Week of September 17 - 21, 2012.

Friday HW
1.  Terry Fox donations for fundraising.  The students have been generous so far, raising nearly $40 in the first 3 days.  Thank you and keep it coming!
2.  Math Quizzes next week:
Monday -- Unit 2, Lessons 1 to 4
Wednesday -- Unit 2, Lessons 5 and 7
3.  New Problem of the week handed out today:  "Angry Nerds App" is a Number Sense problem.  It is due next Friday.
4.  Correct test pack and return with a parent signature on Monday.
Our class went to the computer lab this morning and got our passwords updated.  Afterwards we took self-guided tours through my class web page and other software installed on the school computers.  Students should memorize their student numbers as they memorize their home phone numbers.  We stressed that passwords should be unique and never shared with friends.  We have computer lab time ever second week to supplement the macbook access we enjoy on the third floor.  Next activities will include Bitstrips online comic creation.

Thursday HW
1.  Future Verses Poem good copy due tomorrow.
2.  Problem of the week #2 due tomorrow.
3.  Terry Fox donations.
4.  A test pack (math quiz, 2 dictations, problem of the week) was handed to each student today.  Students should correct their mistakes, show the package to you and ask for it to be signed by a parent.  One signature will do.  I want to ensure that parents are made aware of ongoing progress.  Please have the test pack returned on Monday.
5.  Math Quizzes next week:
Monday Unit 2 Lessons 1,2,3,4
Wednesday Unit 2 Lessons 5 and 7.

Wednesday HW
1.  MMS Practice page 20 only.
2.  Unit 2 Math Quiz on Lessons 1,2,3 and 4 on Monday September 24.
3.  Unit 2 Math Quiz on Lessons 5 and 7 on Wednesday September 26.
4.  Spelling Dictation #2 tomorrow.
5.  All Future Paragraphs due tomorrow in good copy form.
6.  Terry Fox donations for our class goal of $365.

     Today 10 of the 22 students present did not have their Math practice ready in class (forgotten at home, not done) for corrections.  That was a surprising number given the lightness of yesterday's homework schedule.  Please ask your students if they have their books to show you, even if they say it was finished at school.  A quick once-over from a parent would be really helpful.  Thank you.
     After reviewing the Lunch forms sent back, I noticed a number of forms referred to unspecified days when students would be going home at lunch.  If your form stated that your child was regularly leaving school for lunch every Friday (or some other regular, consistent day of the week) I can process that confidently each week and no special notes are needed.  Making a change to stay for lunch is no problem, but leaving school grounds is significant concern for 10 and 11 year old students.
     If you wrote that your child would be out 'from time to time', or on irregular days, I need an agenda note or some other handwritten note confirming parent permission each time he or she is leaving for lunch.  Unfortunately there is no way for us to be sure that parental permission has been given if students tell us they are leaving and no note is provided.  It's a real risk based on past behaviour patterns with grade six students, who sometimes leave without permission.  We're trying to be accountable to parents for the safety of the students, which includes knowing where they are meant to be at lunch times.  I really appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Tuesday HW
1.  MMS practice pages 18-19.
2.  Bring a hat to school tomorrow.  Only three students had one today.
3.  Terry Fox fundraising goal: $365.  Let's start tomorrow.
Students from our class visited third floor classrooms to deliver a kickstarting talk about our Terry Fox school run fundraiser.  I received favourable reports about their composure and preparedness from the staff I spoke to afterwards.  Well done!


Monday HW
1.  Finish spelling lists and 15 sentences for Cycle # 2.  We worked on Friday and Today on this in class.
2.  Finish rough copy of the Future paragraph draft in the booklet.
3.  MMS practice book page 16. 
4.  Bring a hat to class.
We distributed the News Journal assignment due dates today.  Each student knows their individual due date and what is expected for a complete submission for this oral and written assignment.