Christmas breakfast in the class Friday!
In the spirit of Christmas, tomorrow morning we'll have our own Christmas breakfast.  Students are invited to wear their PJs or favorite Christmas clothes.  I will have oatmeal with toppings and milk for breakfast in the classroom, but students are welcome to bring additions to make a filling start to their morning.  

In an effort to reduce waste,  please send your child with a small bowl, mug or container plus a spoon for them to enjoy the oatmeal.

It's the last week before Christmas break!

First - I apologize for there being less communication last week.  My grandmother has been quite ill and passed away last week so there were a couple of subs and a lot happening.  I hope that your children were able to step up and explain to you a little more about what they were working on during that time :)

This week - students should have completed their rough copy of their Christmas story patterned on the storybook "Olive, the other Reindeer".  If you haven't seen it yet, please catch up with your child about it.  As well, the final book talks will be happening this week.

Tuesday:  Christmas Concert at 7:00.  Students are asked to arrive by 6:30 to be prepared and with their grade.

Friday: Half day.  Dismissal is at noon. 
Students are invited to wear their PJs or favorite Christmas clothes.  We will also have brunch in the classroom first thing.  I will have oatmeal - students are asked to bring a bowl or mug and a spoon.  They are also invited to bring their own toppings or other breakfast options.

Finally - if your family is planning to start your holiday travelling early, please let me know since students need to clean out their desks and lockers before the 2 week break.

Thank you and happy holidays to each and everyone!

We completed our Waste in the World unit a couple of weeks ago and had a chance today to share all of our final projects.  

These Public Service Announcements were created to address a specific waste issue which each group felt strongly about.  The scripts and storyboards went through rigorous self, peer and teacher feedback loops before developing into these great videos.   

The kids worked so hard, and learned a lot about a new video editing tool along the way.  Please take a look by following each link :)

• Cigarettes are as bad for the environment as they are for you
• Reuse plastic bags NOW
• Reuse plastic bags!!
• Save the trees - recycle
• Snip plastic 6 pack rings
• Stop littering now!!

Just a reminder that there is a little homework for everyone over the next couple of weeks.  Students have book talks to finish writing and practice presenting.

While writing the script students need to focus on explaining how their ideas go together and giving details (Ex: "I've rated this book two thumbs up because it grabs your attention right at the beginning and it stays exciting right until the end", not just "I rate it two thumbs up"). 

The most important and biggest part of this assignment is to show understanding of the whole book by describing important characters and events in order (not just a general overview)

Scripts do not have to be memorized, but while practicing presenting, please help your child to focus on using a strong expressive voice and working to make eye contact (at the end pf sentences is a good place to try to do this while learning :)

Please check back on the blog (or in your child's agenda) for their presentation date.

Thanks and have a great weekend!

Book talks are coming up starting next week.  Please take a look at the schedule for presenting, and the checklist and rubric. 
Students are expected to explain the main events and characters in the story well enough to show that they have read and understood the whole novel.    (Students will have some class time Thursday and Friday to work on their scripts but practice at home for an audience is very helpful to prepare!)

LGMS Christmas concert details provided by
Ms. Emro and Ms. Murphy


Christmas is fast approaching. I’m sure you’ve noticed the date of the concert in the weekly emails from the LGMS office. Students have been working hard on a musical performance for the concert on Tuesday, December 18 at 7:00 PM. We hope you will be able to join us! Students are asked to arrive at 6:30. Grade 4s can gather in the Multipurpose room and leave their things there. More details will be coming closer to the date.

Welcome to December!  The fresh snow sure makes the town look extra festive :)
Please take a look at these important dates for the week:

Monday:

• All field trip forms for our pulley demonstration at Elevation place should be returned today.  
• In art this Friday we will be creating metallic statues in the style of Alberto Giacometti.  These tall, thin statues need a strong base to stand up on.  Each student needs to have a thin piece of wood, or thick cardboard (cereal boxes won't be strong enough) or plastic precut to about 10cm x 15cm.  If you want to add extra emphasis to the tinfoil coloured sculptures the base can be pre painted in a dark colour.  As always, if you happen to have some extra, please send it into the school before Friday for anyone that may forget.

Tuesday:

• Waste in our World final projects: Public service announcements are due.  Keep an eye on our blog to see these fantastic video final projects soon :)

Thursday:

• We Day student group bake sale.  Bring a toonie to buy a treat.

Friday:

• Spelling list #6 and assignment due

Please read closely the following letter from Elevation place.  Our class will be participating the afternoon of December 11th.  I am also looking for two wonderful parent volunteers to join us for that afternoon.  If you are able to, please email me to confirm, and make sure that you also have an online waiver form completed for yourself.

Hello,

Your son or daughter has been invited to take a school pulley lesson at The Elevation Place climbing gym (www.elevationplace.ca). 

Please ensure your child has clean soled indoor shoes to wear in the gym.

Please sign a “Minor Acknowledgement of Risk” form at www.canmore.ca/waiver

Important: Please complete an “Acknowledgement of Risk “form (waiver) even if your child has climbed at Elevation Place Climbing Gym; we won’t have time to look up waiver status at course start and we don’t want to delay the lesson!

To complete an Acknowledgement of Risk form to climb at Elevation Place:

1.          Navigate to www.canmore.ca/waiver.

2.          Complete the “Minor Acknowledgement of Risk” form for your child.

3.          Check your email to ensure that you’ve received a confirmation.

Hello everyone - I apologize for the later than usual update, and the missing agendas yesterday.  I was away yesterday unpacking into my new home since I moved over the weekend.  I hope each of you had a more relaxing weekend than I did! :)

During the second week of December our class will be going to elevation place one afternoon to get a live demonstration of pulleys and their uses at the climbing wall.  I'm looking for two parent volunteers to join us.  If you are interested, please make sure that you have a current criminal record check on file at the school (you can print off the paperwork online, or send me a note and I can send a hard copy home for you).  These checks take anywhere from a day to a week or more depending on how busy they are, so please get yours done soon. 


Important due dates this week:

Wednesday: Reading Records are due so you should see them tonight (Tuesday) completed to get your signature

Friday (half day): Math weekly #5 due

Reading is Important!

That's why in our classroom we practice a minimum of 10 minutes of sustained reading each day.  It's also why we have fun reading incentives like: Read to the roof and Flashlight Fridays as well as opportunities to share our books through reading conferences and book talks. 

Next month students will be completing their first book talk in front of their classmates.  That means that now is the time to be reading because they need a recently completed novel at their level that they will present on.  They need to know the characters, problem, main events in the setting, etc...  We've talked in class about maybe keeping a sticky note on the novel so that we can write jot notes of important events. 

Please check in with your child tonight to see what their plan and book for this assignment will be!

Week of November 19 - 23

 Today:
 - We have been working very hard to create Public Service Announcement videos for our final projects in our Waste in our World unit of Science.  Scripts and the director's storyboards are completed and tomorrow many groups will be starting to film.  Some groups have plans for supplies from home.  Please check in with your child to see if they need anything.
- New Reading Record handed out (due next Wednesday)
-Spelling word lists going home.  Assignment this week is #5

Tuesday:
 - Supplies for Public Service announcements needed
- Anti-bullying presentation (by leadership students)

Wednesday:

Thursday: 
 - Social - Rocky Mountain group poster due
- Anti-bullying presentation part 2 (by leadership students)

Friday:
 - Spelling assignment #5 due
- Flashlight Friday!  Things to bring: A flashlight, 1 cozy item (a small blanket, a pillow or a stuffy), a snack, a great book or two for this extra long reading period :)

What a short, but busy, week we have!

Parent-teacher-student interviews are happening this week.  Please refer back to last week's post to confirm your time, or send me an email and I'll be happy to do it.

During interviews it is very important that students attend since one of the main things we need to do is set an academic goal for moving forward.  Then we'll have time to talk about any other questions or concerns. Once our time is finished, student portfolios can go home with you for a few days so that you can spend more time discussing and celebrating your child's learning at home :)

Please be respectful of everyone's time.  Arrive at the start of your appointment and leave in time for the next family.  If we need more time for a longer discussion I still have time Friday morning available and I'd be happy to continue our conversation then.

Wednesday:   * No weekly homework due to our very short and busy week*

• Class book fair visit during our library period.  Students are welcome to bring money for a purchase, or take a look around for ideas for purchasing later.
• 5:00-8:00 Parent-teacher-student interviews.

Thursday:

• Final student day already.  Classroom Remembrance day contest submissions are due (you could also hand them into the Legion yourself after that date)
• 4:00-7:00 Parent-teacher-student interviews

Friday:

• No regular classes

Parent teacher student interviews and goal setting are happening next week.  Please check the attached schedule to confirm your time.  If you need to make any changes please let me know as soon as possible.

During these meetings we will be reflecting on achievements and challenges during the first part of the school year, as well as setting goals.

As our meeting times are only 15 minutes please arrive promptly and be mindful of respecting the time limit for the next family.  We can always book more time after school one evening, or during a less busy time block, if we need to talk more.   

I would also very much encourage you to take home your child's portfolio after our meeting so that you can spend more time celebrating your child's learning and letting them tell you about the projects they have been completing.

Thank you for all that you do to support your child's learning and celebrate their successes with them!

 
Do you have a young scientist in the family?  
Our annual science fair is coming soon.  Information and registration forms can be found on the LGMS website under Forms.  Application forms are due back to the office by Dec.14th.  For additional questions please contact the teacher organizers: Ms.Bronwyn Richards and Ms. Stephanie Kish. 

Nov.5-8 important due dates

Wednesday: Descriptive stories (Halloween theme) are due.  We have had 5 periods to create, edit and improve on these so far.  One of the goals is to include at least 6 fabulous words - ask your child what theirs are!

Thursday: Math weekly #4 due,  1:00 Remembrance ceremony

Friday: No School

For Science we have been talking about biodegradable substances, and decomposers like mold.  During our mold farming lab we were able to see some of these things happening!

Oct. 26











Now:

Niamh: The wet things got more moldy!

Remi: Some changed colour, others got hairy like the cantaloupe

Charlie: Things that we touched or bit first (had more bacteria) and they got moldier.

Makyra: Marshmallows didn't get moldy (no change).

Hayden: Things with stuff added in (preservatives) like ketchup and pudding didn't change.

Marina: I think the potato chip oil made them not get moldy.

Leah: Since it's not fresh meat beef jerky didn't change.

Addi: Lots of moisture=mold, dry things =no mold.

Tobin - the grapes are moldy and they are hard now.

Noah: Things with lots of sugar (chocolate chips, sugar, gummies, marshmallows) didn't change.

Keith and Shea: Processed foods grew no mold or very little, fresh foods grew lots.

Easton: the banana grew mold only on the cut side.

Happy Halloween!  Have a safe a fun evening!

It's the week of Halloween!  This is always a fun week, but please help your child to 

also remember that school is a learning place (even on Halloween). 

 Costumes at LGMS can go on at lunch time Wednesday in preparation for our parade of costumes in the gym at 1:00.  We really don't need much for snacks, but if you are wanting to send something, please let me know ahead of time and consider healthy snacks and individually portioned things (we don't have a supply of plates, cups or cutlery in the classroom).

Often the days following Halloween are the biggest struggle for students that might have been up late the night before, or have been eating a lot of candy.  You can help your child to remain successful all week by setting a reasonable bedtime, and limiting the amount of sugary treats coming to school (and balancing those with healthy foods too :)

This week:

Monday: Please see Parent-Teacher-Student interview time forms coming home tonight.  Return these paper copies, or reply to the email sent this morning to book your time.

Wednesday: Costumes in the afternoon -  1:00 Halloween parade.  Grade 4-6 dance until 2:15 in the gym.

Thursday: Reading records are due.  Parents, before signing your child's reading record,  please take a look at the details that they are able to provide on these pages.  The greater the details, the more that I can tell they are understanding from their own novel choices.  These marks go towards reading comprehension this year. 

Friday: Spelling test (the spelling homework assignment this week is #4, also due on Friday)

Tomorrow is our turn for our LGMS health day!

A few things that students need:

• a small plastic cup for our smoothie session to help us reduce waste
• bike and helmet for our bike safety session (or arrange to borrow from someone in a different class)
• Activity specific gear 
• Trail running - appropriate outside clothing for the weather, good runners, water bottle if wanted
• Cross fit - gym shoes and clothing
• Yoga - yoga mat and clothing that moves (leggings or sweatpants, not jeans :)
• Community bike - bike, helmet and appropriate clothing for the weather 

Thank you!  If you have some time to come by and join us for part, or all, of the day please do!

Hello everyone,

Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon. 

November 14-16, 2018

This is a wonderful way to add to your home library as well as our schools. We can not do this without you. Please help by volunteering your time to make this a success.

Volunteer opportunities for the LGMS Scholastic Book Fair are now open.

Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn't work) to go to the signup sheet:

Scholastic Book Fair Volunteer Sign-up

To sign up just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.

Thank you for volunteering!

Alanna McLeod

LGMS Library Tech

alanna.mcleod@crps.ca

What an exciting week we have! 
Once again I'm also looking for volunteers - this time to help with our Health days this coming Thursday and Friday.  We need smoothie makers, bike safety specialists and runners and bikers for the afternoon activity session.  Please let me know if you're interested and can help out.

Monday - students need to complete their poetry review tonight.  The most important things: make sure the answer fits the questions, gives as much detail as possible and includes quotes from the poem to support the answer. 

Tuesday - bus safety class

Wednesday - lockdown practice.  We have talked about this in class but it's always good to talk about why we practice this (just like a fire drill) at home as well in case there are any more questions or concerns that come up.

Thursday

Friday - Math weekly #3 is due.   Morning health sessions.  After lunch student activity choice session.

Monday: Today we looked back at our biodegradables lab that we began 10 days ago by burying items in the worm filled dirt.  What do you think happened to our different items?  Check in with your child to talk about what we found when we excavated these things today during science!
A few people still need to complete their 4 facts related to the regions in Alberta.  Follow the link to the assignment (there's also a link to the site with the information.)

Tuesday: Tomorrow's big event is that we will have 3 Chinese students joining us in our classroom each morning over the next couple of weeks.  Please take some time at home tonight to talk about how we can help these students to feel like part of the class, even though there may be some language barrier issues. This is a chance to practice great leadership and mentorship skills :)

Wednesday: Fishing club forms are due back

Friday (half day) : Spelling and assignment #3 are due

The final 2 groups have presented their reader's theater today. 

 Follow the link to the folder of videos to watch!

Reader's Theater is a great way to practice fluent and expressive reading!  We've been doing this in class to prepare us for our first 1:1 reading assessments coming next week.  And what a fabulous job everyone has done!  Take a look at the pictures, and follow the link below to see a sample of each skit. (one more group will be coming tomorrow so stay tuned for more :)

There are a few more pictures and the video clips in the Reader's Theater folder. 

 Follow the link to take a look :)

I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend filled with family, some time to relax and some wonderful food :)

This week I am looking for a couple of volunteers to join us this Thursday afternoon when we walk to the library for an author's visit 1:00-3:00.  If you are able to join us, please let me know as soon as possible.


Friday is the important day this week for items to be turned in:  Math weekly #2, Reading records and Book orders are all due on (or before) Friday.  Please watch for all of these things coming home tonight.

Monday updates for 4/5

Today was orange shirt day.  Thank you to all students that were able to participate either by wearing an orange shirt, or by participating in the spirit of understanding that the day represents.  We were treated to a great celebration in the gym explaining and showcasing some of the aboriginal beliefs and dance!

Monday: last period today we had a catch up period.  Please check in with your child to see if they have been keeping up in class and if they need some time to complete overdue work.

Tuesday: Biosphere worm presentation - please return the photo release form tomorrow morning so that our wonderful presenters can take photos.

Friday: This week's spelling assignment is #2.  The assignment is explained right on the white page in the spelling duotang and is due Friday first thing.

Finally - as part of our Waste in our World unit we have a few dozen new pets joining us for a couple of weeks complements of Christian Wright with our garden.  The worm container that he has lent us from the greenhouse will help us to see decomposition in action as we choose substances to test in the soil.

 

Tomorrow: Friday, Sept.28 we will be having our first Flashlight Friday of the year.  During this fun period of reading in the dark students are invited to bring their own flashlight plus a stuffy,blanket or pillow to make themselves a cozy reading spot.  

We're been on field trip the last two days!  Watch the slideshow below to see some of the pictures from the Exshaw Landfill and the Canmore recycling facility.  (if the slides won't play through your email update- follow this link to see it instead, or go straight to our class blog  Mrs.Bs Smart Cookies)

What an exciting week we have ahead of us! There are many things happening, as well as some work that we are completing to be turned in.  Please take a look:

Monday: After learning about the symbols and their meaning in the Alberta provincial flag students  have almost finished creating  their own flags filled with symbols that reflect what is important to them.  These will be due Wednesday.  Please ask your child what they have included in their flag.

Tuesday: 1:00 departure for our tour of the Exshaw landfill.

Wednesday: 9:00 departure for our walking tour of the Canmore waste management site.
 *** I would still really like one more parent to join us to help us to make this tour and our time out in the community successful for everyone.  Please let me know if that could be you!***

• Reading records and Social studies flags are due

Friday:  Terry Fox run at 1:00.  Please send your child with a "twoonie for Terry" to support the Terry Fox foundation

• Math weekly #1 due

Monday updates:

* I'm still looking for a couple more parent volunteers (with criminal record checks) to walk with us from the school to the Canmore Waste Management site for our tour next Wednesday the 26th from (9:00 until about 10:30).  Please send me an email if you can join us!
Thanks to my one volunteer so far :)

This week we are starting our classroom routines.  Every week there will be one short homework assignment.  It is due Friday morning.  This week it is Spelling and there is a short brain assignment that goes with it.  The spelling duotang has a page to do the work right in it behind the pretest number 1 that we did today.  If this is new to you and your family, please take a look tonight and please me know if you have any questions.

Monday:  please send gloves for picking up garbage tomorrow while we look for natural and man made waste items.

Friday: (half day) Spelling assignment #1 due, and ready for this week's spelling test.   

• Milk orders due

An update for you from our fabulous Right from the Start star!

Dear Parents: 

These last two weeks Right from the Start's Deren Alward visited all classes at ERS to introduce himself to the students and let them know that he is around to help with issues that concern them and their classmates.   He introduced the older grades 6,7,and 8 to Comfy Chats with Mr D, where he enters the classroom with his comfy bean bag chairs and has an open dialogue about about relevant topics the kids have brought up and want to talk about.  The purpose of this is to have  an additional outlet where students voices are being heard and acted upon. The younger grades (4 and 5) will be having classes that will be also of personal interest, including Bucket Filling, How to Stand Up,  and Self Confidence.  

The overall intent of these visits is to promote positive mental health. Here is a link to the RFTS newsletter for September: https://conta.cc/2Oht2sX. 

If you have an interest or concern that you believe is relevant to your child or the students in general at the LGMS,  you are always welcome to reach out. 

Thanks,  

Deren Alward

Wellness Mentor / Success Coach

"Right from 

the Start":
Mental Health Capacity Building for Children and Families

Canadian Rockies Public Schools

phone:403.678.6006

deren.alward@crps.ca

Check out our Facebook page for programming updates at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Right-from-the-Start/698983323448383

 

I know that there are so many forms this time of year, in fact tonight you should be getting a school milk form, as well as our magazine fundraiser package.  I know it's hard to keep up with all of them, so this time I'm just going to post this information on the blog.  You can save this email to look at later, or search the blog to find it again. 

Attached are:

• 1 introduction letter about myself and our class this year  (I'll have hard copies available tomorrow evening too)
• 2 parent overview pages that explain the main objectives and topics for the grade 4 and 5 curriculum.  If you have a chance to read them before our open house tomorrow, I'm happy to answer any questions.  If not, I'm always available later too :)

An introduction to Mrs. B's combined 4/5 class

Grade 4 at a glance

Grade 5 at a glance

Welcome to our first full week of school!  We had a great start last week and I'm looking forward to continuing :)

There will normally be one small homework assignment each week, but as we continue to develop our relationships and expectations in the classroom this week, we'll have one more week off before beginning our normal weekly routines.

Some important dates this week:

• Wednesday - we are having our magazine fundraiser assembly.  Expect to see information and order forms coming home that night.
• Thursday -  LGMS Open house from 6:30-7:30.  Please stop by with your child to get a chance to see our classroom, find out about the expectations this year and to ask any questions that you may have!

Finally - it's already field trip time at our school!  Just like at ERS, parent volunteers need to have a criminal record check completed and on file at the school.  These are good for one year from the date you receive it from the RCMP.  (so for some of our grade 5 parents, this means that the ones you got in June of last year are still good until partway through this year).  The check itself is free, but takes a few days.  The forms can be picked up at our office.

Upcoming volunteer opportunities:
Exshaw landfill (tour by bus)  - Sept. 25th in the afternoon
Canmore waste management center (a couple of parents needed please) - 9:00 Sept.26

Please email me if you are interested in joining us, and let me know if you have a record check on file already.

Thank you!

What a great start this year is off to! 

I want to thank each of you as parents for helping your child to make the transition back to being a full time learner, and for taking the time to help us to have the up to date forms and information that we need here at the school. 

Also - for those new to LGMS, or maybe just as a reminder, here is the link to our student policy handbook.

As we're nearing the end of our first week - we've been working on peer interviews to help us build connections and understanding. 

Paired with that activity each student has been making their own unique caricature to help showcase what makes them unique.  Take a look at what is starting to come together at the back of our classroom, as well as my example so we can also build connections :)

 

          Picture day is tomorrow!

School starts again Tuesday morning!  I hope you have all had a wonderful summer (in spite of the smoke) and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with many of you next week, and welcoming some new families into our classroom too. 

This time of year is always so exciting!  CRPS teachers and staff have been back at it this week getting everything ready for the start of another fabulous year. We did so much learning ourselves during our Google Summit this passed Tuesday and Wednesday.  A few new technology tools that I took away from my time was a greater understanding of Read & Write Google, an enthusiasm for Google Classroom which should make sharing assignments even easier, and a new game making tool called Pear Deck that is super engaging.

Our classroom is ready, and now all we need is you and your child to make it complete!  Welcome back!  Let's have an amazing year together!

* I have gone through and edited out the subscription list but if your child has moved on to a new adventure, then I wish you all the best and please follow the link at the bottom of this page to end your subscription*