Week of September 25 - 29, 2017

Friday HW
1   20 minutes of reading.  Book Report is due on October 19.  Start considering which type of report might be fun to create AND be suited to your novel.
2.  Return the signed, corrected TEST PACK by Monday October 2, so I can log it and verify that parents and guardians are kept up to date with the student's current progress.
3.  Terry Fox Run was yesterday-- we raised $77 more dollars today for a total of $677!  Incredible!  Collection will continue over the next 2-3 days. There is still time for those of you who want to chip in with $10 for Terry.  Many, many thanks!
4.  Math Quiz:  Unit 2, Lesson 5 and 7 on Prime/Composite numbers, Factors, and Mental Math on Monday October 2.
5.  Haunted Walk field trip letter distributed today.  Return ASAP with $10 per person.

Thursday HW
1   20 minutes of reading.  Book Report is due on October 19.  Start considering which type of report might be fun to create AND be suited to your novel.
2.  Return the signed, corrected TEST PACK by Monday October 2, so I can log it and verify that parents and guardians are kept up to date with the student's current progress.
3.  Terry Fox Run was today -- we raised $590 today!  Wow!  Collection will continue over the next 2-3 days. Thank you so much class!
4.  Math Quiz:  Unit 2, Lesson 5 and 7 on Prime/Composite numbers, Factors, and Mental Math on Monday October 2.
5.  Haunted Walk field trip letter distributed today.  Return ASAP with $10 per person.



Wednesday HW
1   20 minutes of reading.  Book Report is due on October 19.  Start considering which type of report might be fun to create AND be suited to your novel.
2.  Return the signed, corrected TEST PACK by Monday October 2, so I can log it and verify that parents and guardians are kept up to date with the student's current progress.
3.  MMS pages 22-23.  We are on the Mental math lesson of Unit 2 on Number Sense.
4.  Terry Fox Run September 28 -- $10 for Terry is our school goal.
5.  Bring a water bottle to class for yourself on these hot days.

Tuesday HW
1   20 minutes of reading.
2.  A test pack containing some Math assessments, CASI and a snapshot of Learning Skills was given in a stapled bundle to all students present in class this morning.  This is a "TEST PACK".

• I expect students to review it with their parent or guardian and have it signed on the front page of the bundle by a parent or guardian.  
• I expect students to correct errors where possible.  
• I also expect students to return the signed, corrected TEST PACK by Monday October 2, so I can log it and verify that parents and guardians are kept up to date with the student's current progress.

3.  Photo Day September 27
4.  Terry Fox Run September 28 -- $10 for Terry is our school goal.

5.  Bring a water bottle to class for yourself on these hot days.

Today is a Homework Club (extra help) day after school until 4:10 PM.  I have noticed that some students have already missed more than 2 days of school this year or have arrived late /departed early.  It is very important that they come to catch up.  I am not always available in the mornings due to yard duty, but they can check with me for the next day.  Because of rotary there is rarely time within the day to catch up for missed time.  You should feel comfortable asking your child if he/she stayed to catch up with me after an absence.  I always ask them to stay, but it can be hard to verify if the reason for declining is legitimate.  Together we can stay on top of this.

Monday HW
1   20 minutes of reading.
2.  MMS pages 20-21
3.  Photo Day September 27
4.  Terry Fox Run September 28 -- $10 for Terry is our school goal.
5.  Bring a water bottle to class for yourself on these hot days.

Week of September 18 - 22, 2017

Friday HW
1  Treasure Hunt -- page 4 of Social Studies Booklet.
2.  20 minutes of reading.
3.  Photo Day September 27
4.  Terry Fox Run September 28 -- $10 for Terry is our school goal.
5.  Bring a water bottle to class for yourself on these hot days.

• I have marked all the quizzes to date.  I am still waiting for a couple to be finished by absent students.  I will send home a bundle as a test pack for you to review and sign at the top.  Please have your child complete corrections and then bring the whole bundle back so I can verify that you've seen it.
• Today we did a CASI assessment.  I will start marking it this weekend and hopefully be done shortly.
• Homework club next week is on Tuesday after school.

Thursday HW
1  Treasure Hunt -- page 3 of Social Studies Booklet.
2.  20 minutes of reading.
3.  Photo Day September 27
4.  Terry Fox Run September 28 -- $10 for Terry is our school goal.

Wednesday HW
1  Math Quiz Unit 2, Lessons 1,2,3, and 4 on Thursday September 21.
2.  20 minutes of reading.
3.  Photo Day September 27
4.  Terry Fox Run September 28 -- $10 for Terry is our school goal.

Tuesday HW
1  Math Quiz Unit 2, Lessons 1,2,3, and 4 on Thursday September 21.
2.  20 minutes of reading.
3.  22 students said they want to attend the Haunted Walk trip.  The trip will go forward.  The proposed date is Friday, October 20 from about 6-9 PM after school.  More details and cost will appear in an upcoming field trip letter.
4.  Journal:  "How does your puzzle show a growth mindset?"  Minimum one page, double spaced.  Be sure to consult the editing support I have already given you when composing this journal.
5.  Social Studies Inquiry research projects were handed in Monday.  A few students were unready but did not come to Tuesday's homework club for support.

Monday HW
1  Math Quiz Unit 2, Lessons 1,2,3, and 4 on Thursday September 21.
2.  20 minutes of reading.
3.  Declare your Haunted Walk trip interest tomorrow.  The proposed date is Friday, October 20 from about 6-9 PM after school.
4.  MMS pages 18-129
5.  Social Studies Inquiry research projects were handed in today.  We reviewed how to make questions with slideshow prompts on three separate occasions in the last 10 days.  Some students, through a combination of absences or appointments may still be unclear on how to form a personal question.  There is good news:  if those students needing extra support can come to Homework Club on Tuesday (tomorrow) after school, I can go through the process with them once again.  I am reviewing the questions in advance of one to one conferences to ensure the questions are feasible , achievable and contain enough depth to merit extended inquiry.

Week of September 11-15, 2017

Friday HW
1.  Math Quiz on Unit 2, Lessons 1,2,3,4 on Thursday September 21.
2.  Box of Kleenex and roll of paper towel please.
3.  Consider whether you wish to take part on an  after school field trip (the Haunted Walk) through Toronto's downtown.  The proposed ate is Friday October 20 from 6:15 to 8:30 approximately.  We care trying to gauge interest.
4.  Social Studies Inquiry project question settled for Monday.  We examined several possibilities in a long class discussion.
5.  Book report book reading -- 20 minutes.

Thursday HW
1.  MMS Pg. 16 and p. 17 'Stretch Your Thinking' only.  We will play the game in class tomorrow.
2.  Box of Kleenex and roll of paper towel please.
3.  Consider whether you wish to take part on an  after school field trip (the Haunted Walk) through Toronto's downtown.  The proposed ate is Friday October 20 from 6:15 to 8:30 approximately.  We care trying to gauge interest.
4.  Social Studies Inquiry project question settled for Monday.  We examined several possibilities in a long class discussion.
5.  Book report book reading -- 20 minutes.
6.  Curriculum Night tomorrow after school at 6 PM and 6:40 PM

Wednesday HW
1.  MMS Pg. 14-15
2.  Box of Kleenex and roll of paper towel please.
3.  Consider whether you wish to take part on an  after school field trip (the Haunted Walk) through Toronto's downtown.  The proposed ate is Friday October 20 from 6:15 to 8:30 approximately.  We care trying to gauge interest.
4.  Social Studies Inquiry project question settled for Monday.  We examined several possibilities in a long class discussion.
5.  Book report book reading -- 20 minutes.
6.  Curriculum Night tomorrow after school at 6 PM and 6:40 PM

Tuesday HW
1.  Hand in Math Operations sheets #1 to 4 tomorrow if you haven't already.
2.  Box of Kleenex and roll of paper towel please.
3.  Consider whether you wish to take part on an  after school field trip (the Haunted Walk) through Toronto's downtown.  The proposed ate is Friday October 20 from 6:15 to 8:30 approximately.  We care trying to gauge interest.
4.  Keep thinking about a Social Studies Inquiry project question.
5.  Book report book reading -- 20 minutes.


Monday HW
1.  MMS duotang pages 12-13
2.  Math quiz on Math Operations sheets #1 to 4 tomorrow.
3.  Box of Kleenex and roll of paper towel please.
4.  Consider whether you wish to take part on an  after school field trip (the Haunted Walk) through Toronto's downtown.  The proposed ate is Friday October 20 from 6:15 to 8:30 approximately.  We care trying to gauge interest.
5.  Keep thinking about a Social Studies Inquiry project question.
6.  Book report book reading.

Week of September 5-8, 2017

Friday HW

1.  Parent information package forms due -- hand back the last seven pages.

2.  Sign Book Report package.  Select a book to read that meets the criteria outlined.  It should be a book the student didn't already read this summer.

3.  Box of Kleenex and roll of paper towel please.

4.  Think about a social studies inquiry project question for a research topic you are interested in.  We discussed what some questions could look like in class and modeled a few.  The should reflect the "Canada's Interactions with Global Communities" area.

5.  Math Operations # 4 due for Monday.  There will be a quiz on all four on Tuesday next week.

Thursday HW

1.  Parent information package forms due -- hand back the last seven pages.

2.  Locks/Agenda/Yearbook -- $38.  Students can bring their own lock (3 number style only) and then deduct $6 from the price ($32)

3.  Box of Kleenex and roll of paper towel please.

4.  A Binder may be a good purchase, as well as a small pencil case and extra pens and pencils for rotary travel.

5.  Math Operations # 3 due for Friday.  There will be a fourth one tomorrow and a quiz on all four on Tuesday next week.

Getting the hang of the rhythm of a rotary day is still challenging for a fair few of the students.  I continue to greet them near their lockers when I am available to ensure they are assembling the correct materials to carry for each half day.  Excitement sometimes means they are not hearing my reminders.  To further help out I gave a third schedule copy for each students agenda and a fourth large copy to be kept at home.  

As well, I would greatly appreciate the return of the bundle of forms.  I've gathered most of the money from the class, but just under half of the class forms are still outstanding.  Gathering them over several days is preventing me from getting going on our lessons each day.  Thank you for your understanding.

Wednesday HW

1.  Parent information package forms due -- hand back the last seven pages.

2.  Locks/Agenda/Yearbook -- $38.  Students can bring their own lock (3 number style only) and then deduct $6 from the price ($32)

3.  Box of Kleenex and roll of paper towel please.

4.  A Binder may be a good purchase, as well as a small pencil case and extra pens and pencils for rotary travel.

5.  Math Operations # 2 due for Thursday.

The students received their locker assignments today and most had locks to place on them.  This was a big adventure for them and took considerable time.  We are still working on mastery.  Everyone will get there eventually.  I reminded them that the combinations should not be shared with friends or classmates.

Thursday will represent the most regular day they have experienced thus far.  Potential stumbles would include bringing the proper books on their travels (no backpacks or return visits to lockers after the morning and lunch visits) and timeliness of movement to the next class.  Please encourage your child to stay focused on the transition to the next class.  I appreciate the help!

Tuesday HW

1.  Parent information package forms due -- hand back the last seven pages.

2.  Locks/Agenda/Yearbook -- $38.  Students can bring their own lock (3 number style only) and then deduct $6 from the price ($32)

3.  Box of Kleenex and roll of paper towel please.

4.  A Binder may be a good purchase.

5.  Math Operations # 1 due for Wednesday.

Welcome to the 2017-18 School Year!

Greetings to the new and returning students in my class for 2017-18!  I'm looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with all of you during this first week.  We will jump right in to the school year with some ice breaker activities and some Math and Language reviews.  As the first week goes by we will be preparing for the first Math unit in Number Sense and the first Language activities with News Journals and a novel study.  There are some significant changes that come with Grade 6 following a middle school model this year, not the least of which is -- LOCKERS!  It will be an adventure for sure!

This blog, which is entering its eighth continuous year, will function as a daily homework listing and be archived as each week ends.  Be sure to check out my class web page at  http://areynolds.org/ all year long.  My current updates are in progress but should be complete by next week.  Plenty of useful stuff is posted, including downloads of class handouts which you should use to replace lost work.  As part of my Eco-Schools effort I am reducing the number of extra photocopies I am producing.  Usually the document can be downloaded and printed by students, using my web page as needed, by students.

At the bottom of this blog page is a calendar for the year.  I will be updating it for the new year.  I also use the calendar to make note of tests, field trips and other school events.  I urge you to subscribe to the blog posts to receive daily updates of your child's activity.  I do make time each day for agenda writing by the students and you should ask to see that book on a daily basis, but this page is a useful complement to that routine.  I will not be signing agendas each day, but you are welcome to do so and include any notes in it that you would like to have me look over. Please have your child alert me to the note in the morning.  

Let's have a great year!