Sunday, June 22, 2014

Rain, rain...:(

Sadly, I am making alternate arrangements for tomorrow.  It looks like showers in the morning and a risk of thunderstorm in the morning, so likely not ideal for a day outside on the bike!  Grrr!  Unfortunately, we don’t have another good option for a  back-up day this week.  Anyway, we will still have lots of FUN…it just won’t be on a bike!

Please make sure that your son or daughter brings a change of clothes tomorrow and some cash for DQ.  As long as it’s just a bit of rain, we’ll still play some fun games outside.  They can still bring a water gun if they would like to.  We will plan to walk to DQ, but rather than going for a treat in the afternoon, we will go for lunch (leave the school just after 11am).  If your son or daughter would prefer to bring their own lunch and then just buy a treat at DQ, that’s fine, too.  We will be gone over the lunch hour.


Thanks for being flexible!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

6B Science

Here is the link with a selection of photos for your trailer.

"Our Grade 6 Year" Trailer

You are going to work together with 2-6 people to create an iMovie trailer to capture the "story" of our year together in Grade 6!

The first step: 
Brainstorm our year in Grade 6.  Think about:
-what we have learned about
-places we have visited
-things you will remember
-parts of our classroom
-funny memories
These albums will help you:
Friendships
Fun
Learning

The second step: 
Once you have decided on a theme, print off the appropriate storyboard from this website to help you organize your ideas and thoughts.

The third step:
After you have created a plan, now you can begin collecting your media.  You can use photos, take video and new photos for your content.



Monday, June 16, 2014

The Power of Words: Exploring Figurative Language

We are enjoying the wonders of poetry in Grade 6!  We are using this presentation to guide us through some key poetic devices.  Quiz tomorrow!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Tesselations


PART A: Practice your understanding of mathematical transformations.  Remember: translate = slide, reflect = flip, rotate = turn.  See how many levels you can complete.  They get pretty tricky!

PART B: Watch this video to see how one very famous artist uses Math to create amazing art!  He is the master of tesselations!

PART C: Take a 5 minute brain break and play this old school game that helps you practice Math transformations!

PART D: Now, it's time for you to try creating your own tesselations!  Use this site to create your tesselation.

PART E: If you have already finished creating a number of tesselations using the website, you may want to challenge yourself and use Microsoft Paint (a program on your computer) to create a tesselation.  You can view instructions here.

FOR MATH TODAY (June 12)- Play Part A and you can also try this interactive or this one or this one!





Wednesday, May 28, 2014

What do you think?

I found this in one of my Writing journals!  I think I was in Grade 2.  What do you think?  Did I have a good idea?


And, a note from today's sub in my daybook. Bravo, bravo...

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Aboriginal Math Games

We are going to research and share First Nations and Metis Math games that exploring quantity in different ways.  You can use this site to help you get started.  Here are the important parts we discussed in class:
-Need to create the supplies for the game.
-Show cultural artwork through the game.
-Clear instructions for the game.
-Poster board that includes title, instructions, pictures, cultural history and the people group.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Links for 6A Science Today

1.  Join Today's Meet.  Use your first name to join.
2.  Join our Padlet.
3.  Discover your carbon footprint here if you are on the computer, or here if you are on an iPad.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

My Math Preferences Questionnaire

Hi, I would like to have feedback about your favorite Math unit this year:


Saturday, May 3, 2014

I Am Malala



After viewing this interview, answer the following questions in your Character Building notebook and discuss together:
1) Which "character" words, or values describe Malala best?
2) If someone asked you, "Who is Malala Yousafzai?" In 3 sentences, summarize Malala's story.
3) What is Malala's passion? What would she fill in the blank, "____________ just isn't right" ?
4) What can you learn from Malala's example?

Friday, May 2, 2014

The Amazing Race 2014



Update Time!

This was sent earlier today via email:

Hi, everyone!  I thought it was time for a bit of an update from our classroom.  I have been at home sick for the better part of this week and I will be in Saskatoon for a conference on technology in education for Monday and Tuesday.  I am grateful to have an expert sub in Joan McCusker, who is stepping in for me.  Here are some highlights of recent days in Grade 6:
  • Math: We have started our unit on Data Analysis and Probability.  Right now we are practicing interpreting and drawing graphs.
  • Language Arts:  We are working hard on developing our persuasive writing skills.  We have read various examples of persuasive writing and students are now developing their own pieces, titled our "Passion Projects".  Each student is choosing their own topic, based on the prompt "________ just isn't right".  I am really excited to see what the students develop, and what actions they may take as a result of their passion projects.  You can support them by helping revise and edit their writing online (they just need to share their document with you on iGo).  
  • Science: We are midway through our study of Electricity.  In this portion, we are looking at the environmental impacts of electricity and how we can reduce our impact on the Earth.  Students will be working on inquiry projects in the next week or so.  Terms such as renewable/non-renewable resources, sustainability, global warming, carbon footprint and green energy should become familiar in the next couple of weeks.  I am also reading the book "City of Ember" aloud to students.  It is a great fit for this particular study of electricity.
  • Art: It has been a treat to watch students develop their artwork through their "Doodle Pads".  They are due today.  They have created many unique pieces with great enthusiasm!  We have studied the elements of art throughout this mini-unit.  
  • Phys. Ed.: We have been developing our badminton skills in recent lessons.  I hope to plan a Grade 6 Badminton Tournament in May to celebrate.  It will be a fun after-school event for Grade 6 students only.  I will let you know when I settle on a date.
That's all for today!  If you have any questions or concerns, as always, please do not hesitate to send an email my way.  I continue to enjoy and take delight in teaching this group of students.  It is hard to believe we have less than two months in our year!  

Here's to a great finish!



Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Word of the Week: Perseverance

On Monday, watched this clip from the movie "Facing the Giants".  Students were asked to use one "character" word to describe the scene.  Words like determination, effort, tenacity and perseverance surfaced from our conversation.  As a teacher, I was also reminded of the importance and impact of encouragement.  Students, please include your chosen quote in the comments!  Let's collect quotes that inspire us towards greater determination!

Zentangles!

The latest in Art...

Exploring Circuits

The latest in Science!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Building Character: No Excuses

This morning we watched the inspiring story of Isaiah Austin, starting center for the Baylor Bears Basketball Team.  This week we are thinking about what his Mom told him: "You can either make an excuse, or you can make it your story".  See how Isaiah responded to the challenge here.

Friday, February 14, 2014

The Grade 6 Portal to Space

It was out of this world! :)  What a great celebration of learning today in Grade 6!  I was very impressed with the learning and creativity on display.  See for yourself by checking out the online album!

Thank you, parents, for your support and encouragement along the way!  Enjoy your February break, everyone!  

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Go Ahead, Have Your Say!

What do you think the Space Celebration should be named? OR CLICK ON THIS LINK! And the bonus poll, which car should Miss M buy??

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Boggy Creek Pictures

What a fun, memorable adventure we had yesterday at Boggy Creek!  Here are some photos to tell the tale!

Friday, January 24, 2014

Lunar Map Link

Follow this link and choose one of the sections of moon to represent in your model.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Snow Artist

This guy is incredible!  I bet you've never seen artwork like this before!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Monday, January 20, 2014

Field Trip Postponed

Our field trip has been postponed because of weather. Please send your son or daughter with their own lunch today.



Friday, January 10, 2014

Science Links

Here are some of the websites we have viewed when learning about the sun, seasons and moon phases.  They may help you to review these concepts.

The Sun: National Geographic
Solar Tricktionary
Seasons Animation
Moon Phases Explained
Phases of the Moon Rap

Photo Updates! Long Overdue!

Here are some photo collages from November and December in Grade 6! Enjoy!