January 30 - February 7, 2013

Reading: Non-Fiction articles (cause & effect, current issues), Introduction to Historical Fiction

Writing: Narrative Writing

Math: Geometry - constructing triangles, sorting polygons, unit review, test on Friday (Feb. 7)

Science (Ms. Halliwell): Forces in Nature

Social Studies: Aboriginal Art/Culture - Dream catchers

French (Ms. Bordonaro): Presentations

Music/Drama (Ms. Craigg): TBA

Visual Art: Still Life - hatching/cross hatching, 3D solids

Phys. Ed (Ms. Minutillo): Yoga

Protractors

We'll be starting our Geometry unit on Monday, and will begin by exploring angles.  I'd meant to ask students to bring in a protractor for Monday in class today, but I forgot.  If you're checking this blog and have one, or can get one, please send it with your child on Monday.  I have several of them in the class and students can share.  However, the more protractors we get means, the more hands-on practice students can get.

Protractor

I also wanted to apologize for not updating the blog the last 2 weeks.  I've been busy marking and starting to write report cards.  I will provide an update for next week, and try to be more consistent with keeping you inform!

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