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!

Photo Updates! Long Overdue!

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

Riderville!

November 18, 2013 Dear Parents, It’s an exciting time to live in Riderville! We are going to share our Rider pride in our Grade 6 classrooms this week in a couple different ways:

• The school is having a Rider-inspired decorating contest. Feel free to send any green or Rider decorations to school to help us deck out our wing in green! We will be creating artwork this week to help decorate, as well. Students are encouraged to come decked out in green on Friday! 
• On Friday morning, both classrooms will share together in a GREEN POTLUCK. Students are encouraged to bring something GREEN to share with classmates for lunch. We will begin our GREEN POTLUCK at about 11am. The fridge and microwave will be available if needed. Please be careful to avoid nuts in anything you send to school. Thanks!

I am also sending students home with a paper note about two upcoming trips (Nov. 27 to the Wizard of Oz at Balfour Collegiate, and a day trip to Mission Ridge for skiing on Dec. 13), as well as a request for $4.50 for student agendas.  Thanks!

Week One in Room 301

Hi, everyone! We are off to a great start!  Students are working hard and bringing lots of enthusiasm to the classroom each day!  Just a couple highlights for you from our first week in Room 301:

• Math: We started our first unit: Understanding Number.  We are working hard to establish understanding of place value up to trillions at the moment!  We are also spending time at the beginning of each class reviewing multiplication facts. Students are encouraged to devote time to practicing their facts at home, as well.  
• Language Arts: We launched the first and second chapters of the Daily 5: Read to Self and Listen to Reading!  We are working on developing independence in our reading habits and building stamina.  I am reading "The Breadwinner" by Canadian author Deborah Ellis to students.  It is one of my favorite books and tells the story of a young girl growing up in Afghanistan during the years of the Taliban's control.  You can read more about Deborah Ellis here. We also worked on couple "get to know each other" projects, including a paper "Facebook Profile" assignment and a neat word project using Tagxedo.
• We also had our first test of the year!  It was a "True/False" test that helped everyone get to know the teacher!  Here's a sneak peek:

Coming up this week:

• We will take a look at "Multiple Intelligences" to develop an understanding of how one another learns best and relates to others.  We will take a survey that will will help me learn each student's preferred learning style.
• We will begin our first Science unit: "The Diversity of Living Things".

Looking forward to meeting everyone on Thursday evening!  The BBQ begins at 5:30pm!

Seussical Week!

Next week is Seussical Week at Jack Mack!  The SLC has planned the following spirit days to celebrate all things SEUSS!

• Monday: Polka Dot/Stripe Day
• Tuesday: Who Hair Day/ Bake Sale (items are 50 cents each)
• Wednesday: Crazy Color Day
• Thursday: Favorite Seuss Character Day (Concert Day!)

Update!

Hi, everyone!  Just wanting to touch base with you about a few items and upcoming dates.  We are on the homestretch now!

•  Math: We are working on Unit 7, which focuses on Data Analysis and Probability.  I will attach the Extra Practice sheets to this email.
•  Reading: Poetry Projects are due this Friday.
•  Writing: We have finished our mini-unit on Figurative Language.  This week, we will continue to work on our blogs.  Our blogs are due on June 13^th. 
• Science: We are going on our field trip to Crooked Valley on Thursday.  As of now, it looks like rain is in the forecast.  If our trip is canceled, I will send you an email by 7:45am and make a post on the blog.  We are continuing to study Flight in our Science classes.  There will be a test on Flight in the second week of June.
•  Art: We are enjoying a unit on Digital Photography.  Students will be completing a “Photography Portfolio” to demonstrate their learning.  We will be focusing on basic composition skills.  I will also attach this assignment to the email.
•  Practical Applied Arts: From June 3-13, the Grades 6, 7, and 8 students will be taking part in daily PAA workshops.  The students have selected a workshop from a number made available, such as pottery, guitar, duct tape creating, multimedia technology, digital photography, and more.  All of the teachers from Grades 6, 7 and 8 are involved in this project.  PAA time will be from 9-10:15am.  Students are really looking forward to this hands-on learning experience! 
• JDRF Walk: I have only heard back from a couple students regarding the Walk on June 9^th.  Thanks for sending me a quick reply about your son or daughter’s availability.
• SCC Pancake Breakfast: This FRIDAY from 7:30-8:30am.  Come on by with your family and enjoy some pancakes!

Friday's Update!

Hi, everyone!  Happy Friday!  A few things to update you on today:

•          The students have done a nice job of pulling together their speeches this week.  Thank you for your support on this assignment.  We will have our classroom speak-off on Tuesday as I am away with the other class on a field trip on Wednesday. 
•          The Math tests look fantastic thus far!  I will send them on Monday with an updated mark sheet for Math.  We have started a new unit on Fractions, Ratios and Percent. 
•          The Winter Art Mosaics are beautiful!  You can view them when you come for conferences (March 22).
•         We started a new novel study today, based on the book “City of Ember”.  Students have a booklet that they will complete as we move through the unit.  This book aligns well with our current study on Electricity in Science.  Next week will be working with circuit boards in Science!
•          We have completed the student-created pieces of our Welcome Basket for newcomers to Canada and Jack MacKenzie School.  We are very excited about bringing our inquiry to a close with a fundraiser/celebration on Wednesday, March 13 from 9:45-11:45am in the Art/Science Room.  “The Global Eatery” (student-named!!) will be a multicultural food fair to raise funds for our welcome baskets.  Each student is asked to bring two dozen (but more if you like! The more, the merrier!) food items that represent their cultural background.  They should be easily served in individual pieces or servings.  We will be inviting classes, as well as special guests (like the many who visited our classroom during our inquiry) to come and sample our food from around the world.  Passports can be purchased for a toonie.  Each passport can be used to select three food items.  You are welcome to come and be a part of it!  Please let me know if you would like to be a part of this event.  Each student will also write a paragraph about the food they have brought and a bit on the their cultural background.  They are welcome to dress in their ethnic clothing (if possible) and decorate their station to their heart’s delight!  Please email me or send me a note to confirm what type of food your son or daughter will be bringing, as well as the number of items you are able to contribute.  This will help us to plan how many invitations we can make to other classes.
•          We are also doing our best to gather various items from businesses who might like to sponsor our welcome baskets.   Students have been emailing, making phone calls and visiting businesses to welcome their participation.  Thanks for your support in this project!  The kids (and their teacher) are very excited about it!

Welcome to 2013!

Welcome back and Happy New Year! We are given a fresh start every day, but there is something refreshing about the clean slate of  New Year.  The potential of what could be excites me, especially in our classroom! A couple notes to get us started in January:

• January is Handwriting Month!  Students will be developing their handwriting skills each day during Bellwork.  They will also be expected to handwrite for the majority of their daily work. February will be Typing Month!
• In Math, we are working on multiplying and dividing with decimals.  Extra practice with these fundamental skills is encouraged.  Check out my links for online practice sites, or have your child complete the Extra Practice Sheets.
• We are beginning a new unit in Science.  We will be exploring electricity!  If you have background knowledge in this area, I would love to have an expert or two make an appearance!  We will be working with circuits and wiring lamps as a part of our exploration. 
• In Language Arts, we are kicking off the year with an inquiry project focused on the question, "What is it like to be a newcomer to Canada?"  Later on, we will tie Language Arts together with Science, reading the book, "City of Ember" by Jeanne duPrau. I am really looking forward both of these studies!

That's all for today!  PS: Pics of our Smartie Party coming soon!

Thursday!

Today in Grade 6...
-many choir students performed for the CTV recording crew..it will be played on Christmas Eve!
-day 3 of curling...we actually threw the rocks down the ice today!
-we had a Boston Pizza special lunch!
-we played fun improv games with Mrs. Hinz!

Remembrance Day Service

Hi, everyone!  Tomorrow, beginning at 11am, is our Remembrance Day service.  It will be a special morning and parents are especially welcome to join.  The Grade 6 classes will be performing a dance to the song, "Fare Thee Well".  I previewed it yesterday and it is wonderful.  I will also record it and attempt to post it.  Students are to wear dark pants with either a black, red or white shirt.

Update Time!

Hello, everyone!  I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends! A couple things to note:

• Math: We are correcting the Review assignment today, tomorrow we will play a review game to practice, and Friday we will write the Unit 1 Test.  Today we are also spending time specifically reviewing Lesson 8.  
• Reading: We are closing in on the end of our novel study on the The Breadwinner.  Our booklets should be completed by Wednesday, October 17, and we will have a test next Friday, Wednesday 19.
• Next week, Mrs.McCrea will begin teaching Unit 2 in Math.  The following week, beginning Oct. 22, she will begin teaching her three-week block, which means she will be handling the full load of classroom responsibilities.  You may contact Mrs. McCrea by phone at the school, or email: tiffany.mccrea@go.rbe.sk.ca.
• One of the highlights of our Grade 6 Phys. Ed. program is curling lessons!  We will be going to the Tartan for our curling lessons on the following dates: Nov. 29, Dec. 11, Dec. 13, and Dec. 18, from 9:30-10:30am.  Parents are more than welcome to join us for any of the above dates, but especially on Dec. 18.  This final lesson is a "game day" and we could use extra hands to help out on the ice.

That's all for now!  Have a great day!

A Monday Update!

Hello, everyone!  Here’s a quick update for our week:

• Field Trip- We are going to Flying Creek tomorrow! It looks like it will be a beautiful fall day!  Please remember to send a solid lunch, snacks and lots of water with your child.  Please ensure that they have long pants, a sweater or jacket for the morning, and good runners or hikers.  Looking forward to a great day- and thanks in advance to Mrs. Shoobert and Mr. Markusson who are joining us tomorrow! J Pictures to follow...
• Math- We are about halfway through Unit 1.  I have attached the Extra Practice sheets for Unit 1 to this email, for optional practice at home. 
• Reading- We are also halfway through our novel, The Breadwinner!  The plot is thickening…
• Reading/Writing- By the end of this week, we will have “launched” the first three elements of the “Daily 5”- “Read to Self”, “Read to Someone”, and “Work on Writing”.  Students are working hard to build independence and stamina in each of these three areas.
• Art- Students are working on a personal collage assignment with Mrs. McCrea.  They are welcome to bring old magazines or personal photos that would help represent their identity.
•  School Photos- Wednesday!
• Gym Blast- Friday.  This is a fun-filled, team-building activity for students in Gr. 6-8.  Students have been broken up into four color groups and they are encouraged to dress in their team colors on Friday for the big event!

Have a great week!

Flying Creek Field Trip: Coming Up!

Today Mr. Conway, our field trip guide (and Miss M's Grade 6 teacher!), came to help us prepare for our field trip to Flying Creek.  Students will bring home a letter and waiver form today.  Thanks, parents, for returning these waivers along with $4.50 for the bus, as well as $3 for our three upcoming swimming dates ($1/per swim).

If you are interested in joining us for the day, we would be thrilled to have you along for the adventure!  Just send an email or note in your child's agenda to let me know if you are interested and available.

Looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow!

A Rainy Day Update!

Hi, everyone!  Just another friendly update from Grade 6…J

• Math- We are working on graphing and data analysis.  Lesson 4 is due tomorrow.
• Science- We are working on the forces of flight, as well as the history of Canadian flight.  Students need to finish their Voice Thread assignment (15 events in total) by Thursday.
• Social- The Perspective Story (p. 169, #1), or the Cartoon (p. 169, #2) is due Thursday.  The other is due on Monday, June 4.
• Health- Chapter Review is due Wednesday, and there is a Unit Test on Monday, June 4.
• Art- The Photography Portfolio is due Thursday.
• Writing- Persuasive Letters are now overdue.
• Tomorrow afternoon, the Grade 6-8 students will be having a special movie afternoon.  I forgot to mention this to the kids today, but they are welcome to bring a treat for the movie if they like.
• We are going swimming on Wednesday from 2-3pm.
• Today I sent home notes about two outdoor swimming dates- June 21 and June 25 at Wascana Pool.  Earlier in the year, I undercharged students for our bus trip to Seussical.  Would you kindly send an additional $0.75 along with the $3 for swimming to help cover costs?  Thanks so much- sorry about that!

As always, send any questions my way!  Have a great week…I’m hoping for sunshine and tennis!!

New Date for Field Trip

Apologies for the changes in schedule, but our field trip to Crooked Valley will be on JUNE 14.  Thanks!!

Update!

Hi, everyone!  Just a quick update for you this week:

• Today we completed Unit 5 in Math.  The class rocked the Math Test!!! The class average was 91%.  Bravo!  (By the way, this is top secret information and means we will add a smartie to our jar…the final one before our second Mini-Smartie Party!! Details on that coming soon!)

• Tomorrow morning we will have our first Book Club Meetings.  Students need to be prepared with their finished reading, journal entry, role sheet and word work.

• Our Racism projects are due next Wednesday, April 4.

• We are a lucky class!  Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Colin and Renee Perkowitsch, our class will be attending “Seussical” on Wednesday, April 4.  It is a production by Do It With Class.  Bailey Perkowitsch and Mayson Sonntag, both Grade 6 students, will be performing!  Students need to bring $1.50 for the bus.  We will also be eating an early lunch on that day because we need to leave the school by 11:45am.  All students should bring a lunch on that day.   We are really looking forward to this event!

The Latest from Grade 6!

I hope you are enjoying the signs of spring!  I can’t wait to get back out on those tennis courts!  Here’s an update on the latest in Grade 6:

Progress Reports- Please sign and return the folders.  Also, please return the blue conference slip confirming your conference time.  I look forward to connecting with you and your son and daughter on Friday.

     Math- We are finishing up our Unit on Fractions, Decimals, and Percent.  I have attached Extra Practice sheets to this email- feel free to use them as you like.  We will work on finishing this Unit by the end of the week, and plan to have our Unit Test next Tuesday, March 27.

      Science- We are still studying Electricity.  In support of our learning, Thursday has been declared “ONE DAY UNPLUGGED”.  At school, we will be doing our best to NOT use electricity.  This will require some flexibility and creative use of space, but I think it will be a very good learning experience.  As long as the weather is okay, we will do some of our learning outside.  I would like students to bring a “sit-upon” so that if it is not too wet, we can sit on the ground.  There is an “outdoor classroom” area on the playground with benches, so that will be our first option!  Students will complete a log book throughout the day and the night, recording their experiences and thoughts about the simulation.  I have challenged students (and myself!!) to extend the experiment as much as possible at home.   Even having kids “unplug” their electronic games, gadgets and the television for a day would be useful for this simulation. 

      Lunchroom- I have spoken with both Grade 6 classes about lunchroom procedures and rules.  “Regular” lunchroom students must inform the lunchroom supervisor (in our room’s case, that’s me) about any alternate lunch plans and receive permission from parents for any changes.  “Casual” students have been reminded that they need to communicate and receive permission from parents before carrying out alternate lunch plans, such as walks to Dairy Queen.  Thanks for helping us make sure everyone is safe during our lunch hour.

Thanks, everyone!

The Latest in Grade 6

Welcome to a new week!  Just a few things to update you on today from the Grade 6 world..

-I will be checking in with kids about their rough drafts for their speeches today.  The final draft is due Friday.  I have told the class that if they have a major time issue with getting the final draft done by this date, to come and speak with me early this week.

-We are having a Science quiz on Friday. Students are welcome to take home textbooks to study but please ensure that they return them to school as they are costly.  There are about 20 terms to study in preparation for this quiz.

-We rocked the Unit 4 Math Test!  The class average was 89%.  Students should have their tests signed.  I have also included an overall summary of their current mark in Math.

-We are going on our second cross-country skiing trip on Wednesday morning.  Please send $3 for the bus (this covers our trip last Monday). 

-It would be great to have all of the Mission Ridge money in by Thursday if possible, as I am leaving for Hong Kong on Friday!

-Tomorrow is Red, White, and Purple Day, as well as the Valentine’s Day dance.  Should be fun!

School Oratory (Speeches)

Hi, everyone!  I just wanted to connect with you regarding the School Oratory.  Each student has received a booklet outlining the speech-writing process.  Each student will be working on the pre-writing and rough draft stages of the speech this week, but students are encouraged to work on their speech at home, as well.  We have broken up the process into three parts, with three due dates (this helps us avoid doing everything at the last minute!):
Monday, February 13: Rough Draft is due
Friday, February 17: Final Draft is due
Tuesday, March 6, and Wednesday, March 7: Classroom Speak-Off (this is when students present their speeches in our classroom)
The top girl and boy will be chosen to represent our classroom in the School Oratory on Friday, March 30. 
There is a form on the first page of the packet that indicates parents have viewed the speech assignment.  Please sign and return this, or send me an email or a note in your child's agenda.
Also, please let me know if you have any questions regarding the details of the assignment.

Book Swap!

We are having a Book Swap in the library on Tuesday, January 31.  Bring a book and trade it in for a new one!