biodiversity of living things

Religion: our religion program will focus on incorporating all the wonderful lessons that we learn about being good people and become great role models and leaders for others.

Gr 5: Living in the community - our symbol is the ROCK...we are the rock upon which faith is built on
Gr 6: Human rights and responsibility - our symbol is the LANTERN .... the light of God shines through us

Gym/DPA: we have gym on Monday and Wednesday.  Please have a change of clothes and shoes (non-marking) for class.  We also will be having DPA on the other days, so always be ready for a activity challenge.

Library: our library day is on Wednesdays.  I always encourage students to try and read something different then what they are used to reading.  Reading = Succeeding.  Make sure to ask your children what they read today and maybe even start a book together that you can discuss.

**Please be patient with our agenda's.  We are hoping for them to arrive by Friday.  **

Scholastics Book Order

Oh how I love the thrill of getting a new book
and discovering a new story. 

Our September book orders are here and due
Wednesday September 11th.  
Please make cheques payable to Scholastic Canada. 

Also, if anyone has any gently used books that they would like to donate to our classroom library, it would be greatly appreciated. 

Classroom Wish List

Back to school is surely one of the busiest times of the year, and I do not mean to add to that; however, there are few items that we acquire in order for your child and the classroom to have a smooth start with all the needed materials.

Here is a list of items that I kindly ask you to provide your child with for their own personal use and for their use in the classroom.

 

v  Pencils, pens, erasers, sharpener, highlighters, ruler, markers, crayons, and a geometry set. (I have provided your child with the necessities at the first day of school but this will be helpful for the remainder of the year)

v  3 boxes of Kleenex.

v  1 rolls of paper towels.

v  3 bottles of wipes.

v  Any unwanted board games

I thank you in advance for sending the above items, if possible please send them by the following Monday.

Also, if there are any parents or guardians that are willing to volunteer during the day with help (e.g. photocopy) within and/or without the classroom, please let me know days and times that work.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. 

Welcome Back.....A new year awaits us.

Dear Parents or Guardians,

Hope you had a relaxing and refreshing summer. It is my pleasure to be teaching your child this year.

As the year progresses, I plan to be in constant communication with all the homes of the students in my class. The communication will be in a variety of formats, through your child’s agenda, a personal note, a phone call, or by you simply logging on our class blog that I will be updating weekly. I want to keep you well informed about what we are doing and learning throughout the year. In the meantime, I would like to outline some initial routines that you need to be aware of immediately.

The following is an outline of expectations in the classroom:

Students are expected to:

1)     Be respectful to others (all staff and students)
2)     Keep hands and feet to one’s self.
3)     Remain in seats.
4)     Diligently work on assigned tasks, complete, and hand in all assignments on time.
5)     Cooperate with others.
6)     Follow instructions.
7)     Keep working area clean and tidy; this includes student’s desk and cubby.
8)     Aim for the best.

Additional Information

1)   We will be using agendas to plan our days and outline what needs to be done. These agendas will be coming home with your child each night and will provide you with a good idea of what they have done each day. Please discuss the homework in the agendas with your child, highlighting what they have accomplished and what areas may need more time and effort. Moreover, please sign/initial the agendas every night, as I will be verifying them each day. It is the student’s responsibility to write in his/her agenda, a blank day will result in the student receiving an incomplete stamp. Students will receive a stamp daily to indicate whether their homework is complete or not. When a student receives 3 or more incomplete stamps, the student will then receive a school detention. If this matter continues then parents will be contacted to determine an action plan.

Homework: Homework MUST be completed by the NEXT scheduled class unless otherwise stated by the teacher. Again, if homework is not completed three times a week, which will be shown by your child receiving three incomplete homework stamps, an after school detention will be given.

2)  Friday Folder: Every Friday a folder will be coming home containing any marked assessments. Please discuss the assessment pieces with your child and sign the folder sheet indicating that you have seen and discussed it with your child. The Friday Folder must be returned to the school on Monday, if the folder is not returned by Tuesday, I will contact the parents to verify. If there is no assessment pieces returned to your child, the folder will come home on Friday as usual indicating that there was nothing returned.

 

3)     Notes: If your child were away, a note stating that he/she was away with your permission and reason of absence would be greatly appreciated. If your child has homework that was not completed, please record that you are aware of the fact in his/her agenda. The student is responsible to speak to rotary/French teachers, his/her friends or myself to make up for what was missed in that specific day(s).

 

4)     Notebook expectations:

 - The appearance must be neat or it must be redone.

      - Notebooks’ covers must have the students’ name and subject. No other markings are acceptable.
      - All work must be dated.
      - White-out is not permitted.
      - Both sides of the page are to be used unless otherwise instructed.
      - Titles must be underlined with a ruler.
       - All math work MUST be done in pencil.

 

5)   We have gym every Monday and Wednesday. It is essential that all students wear appropriate clothing in order to participate fully in the gym program. Please ensure that your child brings shorts, t-shirts, and running shoes to school on gym days, or, if you wish, they may leave gym bags at school. It is important that all clothing and materials from your home be clearly marked with your child’s name.

 

Welcome to our classroom. I look forward to getting to know you and your child throughout the school year. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.