Week of November 28 - December 2, 2016

** Note:  Friday December 2 is PA day.  

There is no school for students that day.  

See you Monday, December 5! **

Thursday HW
1.  Book Report due on Thursday December 8.
2.  Student parliament Food and toy drive starts tomorrow.
3.  ABC Organizer on Space due in class on Monday.
4.  Scholastic forms were handed out today.  The orders are due on Friday December 9.
No cash please -- only cheques made out to Scholastic Canada Ltd.

Wednesday HW
1.  New Unit:  Data Management.  MMS pp 68-69
2.  Book Report due on Thursday December 8.
3.  Student parliament Food and toy drive starts tomorrow.
4.  Scholastic forms were handed out today.  The orders are due on Friday December 9.
No cash please -- only cheques made out to Scholastic Canada Ltd.

Tuesday HW
1.  Book Report due on Thursday December 8.
2.  Scholastic forms were handed out today.  The orders are due on Friday December 9.
No cash please -- only cheques made out to Scholastic Canada Ltd.

Still Missing eight Behind the Door Stories

Monday HW
1.  Geometry unit test tomorrow.  Use the study sheets you received earlier in the unit.
2.  Book Report due on Thursday December 8.
3.  "Behind The Door" writing due tomorrow, shared with me so that I can print it.
4.  Scholastic forms were handed out today.  The orders are due on Friday December 9.
No cash please -- only cheques made out to Scholastic Canada Ltd.

Week of November 21 - 25, 2016

Friday HW
1.  Book Report reading and planning -- due on December 8, 2016
2.  Endangered Animal research -- due on December 21.
3.  Spelling Dictation Monday, November 28
4.  Geometry Unit Test Tuesday, November 29

Thursday HW
1.  Book Report reading and planning -- due on December 8, 2016
2.  Endangered Animal research -- due on December 21.
3.  MMS pages 42-43.  We had small group Math conferences today with a focus on number talk, isometric drawing and homework correction.
4.  The "Behind the Door" story had a final writing day using laptops in class today.  The good copy, stored in each student's Google Drive, is due for printing by me on Tuesday, November 29.  Students can access their Drives from home by typing aw.tdsb.on.ca into their browsers and then logging in using their TDSB credentials (student number and password)
4.  Superhero hero dress-up day on Friday.
5.  Pizza Lunch on Friday.
6.  Electronics reward day on Friday afternoon (2 periods) for Terry Fox fundraising.  Please do not bring things you will regret losing or breaking.  The school cannot be responsible for lost, stolen, broken or misplaced items.  Social media use in class, unwelcome messaging or video recording of peers, and viewing questionable online videos/webpages are not permitted.  This afternoon is about reading e-books, playing games (that are not rated 'M for Mature'), or using apps.  If I see something questionable, I have to act on it.

Wednesday HW
1.  Book Report reading and planning -- due on December 8, 2016
2.  Endangered Animal research -- due on December 21.
3.  Superhero hero dress-up day on Friday.
4.  Pizza Lunch on Friday.
5.  Electronics reward day on Friday afternoon (2 periods) for Terry Fox fundraising.  Please do not bring things you will regret losing or breaking.  The school cannot be responsible for lost, stolen, broken or misplaced items.  Social media use in class, unwelcome messaging or video recording of peers, and viewing questionable online videos/webpages are not permitted.  This afternoon is about reading e-books, playing games (that are not rated 'M for Mature'), or using apps.  If I see something questionable, I have to act on it.

Tuesday HW
* Nine students stayed for homework club last night -- great!
** Eleven students did not have their 'Treasure Chest' Social Studies homework done or even in class.  These are checks that I use to help form Learning Skills scores.

1.  Book Report reading and planning -- due on December 8, 2016
2.  Endangered Animal research -- due on December 21.
3.  MMS pages 40-41.  Marking of Monday's quiz is ongoing.
4.  Superhero hero dress-up day on Friday.
5.  Pizza Lunch on Friday.
6.  Electronics reward day on Friday afternoon (2 periods) for Terry Fox fundraising.  Please do not bring things you will regret losing or breaking.  The school cannot be responsible for lost, stolen, broken or misplaced items.  Social media use in class, unwelcome messaging or video recording of peers, and viewing questionable online videos/webpages are not permitted.  This afternoon is about reading e-books, playing games (that are not rated 'M for Mature'), or using apps.  If I see something questionable, I have to act on it.


Monday HW
1.  Book Report reading and planning -- due on December 8, 2016
2.  Endangered Animal research -- due on December 21.
3.  Social Studies response in your Journal (double spaced, minimum half a page):
"Is it good to have connections with other countries?  Why, or why not?  Why should we know about these connections?"

Week of November 14 - 18, 2016

Notes:

• On Tuesday the Progress Report Card goes home.  I am ready to meet with all parents this term.
• Friday is a PA day for report card interviews.  There is no school for students on that day.

Thursday HW
1.  Math Geometry quiz on Monday November 21 -- Unit 3, Lessons 1, 2, and 4.  There is a study sheet that was shared with all students, in addition to the Quick Review in their MMS homework books.
2.  Literature Circles Monday -- Green group, and maybe the red group.
3.  Library book exchange on Monday.

Tuesday HW
1.  MMS pages 38-39.  It is a good idea to purchase your own compass for Math.  I provide board issued ones and they are very flimsy, creating significant frustration for those who can least manage it.
2.  Spelling text work:  page 35, # 1,2,3; page 36 # 4 and the Challenge; page 36 -- ABC organizer for Space.  The organizer should have illustrations for at least 11 of the 26 alphabet letters.  An entire period was allotted for this work today.
3.  Math Geometry quiz on Monday November 21 -- Unit 3, Lessons 1, 2, and 4.  There is a study sheet that was shared with all students, in addition to the Quick Review in their MMS homework books.
4.  Inquiry organizer # 2 is due for review tomorrow.

Monday HW
1.  MMS pages 36-37.
2.  Return any interview request forms.
Thank you very much for your generous poppy donations for the veterans of Canada's Armed Forces.  Our class continues to show their best side in every fundraising drive for people in need.

Week of November 7 - 11, 2016

Thursday HW
1.  Return Interview Request form to schedule a visit with me.  They were sent home Monday.  The times on Thursday from 5 to 7 PM are nearly full.  I have a large class so I am scheduling 10 minute visits.  I will do my best to keep to the timelines with your cooperation.
One extra bit of information was omitted from the letter regarding rotary teacher interview requests (e.g., French, PE, Band, Drama, Dance, Strings):
"If you would like a conference with one of your child’s rotary teachers, please contact the specific teacher by email. (TDSB email: Teacher’s First Name. Teacher’s Last Name@TDSB.ON.CA.)  Rotary Teachers will be available Thursday evening and Friday morning."
2.  Remembrance Day Poppy donations can be returned in the provided envelope.
3.  Organizer:  one page with the outlines of four paragraphs.  This is a second step in our critique of the play as a writing process activity.
4.  MMS pages 36-37.  Students all received a 180 degree protractor from me that they can use at school and at home.  I don't have enough to provide one for home and another for school so the kids have to bring them back each day.  We used 360 degree protractors in class, but I also showed them how to find and make reflex angles with a half size one as well.


Wednesday HW
1.  Return Interview Request form to schedule a visit with me.  They were sent home Monday.
One extra bit of information was omitted from the letter regarding rotary teacher interview requests (e.g., French, PE, Band, Drama, Dance, Strings):
"If you would like a conference with one of your child’s rotary teachers, please contact the specific teacher by email. (TDSB email: Teacher’s First Name. Teacher’s Last Name@TDSB.ON.CA.)  Rotary Teachers will be available Thursday evening and Friday morning."
2.  Remembrance Day Poppy donations can be returned in the provided envelope.
3.  Journal:  one page, double-spaced, on your reaction to yesterday's play.  We will be writing a four paragraph critique of the play as a writing process activity.  This journal is meant as first take on the subject.  We read five professional reviews of the production today in class to get a flavour of the tone of theatre review.  Students received a rubric, learning goals and success criteria for the assignment today.

We had a lively talk this morning about the American election results.  Your children have many opinions and just as many questions.  You may wish to continue our discussion at home tonight!

Monday HW
1.  Return Interview Request form to schedule a visit with me.  They were sent home today.  One extra bit of information was omitted from the letter regarding rotary teacher interview requests (e.g., French, PE, Band, Drama, Dance, Strings):
If you would like a conference with one of your child’s rotary teachers, please contact the specific teacher by email. (TDSB email: Teacher’s First Name. Teacher’s Last Name@TDSB.ON.CA.)  Rotary Teachers will be available Thursday evening and Friday morning. 
2.  Remembrance Day Poppy donations can be returned in the provided envelope.
3.  Test pack is due on Wednesday, November 9.
4.  MMS Unit 3, Lesson 1, on pages 34-35.

Tomorrow's trip to Stratford promises to be a lot of fun.  
Here are a few reminders:

• Pack a good lunch, snack and drink.  No eating in the theatre,
• Come to class at 8:10 AM for attendance and group making.  We board the bus at 8:30 AM
• Dress for the weather.  The forecast calls for a temperature of 13 degrees and some rain showers
• Please use bathrooms before school or at school before we board the bus.
• Electronics use is okay on the BUS ONLY.  I I see them elsewhere, they will be taken and held for the duration of the trip.  A camera is a fun item to bring -- Stratford is picturesque.  Please remember that you bring these electronic items at your own risk.  The school is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.  If in doubt, leave it at home.

Week of October 31 - November 4, 2016

Thursday HW
1.  Test pack # 2 was handed out.  I ask that a parent or guardian sign the top page and that the student corrects it.  It should be returned by next Wednesday, November 9.
2.  Scholastic Orders due Monday November 7.
3.  Inquiry research at home as well as at school.
4.  Literature Circle presentations start tomorrow.  Because of Library and News Journal I anticipate that we will accomplish two at best.
5.  Tomorrow is Library Book exchange.
6.  Stratford is on Tuesday, November 8.  

• Be at school by 8:10 AM at the latest for departure.  
• Pack a lunch and drink -- there is very limited food service at the Avon Theatre and no time to accommodate the school crowd.  
• Dress warmly for the weather.  It is colder there than in Toronto.
• An adult or caregiver must be present to collect the students at return in the evening -- about 7 PM.  No notes to walk home unaccompanied are acceptable.

Wednesday HW
1.  Test pack # 2 was handed out yesterday.  I ask that a parent or guardian sign the top page and that the student corrects it.  It should be returned by next Wednesday, November 9.
2.  News Journals (today's and yesterday's) with summary and opinion.
3.  Scholastic Orders due Monday November 7.
4.  Spelling Text Work:  p. 31, #4,5; p.32 #8,10,11; p. 33 # 1,2,3,4.  and Challenges.
5.  Inquiry research at home as well as at school.

Tuesday HW
1.  Math Patterning Quiz tomorrow.  It is on Unit 1, Lessons 3,4, and 5.
2.  Spelling dictation #6 tomorrow.
3.  Test pack # 2 was handed out today.  I ask that a parent or guardian sign the top page and that the student corrects it.  It should be returned by next Wednesday, November 9.

Notes:

• The Inquiry project research is well underway.  We have had several class periods for research using internet devices.  That being said, students should absolutely be looking at other sources that they gather outside of school time.  Generous amounts of time are provided in class for feedback and research time but it will be difficult to complete if a student only works during those times.
• Our Stratford trip is coming up on Tuesday November 8.  We will arrive back well after dismissal.  It is necessary to have made arrangements to have someone of responsible age -- over 16 --  pick up your child from the bus in front of the school.  Children will not be permitted to walk home alone.
• Our next book report is due on December 8, 2016.  Students should be making plans to select a new book to read for it during this week.

Monday HW
There is no homework Monday.  I did remind students of the last Patterning quiz on Wednesday, and the Spelling dictation on Wednesday as well.