Social Studies Presentations

On Wednesday, students will be sharing what they have researched and learned about their European Explorer. Each presentation will be 1 minute in length (or 2 minutes for students working with a partner). Here is the rubric that I will be using to grade their presentation:

https://www.dropbox.com/l/dqBDhunUj879O9j2BNwzBb

I've been encouraging students to practice their presentations at home, to ensure they are around the 1 minute mark. Due to the high number of presentations we will have, I will be enforcing the 1 minute time limit.  I've told students that they will get a “signal” at the 1 minute mark, and will have 15 extra seconds to wrap up their presentation. 

Students in all 3 classes have done an excellent job recording their research with their jot notes, and several students have shared their Information Maps with me. I look forward to hearing all about the different explorers on Wednesday!

December 16-19, 2013

Media Literacy: Features of an (online) poster, creating glogs
Math: Measurement Unit - launch, linear measurements (lengths, heights, widths), units of measure (mm, cm, dm, m, km) and conversions
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Wind Power Design Project
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in New France & Early Canada - research project (First Nation), Glogster
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Sports
Music/Drama (Ms. Craigg): TBA
Visual Art: Famous Portraits Artists & their styles - final project (artist and style of student’s choosing)
Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): Target Games

December 9-13, 2013

Reading: Non-Fiction - main idea and supporting details

Writing: Descriptive Writing

Math: Review of multiplying and dividing by 10 and multiples of 10 (e.g., 100, 1000, 10,000) in preparation for our Measurement unit

Science (Ms. Halliwell): Wind Power Design Project

Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in New France & Early Canada - research project (First Nation), Glogster

French (Ms. Bordonaro): Sports

Music/Drama (Ms. Sheppard): TBA

Visual Art: Famous Portraits Artists & their styles - final project (artist and style of student’s choosing)

Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): TBA

Social Studies Mini-Research Project

For the past month, students have been using the Inquiry/Research process to learn about a First Nation. For homework, students are being asked to use the same process to learn about a European Explorer. Students will show what they’ve learned through a 1 minute oral presentation for his/her class.  (2 minutes if they are working with a partner)

Here is a digital copy of the information package that was handed out in class:

Download File Here

Due Dates:

Stage 1 (Select topic) - Monday, December 9th
Stage 2 (Jot Notes) - Thursday, December 12th
Stage 4 (Oral Presentation) - Wednesday, December 18th

December 2-6, 2013

Reading: Non-Fiction - unit launch, text features

Writing: Descriptive Writing
Math: Data Management - unit review, test on Thursday
Science (Ms. Halliwel): Conserving Energy Project, Wind Power
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in New France & Early Canada - research project (First Nation), Glogster
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Sports
Music/Drama (Ms. Sheppard): TBA
Visual Art: Famous Portraits Artists & their styles - final project (artist and style of student’s choosing)
Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): TBA

Reminder: Bottle/Carton for Science

Ms. Halliwell has arranged for our class to participate in a design workshop this Thursday or Friday (the schedule for the 3 class has yet to be determined).  In order to participate in the learning activity, each student needs to bring in an empty 2L pop bottle or milk/juice carton.  Ms. Halliwell asked the class to start bringing them in last week, and as of today, only ½ the class has done so.  Please remind your child to bring in their bottle/carton as soon as possible, so that they can take part in the building activity. 

November 25-29, 2013

Reading: Mysteries - Guided Reading, quiz Friday

Writing: Personal Narratives - final project, Descriptive Writing

Math: Data Management - Stem & Leaf Plots, Related Data

Science (Ms. Halliwell): Conserving Energy

Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in New France & Early Canada - research project (First Nation)

French (Ms. Bordonaro): TBA

Music/Drama (Ms. Sheppard): TBA

Visual Art: Famous Portraits Artists & their styles - Pablo Picasso

Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): TBA

November 11-22

Reading: Mysteries - characteristics of mysteries, making connections con’t


Writing: Personal Narratives - final project

Math: Data Management - bar & line graphs, intervals, discrete vs. continuous data (quiz - around 20th-22^nd)

Science (Ms. Halliwel): Sources of energy

Social Studies:  First Nations & European Explorers in New France & Early Canada - research project (First Nation)

French (Ms. Bordonaro): Vocabulary, Conversations & Oral Presentations

Music/Drama (Ms. Sheppard): TBA

Visual Art:  Famous Portraits Artists & their styles - Roy Lichtenstein

Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): Health (Bullying) - quiz on 18th

World Changer/Peace Maker Homework

In anticipation of Remembrance Day on Monday, we read the book “Somewhere Today, A Book of Peace”.  The book talks about how each of us can play our part to bring peace to our families, communities and to the world.  We discussed Ghandi’s quote“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” and what we can each do to make the world a better place.

For homework, students have been asked to finish their paragraph they started in class.  They were asked “What change would you like to see in the world?  What will you do to be a world changer/peace maker?”  Some students shared that they would like bring an end to violence in the world, and will be that change by trying to use words to solve their everyday conflicts.  Other students said they would like to world to be a greener place, and they would be the change by reducing waste and recycling more often.  Another students said they would promote peace by being kind and respectful to their little brother and sister.  In doing so, they hope that there will be peace in their family and she will a role model of peace to her siblings.   

When they are done their draft, they have been asked to do a self-edit and a peer edit.  They can ask a friend or a family member to help them.  Then they are to publish their paragraph on the “poppy paper”.

Progress Report & Parent-Teacher Interviews

Progress Reports are scheduled to come home on Wednesday, November 13^th, and we will be having parent-teacher interviews that week.  I’m in discussion with Mr. Crane and Mr. Chin to see if I can send them home earlier (with the goal being Monday).  If I am able send them home earlier in the week, it will give more options for interview times (e.g. before or after school).

Your child should be bringing home a letter today asking for your preferences of interview times.  Please let me know your choices, so that I can create a class schedule.  Once the schedule is set, I will send another note home to notify you of your time slot.  Please return the forms ASAP, as I would like to set the schedule by Thursday, to give families time to make plans for next week. 

November 4-8, 2013

Reading: Mysteries - elements of a mystery (story map), making connections con't

Writing: Personal Narratives - final project

Math: Data Management - mean, median, mode, range, Quiz this week; reading and making bar graphs

Science (Ms. Halliwel): Sources of energy

Social Studies:  First Nations & European Explorers in New France & Early Canada - research project (First Nation)

French (Ms. Bordonaro): Days of the week, Aimer

Music/Drama (Ms. Sheppard): TBA

Visual Art:  Famous Portraits Artists & their styles - Amedeo Modigliani

Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): Health

Social Studies Folder Check

Here is a copy of the check list we discussed in class.  I will be checking for the following items in your folder:

Item	Meets Expectation (complete)
Title Page	- title coloured - includes an appropriate picture
Table of Contents	- up to date
KWL	- K and W boxes filled in - includes at least 2 ideas in each box (or 4 questions if you don’t have anything to put the “Know” box)
Timeline	- includes at least 6 events - events recorded in order
Scavenger Hunt	- completed
Map of Native People at time of European contact	- coloured in accurately - legend and map colours match

Brrrrr! It's cold out there!

We’ve been very blessed with warm and sunny weather this fall, getting an extended summer.  Unfortunately, the weather has taken a sharp turn this week, and it now feels like winter!  Please remind your child to wear appropriate clothing (e.g. jackets, hats,gloves, etc) to school, as they do spend a significant amount of time outside for recesses and at lunch.  It’s also been a bit chilly in the classroom, as the caretakers are working on the heating situation.  I’ve asked the students to bring a sweater with them, just in case they feel cold inside.  

October 15-18, 2013

Reading: Biographies

Writing: Personal Narratives - conferencing

Math: Subtraction - traditional strategy, review for Unit Test next week (place value, addition, subtraction)

Science (Ms. Halliwell): Energy

Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in New France & Early Canada - Atlas & Maps

French (Ms. Bordonaro): Days of the Week, Aimer (to like)

Music/Drama (Ms. Sheppard): TBA

Visual Art: Zentangle Designs

Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): TBA

Additional "Extra Math Help" Session

After marking the last Math Quiz (Monday), I noticed that many students are still struggling with decimals (ordering and adding).  With Eid on Tuesday and having many students away, I will be holding an additional Math Help session afterschool tomorrow (Thursday).  It will be for about 15-20 minutes (until 3:45) and we will go over decimals.  The students and I went over the quiz today, and I will be reminding them again tomorrow.  I will send the quiz home tomorrow (instead of next week) in the Red Folders, instead of next Tuesday.

Thanks to all the parents who have been signing and returning the Red Folders.  Having the folders returned promptly allows me more time to prepare them for the next week, and have the option of sending them home ahead of the scheduled time.

Upcoming Eid

Dear Parents,

Eid Mubarak!  If you are planning to have your child celebrate Eid with your family, and be absent from school on October 15 and/or 16, please fill out the Eid and return it with your child.  With many families celebrating, we are anticipating a high number of absences.  Our office staff would really appreciate advance notification, so that they do not have to call hundreds of families for the Safe Arrival program those days.  Thanks for your cooperation!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kwong

October 7-11, 2013

Reading: Biographies - purpose, characteristics

Writing: Personal Narratives (recounts) - qualities of a good personal narrative, conferencing

Math: Subtraction - mental strategies (adding on, splitting, compensation), Unit Test next week (place value, addition, subtraction)

Science (Ms. Halliwel): Energy

Social Studies:  First Nations & European Explorers in New France & Early Canada - Timelines & Maps

French (Ms. Bordonaro): TBA

Music/Drama (Ms. Sheppard): TBA

Visual Art:  Zentangle Designs

Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): TBA

September 30 - October 4

Reading: Biographies

Writing: Personal Narratives (recounts), writing with focus & details

Math: Addition & Subtraction

Science (Ms. Halliwell): Energy

Social Studies:  First Nations & European Explorers in New France & Early Canada - Timelines & Maps

French (Ms. Bordonaro): numbers

Music/Drama (Ms. Sheppard): TBA

Visual Art:  Spiral Name Art (radial symmetry)

Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): TBA

Welcome to our class blog!

Hi parents, guardians and students!

Welcome to our class blog!  We've had a great start to our school year and I'm excited about the learning we're going to do this year.  To help keep everyone informed, I will be keeping this blog to let parents and guardians know what's going on in our classroom.  Each week, you will find the topics being covered in our classes, in addition to that week's Spelling words.  I also hope to have "reporters" who will write about the events and activities happening in our class.

I believe that parent involvement and open communication are key to helping students reach their best potential.  My hope is that this blog will be one of several channels of communication between families and myself.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to jot a note in the student agenda or give me a call (the school phone number is found on the 1st page of the student agenda).

It has been a pleasure meeting each of your children, and I hope to get chance to meet all the parents/guardians soon too!

Cheers,
Mrs. Kwong