We've had great week of learning in room 9. In math this week students learned how to multiply 2 and 3 digit numbers. We reviewed the traditional method of multiplication, and I taught the class how to multiply using the place value method as well as lattice multiplication. Students can choose whichever method they prefer to solve multiplication problems.
In language we took up the CASI reading test. Students put their marks in their agendas. We also looked at level 1, 2, 3, and 4 exemplar answers in order to determine how to improve our reading responses. We also continued our read aloud of the novel George. Take a minute to ask your child to retell what has happened so far in the story. Students continued to work on their independent writing, which is due this week. Students also began to write their reading letters to me. These will be written weekly about a book that they are currently reading. Finally, we began a unit on narrative texts. We did a shared reading of a narrative and annotated the text together, finding the key features of a narrative.
In social studies the grade fives from Mr. Siefert's room joined the grade fives in room 9 to continue our unit on Canadian Government. The grade fives learned about the different levels of government in Canada. The grade sixes joined Mr. Siefert to learn about Canada's Interactions within the Global Community. They watched a video about NATO, NAFTA and the UN, and learned the roles of each.
In phys. ed. we began a unit on football, and learned how to throw and catch a football properly. We also started a health unit on substance abuse. Students developed questions about the unit that they would like answered throughout the unit. In art we began a unit on one point perspective. In drama we began to explore how to do tableaux and how to use the creative process to improve our work.
On Thursday we took up homework and celebrated Terry Fox. We watched a short video on Terry and talked in community circle about who we will run for during the Terry Fox run.
Finally, we continued our action research this week around mindfulness. The students in room 9 are participating in a 7 day program on mindfulness. We've completed 6 days now. Although it's still a challenge, it's getting easier for us to slow down and focus for a few minutes each day.
Come to think of it, we've been really busy!
Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday, Oct. 6: homework folder due
Friday, Oct. 7: PA day
Monday, Oct. 10: Thanksgiving
Wed. Oct. 26th: Halloween Hullaballoo
Homework:
1) Read for 20-30 minutes each day.
2) Complete the math work on multiplication.
Extension, which is optional: Create your own math problem that involves multiplication to share with the class.
3) Read the narrative text, "Lost." Answer the questions and annotate the text.
4) Practise your 4 times tables.
Friday, 30 September 2016
Friday, 23 September 2016
Sept. 19-23
We've had another busy week in room 9. In math this week students learned how to identify prime and composite numbers. Students also learned how to write numbers in expanded form from words or from standard form. ( ex. 2435 is 2000 + 400+ 30+ 5) Students worked in math partners to solve a multi-step word problem involving large numbers. Students also started to graph their times table progress, beginning with the 3 times tables. Finally, we reviewed how to add large numbers. Next week we will review how to subtract, multiply and divide large numbers.
In language students wrote the CASI reading test. We also began a read aloud of the novel George. Take a minute to ask your child to retell what has happened so far in the story. Students continued to work on their independent writing, which is due next week. Finally, students participated in reading lessons, like "How to talk about your reading," and "Why readers abandon books." These lessons are from the "First 20 Days" from Fountas and Pinnell, and are used to establish a strong base in reading in the first month of school.
In social studies the grade fives from Mr. Siefert's room joined the grade fives in room 9 to begin our unit on Canadian Government. The grade sixes joined Mr. Siefert to learn about Canada's Interactions within the Global Community.
We also began our first inquiry unit this week, which is on freedom, diversity and their relationship. Students worked hard in groups to define, compare, and find relationships between these concepts. We will continue to explore these ideas in language, drama, social studies and visual art.
In phys. ed. we continued our unit on cooperative games, focusing on working collaboratively and safely while participating actively.
Finally, we began some action research this week around mindfulness. The students in room 9 are participating in a 7 day program on mindfulness. We've completed 3 days so far. I would like to see if the students find any benefit to taking a few minutes each day to slow down and meditate. In our fast paced world I think that there could be enormous benefits to concentration, focus and stress reduction. We all agree that slowing down and focusing is difficult, but we're getting better each day! If you would like to see the program that we're using, go to calm.com.
Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday, Sept 29th: homework folder due
Wed. Oct. 26th: Halloween Hullaballoo
Homework:
1) Read for 20-30 minutes each day.
2) Complete the math work on addition.
Extension, which is optional: Create your own math problem that involves addition to share with the class.
3) Read the article on Terry Fox and answer the questions. Be prepared to discuss this article on Thursday.
Extension, which is optional: If you would like to do further research about Terry Fox, you could find an interesting article, book, or video about Terry to read or watch. If you find something that you would like to share with the class, please bring it on Thursday. If you feel inspired to write a poem about Terry, please bring it in to share.
4) Continue to practise your 3 times tables.
In language students wrote the CASI reading test. We also began a read aloud of the novel George. Take a minute to ask your child to retell what has happened so far in the story. Students continued to work on their independent writing, which is due next week. Finally, students participated in reading lessons, like "How to talk about your reading," and "Why readers abandon books." These lessons are from the "First 20 Days" from Fountas and Pinnell, and are used to establish a strong base in reading in the first month of school.
In social studies the grade fives from Mr. Siefert's room joined the grade fives in room 9 to begin our unit on Canadian Government. The grade sixes joined Mr. Siefert to learn about Canada's Interactions within the Global Community.
We also began our first inquiry unit this week, which is on freedom, diversity and their relationship. Students worked hard in groups to define, compare, and find relationships between these concepts. We will continue to explore these ideas in language, drama, social studies and visual art.
In phys. ed. we continued our unit on cooperative games, focusing on working collaboratively and safely while participating actively.
Finally, we began some action research this week around mindfulness. The students in room 9 are participating in a 7 day program on mindfulness. We've completed 3 days so far. I would like to see if the students find any benefit to taking a few minutes each day to slow down and meditate. In our fast paced world I think that there could be enormous benefits to concentration, focus and stress reduction. We all agree that slowing down and focusing is difficult, but we're getting better each day! If you would like to see the program that we're using, go to calm.com.
Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday, Sept 29th: homework folder due
Wed. Oct. 26th: Halloween Hullaballoo
Homework:
1) Read for 20-30 minutes each day.
2) Complete the math work on addition.
Extension, which is optional: Create your own math problem that involves addition to share with the class.
3) Read the article on Terry Fox and answer the questions. Be prepared to discuss this article on Thursday.
Extension, which is optional: If you would like to do further research about Terry Fox, you could find an interesting article, book, or video about Terry to read or watch. If you find something that you would like to share with the class, please bring it on Thursday. If you feel inspired to write a poem about Terry, please bring it in to share.
4) Continue to practise your 3 times tables.
Friday, 16 September 2016
Sept. 12-16
We've had another great week in room 9 of getting to know each other and learning! In math this week we use the YouCubed series of inspirational math lessons from Stanford University. Students learned important math lessons, like, "Believe in Yourself," and "Mistakes are Powerful," as they worked through some challenging problems. If you would like to see the videos that we watched, here is the link: https://www.youcubed.org/week-of-inspirational-math-2/.
In language students continued to work on their independent writing. We reviewed the writing process, as well as how to revise and edit our own and others' work. We also continued to learn about ourselves as readers. Students learned how readers choose books, how to find a "just right" book, and how to talk about our reading with others. The class is doing a great job of reading silently during independent reading so we can all do our best thinking.
In addition, the students finished their "I Am" poems, combined in a mixed media piece of art. This will be displayed in the hall. Students also learned about the creative process, and worked collaboratively in groups to create drama skits about how respect looks, sounds and feels. Respect is the character trait for September.
Finally, in phys. ed. we also worked on collaborative skills through games. The students learned that a significant part of their phys. ed. mark comes from cooperation skills, participating actively and from participating safely. We created success criteria for these skills and posted them in the gym as a reminder. The other part of the students' marks for phys. ed. comes from movement skills, such as throwing, which will be taught throughout the year.
Homework:
1) Read daily for at least 20-30 minutes.
2) Practise your 3 times tables. We will start "Mad math minutes" next week, focusing on the 3 times tables.
Important Dates:
Mon, Sept 19 and 20: Students will write CASI, a standardized reading test.
Thurs., Sept. 22: Curriculum night
Wed., Oct. 26: Halloween Hullaballoo Save the date!
In language students continued to work on their independent writing. We reviewed the writing process, as well as how to revise and edit our own and others' work. We also continued to learn about ourselves as readers. Students learned how readers choose books, how to find a "just right" book, and how to talk about our reading with others. The class is doing a great job of reading silently during independent reading so we can all do our best thinking.
In addition, the students finished their "I Am" poems, combined in a mixed media piece of art. This will be displayed in the hall. Students also learned about the creative process, and worked collaboratively in groups to create drama skits about how respect looks, sounds and feels. Respect is the character trait for September.
Finally, in phys. ed. we also worked on collaborative skills through games. The students learned that a significant part of their phys. ed. mark comes from cooperation skills, participating actively and from participating safely. We created success criteria for these skills and posted them in the gym as a reminder. The other part of the students' marks for phys. ed. comes from movement skills, such as throwing, which will be taught throughout the year.
Homework:
1) Read daily for at least 20-30 minutes.
2) Practise your 3 times tables. We will start "Mad math minutes" next week, focusing on the 3 times tables.
Important Dates:
Mon, Sept 19 and 20: Students will write CASI, a standardized reading test.
Thurs., Sept. 22: Curriculum night
Wed., Oct. 26: Halloween Hullaballoo Save the date!
Friday, 9 September 2016
September 6-9
This week in room 9 we've had a great first week of getting to know each other and establishing class norms and routines! I've enjoyed getting to know all my students and their unique strengths and interests.
On our first day students learned the Tribes Community Agreements, which are:
1) Attentive Listening
2) Mutual Respect
3) Appreciation, No Put-Downs
4) The Right to Participate
5) Safety First
I find that using these agreements is a powerful tool to help create a positive and safe atmosphere within the class.
This week the students also wrote letters to their future selves, which they will get back to read at the end of June. Students made predictions about the year, and asked questions to their future selves. In addition, we had a funeral for our "I Can'ts", putting to rest our feelings that we can't do certain things, and changing those statements to, "I am learning to."
We also began our work on independent reading, writing and math this week, and established norms and routines. I emphasize quiet during independent reading periods so that everyone can think, as reading is thinking! I also emphasize collaboration during math, so that students can learn from each other as well as from me. In writing students are beginning to brainstorm about their first piece of writing.
Finally, we began an "I Am poem" mixed media project. Students used positive adjectives to describe themselves in a poem, and created a mixed media piece of art using glue lines and watercolour paint. The final products will be complete next week. We also watched the movie McFarlane as a group team building activity, as well as to learn and establish class norms. The class learned that students in other parts of the world struggle to get an education, and also that to succeed one has to set goals and work hard!
Homework:
1) Read for 20-30 minutes daily. This will be daily homework all year long. Homework folders will begin after Curriculum night.
Important Dates:
Thursday, Sept. 22: Curriculum Night
On our first day students learned the Tribes Community Agreements, which are:
1) Attentive Listening
2) Mutual Respect
3) Appreciation, No Put-Downs
4) The Right to Participate
5) Safety First
I find that using these agreements is a powerful tool to help create a positive and safe atmosphere within the class.
This week the students also wrote letters to their future selves, which they will get back to read at the end of June. Students made predictions about the year, and asked questions to their future selves. In addition, we had a funeral for our "I Can'ts", putting to rest our feelings that we can't do certain things, and changing those statements to, "I am learning to."
We also began our work on independent reading, writing and math this week, and established norms and routines. I emphasize quiet during independent reading periods so that everyone can think, as reading is thinking! I also emphasize collaboration during math, so that students can learn from each other as well as from me. In writing students are beginning to brainstorm about their first piece of writing.
Finally, we began an "I Am poem" mixed media project. Students used positive adjectives to describe themselves in a poem, and created a mixed media piece of art using glue lines and watercolour paint. The final products will be complete next week. We also watched the movie McFarlane as a group team building activity, as well as to learn and establish class norms. The class learned that students in other parts of the world struggle to get an education, and also that to succeed one has to set goals and work hard!
Homework:
1) Read for 20-30 minutes daily. This will be daily homework all year long. Homework folders will begin after Curriculum night.
Important Dates:
Thursday, Sept. 22: Curriculum Night
Tuesday, 6 September 2016
Welcome!
Welcome to our class blog! I look forward to a wonderful year together. I'll update this blog weekly, sharing information about learning, as well as important dates and homework. You can receive automatic emails when the blog gets updated by clicking on the "Subscribe via Email" link. Parents, please send me a quick email at msbronwyndavidson@gmail.com so that I can create a class email list.
Best,
Bronwyn Davidson
Best,
Bronwyn Davidson
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