Week of December 17 - 21, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  Story of Stuff project poster is due on Friday.  We are working on it in class, and did again today.  Don't leave any important parts at home...
2.  Consider locking down your next book report novel.  Perhaps do some reading of it over the break.

Wednesday HW
1.  MMS pages 70-71
2.  Story of Stuff project poster is due on Friday.  We are working on it in class, and did again today.  Don't leave any important parts at home...
3.  Food drive ends tomorrow morning.  Thank you very much for the generous toy drive donations.

Tuesday HW
1.  MMS pages 70-71
2.  Story of Stuff project poster is due on Friday.  We are working on it in class, and did again today.  Don't leave any important parts at home...
3.  Food drive ends on Thursday.  Thank you very much for the generous toy drive donations.

Week of December 10 -14, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  Food Drive and Toy Drive items
2.  Geometry Unit Test -- All of Unit three on Friday, December 14, 2018.  Prepare your orange study sheet to hand in tomorrow.
3.  Story of Stuff work is ongoing.  The due date is next week -- December 21.

Wednesday HW
1.  Food Drive and Toy Drive items
2.  Geometry Unit Test -- All of Unit three on Friday, December 14, 2018.  Prepare your orange study sheet to hand in on test day.
3.  Story of Stuff work is ongoing.  The due date is next week -- December 21.

Tuesday HW
1.  Food Drive and Toy Drive items
2.  Geometry Unit Test -- All of Unit three on Friday, December 14, 2018.
3.  Story of Stuff work is ongoing.  The due date is next week.
4.  MMS pages 68-69

Monday HW
1.  Food Drive and Toy Drive items
2.  Geometry Unit Test -- All of Unit three on Friday, December 14, 2018.
3.  Story of Stuff work is ongoing.  The due date is next week.

Week of December 3 -7, 2018.

Thursday HW
The events at Western Technical School really had a big effect on my class this afternoon.  We spent a considerable amount of time attempting to calm and settle the nervous, anxious feelings that more than half of the class was experiencing.  I reminded the students that they were safe, and that we were trying to pursue our normal activities.  Many were very concerned about siblings and neighbours that might be in harm's way.  We practiced some relaxation strategies.  It would be a good idea to discuss the issue and coping strategies at home with your children as a follow-up.

As a result of these events, some of the goals we were trying to meet today were set aside.  Principally that had to do with our Literature Circle and Story of Stuff work.  I will extend our class time as much as I can to accommodate the situation.

1.  S.O.S. research is ongoing.
2.  Return Extended French form (Blue page) with a Yes or No response.
3.  Food Drive items are rolling in!  Please consider contributing.  Toy Drive is also underway.

Wednesday HW
1.  Our Behind The Door story is due on Thursday, December 6, by 8 AM.  TURN IN to the Google Classroom, rather than share with me.  We've had ample time to plan, compose and receive peer editing on this story over the last two weeks in class, often using laptops.  I don't anticipate this being a major source of homework.  I will print copies of the stories at school as needed.
2.  S.O.S. research is ongoing.
3.  Return Extended French form (Blue page) with a Yes or No response.
4.  Test packs were handed out Friday.  They are due (to my white bin) with a parent signature and corrections by Thursday, December 6.
5.  Book report #2 is due in class on Thursday, December 6.  If your book is not finished that would be a priority this weekend.
6.  Food Drive items are rolling in!  Please consider contributing.  Toy Drive is also underway.

Tuesday HW
1.  Our Behind The Door story is due on Thursday, December 6, by 8 AM.  TURN IN to the Google Classroom, rather than share with me.  We've had ample time to plan, compose and receive peer editing on this story over the last two weeks in class, often using laptops.  I don't anticipate this being a major source of homework.  I will print copies of the stories at school as needed.
2.  S.O.S. research is ongoing.
3.  Return Extended French form (Blue page) with a Yes or No response.
4.  Test packs were handed out Friday.  They are due (to my white bin) with a parent signature and corrections by Thursday, December 6.
5.  Book report #2 is due in class on Thursday, December 6.  If your book is not finished that would be a priority this weekend.
6.  Food Drive items are rolling in!  Please consider contributing.  Toy Drive is also underway.

Monday HW
1.  Our Behind The Door story is due on Thursday, December 6, by 8 AM.  TURN IN to the Google Classroom, rather than share with me.  We've had ample time to plan, compose and receive peer editing on this story over the last two weeks in class, often using laptops.  I don't anticipate this being a major source of homework.  I will print copies of the stories at school as needed.
2.  S.O.S. research is ongoing.
3.  Return Extended French form (Blue page) with a Yes or No response.
4.  MMS pages 40-41 due for Tuesday morning in class.
5.  Test packs were handed out Friday.  They are due (to my white bin) with a parent signature and corrections by Thursday, December 6.
6.  Book report #2 is due in class on Thursday, December 6.  If your book is not finished that would be a priority this weekend.
7.  Food Drive items are rolling in!  Please consider contributing.  Toy Drive is also underway.

Week of November 26 - 30, 2018

Friday HW
1.  Math Geometry Quiz on Monday December 3 -- Unit 3, Lessons 1, 2, and 4.  Students need to have their geometry tools in class that day (ruler, compass, and protractor)..
2.  S.O.S. research is ongoing.
3.  Return Extended French form (Blue page) with a Yes or No response.
4.  MMS pages 40-41 due for Tuesday morning in class.
5.  Test packs were handed out today.  They are due (to my white bin) with a parent signature and corrections by Thursday, December 6.
6.  Book report #2 is due in class on Thursday, December 6.  If your book is not finished that would be a priority this weekend.
7.  Our Behind The Door story is due also on Thursday, December 6, by 8 AM.  TURN IN to the Google Classroom, rather than share with me.  We've had ample time to plan, compose and receive peer editing on this story over the last two weeks in class, often using laptops.  I don't anticipate this being a major source of homework.  I will print copies of the stories at school as needed.

Thursday HW
1.  Math Geometry Quiz on Monday December 3 -- Unit 3, Lessons 1, 2, and 4.  Students need to have their geometry tools in class that day (ruler, compass, and protractor)..
2.  S.O.S. research is ongoing.
3.  Return Extended French form (Blue page) with a Yes or No response.

** We spent some time today catching up Strings students who missed homeroom periods yesterday, so no new homework was assigned.

Wednesday HW
1.  Math Geometry Quiz on Monday December 3 -- Unit 3, Lessons 1, 2, and 4.  Students need to have their geometry tools in class that day (ruler, compass, and protractor)..
2.  S.O.S. research is ongoing.
3.  Return Extended French form (Blue page) with a Yes or No response.

Tuesday HW
1.  MMS pages 38-39.
2.  S.O.S. research is ongoing.

Monday HW
1.  Students should look to bring their own compasses and protractors to class for the next two weeks.  I have school board-grade materials which are flimsy and create frustration for some students, particularly in the use of the compass.
2.  The band students left early today and consequently I did not assign formal homework today.  Students can read and continue their S.O.S. research.

Week of November 19 - 23, 2018

I realize that some families are planning trips on the American Thanksgiving weekend.  I can suggest activities such as the daily 20 minutes of reading, and the two current, online activities ("Story of Stuff" and "Behind the Door" in the Google Classroom) as work that can be done away from school.  Our Math program follows a predictable sequence -- we are doing Lesson 2 and 3 in the Geometry unit over the next two days, for example, directly following on the Lesson 1 which we just finished.  I can't send a textbook, because we only have 17 for 33 kids, but students could do the corresponding MMS lessons.  The book report is another assignment that could be worked on during a vacation absence outside of regular holidays.

That being said, a fair bit of what we do at school has to be done at school.  It isn't suited to remote learning.  Group problem solving, rehearsals for presentations, and reading assessments can't take place anywhere else.  It's part of the trade-off for a lighter evenings and weekends homework load (at least in terms of what I assign).  These are considerations that apply to times around any additional holiday times through the year, such as early/extended Christmas, Family Day, and March Break holidays.  I hope this helps outline the general types of things students can do on vacation.


Friday HW
1.  Continue to do research on S.O.S projects.  Fill in the organizer #1 with as much detail as you can find.
2.  20 minutes of reading.
3.  Food and Toy Drive Donations.
4.  Return Extended French form with a Yes or No answer.

Thursday HW
1.  Continue to do research on S.O.S projects.  Fill in the organizer #1 with as much detail as you can find.
2.  20 minutes of reading.
3.  Food and Toy Drive Donations.
4.  Grammar Booklet #2 should be finished by Friday.  We will have a quiz practice activity that day.  Tomorrow we will will have in-class time to work on it.  The booklet should not leave the classroom.
5.  MMS pages 36-37
6.  Return Extended French form with a Yes or No answer.

Wednesday HW
1.  Continue to do research on S.O.S projects.  Fill in the organizer #1 with as much detail as you can find.
2.  20 minutes of reading.
3.  Food and Toy Drive Donations.
4.  Grammar Booklet #2 should be finished by Friday.  We will have a quiz practice activity that day.  Tomorrow we will will have in-class time to work on it.  The booklet should not leave the classroom.
5.  Narrative Story (Behind The Door) planner is due on Thursday.

Tuesday HW
1.  Continue to do research on S.O.S projects.  Fill in the organizer #1 with as much detail as you can find.
2.  20 minutes of reading.
3.  MMS pages 34-35
4.  Food and Toy Drive Donations.
5.  Grammar Booklet #2 should be finished by Friday.  we will have a quiz practice activity that day.
6.  Narrative Story (Behind The Door) is due on Thursday.

Monday HW
No homework was assigned today.  However students should continue to do research on their S.O.S projects and do 20 minutes of reading.

Week of November 12 -16, 2018

*** Interviews this week.  No School on Friday.  ***

Thursday HW
1.  Hand in French description page for Monday
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Story of Stuff topics have been selected.  Begin research collection.  Organizer One is due next Monday.  We have laptop access each day, but some work has to be done at home, especially when network slowdowns occur frequently in the TDSB WiFi network..
4.  Behind the Door organizer is due Thursday, November 22.
5.  If parents wish to visit rotary teachers, they can be contacted by their school email addresses or by swinging by their rooms to look at their posted schedules for openings.

Wednesday HW
1.  Return Interview request letters with three choices -- two to go.  Please check your child's agenda for a blue confirmation slip that states the time allotted for your interview.  I have had two mistaken/unknown interview times that were previously provided in the agenda in each case.  With a large class like ours i have to maintain my schedule as closely as possible.  Thanks for your cooperation.
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Story of Stuff topics have been selected.  Begin research collection.  Organizer One is due next Monday.  We have laptop access each day, but some work has to be done at home, especially when network slowdowns occur frequently in the TDSB WiFi network..
4.  Story Mountain good copy is due tomorrow.
5.  Patterning Quiz #2 on Thursday, November 15.  Unit 1, Lessons 3, 4, and 5 (Divisibility, Solving Equations, Integers).  NO CALCULATOR USE on this quiz.

Tuesday HW
1.  Return Interview request letters with three choices -- three to go.  Please check your child's agenda for a blue confirmation slip that states the time allotted for your interview.
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Story of Stuff topics were selected yesterday.  Begin research collection.  Organizer One is due next Monday.  We have laptop access each day, but some work has to be done at home, especially when network slowdowns occur frequently in the TDSB WiFi network..
4.  MMS pages 10-11
5.  Patterning Quiz #2 on Thursday, November 15.  Unit 1, Lessons 3, 4, and 5 (Divisibility, Solving Equations, Integers)

Monday HW
1.  Return Interview request letters with three choices -- nine to go
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Story of Stuff topics were selected today.  Begin research collection.  Organizer One is due next Monday.  We have laptop access each day, but some work has to be done at home.
4.  MMS pages 8-9
5.  Patterning Quiz #2 on Thursday, November 15.  Unit 1, Lessons 3, 4, and 5 (Divisibility, Solving Equations, Integers)

Week of November 5 -9, 2018

Friday HW
1.  Return Interview request letters with three choices ASAP
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Select a Story of Stuff topic by Monday.

Thursday HW
1.  Return Interview request letters with three choices ASAP
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Poppy Donations requested
4.  $2.00 Lice Check
5.  Patterning Quiz #1 on Friday, November 9:  Unit 1, lessons 1 and 2
6.  Select a Story of Stuff topic by Monday.

Wednesday HW
1.  Return Interview request letters with three choices ASAP
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Poppy Donations requested
4.  $2.00 Lice Check
5.  Patterning Quiz #1 on Friday, November 9:  Unit 1, lessons 1 and 2

Tuesday HW
1.  Interview Letters sent home today.  Please return with three choices ASAP
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Treasure Hunt -- Social Studies Booklet, pages 3-4
4.  Divisibility Sheet for the number 5622 due in class tomorrow.
5.  Patterning Quiz #1 on Friday, November 9:  Unit 1, lessons 1 and 2

Monday HW
1.  MMS pp. 4-5
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Treasure Hunt -- Social Studies Booklet, pages 3-4
4.  Consider having an inexpensive pair of earbuds at school for viewing online video.
5.  Patterning Quiz #1 on Friday, November 9:  Unit 1, lessons 1 and 2

Week of October 29 - November 2, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  Making a Monster assignments from the google classroom are due tomorrow.  we have had more than 5 laptop periods in class to complete this work.  It may be necessary to work on this using a computer at home if your student is not finished.  Students can access the Academic Workspace (AW) from home.  It is recommended to use the Chrome browser.  Type aw.tdsb.on.ca in the address line and then type in your student number and password.  when the work in the Doc and the Draw files is complete use the Turn In function in the Classroom to hand it in.
2.  Return Index cards.  There are 11 still missing, which is a third of the class.
3.  Genres poster due Friday in class.  We have had more than 6 periods to do it in class.
4.  20 minutes of reading.

Wednesday HW
1.  No Homework -- Have a safe and fun Halloween!
2.  Return Index cards
3.  Genres poster due Friday in class

Tuesday HW
1.  Halloween dance toonie
2.  Return Index cards
3.  MMS pages 2-3
4.  Genres poster due Friday in class
5.  Electronics period on Wednesday, October 31, during period 2 as a Terry Fox reward.  Dance is in the PM.

Monday HW
1.  Halloween dance toonie
2.  Return Index cards
3.  20 Minutes of reading
4.  Genres poster due Friday in class
5.  Electronics period on Wednesday, October 31, during period 2 as a Terry Fox reward.  Dance is in the PM.

Week of October 22 - 26, 2018

Monday HW
1.  Math quiz tomorrow:  Unit two addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division  Use your math journal and MMS homework book to study, in addition to the practice pages we've done in class over the last three days.
2.  20 minutes of reading -- next book report is due in December.
3.  Stratford trip on Thursday, September 26.  We are leaving at 11 PM.  We will eat lunch in class before we go.  Students should bring a snack for the ride home that is NON-PERISHABLE.  We are returning at about 7 PM.  Please do not park in front of the school.  We need room for three coach buses to park. 

Week of October 15 - 19, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  Test packages, containing four Math assessments, were handed out today to students.  They should review them, correct them, and get a parent autograph on the top quiz of the bundle before handing them in on Friday, October 19. 
2. Math quiz on Tuesday, October 23.  Topic are Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and dividing from the end of Unit 2.  students can use their math Journals and MMS homework books to study.
3.  Haunted Walk is coming on Thursday night, October 18.  Meet at 6:30 PM on the stairs of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).  Students should arrange to be picked up by a parent at Mackenzie House at 8:45 - 9:00 PM.  It's probably best to be there a bit early.  Dress warmly for the weather, wear good shoes for walking, and take a bathroom break before you leave. 
We reviewed times and expectations today for 10 minutes at the end of the day:

• stay with your group'
• stay in control'
• be aware of your surroundings'
• dress warmly.  

4.  Start choosing your next book report book.

Wednesday HW
**NO HOMEWORK DAY __ TERRY FOX FUNDRAISING INCENTIVE.

1.  Test packages, containing four Math assessments, were handed out to students.  They should review them, correct them, and get a parent autograph on the top quiz of the bundle before handing them in on Friday, October 19.
2.  Book report due Thursday, October 18.
3.  Math quiz on Tuesday, October 23.  Topic are Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and dividing from the end of Unit 2.  students can use their math Journals and MMS homework books to study.
4.  Haunted Walk is coming on Thursday night, October 18.  Meet at 6:30 PM on the stairs of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).  Students should arrange to be picked up by a parent at Mackenzie House at 8:45 - 9:00 PM.  It's probably best to be there a bit early.  Dress warmly for the weather, wear good shoes for walking, and take a bathroom break before you leave.


Tuesday HW
1.  Test packages, containing four Math assessments, were handed out to students.  They should review them, correct them, and get a parent autograph on the top quiz of the bundle before handing them in on Friday, October 19.  There was homework club yesterday, after school, for students looking for extra support to review concepts or correct work.  Two students attended it.
2.  Book report due Thursday, October 18.
3.  20 minutes of reading.
4.  Math quiz on Tuesday, October 23.  Topic are Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and dividing from the end of Unit 2.  students can use their math Journals and MMS homework books to study.
5.  Haunted Walk is coming on Thursday night, October 18.  Meet at 6:30 PM on the stairs of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).  Students should arrange to be picked up by a parent at Mackenzie House at 8:45 - 9:00 PM.  It's probably best to be there a bit early.  Dress warmly for the weather, wear good shoes for walking, and take a bathroom break before you leave.
6.  Two paragraphs on one of the news journal presentations from today.  One paragraph summary, and one paragraph reflection following the several examples we've practiced in class and the modeled steps glued into each student's News journal notebook.

** A classmate is providing pizza for the class tomorrow (Wednesday, October 17, 2018) in our class for lunch.  I surveyed the students for their preferences.  If your children wish to bring in other items for themselves (personal snack, fruit, drink, or other item), that is on a student by student basis only to ensure there is no cross-contamination for potential allergies.  If you wish to have your child opt out of the lunch (and eat in the cafeteria or at home) that is perfectly fine.

Monday HW
1.  Test packages, containing four Math assessments, were handed out today to students.  They should review them, correct them, and get a parent autograph on the top quiz of the bundle before handing them in on Friday, October 19.  There was homework club today, after school, for students looking for extra support to review concepts or correct work.
2.  Book report due Thursday, October 18.
3.  20 minutes of reading.
4.  Math quiz on Tuesday, October 23.  Topic are Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and dividing from the end of Unit 2.  students can use their math Journals and MMS homework books to study.
5.  Haunted Walk is coming on Thursday night, October 18.  Meet at 6:30 PM on the stairs of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).  Students should arrange to be picked up by a parent at Mackenzie House at 8:45 - 9:00 PM.  It's probably best to be there a bit early.  Dress warmly for the weather, wear good shoes for walking, and take a bathroom break before you leave.

Week of October 8 - 12, 2018

Wednesday HW
1.  Math Quiz Friday on Unit 2, Order of Operations.  This is a short quiz on one lesson.
2.  News Journal article selection should be underway or already done.  Choose an article that is long enough for a summary, but not unmanageably long, and an article that is recent and of interest to your peers for best results.  You could look online at teachingkidsnews.com or on the CBC Kids News site if you are stumped.  Articles from Metro or CP24 online are often too short to work with.
3.  Book Report # 1 is due on October 18.
4.  20 minutes of reading.
Tuesday HW
1.  Math Quiz tomorrow on Unit 2, Lessons 5 and 7.
2.  News Journal practice #3.  Write 2 paragraphs on the Piper article we looked at in class today.  The first paragraph should be a minimum five paragraph summary.  Students could use the notes we posted on the board to help with that.  The second paragraph should be a minimum five paragraph reflection and connection paragraph.  We looked at a sheep dog YouTube video to make a real-world connection together as a class.
3.  Book Report # 1 is due on October 18.
4.  Due dates for individual News Journal Current Events presentations were given out today.  Each student has two copies of the good copy page.  On the due date, students should have a W5H fact breakdown sheet, the original article clipped out, and a good copy page (containing a New headline, a Summary in paragraphs, a Drawn image, and three questions on the reverse side).

Week of October 1 -5, 2018

*** Reminder that Friday October 5 is a PA Day, as shown in the calendar below. -- No School.


\Thursday HW
1.  Wednesday October 10 --Math Quiz 2: Unit 2, lessons on Prime/Composite Numbers and Mental Math.
2.  Online school photo card sent home.  Order due date is October 9.
3.  Book report due October 18.
4.  20 minutes of reading.
5.  Start thinking about a news article you could present to the class as part of our Current Events activity.  It should be recent and of appeal to some, or most, of your peers.  Each student will have a unique, individual presentation date that will be shared by early next week.
6.  MMS pages 26-27

Wednesday HW
1.  Wednesday October 10 --Math Quiz 2: Unit 2, lessons on Prime/Composite Numbers and Mental Math.
2.  Online school photo card sent home.
3.  Book report due October 18.
4.  20 minutes of reading.
5.  Start thinking about a news article you could present to the class as part of our Current Events activity.  It should be recent and of appeal to some, or most, of your peers.  Each student will have a unique, individual presentation date that will be shared by early next week.

Tuesday HW
1.  MMS 24-25.
2.  Online school photo card sent home yesterday.
3.  Book report due October 18.
4.  20 minutes of reading.

Monday HW
1.  MMS 22-23.
2.  Online school photo card sent home today.
3.  Book report due October 18.
4.  20 minutes of reading.
5.  Math quiz tomorrow on Unit 2, Lessons 1 to 4.  Use the Math Journal, the blue MMS duo-tang, and your notebook practice to study.

Week of September 24 - 28, 2018.

Thursday HW
1.  Sign Book Report package.  First report is due October 18.
2.  20 minutes of reading.
3.  Math Quiz #1 is on Tuesday, October 2.  The Lessons to study are Unit 2, Lessons 1, 2, 3, and 4.
What should I study?  The practice questions students did in class for each lesson.  The Quick Review sections of the MMS homework duo-tang (blue colour) and the questions that followed for each lesson, and the Math Journal (yellow duo-tang) notes they took for each lesson.
4.  Terry Fox fundraising -- our class raised $976.75 so far! We dug deep!  Wow!
5.  Haunted Walk forms and fees are due ASAP.
6.  Tomorrow is Pizza day


Wednesday HW
1.  Sign Book Report package.  First report is due October 18.
2.  20 minutes of reading.  The next reading response journal is due tomorrow.
3.  Haunted Walk and Stratford forms and fees are due ASAP.
4.  Terry Fox fundraising -- the Run Day is this Thursday, September 27.  Dig Deep!
5.  MMS page 20 ONLY.

Tuesday HW
1.  Photo Day is tomorrow.  We are scheduled for period one on that day.
2.  20 minutes of reading.  The next reading response journal is due on Thursday, September 27.
3.  Haunted Walk and Stratford forms and fees are due ASAP.
4.  Terry Fox fundraising -- the Run Day is this Thursday, September 27.  Dig Deep!
5.  MMS pages 18-19.

Monday HW
1.  Photo Day is on Wednesday this week.  We are scheduled for period one on that day.
2.  20 minutes of reading.  The next reading response journal is due on Thursday, September 27.
3.  Haunted Walk and Stratford forms and fees are due ASAP.
4.. Terry Fox fundraising -- the Run Day is this Thursday, September 27.  Dig Deep!

Week of September 17 - 21, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  Haunted Walk trip form was handed out today.  Please read it carefully to determine whether or not your child can attend this OPTIONAL trip.  We need a fair number of parent volunteers to make it happen.  It is lots of fun.  The cost is $10 in cash only.
2.  The Stratford letter with permission form to see The Music Man was handed out as well today.  Time is tight for the turnaround for this trip.  Fees for this excursion as payable through School Cash Online only.
3.  20 minutes of reading .
4.  Terry Fox -- $20 for Terry.  Dig Deep!  We had some phenomenal donations today -- wow!
5.  French quiz Thursday September 27.

Wednesday HW
1.  MMS page 15 due in class for tomorrow.
2.  20 minutes of reading -- Reading Response #3 is due in class tomorrow.
3.  Terry Fox -- $20 for Terry.  Dig Deep!
4.  A good copy that shows editing and changes for your future paragraph.  This should be in your Writing notebook.  I encourage you to skip lines.  We had time to write in class today, self-edit with a COPS sheet, and take part in a whole-class shared writing and editing activity.  Students should already have had a minimum five sentence rough draft, so this seems like a reasonable amount or improvement and rewriting for one day.
5.  French quiz Thursday September 27.

Tuesday HW
1.  MMS page 14 ONLY due in class for tomorrow.
2.  20 minutes of reading -- Reading Response #3 is due in class on Thursday.
3.  Terry Fox -- $20 for Terry.  Dig Deep!
4.  Social Studies -- complete "On the Lines" questions one to ten for the article about the Canada-Saudi Arabia tweet.  We started this in class and had several periods of discussion around the story.  To access the Google Classroom from home, open the Chrome browser (it works best with Google Apps), then type in aw.tdsb.on.ca. Then type in your student number and password.

Monday HW
1.  MMS pages 12-13 due in class for tomorrow.  I gave out Light Blue duo-tangs with our Math homework program.  Each unit there will be a separate package.  we are starting with Unit 2 on Number Sense.  In class we discussed the concept of a million and read a book called "How Much Is A Million?" as a class before doing some same group shared work and then a selection of textbook problems.
** A Note on Textbooks:  There are only enough for students to share these.  That means they cannot go home and in-class problem work is exactly that -- in class and not homework.  The homework is found in the duo-tang.  Every student has a duo-tang and it should be at school every day.  All questions should be attempted, including the "Stretch Your Thinking" ones unless I have made other arrangements with specific students.  The Quick Review section that leads off each day's work should provide a sufficient recapitulation of the concepts in play for that lesson and a road map for how to structure a solution.
2.  20 Minutes of reading.
3.  Reading Response Journal #3 is due in class on Thursday.  Only four were incomplete last round, which is a good improvement over the first batch.  Students should be reading my corrections and implementing the feedback on future journal pieces.  As an example, I should not be correcting capital lettering and there/they're/their for several consecutive pieces after feedback has been provided.
4.  Terry Fox -- $20 for Terry fundraising.  The School Run day is Thursday, September 27.  Deep Deep -- for all of us!
5.  Paper towel roll and box of Kleenex for class use.  Thank you for those 15 students who have contributed to our shared supply.

Week of September 10-14, 2018

Friday HW
1.  20 Minutes for reading.  No other homework.
Last night's visit was informative and pleasant for me It was encouraging to hear the feedback I received.  Several parents requested individual meetings.  I will attempt to work these in around my Terry Fox and Soccer commitments.  Please send a note in your child's agenda if you requested such a meeting so I can ensure I have not overlooked anyone.  Have your child bring it to my attention.  Thank you!

Thursday HW
1.  20 Minutes for reading.  Please have your Reader Response journal #2 due in class on Friday.
2.  Box of pencils, Math Set, Binder
3.  Box of tissue and roll of paper towel for class use.
4. No homework tonight otherwise -- curriculum night.
5.  Curriculum Night is on Thursday, September 13.  I will give two short presentations at 6:00 PM and again at 6:40 PM if parents missed the first one.  All parents and guardians are welcome.

Wednesday HW
1.  20 Minutes for reading.  Please have your Reader Response journal #2 due in class on Friday.  I marked the first batch yesterday and many were done very well!  However 10 out of 33 were not started or very incomplete.  That's a ratio that has to change.
2.  Box of pencils, Math Set, Binder
3.  Box of tissue and roll of paper towel for class use.
4.  Recipe for Me good copy due in class tomorrow.  We had time in class to start this -- over Friday and Monday, as well as today.  We are looking at Procedural Writing, with a focus on Imperative verbs.  There is also a character education element.
5.  Curriculum Night is on Thursday, September 13.  I will give two short presentations at 6:00 PM and again at 6:40 PM if parents missed the first one.  All parents and guardians are welcome.

Tuesday HW
1.  20 Minutes for reading.  Please have your Reader Response journal #2 due in class on Friday.  I marked the first batch this evening and many were done very well!  However 10 out of 33 were not started or very incomplete.  That's a ratio that has to change.
2.  Box of pencils, Math Set, Binder
3.  Box of tissue and roll of paper towel for class use.
4.  Recipe for Me second draft due in class tomorrow.  We had time in class to start this -- over Friday and Monday, as well as today.  We are looking at Procedural Writing, with a focus on Imperative verbs.  There is also a character education element.
5.  Curriculum Night is on Thursday, September 13.  I will give two short presentations at 6:00 PM and again at 6:40 PM if parents missed the first one.  All parents and guardians are welcome.  Since the class is so large (33) there is not a great deal of room for students to attend -- it could get crowded!

Monday HW
1.  20 Minutes for reading.  Please have your Reader Response journal #1 ready in class tomorrow.
2.  Box of pencils, Math Set, Binder
3.  Box of tissue and roll of paper towel for class use.
* We had our first quiz today.  I was very happy to see that everyone returned their practice sheets to class for collection.  Almost everyone finished within 20 minutes, and many were done in 10.  When I went through them I noticed that a significant number (more than half) of the class did not correct their errors by rewriting the question.  When attempts at correction did appear they were usually in the form of added correct answers rather than rewritten problems. It's harder to see your mistaken process when the right answer is simply substituted.  I encourage students to redo the problem.

Week of September 4 - 7, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  Math Operations #3.  All questions done and due in class for corrections tomorrow.  we reviewed adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing today and class and collaboratively worked on the algorithm steps together.  My expectation is that individual mistakes will be corrected on the back of the page by the student after corrections as a class are done.  There will be a quiz on the four practice activities on Monday September 10.  Students should hand in the four practice activities on quiz day.
2.  Daily reading -- 20 minutes.  We will have a reading response log notebook ready soon to track this.
3.  Parent information package to complete -- last nine pages, less the calendar.  All funds are collected thorough School Cash Online.  I gave out agendas yesterday and locks today without proof of purchase.  I will eventually get a report for the class to follow up on missing fees.  
4.  Think of a mindset slogan.  Our class one was "Work Hard, Play Fair, Dream Big" as an example.
5.  Box of pencils, Math Set, Binder -- for individual use.

6.  Roll of paper towel, box of facial tissue -- for shared class use.  Thanks!

Wednesday HW
1.  Math Operations #2.  All questions done and due in class for corrections tomorrow.  we reviewed adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing today and class and collaboratively worked on the algorithm steps together.  My expectation is that individual mistakes will be corrected on the back of the page by the student after corrections as a class are done.  There will be a quiz on the four practice activities on Monday September 10.  Students should hand in the four practice activities on quiz day.
2.  Daily reading -- 20 minutes.  We will have a reading response log notebook ready soon to track this.
3.  Parent information package to complete -- last nine pages, less the calendar.  All funds are collected thorough School Cash Online.  I gave out agendas yesterday and locks today without proof of purchase.  I will eventually get a report for the class to follow up on missing fees.  
4.  Think of a mindset slogan.  Our class one was "Work Hard, Play Fair, Dream Big" as an example.
5.  Box of pencils, Math Set, Binder -- for individual use.
6.  Roll of paper towel, box of facial tissue -- for shared class use.  Thanks!

*Please check the calendar at the bottom of the blog for days in the cycle and other dates of note.

Tuesday HW
1.  Math Operations #1.  Questions 1 - 10 only done and due in class for corrections tomorrow.  we reviewed adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing today and class and collaboratively worked on the algorithm steps together.  My expectation is that individual mistakes will be corrected on the back of the page by the student after corrections as a class are done.
2.  Daily reading -- 20 minutes.  We will have a reading response log notebook ready soon to track this.
3.  Parent information package to complete -- last nine pages, less the calendar.  All funds are collected thorough School Cash Online.  I gave out agendas yesterday and locks today without proof of purchase.  I will eventually get a report for the class to follow up on missing fees.  
4.  Think of a mindset slogan.  Our class one was "Work Hard, Play Fair, Dream Big" as an example.
5.  Box of pencils, Math Set, Binder -- for individual use.
6.  Roll of paper towel, box of facial tissue -- for shared class use.  Thanks!

*Please check the calendar at the bottom of the blog for days in the cycle and other dates of note.

Welcome to the 2018-19 School Year!

Greetings to the students in my class for 2018-19!  I'm looking forward to meeting and connecting 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 now, not the least of which is -- LOCKERS!  It will be an adventure for sure!

This blog, which is entering its ninth 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!

Week of June 18 - 22, 2018

Picnic Outing at Rennie Park

Our class will join the other three grade 6 groups to rekindle our Camp Couchiching connections during a half day outing to Rennie Park.  The details are below:

• ·        Monday June 25 @ Rennie Park
• ·        Leave the school at 10:35 AM, on foot
• ·        Return to school by 3:02 PM, on foot.  Students will be dismissed from school, NOT on the way back.
• ·        Picnic – bring your lunch, a drink, plenty of water,  and snacks as needed.  
• ·        *** This is not a pop & chip, candy, and junk food extravaganza.
• ·        Play games -- bring a Frisbee or other playground game balls.  No hard balls, please.  We are strictly staying in the park area.
• ·        Bring sun protection
• ·        Dress for the conditions.  A hat would be a good idea.
• ·        Parent chaperones are welcome to join, but no permission form is coming home.  This is a walking excursion.

Other Year End Plans

Our class will have a pizza lunch and class party with a film on Wednesday.

Thursday June 28, our last day, is a packing up day.  Students can bring in cards or electronic devices for our homeroom periods together.  We also plan to go to Yogurty’s after lunch for a treat.  An appropriate amount of money to bring that day would be $7 to 10, and no more.  Anyone who wishes to join us that day at 12:30 PM can meet our class by the flagpole for the walk down.

Week of May 21 - 25, 2018

Friday HW
1.  Slides project due May 28.  Nine Slides is the expected presentation, as outlined in the topic Sheet in the Google Classroom.
2.  EQAO May 28, 29, 30, 31.  We start outside as the bell rings in the morning.  Get a good rest and bring water for a warm day in class. 

• Our first day is a morning session only, with a rotary afternoon.  
• Tuesday and Wednesday are morning and afternoon and Thursday is morning only with a rotary afternoon.  
• Friday is a return to full rotary, and is also a make-up day for those students who missed part of the testing.  
• Students writing on Friday are obliged to catch up with the rotary classes they miss during the week of May 28 - June 1.

3.  Test pack due May 31 with parent signature and corrections.

Thursday HW
1.  Probability test on Friday, May 25:  Unit 11, Lessons 1,2, and 3.
2.  Slides project due May 28.  Nine Slides is the expected presentation, as outlined in the topic Sheet in the Google Classroom.
3. EQAO May 28, 29, 30, 31.
4. MM 148-49
5.  Test pack due May 31 with parent signature and corrections.

Wednesday HW
1.  Probability test on Friday, May 25:  Unit 11, Lessons 1,2, and 3.
2.  Slides project due May 28.  Nine Slides is the expected presentation, as outlined in the topic Sheet in the Google Classroom.
3.  Dance -- May 24.
4.  EQAO May 28, 29, 30, 31.
5.  Stem and Leaf plot handout done and corrected tomorrow.
6.  Test pack due May 31 with parent signature and corrections.

Tuesday HW
1.  Probability test on Friday, May 25:  Unit 11, Lessons 1,2, and 3.
2.  Slides project due May 28.
3.  Dance -- May 24.
4.  EQAO May 28, 29, 30, 31.
5.  MMS pages 160-61

Monday HW
No School

Week of May 14 - 18, 2018.

Thursday HW
1.  Social Studies Slides project due May 28.
2.  Ratios and Rates quiz (Unit 8, Lessons 10, 11) quiz on Tuesday, May 22.
3.  May 24 dance - $2 entry.
4.  EQAO for our class takes place from Monday May 28 to Thursday May 31.  The Friday (June 1) is a make up day, and full rotary classes resume that day for all students.
5.  MMS pp. 158-59
6.  What is an isosceles trapezoid?

Thursday HW
1.  Social Studies Slides project due May 28.
2.  Ratios and Rates quiz (Unit 8, Lessons 10, 11) quiz on Tuesday, May 22.
3.  May 24 dance - $2 entry.
4.  EQAO for our class takes place from Monday May 28 to Thursday May 31.  The Friday (June 1) is a make up day, and full rotary classes resume that day for all students.
5.  MMS pp. 156-57

Wednesday HW
1.  Social Studies Slides project due May 28.
2.  Estimating percents and Exploring ratios (Unit 8, Lessons 7,8,9) quiz on Thursday, May 16.
3.  May 24 dance - $2 entry.

Tuesday HW
1.  MMS 130-31.
2. Social Studies Slides project due May 28.
3.  Estimating percents and Exploring ratios (Unit 8, Lessons 7,8,9) quiz on Thursday, May 16.
4.  May 24 dance - $2 entry.

Monday HW
1.  MMS 128-29.
2.  Exploring Percents quiz tomorrow.
3.  Social Studies Slides project due May 28.
4.  Estimating percents and Exploring ratios (Unit 8, Lessons 7,8,9) quiz on Thursday, May 16.
5.  May 24 dance - $2 entry.

Week of May 7 - 11, 2018

Friday HW
1.  MMS 126-27
2.  Social Studies Project research.  Due May 28.
3.  Quiz on Percents:  Unit 8, Lessons 6 and 7 on Tuesday May 15.
4.  May 24 Dance:  "Through the Ages" -- $2 entry

Thursday HW
1.  MMS 124-25
2.  Social Studies Project research.  Due May 28.
3.  Quiz on Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions:  Unit 8, Lesson 3 on Friday May 11.
4.  May 24 Dance:  "Through the Ages" -- $2 entry

Wednesday HW
1.  MMS 122-23
2.  Social Studies Project research.  Due May 28.
3.  Quiz on Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions:  Unit 8, Lesson 3 on Friday May 11.
4.  May 24 Dance:  "Through the Ages" -- $2 entry

Tuesday HW
1.  MMS 120-21
2.  Social Studies Project research.  Due May 28.
3.  Quiz on Fractions:  Unit 8, Lessons 1 and 2 on Wednesday May 9.
4.  May 24 Dance:  "Through the Ages" -- $2 entry

Monday HW
1.  MMS 114-15
2.  Social Studies Project research.  Due May 28.
3.  Quiz on Fractions:  Unit 8, Lessons 1 and 2 on Wednesday May 9.

Week of April 30 - May 4, 2018

Wednesday HW
1.  Social Studies Project research -- Due May 28
2.  MMS 107-108
3.  Geometry Quiz 2 on Friday May 4:  Congruent and Similar Figures, Line and Rotational Symmetry.  Study Black Duotang materials.

Tuesday HW
1.  Social Studies Project research
2.  Finish most of the Encounter story.  We have time tomorrow to finish it off and print them.
3.  MMS 106-107
4.  Geometry Quiz 2 on Friday May 4:  Congruent and Similar Figures, Line and Rotational Symmetry.
5.  Book Fair tomorrow in the Library at 10:05 AM.  Bring money i you want to purchase items.

Monday HW
1.  Social Studies Project research
2.  Finish remaining part of the Encounter story organizer.  Hand in tomorrow.
3.  MMS 104-105
4.  Geometry Quiz 2 on Friday May 4:  Congruent and Similar Figures, Line and Rotational Symmetry.

Week of April 23 - 27, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  Second Couchiching deposit of $140 was due today.
2.  MMS 101-102.
3.  Social Studies project research.  Topics were selected yesterday.
4..  Encounter Story Organizer -- complete the "Characters" and "Setting" portions for Friday.
4.  Transformations and Combined Transformations quiz this Friday.

Wednesday HW
1.  Second Couchiching deposit of $140 was due today.
2.  MMS 100-101.
3.  Social Studies project research.  Topics were selected yesterday.
4.  Transformations and Combined Transformations quiz this Friday.

Tuesday HW
1.  Second Couchiching deposit of $140 was due today.
2.  MMS 98-99.
3.  Social Studies project research.  Topics were selected today.

Monday HW
1.  MMS pages 98-99.
2.  Capacity and Volume, Relating Units of Mass quiz on Tuesday.  Use your blue duotang and the study sheet to prepare.

Week of April 16 - 20, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  Capacity and Volume and Relating Units of Mass quiz on Tuesday, April 24.
2.  Bring a water bottle with water from home while we investigate the unfamiliar taste and smell of our school's tap water.  Information about this issue was shared with parents in a direct email communication from the principal.
3.  We used laptops again to look over the Google Slides project, which is due on May 28.  The topic and requirements are on the Google Classroom.  We reviewed a source online:  The Canadian Encyclopedia and browsed through possible topics using laptops..

Wednesday HW
1.  Capacity and Volume and Relating Units of Mass quiz on Tuesday, April 24.
2.  MMS pages 94-95
3.  Bring a water bottle with water from home while we investigate the unfamiliar taste and smell of our school's tap water.  Information about this issue was shared with parents in a direct email communication from the principal.
4.  Today we looked a new Google Slides project which is due on May 28.  The topic and requirements are on the Google Classroom.  We reviewed a source online:  The Canadian Encyclopedia and went through the topic sheet together.

Tuesday HW
1.  Volume of Rectangular Prisms and The Cubic Metre quiz on Wednesday, April 18
2.  MMS pages 92-93
3.  Bring a water bottle with water from home while we investigate the unfamiliar taste and smell of our school's tap water.  Information about this issue was shared with parents in a direct email communication from the principal.

Monday HW
1.  Volume of Rectangular Prisms and The Cubic Metre quiz on Wednesday, April 18
2.  MMS pages 90-91

Week of April 9 - 13, 2018

Friday HW
1.  Camp Couchiching field trip forms and first deposit due on April 10.
2.  Test pack was due with a parent signature and corrections (as needed) today.  Ten students did not hand it in yet.  Please check with your child to ensure you have had an opportunity to review recent marked work.
3.  MMS pages 142-43, and page 144 only.  I rarely assign specific weekend homework, but we need to do a bit this weekend.  Thank you for understanding.

Thursday HW
1.  Camp Couchiching field trip forms and first deposit due on April 10.
2.  Test pack is due with a parent signature and corrections (as needed) on Friday, April 13.
3.  MMS pages 88-89
* Text book questions on page 364, # 1,2, and 3 should have been finished in class.

Wednesday HW
1.  Camp Couchiching field trip forms and first deposit due on April 10.
2.  Test pack is due with a parent signature and corrections (as needed) on Friday, April 13.
3.  Surface Area quiz on Thursday April 12.
4.  MMS pages 88-89 for Friday.
5.  Hockey jersey day for Humboldt-- or wear green and gold, as a sign of support.

Tuesday HW
1.  Camp Couchiching field trip forms and first deposit due on April 10.
2.  Test pack is due with a parent signature and corrections (as needed) on Friday, April 13.
3.  Surface Area quiz on Thursday April 12.
4.  MMS pages 86-87.
5.  Day of Pink tomorrow -- wear PINK! (or red?)

Monday HW
1.  Camp Couchiching field trip forms and first deposit due on April 10.
2.  Test pack is due with a parent signature and corrections (as needed) on Friday, April 13.
3.  Surface Area quiz on Thursday April 12.
4.  Reading -- 20 minutes per night.

Week of April 3 - 6, 2018

Wednesday HW
1.  Area and Perimeter quiz on Thursday April 5
2.  MMS 138-139
3.  Book report due on Thursday April 5.
4.  Camp Couchiching field trip  forms given out today to the full class.  No one was absent and everyone received one.  Please consider carefully your commitment to attend and return your response with a deposit cheque by April 10.

Tuesday HW
1.  Area and Perimeter quiz on Thursday April 5
2.  MMS 138-139
3.  Book report due on Thursday April 5.

Week of March 26 - 30, 2018

** Easter Holidays: No School on 

Friday March 30, Monday, April 2.

Wednesday HW
1.  20 minutes of reading.
2.  Book report due Thursday April 5
3.  Pourquoi Tale due Wednesday April 4.  Outlined in the Google Classroom
4.  MMS pages 136-37.

Tuesday HW
1.  20 minutes of reading.
2.  Book report due Thursday April 5
3.  Pourquoi Tale due Wednesday April 4.  Outlined in the Google Classroom
4.  Math Quiz:  Metric conversions (e.g., mm to cm, cm to dm or m, m to km) and Perimeter with appropriate formulas learned in class.
5.  MMS pages 134-35.

Monday HW
1.  20 minutes of reading.
2.  Book report due Thursday April 5
3.  Pourquoi Tale due Wednesday April 4.  Outlined in the Google Classroom
4.  Math Quiz:  Metric conversions (e.g., mm to cm, cm to dm or m, m to km) and Perimeter with appropriate formulas learned in class.

Week of March 19 - 23, 2018

** FYI:  We are still awaiting approval of our trip forms for Camp Couchiching.

** FYI #2:  We are 10 weeks away from writing the EQAO assessment.  Students need to be present in class as consistently as possible and make up for absences due to illness, appointments, or travel outside of regular class periods.  I cannot catch the kids up while I'm working on the current day's lesson.


Thursday HW
1.  MMS page 132-33
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Read and take notes that you sort in a Google doc on the Africville clips.  Use these notes as a historical basis to write a news article about this Canadian community.  You get to choose the perspective.  Samples are shown on the Google Classroom.  Due this Friday.
Students can make appointments with me before school, at lunch or after school outside my regular help times, but they cannot arrive without prior arrangement.  

Wednesday HW
1.  MMS page 82-83
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Read and take notes that you sort in a Google doc on the Africville clips.  Use these notes as a historical basis to write a news article about this Canadian community.  You get to choose the perspective.  Samples are shown on the Google Classroom.  Due this Friday.
4.  A significant number of students have overdue work.  Their names are on the whiteboard in class - fourteen names on it - and it is their responsibility to finish it up by Friday this week.
Students can make appointments with me before school, at lunch or after school outside my regular help times, but they cannot arrive without prior arrangement.  

Tuesday HW
1.  MMS page 80-81
2.  20 minutes of reading
3.  Read and take notes that you sort in a Google doc on the Africville clips.  Use these notes as a historical basis to write a news article about this Canadian community.  You get to choose the perspective.  Samples are shown on the Google Classroom.  Due this Friday.
4.  A significant number of students have overdue work.  Their names are on the whiteboard in class - fourteen names on it - and it is their responsibility to finish it up by Friday this week.  Students can make appointments with me before school, at lunch or after school outside my regular help times, but they cannot arrive without prior arrangement.  

Monday HW
1.  MMS page 80 only
2.  20 minutes of reading
** FYI:  We are still awaiting approval of our trip forms for Camp Couchiching.

Week of March 5 - 9, 2018

** A note about Camp Couchiching
Some parents may have noticed that the first proposed date for trip deposits arrived today (March 7).  However no student has been given a permission form for the trip yet.  This is because the trip has yet to be officially approved by the superintendent.  Relevant forms were shared in a timely way for consideration.  Events in the recent past involving excursions have occurred in which student safety was in question.  An abundance of caution is being exercised to assure students and their families that the excursions are safe and properly supervised.  When the final approvals are secured, permission forms will arrive home with students showing new deposit date schedules.  Mr. Hochberg feels reasonably confident that the trip is still going forward and staff are still engaged and expecting to go.  When more information is available it will be promptly shared.  Thank you for your patience.

Wednesday HW
1.  We finished listening to the online clips in class today.  After two full periods, you will have to view/listen to them at home to complete your note-taking if you feel there is further exposure needed.
2.  Math Quiz:  Thursday, March 8 -- Unit four, lessons 10, 11, 12
3.  We will have two more poems to write (a tanka, and a space-themed free verse poem) before our informal poetry cafe on FRIDAY MARCH 9.  In that activity, students will deliver two poems:  one they've written by themselves, and one they have found that inspires them in some way.  Students who are absent for any reason that day are responsible for presenting to me before then or immediately afterwards for an Oral Communication grade.  No extensions are available in class time.  Bring a mug on Friday if you want hot chocolate during the Café.

Tuesday HW
1.  Bring ear buds or headphones to class (that are inexpensive) to use with our Chromebooks.  If you do not finish listening to the online clips in class today and tomorrow, you will have to view/listen to them at home to complete your note-taking.
2.  Math Quiz:  Thursday, March 8 -- Unit four, lessons 10, 11, 12
3.  We will have two more poems to write (a tanka, and a space-themed free verse poem) before our informal poetry cafe on FRIDAY MARCH 9.  In that activity, students will deliver two poems:  one they've written by themselves, and one they have found that inspires them in some way.  Students who are absent for any reason that day are responsible for presenting to me before then or immediately afterwards for an Oral Communication grade.  No extensions are available in class time.  Bring a mug on Friday if you want hot chocolate during the Café.

Monday HW
1.  Bring ear buds or headphones to class (that are inexpensive) to use with our Chromebooks.
2.  Math Quizzes:

• Tuesday March 6 -- Unit four, lessons 8 and 9
• Thursday, March 8 -- Unit four, lessons 10, 11, 12

3.  We will have three more poems to write (a diamante, a tanka, and a space-themed free verse poem) before our informal poetry cafe this week on FRIDAY MARCH 9.  In that activity, students will deliver two poems:  one they've written by themselves, and one they have found that inspires them in some way.  Students who are absent for any reason that day are responsible for presenting to me before then or immediately afterwards for an Oral Communication grade.  No extensions are available in class time.  Bring a mug on Friday if you want hot chocolate during the Café.

4.  Diamante Poem due tomorrow.

Week of February 26- March 2, 2018

Friday HW
1.  We worked on a 16 word Diamante poem Friday in class.  We looked at a model and broke down the structure of this short, but evocative, style.  A good copy page was given to each student present in class.  It should be handed in on Tuesday as a good copy.
2.  MMS pages 64-65 due Monday for correction.
3.  Math Quizzes:

• Tuesday March 6 -- Unit four, lessons 8 and 9
• Thursday, March 8 -- Unit four, lessons 10, 11, 12

3.  Human Development Index brochure was due today at 9 AM.  11 Students did not submit their work to the GC.  Details are shown in the Google Classroom and in the booklet for Social Studies on page 19.  All students should share their document in the Google Classroom even if they plan to print it at home.  We will deliver them as oral presentations next week.
4.  We will have three more poems to write (a diamante, a tanka, and a space-themed free verse poem) before our informal poetry cafe next week on FRIDAY MARCH 9.  In that activity, students will deliver two poems:  one they've written by themselves, and one they have found that inspires them in some way.  Students who are absent for any reason that day are responsible for presenting to me before then or immediately afterwards for an Oral Communication grade.  No extensions are available in class time.  Bring a mug on Friday if you want hot chocolate during the Café.

Thursday HW
1.  Think of an opposites pair of nouns for a Diamante poem on Friday in class.  We looked at a model and broke down the structure of this short, but evocative, style.
2.  Generate a 3-5 word slogan for our Runnymede Lions mural.
3.  Human Development Index brochure is due on Friday at 9 AM.  Details are shown in the Google Classroom and in the booklet for Social Studies on page 19.  All students should share their document in the Google Classroom even if they plan to print it at home.
4.  We will have three more poems to write (a diamante, a tanka, and a space-themed free verse poem) before our informal poetry cafe next week on FRIDAY MARCH 9.  In that activity, students will deliver two poems:  one they've written by themselves, and one they have found that inspires them in some way.  Students who are absent for any reason that day are responsible for presenting to me before then or immediately afterwards for an Oral Communication grade.  No extensions are available in class time.

Wednesday HW
1.  Think of an opposites pair of nouns for a Diamante poem on Friday in class.  We looked at a model and broke down the structure of this short, but evocative, style.
2.  MMS pages 62-63 was marked today in class and most scored very well (out of 21).  You should ask your child her/his score if you are curious.  I told all students scoring 15 or less to see me today after school for coaching and practice.
3.  Human Development Index brochure is due on Friday at 9 AM.  Details are shown in the Google Classroom and in the booklet for Social Studies on page 19.  All students should share their document in the Google Classroom even if they plan to print it at home.
4.  We will have three more poems to write (a diamante, a tanka, and a space-themed free verse poem) before our informal poetry cafe next week on FRIDAY MARCH 9.  In that activity, students will deliver two poems:  one they've written by themselves, and one they have found that inspires them in some way.  Students who are absent for any reason that day are responsible for presenting to me before then or immediately afterwards for an Oral Communication grade.  No extensions are available in class time.
5.  We worked on a Rosa Parks/Viola Desmond Venn Diagram using Google Draw today with laptops.  The students worked in pairs and saw three models.  The template with instructions is posted on the Google Classroom and must be submitted by both partners on Friday.  if your child was absent today, he/she should look at the assignment on the Google Classroom.  Everyone had a template shared to their drive personally by me.  We will work on it again in class tomorrow for a period and that should be plenty of time for it to be finished..

Tuesday HW
1.  MMS pages 62-63.  Quiz two from last week is nearly done being marked as the last writer finished hers today.  You can expect to see a test pack soon which shows formal evaluations for term two Math and other activities.
2.  Human Development Index brochure is due on Friday at 9 AM.  Details are shown in the Google Classroom and in the booklet for Social Studies on page 19.  All students should share their document in the Google Classroom even if they plan to print it at home.
3.  The Choral Reading went well today.  Students received feedback about each group's performance.  We will have three more poems to write (a diamante, a tanka, and a space-themed free verse poem) before our informal poetry cafe next week on FRIDAY MARCH 9.  In that activity, students will deliver two poems:  one they've written by themselves, and one they have found that inspires them in some way.  Students who are absent for any reason that day are responsible for presenting to me before then or immediately afterwards for an Oral Communication grade.  No extensions are available in class time.

Monday HW
1.  MMS pages 60-61.  Worked on in class today.
2.  Human Development Index brochure is due on Friday at 9 AM.  Details are shown in the Google Classroom and in the booklet for Social Studies on page 19.  All students should share their document in the Google Classroom even if they plan to print it at home.

Week of February 19 - 23, 2018

Thursday HW

1. Use the Rosa Parks photo sheet to infer what each perspective might be.  Make some jot notes in each bubble.  We did some background reading, used highlighters to isolate main and supporting details today, and worked in pairs to generate a 10 item timeline of key events as part of the scaffolding process to produce a more detailed Point of View statement, with evidence, from the photo in class on Friday.
2.  MMS 58-59.  Started in class today after we took up the first quiz of the unit.  Students received this marked quiz to look at and it will be part of a test pack bundle shortly.
3.  Haiku good copy due on Friday.

4.  Choral Reading due on MONDAY February 26.  The date has moved about a bit.  The extension today is due to the numerous student absences last week and this week which have put a bit of a squeeze on rehearsal practice.  Today we performed a dry run of a shared text -- the prologue to Romeo and Juliet.  Students had a chance to see a range of other student approaches and to receive feedback from me.  The challenges involved in a short public performance also were examined.  Students should choose their own poem (14-20 lines) to deliver chorally next week.

Wednesday HW

1.  Haiku good copy due on Friday.

2.  Choral Reading due on MONDAY February 26.  The date has moved about a bit.  The extension today is due to the numerous student absences last week and this week which have put a bit of a squeeze on rehearsal practice.  Today we performed a dry run of a shared text -- the prologue to Romeo and Juliet.  Students had a chance to see a range of other student approaches and to receive feedback from me.  The challenges involved in a short public performance also were examined.  Students should choose their own poem (14-20 lines) to deliver chorally next week.

Tuesday HW

1.  Math Quiz Unit 4, Lessons 6 and 7 tomorrow.

2.  Haiku good copy due on Friday.

3.  Choral Reading due on MONDAY February 26.  The date has moved about a bit.  The extension today is due to the numerous student absences last week and this week which have put a bit of a squeeze on rehearsal practice.  Today we performed a dry run of a shared text -- the prologue to Romeo and Juliet.  Students had a chance to see a range of other student approaches and to receive feedback from me.  The challenges involved in a short public performance also were examined.  Students should choose their own poem (14-20 lines) to deliver chorally next week.

Week of February 12 - 16, 2018

Friday is a PA day for interviews.  There is no school for students that day.
I will be available for interviews all days this week except for Friday.  Please see my note in the report envelope for interview times.

Thursday HW
1.  MMS pages 54-55 and pages 56-57 are due for correction Tuesday.  The students received time in class to get a good start on both.
2.  Haiku good copy due next Friday.  Introduced at length in class today and with plenty of modeling.
3.  Choral reading of a poem due as an oral presentation next Thursday (moved from Friday).
4.  Work continues this week on the (Human Development Index HDI) brochure.  We've been using laptops and organizers I prepared to research a medium to low HDI nation and make a brochure on the PEPS categories.  A due date will likely announced this week.  I am looking at the middle or end of next week as a due date based on our class progress.  The reason for the moving target is that I don't want the work to be a home project. I'd like to announce the due date when it looks like most kids will finish on time and in class.
5.  Math Quiz on Unit 4, Lessons 6 and 7 on Wednesday February 21, 2018.

Wednesday HW
1.  MMS pages 54-55 and pages 56-57 are due for correction Tuesday.  The students received time in class to get a good start on both.
2.  Haiku good copy due next Friday.  Introduced at length in class today and with plenty of modeling.
3.  Choral reading of a poem due as an oral presentation next Friday.
4.  Work continues this week on the (Human Development Index HDI) brochure.  We've been using laptops and organizers I prepared to research a medium to low HDI nation and make a brochure on the PEPS categories.  A due date will likely announced this week.  I am looking at the middle or end of next week as a due date based on our class progress.  The reason for the moving target is that I don't want the work to be a home project. I'd like to announce the due date when it looks like most kids will finish on time and in class.

Tuesday HW
1.  Semi-formal dance tomorrow!  Kids seem excited about it!
2.  Work continues this week on the (Human Development Index HDI) brochure.  We've been using laptops and organizers I prepared to research a medium to low HDI nation and make a brochure on the PEPS categories.  A due date will likely announced this week.  I am looking at the middle or end of next week as a due date based on our class progress.  The reason for the moving target is that I don't want the work to be a home project. I'd like to announce the due date when it looks like most kids will finish on time and in class.

Monday HW
1.  Math Quiz Unit 4, lessons 1 to 5.  The quiz includes a section on adding and subtracting estimating, which has proven challenging for the class.  We took a note on it and there are examples and models in the MMS HW book and the text book.
2.  Work continues this week on the (Human Development Index HDI) brochure.  We've been using laptops and organizers I prepared to research a medium to low HDI nation and make a brochure on the PEPS categories.  A due date will likely announced this week.  I am looking at the middle or end of next week as a due date based on our class progress.  The reason for the moving target is that I don't want the work to be a home project. I'd like to announce the due date when it looks like most kids will finish on time and in class.

Week of February 5 - 9, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  Decorated good copy 5 sense poem due on Friday.
2.  Math Quiz --  Unit 4, Lessons 1-5 on Tuesday, February 13.

Wednesday HW
1.  Book Report due Thursday.
2.  Decorated good copy 5 sense poem due on Friday.
3.  Math Quiz --  Unit 4, Lessons 1-5 on Tuesday, February 13.

Tuesday HW
1.  Book Report due Thursday.
2.  Decorated good copy 5 sense poem due on Friday.
3.  Math Quiz --  Unit 4, Lessons 1-5 on Tuesday, February 13.

Monday HW
1.  Creating Similes page due, coloured, tomorrow.
2.  Test pack due with correction and parent signature tomorrow.
3.  Book Report due Thursday.
4.  Decorated good copy 5 sense poem due on Friday.

Week of January 29 - February 2, 2018

7:00 - 7:45  Parent information desk for Grade 6 overnight excursion to Camp Couchiching.  Located at a table outside the Runnymede Main Office, grade six teachers will be present to answer questions and provide an informational sheet about the June 4-6, 2018 overnight trip to Camp Couchiching for grade six students.

Thursday HW
1.  20 minutes of reading.  Book Report is due on February 8, 2018.  You should probably be working on sketched rough drafts for this report to develop your best ideas in time for the due date.
2.  "Colour of my Dreams" perspectives assignment is posted in the Google Classroom.  Good copy pages have been handed out to the students already.  I is due on Friday, February 2, 2018.
3  Test pack due with corrections and a parent signature on Tuesday February 6, 2018. The package was handed out on Tuesday.

Wednesday HW
1.  20 minutes of reading.  Book Report is due on February 8, 2018.  You should probably be working on sketched rough drafts for this report to develop your best ideas in time for the due date.
2.  MMS pages 46-47 (time in class to finish today) and pages 48-49.
3.  "Colour of my Dreams" perspectives assignment is posted in the Google Classroom.  Good copy pages have been handed out to the students already.  I is due on Friday, February 2, 2018.
4.  Test pack due with corrections and a parent signature on Tuesday February 6, 2018. The package was handed out on Tuesday.
** An interview request letter will come home with the report card.  I will be available for interviews on Monday to Thursday, February 12-15, 2018, both before and after school.  I will not be available on Friday, February 16.

Tuesday HW
1.  20 minutes of reading.  Book Report is due on February 8, 2018.  You should probably be working on sketched rough drafts for this report to develop your best ideas in time for the due date.
2.  Forms and Sheets Data Management assignment in the Google Classroom was due in class on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.  If you did not finish in class today (especially if you were absent at some point(s) from class over the past four school days) you can hand it in when you complete it.  Extra help times are available this week today, tomorrow morning and Thursday after school.  No more class periods will be allocated to this activity.
3.  "Colour of my Dreams" perspectives assignment is posted in the Google Classroom.  Good copy pages have been handed out to the students already.  I is due on Friday, February 2, 2018.


Monday HW
1.  20 minutes of reading.  Book Report is due on February 8, 2018.  You should probably be working on sketched rough drafts for this report to develop your best ideas in time for the due date.
2.  Forms and Sheets Data Management assignment in the Google Classroom is due in class on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.  We spent time in class today looking at the layout of the graphs for printing.  A good portion of the assignment needs to be done at home, especially if you were absent at some point(s) from class over the past three school days.  WSe worked for 5 periods on it with sustained feedback and trouble-shooting in that time with school laptops in that time.
3.  "Colour of my Dreams" perspectives assignment is posted in the Google Classroom.  Good copy pages have been handed out to the students already.  I is due on Friday, February 2, 2018.

Week of January 22 - 26, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  20 minutes of reading.  Book report is due on February 8, 2018.  You should probably be settling on a topic choice for this report that suits the novel you are reading.
2.  Forms Data Management assignment in the Google Classroom is due in class on Tuesday January 30, 2018.  We spent time today in class posting the survey to the Classroom so students could complete it using laptops.  A good portion of this assignment needs to be done at home, especially if you were absent from class today -- we worked for 2 periods on it with sustained feedback and trouble-shooting.
3.  "Colour of my Dreams" perspectives assignment introduced today in class and posted in the Google Classroom.  It is due on Friday February 2, 2018.  We spent time in class today independently listing imagery ideas for each perspective in our notebooks.

Thursday HW
1.  Return Extended French form with a YES or NO.
2.  20 minutes of reading.  Book report is due on February 8, 2018.  You should probably be settling on a topic choice for this report that suits the novel you are reading.
3.  Forms Data Management assignment in the Google Classroom is due in class on Tuesday January 30, 2018.  We spent time today in class creating the survey using laptops.   I have a class list of TDSB student emails that is shared to each student since there are sometimes multiple students in the Board with the same name.  This list will ensure that the surveys are directed to our class mates.  A good portion of this assignment needs to be done at home.
4.  "Colour of my Dreams" perspectives assignment introduced today in class and posted in the Google Classroom.  It is due on Friday February 2, 2018.  We spent time in class today independently listing imagery ideas for each perspective in our notebooks.
5.  MMS page 44-45.  We spent 25 minutes in class today on this work.  The homework is mostly to finish up, and to check Canada's population online.

Wednesday HW
1.  Return Extended French form with a YES or NO.
2.  20 minutes of reading.  Book report is due on February 8, 2018.  You should probably be settling on a topic choice for this report that suits the novel you are reading.
3.  Forms Data Management assignment in the Google Classroom is due in class on Tuesday January 30, 2018.  We spent time today in class generating questions.   A good portion of this assignment needs to be done at home.
4.  "Colour of my Dreams" perspectives assignment introduced today in class and posted in the Google Classroom.  It is due on Friday February 2, 2018.  We spent time in class today unpacking the meaning of the poem, generating a working definition of points of view, and looking at finished models of the assignment they are working on.

Tuesday HW
1.  Return Extended French form with a YES or NO.
2.  20 minutes of reading.  Book report is due on February 8, 2018.  You should probably be settling on a topic choice for this report that suits the novel you are reading.
3.  Forms Data Management assignment given in the Google Classroom today.
A few notes about this assignment:

• If you missed class due to Hockey (any school sport, really) or absence it is your responsibility to come during extra help times to catch up and to connect with your study buddy.  It is not possible for the rest of the class to wait while I reteach a lesson you missed during class.  
• This assignment can be done individually or with a partner.  
• It is due in full on a 12 X 18 Manila paper page I supply next Tuesday.  You should have pages printed before Tuesday to ensure you are ready.  
• I can print black and white in reasonable quantities when the work is shared with me in a timely way.  As I mentioned above I cannot stop my lessons to print for you during our class time -- I need to be available to respond to questions and make observations.
• Please restrict your internal messaging within the Google Classroom to what is necessary for the assignment (e.g., questions).  The platform is collaborative but not really a social media extension.  Say "hi" in person to your friends.

Monday HW

1.  Return Extended French form with a YES or NO.
2.  20 minutes of reading.  Book report is due on February 8, 2018.  You should probably be settling on a topic choice for this report that suits the novel you are reading.

Week of January 15 - 19, 2018

Thursday HW
1.  Please return the Extended French form tomorrow with a NO or a YES reply.

2.  20 minutes of reading.  The next book report is due on Thursday February 8, 2018.

Wednesday HW
1.  Please return the Extended French form tomorrow with a NO or a YES reply.
2.  20 minutes of reading.

Tuesday HW
1.  Please return the Extended French form tomorrow with a NO or a YES reply.
2.  Data Management Unit Test on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
3.  Literature Circle group meetings continue tomorrow.

Monday HW
1.  MMS pages 76-77.
2.  Data Management Unit Test on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
3.  Literature Circle group meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Week of January 8 - 12, 2018

Happy New Year!

Wednesday HW
1.  Data Management quiz on Mean, Median and Mode on Thursday, January 11.
2.  Literature Circles reading and taking notes on sticky notes should continue for the final week of presentations next week.  A minimum of 20 minutes per night.

Tuesday HW
1.  Data Management quiz on Mean, Median and Mode on Thursday, January 11.
2.  Literature Circles presentations continue on Wednesday.  Keep reading and taking notes on sticky notes for the final week of presentations next week.

3.  Tomorrow is a Library Book Exchange period.  Ensure that you have your book(s) at school.

4.  20 minutes of reading.

Monday HW
1.  Data Management quiz on Mean, Median and Mode on Thursday, January 11.
2.  Literature Circles presentations start again tomorrow and continue on Wednesday.