Dec. 5-9

In math this week students took home their quiz on data management to be signed and returned. We began a new unit on geometry. Students reviewed grade 4 and 5 geometry skills before moving onto identifying, measuring and creating different types of angles.

In language we continued with our unit on poetry.  We took up students' answers to a poem called, "Carousel" by looking at level 1-4 exemplar answers. Students identified how to "bump up" their marks by doing specific things, like using examples from the text or clearly explaining their thinking. Students also identified similes and metaphors, then created a poem using either a simile or metaphor. We also finished our read aloud of the novel, George.  Students will write a reading letter to me about their understanding of the novel, including connections and inferences. The novel brought about important conversations in our class, including the power of empathy, and how important it is to be your true self.

We also had a workshop this week on Residential Schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. We watched the film, "The Secret Path," and had a very deep discussion during community circle on the topic of Residential schools. Students then used their  knowledge to create a poem about a First Nations issue.

In science the grade fives worked on a presentation on a human body system. The grade sixes  are beginning to learn about biodiversity. Grade sixes will be doing a number of online learning activities, including online discussions with each other. We will be developing success criteria together for online discussion, which I will then email to all grade 6 parents and students. HOMEWORK: Grade 6s need to do some research on Biodiversity within a species, OR Biodiversity within and ecosystem, OR biodiversity within a region, depending on the discussion group they are in. They have a worksheet to guide their research. For example, if they are researching biodiversity within an ecosystem, they would type into Google's search bar the sentence from the worksheet chart "Activities that can increase biodiversity in an ecosystem". They MUST complete the research in order to take part in the online discussion. 

In art students evaluated their work of art that demonstrates an understanding of proportion, and depicts an emotion. They began to work on an illustration of one of their poems. Finally, in phys. ed. we began a unit on basketball, and focused on dribbling and passing skills.

Important Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, Dec. 14: homework club
Thursday, Dec. 15: Secret Santa reveal, homework due, holiday concert


Homework:
1) Complete the math work on angles.
2) Complete the language homework on Residential Schools.
3) Continue to read a book independently every night for at least 20-30 minutes.
4) Grade 6's: Complete the biodiversity homework.