Take a look at our beautiful door - 100% imagined and created by our very own Smart Cookies!

Happy holidays to everyone!

  Week of Dec.13

* no weekly homework *

Winter Warmth - new toques, mitts and scarves are being collected to donate to those in need in the Mini Thni community.  Please send any donations into school with your child this week.

Participation in our Christmas spirit week events earns us points going towards team Grotto!

Monday: Wear Green and Red Day

** Gymnastics permission forms go home - please return as soon as possible. Fingers crossed that we'll be doing this in January (our class will be staying together so both the 4s and 5s get to join)

Tuesday:  Music & Library  

 ** Holiday Story Good copies are due - handed in on Google Classroom. **

Guess the Christmas Carol & optional Cookie Sale (bring $1-2 to purchase a cookie or two - trays of items to buy will be delivered at lunch time to our class)

Wednesday: Tacky Christmas Sweater Day

Thursday: Music  Christmas Trivia A very Merry Christmas to all from Mrs. Blackwell - see you in the new year!

Friday (half day): Wear a Santa Hat Movie morning with Ms. O'Brien. Students are invited to bring a blanket and snacks to enjoy during our holiday movie

 Week of Dec.6

Monday:  Spelling list and assignment #6. Due completed by Friday.   

* Holiday story plans should be completed (we started these last week). Please check in with your child on their progress.   A copy of this is available on Google Classroom in case your child forgets to bring theirs home.    We will be working on rough copies tomorrow.

Today we will also be watching a virtual presentation by a couple of the para Nordic athletes that are here in town for the world cup.  This exciting event has been taking place at the Nordic center and some of the posters students have made have been seen displayed around town.  If you have happened to spot our Poland posters - or better yet, have a picture of them displayed, please let me know so that I can share with everyone!

Tuesday: Music and library.    RR should come home to be signed.

Wednesday:   RR are due.

Thursday: Music      Holiday story rough copies to be completed.

Friday (full day):  Spelling is due

________________________________________________________

Coming next week will be some House Point activities for the holidays.  Take a look :)

Monday: Wear Red and Green

Tuesday: Guess the Christmas Carol 

* Bake sale: Cookie sale at morning recess and lunch. Will go to grade 4-6 classes - funds go to the book bank

Wednesday: Tacky Sweater Day

Thursday: Christmas Trivia

Friday: Wear a Santa Hat and Door Judging (most christmassy, most unique, most creative)

 On Friday we finished our long delayed watercolour paintings using layers of warm and cool colours.  Take a look!

 

 Week of Nov.26th

Monday:  Math weekly #6. Due completed by Friday.   

* Science test will be this Thursday Dec.2  right after lunch - Please help your child to take a bit of time each evening to study and be prepared   Gr.4 Waste - Study notes         Gr.5 Weather - Study Notes

Tuesday: Music and library.    

New Reading record started this week - due back next Wednesday Dec.8 completed

Wednesday:   

Thursday: Music

Friday (half day):  math weekly due

Friday, November 26th

Just a quick update that didn't make it into our weekly Blog overview. 

This Friday we will have a Flashlight Friday morning.  This time is set aside as a  reward for students that have all of their work caught up and revolves around reading in a fun way.  It will take place in the morning after our spelling test.  

Students are invited to bring either a pillow or blanket, a special drink (like a tea or hot chocolate), a healthy snack or two and a pile of different books that they love to read.  A flashlight or headlamp is also part of the fun since we will have the lights all turned off while everyone makes a cozy reading space for themselves :)

Thank you for helping your child to stay on top of their work so that they can join in! In class we talked about the need for brought items to be able to fit in lockers since they won't necessarily be with us while we are doing art in the afternoon, and all items should come back home Friday evening.

 Week of Nov.22

Monday:  Spelling (list 5)  handed out.  Due completed by Friday.   

* Study Guide for Science quizzes  handed out - test will be next Thursday Dec.2 In class we are working together on study notes to help with studying at home - these aren't quite done yet but you can take a look here:  Gr.4 Waste - Study notes         Gr.5 Weather - Study Notes

Tuesday: Music and library.    

Wednesday:   Social maps - Gr.4 Alberta Lakes and Rivers, Gr.5 Canada Lakes, Rivers and Oceans due completed

Thursday: Music

Friday (Full day): Spelling assignment due and test in the morning.  

All Nordic Cup posters  (for Poland now after Chile is no longer participating) need to be completed to be put up in the town businesses.  

 Week of Nov.15

Monday:  Math weekly handed out.  Due completed by Friday.   

* Homework: Science Design Challenge on Google Classroom is due Tomorrow.  Students need to be ready to present their ad in front of the class *

- First GrandPal letter writing has started!

Tuesday: Music and library.    Reading records are due completed, signed and turned in.

- November/December Scholastic Book Orders handed out.  Maybe some great books as gifts or stocking stuffers... ?

Wednesday:

Thursday: Music

Friday (half day): Math weekly due

Coming soon:  Our school has been asked to support/sponsor athletes coming to Canmore for the Para Nordic World Cup event Dec.4-12.  Our class will be supporting the athletes from Chile so if you have time in the evenings to look into this lovely South American country and learn a little bit about it please do so your child can share in class!  

Our posters and art should be getting posted in a downtown business.  Once I know where our items will be put up I will let you know :)

 Week of Nov. 8

*With our short week there will be no weekly homework assignments for students to complete*

Monday: Gr.4s and 5s should be ready to demonstrate their adding decimal numbers skills after us working on these the last few weeks in class.  Maybe take a few minutes tonight to have your child show you what strategy they would use to answer:    5 607.2 + 398.45= 

Tuesday: Library and music today

Wednesday (last school day of the week): Virtual Remembrance day ceremonies will take place in the morning for students.  Poppies will be available for all students, please send a small donation to support the legion.

 Week of Nov.1

Monday:  Spelling list #4 and assignment come home.  Please be sure to have assignments completed and be ready for the spelling test on Thursday of this week.     Bus safety posters are due Tuesday for any students that wanted to participate. 

Tuesday: Portfolios come home.  These very important binders hold the "for marks" your child has completed so far this year.  Please take some time to look through it with them before your interview.  *please return these portfolios to the classroom by Monday Nov. 8 so that we can continue to fill them with our important learning for the rest of the year.  

Wednesday:    Entrepreneur Market - this market has been created by the 7/8 option class.  Items will be for sale from 1-10$ and our class will be going down briefly to take a look (and to buy items if students want to) this afternoon.  To take a look at the options available and the business websites follow the link. Interviews 5:00 - 8:00

Thursday: Spelling assignment is due and the test will take place in the morning.  Interviews 4:00-7:00

Friday (No school for students):  Interviews 8:30-11:45, Professional learning in the afternoon

Parent-teacher-Student interviews

Thank you to all of you that signed up in advance for your parent-teacher-student interview times.  This year these virtual interviews will take place using Google Meet.  There will be one meeting link for all of the interviews and I will be emailing out this link to all families using the emails you have on file a the school.  All you need to do is follow the link to arrive on time for the meeting block that you chose.  This will place you in a waiting room and I can invite you into the interview room at your time.  

Please be aware that the interview times are only 15 minute blocks and that both evenings are completely filled so please be respectful of everyone's time by being prompt in both our start and finish time.  If you feel that we need more than 15 minutes to meet, please send me an email so that we can set up an alternate time Friday morning.  

Coming up - Grand Pal letter writing-

This year, our class will be participating in a Grand Pal Program. This is now their 7th year of the Pen Pal Program and I am very happy to be a part of it. Each student will be assigned a Grand Pal from our community. We will send letters to each other once a month and make holiday handmade cards throughout the year. Our hope is by the end of the year that we will be able to host an outdoor gathering to meet our Grand Pal in person.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns with your child participating in the program. 

 Week of Oct. 25th

Monochromatic Monday - Thanks for all of the white/black/grey outfits!  

 - Math weekly goes home today and it due back first thing Friday morning. 

Twin Tuesday -we're going to try to be one big twin family in our class by all wearing black pants and a blue shirt/sweater

Wacky Wednesday inspired, interesting and unique hats, hair or shirts.  Build it or something unique that you own.

 - Characterization paragraph writing is due

Throw on a hat Thursday - wear a hat.  If your child is in grade 5 and has an LGMS hat from last year that's strongly encouraged :)

Friday (full day)- Halloween costumes can be worn only for the afternoon so please make sure it is simple and remember that we still need to wear masks for hygiene so face paint or other items on the face don't work.  * No weapons or gore for school costumes please*

 - math weekly is due

 Week of Oct.19

Monday: Spelling list #3 comes home.  The assignment for the week starts just like every week with students writing all 10 of their words spelled correctly.  The second step is to them make a small picture or comic that helps to show the meaning of the word.  The word must be spelled again in the picture. 

* Last Friday each student set a reading goal for their own reading this week.  Please check in with your child about what they chose and how they plan to accomplish that goal. *

Tuesday: Library and Music.    Homework if not completed during class: Ordering numbers online practice (in Google Classroom) due Wednesday

Wednesday:  

Thursday: Music

Friday (full day):  Exshaw landfill field trip in the afternoon.  Bus picks us up at 12:50 and we return for dismissal.  I have one brave parent volunteer willing to sit on a bus with us (with masks and open windows) as we do out tour.  If you would like to also join and sit with your child, please send me an email.  (please remember of course that you need to have a completed RCMP check on file at the school)

A few pictures from math this afternoon - I'll let you ask your child to explain them to you since it will help to reinforce their practice from today :)

 Week of: Oct.12

I hope that everyone enjoyed our recent long weekend.  It sure felt like the beginning of fall to me with the chilly weather and our first fire of the season in our fireplace :)

Tuesday:  Students should be bringing home 2 important items tonight.  Their Math Weekly assignment (due Friday) as well as a field trip permission form also due back Friday.  * this field trip will take place on a school bus for the afternoon.  We don't require any extra supervisors, but if you have your RCMP check completed and passed along to me, and you want to come share a set with your child, please let me know.  We'll have room for probably 4 parents to join us while maintaining some extra spacing.  

Wednesday: Student character sketches to be completed and handed in.  Timed multiplication facts will be done in class (we will do these several times this year)

Thursday: 

Friday (half day): Math weekly is due

Book orders:  Last week you should have received a book order catalog in your child's agenda.  If you are looking for reading books for home or school I very much encourage you to take a look with your son or daughter, through the catalog or online.  All books that your order through scholastic earn our classroom points that I use towards expanding and refreshing the classroom library options.  

Orders are now exclusively done online and shipped directly to your house (this makes me a bit sad because we don't get the box of new books arriving in the classroom) but it means that dues dates for orders remain open for about a month and everything comes straight to you.

 Week of Oct.4

Monday: Spelling lists and duotang for the assignment should come home tonight

Tuesday:  New Reading Records handed out in class.  Due completed (with a parent signature) by Oct.19

Wednesday: Social - map of the continents due

Thursday: Art - Zentangles are due

Friday (full day): Spelling test - assignment due completed as well in the spelling duotang

Oct.11 - no school - Happy Thanksgiving :)

We spent a lot of time this week, and today especially, in conversations, listening and designing art while building our understanding of the importance of Truth and Reconciliation.  Here's some highlights for you that the students wanted to share.

A couple of pictures from our Terry Fox Run this morning (most of our class took off at such high speed that I couldn't get ahead of them to get more but watch for the school newsletter and you might find your child there).  

 Week of Sept.27

We have a busy week with a lot going on.  

Please help to ensure your child has a successful week but supporting them in getting a good night's rest and eating a healthy breakfast.  Giving them a heads up in the morning about expected activities can also be very helpful for many!

Monday:  Math weekly #2 goes home.  It's due completed Friday morning (but earlier is always accepted :)

Tuesday: Canmore Waste Management Center walking field trip in the morning.  Please ensure that your child is well dressed for walking quickly (in good walking shoes) and being outside in the weather with appropriate layers

Wednesday: Terry Fox run (am) - please send a toonie donation (or follow the link from the LGMS homepage to donate directly). We will be running/jogging or fast walking our lap near the river in the morning.  Please ensure your child is wearing clothes and footwear to be successful.

Please encourage your child to wear orange in recognition of Truth and Reconciliation day Thursday. We will be spending time Wednesday afternoon discussing components of Canada's history and the importance of supporting reconciliation.  I had sent out some information and links last week in case you would like to discuss this at home as well.  

Thursday: No school - Truth and Reconciliation day.  

Friday (half day - dismissal at noon):  Math weekly is due

Woo Hoo!  Our fabulous Smart Cookies have been doing a great job and their big number and decimal number reading is awesome!!

Tomorrow as a special prize we will be having Flashlight Friday.  Students are asked to bring a few books of any style that they love as well as a flashlight to enjoy some cozy reading.  They are also invited to bring a blanket or pillow as well as snacks to have in class during these reading blocks.  

* Please check in with your child about their Reading Record and Science shape poem which were due earlier this week.  They need to be all caught up tomorrow to participate *

___________________________________________________________________________

Grade 5 science info:  Students will be building wind vanes in science class Monday.  They have created a plan and supply list today and need to have everything with them (plus some extra supplies just in case) by Monday at the latest.  Here is some of the information we used in class and the checklist for building. Items that measure weather

Week of September 20th

Monday: Spelling comes home and is due completed Friday first thing.  

We completed our pretest this morning in class, this helps your child and you to know what errors they are making to work towards mastering these words for Friday.  As well as practicing the ten words there is always a short activity to do with the words.  The assignment and page to complete it on is right in the spelling duotang.  Please help your child to be sure of correct spelling in the assignment so that they don't build errors into their long term memory.

* after 4 periods of class time, students are now expected to have their science shape poem completed.  Please check in with your child about theirs as this is now a homework assignment for completion.

Tuesday: Photo day.  Our photo time is booked for 1:30 in the afternoon

Wednesday: All field trip forms are due back.  If you plan to join us as a volunteer we will need to have your completed RCMP check on file at the school by Friday.  Please let me know as soon as it has been completed.

RR should have been brought home for you to see, review and sign.  This is one way that I can see your child's understanding of reading comprehension on a book of their choosing.  I will be using the rubric at the front of the folder to guide marking and the emphasis is on giving detailed answers that show how much is known.

Thursday: Reading Records are due

Friday (full day): Spelling test - duotangs (with completed spelling assignments) need to be in class first thing for our spelling test.  

* We're hoping to make this Friday a Flashlight Friday - more information will be coming if we work together to earn this :)

 Week of Sept. 13

Monday: Math weekly goes home (this is the first week that we will be doing a homework assignment - it will be due by Friday morning at the latest but students are welcome to return it ahead of time).  This assignment is meant to help you to see your child's understanding at home.  Students are welcome to work through the questions with a parent and to use any strategy (not a calculator) to find the answers.  Work should be shown on the page.

Tuesday: Math pretest goes home - please take a look at your child's math pretest which we completed last week.  They all did a fabulous job of helping me to understand what they already know so that I can plan more time for areas as needed this year :)   Please return these to the school so we can add them to our portfolios.

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday (half day: dismissal at 12:01): Math weekly assignments are due

Volunteering at LGMS this year - We are very happy to invite parents and guardians to join us on field trips once again this year.  We will have a few coming soon related to the gr.4 Waste in our World unit.  If you hope to join us as a volunteer at any time this year we need you to have a criminal record check completed.  I have the forms already printed, please just add a note to your child's agenda and I will send a copy home for you.  

Also a reminder that if you have a child in grade 4 and have a smaller binder that you can send in with them to use in their desk that would be helpful :)

Zentangles

Check out some of our great zentangle designs!

 Week of Sept. 7 th

Tuesday: No homework this week (we will be starting weekly homework next week)

Please ask your child to show you and tell you about their digital name tag in Google Classroom that they started to work on this afternoon.  

Wednesday: Finishing SHIELD good copies

Spelling pre-test.  This is a test to help place students into a level that helps them to grow their skills.  Their level (I have 3 in the classroom) can change over the course of the year (up or down) depending on need.  Your child can come talk to me themselves to ask about changing, I might ask them to change levels or we can also talk together based on the evidence that we are seeing in class.  

Thursday: Math pretest  - this will have a variety of different types of questions and helps me to better understand the level of understanding each child brings to their learning in these areas.  

Friday: 

An additional note - if your child is in grade 4 the supply list had a mistake and asked for one 2" binder instead of two 1" binders.  We will make due with what we have of course because I know supplies are costly but the 2" binders are very big in the desks.  If you happen to have something smaller already at home it would be helpful to switch it out.  We also collect all of the student's "for marks" work into one learning portfolio that will go home for you to see.  This is what the other binder is normally used for.

If you have any questions - please let me know.

Below are a few pictures from a cooperative game we played in gym today :)

 

Welcome back to a fabulous year of learning at LGMS!

This year I am very excited to welcome our newest students in grade four to LGMS and our combined 4/5 class.  Our first few days together have been wonderful and I know we are going to have a great year of learning together.  

If you haven't had a chance to check out the letter from our amazing school counsellor Ms.Liz, please take a look by following this link.  We are very fortunate to have her at LGMS working with individual students and families in addition to the classroom and group work that Mr.D does with his Right From The Start team support.  

Upcoming dates:

Due Tuesday - SHIELD images and words to create our collages 

This week students will also begin to complete some pre-tests with me in spelling and math.  These are not assessments but instead are used to help me to better understand what skills they are already confident in, as well as areas for growth so that I can best plan how we can move forward together.  

 Have a very happy summer everyone!  

Here are the copies of our Smart Cookies that students built to share their year and what they loved or learned.  https://mrsbsmartcookies.blogspot.com/

Math final exams are marked and you should have an emailed picture that shows the front page of outcomes along with your child's overall grade.  The physical test and the second side of the outcomes pages will be able to be found in your child's portfolio which should be coming home Friday.  

We have one final item to complete in math which is our third timed multiplication facts which we will be doing tomorrow morning.  

I'm so proud of everyone's hard work all year to work on building strategies, not just for working with numbers but also for studying :)

 Week of June 21

Please remember that school continues until June 30th this year and that we are practicing and working on important learning still.  Please help your child to do their best right until we end our year together by ensuring that they are present.  If your child will be absent, or will be leaving early for your summer adventures, please let Ms.Kathleen, the office and I know in advance so that we can send items home with them.  

Monday: National Indigenous People's day    At LGMS today students will be walking with their classmates around the field and through downtown.  Please talk to your child about the significance of that walk and the meaning and importance behind it.

Tuesday: Math Final exam in the morning this final exam will have questions representing all of the main outcomes in our math learning this year.  Please help your child to be prepared by checking in with them in the morning and ensuring that they get a full night of sleep.   Students are invited to bring a healthy snack and drink if that will help them to do their best during their exam.  

Wednesday:  Math - timed math facts this will be the last time this year for students to show their increased speed at their multiplication facts to 9 x 9.  Along with the two other pages from earlier in the year found in portfolios this will be one more piece to show the great improvement and growth everyone has worked hard to achieve this year :)

Thursday:  

Friday (full day):

Next week: 

Students should be bringing home most school items over the course of this week that are still remaining.  Extra bags might be helpful (or a ride home) to help everything to get home safely.

Monday: lots of school supplies should be starting to come home.  Including Portfolios.

Tuesday afternoon - ice cream at the bus!  A big thanks to Parent council for helping us to finish the year with this fun activity by covering the cost!!  And another big thanks to Ms.Kathleen for organizing this!!

Goodbye to Ms. Kathleen as this is her final afternoon with us. She has been amazing at stepping in and keeping our classroom learning happening.  Huge thanks to her!!

Wednesday morning - final day together.  Everyone is invited to bring a small blanket and breakfast or snacks while we have a picnic and movie in the classroom.  We've been reading Shiloh in class and we'll be watching the movie as a final day celebration.  

Dismissal for the summer is at noon.

 Week of June 14

Monday:  All library books should be returned to the school by now.  Math: Volume for marks completed in class.

Tuesday:  In math we will be looking at probability (how likely events are) as well as graphing information.  These are the final math topics that we will be completing this year.  

Please remember that the math final exam will be next Tuesday.  Daily studying and practice is highly recommended :)

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday (full day):  All math topics have been completed in class so everyone should be able to answer all parts of their practice final math exam.  If you have questions, please let me know!

Father's day is this weekend.  

Thank you to all of you fabulous fathers for everything that you do!!

 Week of June 7

Monday:  

Coming home in agenda's tonight students should have their math final practice test.  This is to help guide studying at home and looks the same as their final exam which will take place on Tuesday June 22 in the morning.   For areas of challenge more practice will be required to be sure of confidence using the strategies.  In case you need help - here is the answer key :)

* RR, Math weekly and Spelling duotangs can also all go home permanently now.  The only homework you should see is daily practice to study for math and any work that is not being completed during class time*

Tuesday:

Wednesday: 

Our sexual health unit will be starting today.  We will begin by talking about puberty and items that are helpful during these changes (like deodorant, soap, bras...) If you haven't done so yet, please read over this letter carefully and if you choose to exempt your child please email beforehand.

* Please take the time to check in with your child ahead of time so that they are prepared to participate in a responsible and respectful way since this can be an embarrassing topic for many students*

Thursday: expect to see the first health handouts in agendas about puberty

Friday (half day): Mrs. Kathleen will be in 

Hello everyone - I hope you are all doing well and I appreciate your flexibility over the past month while you supported your child through both online learning and new expectations with Ms.Kathleen who stepped in to our classroom after my medical emergency in early May.  I am so happy that I am able to come back and finish off the year with you and your children! That miracle is because of the quick and amazing response of both the paramedics and emergency responders from the Canmore fire department - so if you, or anyone you know works as a first responder, please pass along my heartfelt thanks. 

While I continue my own journey towards what I hope to be a full recovery, I will be returning to the classroom half time for the remainder of the year while Ms.Kathleen continues in the afternoons.   Though there are only a few weeks left, we have a couple of very important things still to complete in our grade five year together. 

First - we will be beginning our sexual health unit this week. Students will be working with me to explore topics related to changes during puberty and parts of our bodies.  There will be handouts that you should see coming home in agendas which can help you to continue any discussions if you want.  Please read this letter closely for more information and consider checking out the link to the health web resources.  

Second - there has been a lot of growth, both in skills as well as confidence, in everyone during math this year and as we finish up our final outcomes it's time for everyone to show that they have retained all of these very important skills.  

There will be an outcomes based math final exam on the morning of Tuesday, June 22.  Please watch for a practice exam to help lead studying coming home early this week - or get a head start here.  Due to the importance of spreading out studying and making time to practice more than just the questions on the practice exam there will no longer be any math weekly homework assignments.  Please use the time instead to work with your child to help them to feel confident going into their first ever year end final exam.

Thank you again for all that you each do at home to help to support your child's learning! 

Tina Blackwell

* One final note - please be sure to copy any emails about absences to both myself and Ms.Kathleen from now until the end of the year*

Everyone is encouraged to wear a hat tomorrow to show support 

for the importance of mental health and mental health initiatives.

 Week of May 3

Monday: 

Tuesday: May the fourth be with you!    Star Wars clothes or costumes are encouraged in class today :) 

Wednesday:  LA Insect investigations are due.  These non-fiction posters are to be turned in from Google Classroom when the paper research and rubric is handed in.

Thursday:

Friday (half day): Spelling test and assignment due

* Our electric car building kits have come in and we will be starting these the week of the 17th so those bags of supplies can start coming into school next week :)   One additional item - the battery holders that are part of the car building set take 2 AA batteries to keep the car lighter and more maneuverable.  Please include at least 2 batteries with your child's supplies*

Kit bags should include:  

cardboard bases (2) precut to about 12 x 17cm 

6-10 wooden skewers and 6-10 plastic straws (that the skewers fit inside easily)

6-10 milk or other plastic lids for wheels

other items to decorate or build with

2-4  batteries AA

Happy Mother's day to all of you amazing parents out there!  I hope you find some time this weekend to celebrate the great things and to do something that fills your heart :)

Thank you parent council!

Our LGMS student hats and touques came in today.   Thank you so much to our fabulous parent council for doing this for us!

 Week of April 26

Monday:  Math weekly #11 comes home

Tuesday:  We are beginning to choose our questions and find the answers for our Insect Investigation assignment.  You can take a look a the assignment expectations on Google Classroom.

Wednesday: Social - settlers research in Google Classroom due

Thursday:

Friday(full day):   Math weekly is due handed in.

Trivia circuit boards in science!

Everyone did a great job creating these game boards based on their own interest and today we had a chance in class to try them all out :)

 Week of April 19

Monday: Spelling comes home for studying and to complete the assignment for Friday morning.

Tuesday: 

Wednesday: Math fractions and review test.   Science circuit boards to be completed (we'll get a chance to play these trivia games Friday).

Since RR are due tomorrow morning this would also be the last night you should see your child's Reading Record come home for your signature.

Thursday: RR are due

Friday (half day): Spelling test and assignment due

Next week - Wednesday 21

There will be a math review quiz next Wednesday focused mainly on our fractions unit which we are wrapping up in math.  Today students were handed out a practice test as usual to help them to prepare and and to use as part of their studying at home.  

Thanks to all of you wonderful parents out there that help your child to study and develop these important skills for success!

Fractions, Decimals and Pattern Review quiz - Practice version

 Week of: April 12

I hope that you were all able to recharge a little and enjoy some outdoor time (whether in the sunshine or snow:) over spring break.  

As I'm sure you are aware from the news updates there have been a lot of new COVID cases and many school closures and contacts taking place across Canada.  Also, for many of us being home over the break meant less need to wear masks and practice other safety precautions, but as we move into the last part of this school year please help to keep us all safe and working together in the classroom.  

Check in with your child and help them to remember the importance of masks, sanitizing and maintaining distance.  Our desks are spaced out as much as possible but the only time students can choose not to wear their masks is when they are sitting in their own space, facing forward.  Leaving the desk (or turning to someone else) needs to include putting a mask on, and using sanitizer should take place before touching other items in the classroom. 

I know we are all tired of the limits that this pandemic places on us.  This has been extra difficult for all children and I appreciate each of you for helping to support our safe schools and in person learning with any extra conversations and reminders that you are able to have at home.  

Thank you!

Monday: Math weekly #10 goes home

Tuesday:

Wednesday: library

Thursday:

Friday (full day):  Math weekly #10 due 

Car building supplies to be collected in one labelled Ziploc lock bag  by the end of the month (please don't send into the school until they are needed as we don't have storage space)

• straws (6-10)
• wooden skewers (6-10) These need to fit inside the straws and spin easily to make out axle
• plastic milk or juice lids (10 ish) for wheels
• 2 thick cardboard pieces  (or the plastic version) cut to approximately 4.5"x 6.5"  or  12 x 17 cm
• any other car accessories like stickers, Lego people for "drivers", lights...

Tomorrow (Friday) everyone needs their clothing and scripts for their French fashion show.  

Also - since it is the last day before Spring Break, please return our very important portfolios so that they are safe in the classroom for the last part of the school year :)

Thank you and have a happy spring break!  We'll be back together Monday, April 12th.

 Week of March 22

Monday: Math weekly handed out.  Due back Friday. 

We have a few important projects that we are finishing up this week before our spring break.  Please help your child to stay on top of these important due dates by checking in with them so they are all caught up for spring break :)

Tuesday:  Keep practicing for the French fashion show Friday :)

Wednesday:  Library returns.

• Social - Potlach assignment is due.  
• RR are due completed and returned with a signature.  

Thursday:  

• I want to be story - due by the end of the school day today.  Typed and handed in on Google Classroom.

Friday (full day): 

• Math weekly due
• French Fashion show presentations - clothing to wear and scripts need to be at school.  

Spring break March 29- April 9.  We'll be back in school April 12th for the last part of the year.  Have a great break and a happy Easter!

On the one year anniversary of COVID we’ve been talking about mental health and changes in our lives brought about from the onset of COVID19.

If we could talk directly to COVID, here’s what we would say.

To take a closer look - follow this link to our COVID letter collection

 Week of March 15

Monday:  New Reading Records were handed out.  These are due back with a signature by next Wednesday morning the 24th.  (Please remember to help your child look for detailed and completed work before signing it).  We do daily reading blocks when students can fill in their Reading record at school, but these can also be worked on at home as needed.

Tuesday: COVID letter writing.  It's been a challenging year and as part of our discussions in class about mental health we've been talking through the changes that have occurred this past year and how they have impacted each of us.  For the one year anniversary we're writing a letter to COVID talking about what we haven't liked, what we've learned and also what we are thankful for.  Students should be done these by the end of the school day Tuesday.  These are in Google Classroom, so please ask your child to show you theirs.

Wednesday  Library exchange & St.Patrick's day.  Everyone is encouraged to wear green :)

Parent-Teacher-Student interviews from 5:00-8:00.  Your link for our Google Meet has already been sent out, so please check your email.  Please be respectful of each other's times and be prompt joining and leaving our 15 minute interview block so that everyone gets the times they signed up for.

Thursday:  There was no weekly homework assignment handed out this week, but RRs are due back next Wednesday.

Parent-Teacher-Student interviews from 4:00-7:00.  

Friday: No school for students

Parent-Teacher-Student interviews from 8:30-12:00.  

We built electromagnets today in science - these groups wanted to share pictures for you to see :)

 Portfolios, March Learning goals and Parent-teacher-student interviews

Thank you to everyone that has already signed up for your interview time - much appreciated!

Tomorrow, Friday, portfolios will be coming home.  Please spend some time before our interview going through this with your child and letting them share their successes, as well as their challenges, in grade five so far.  Feel free to keep them for the week and send them back after your scheduled interview.

Also - on Google Classroom you'll be able to see a copy of your child's March progress review page which we'll be looking at together during interviews.  So far in class today we looked through our own portfolios and self-reflected on successes and continued challenges.  Please take some time to look at these and discuss what would be a great goal (just 1) for your child this last part of the year  (feel free to type on the page with your child- either goals or more celebrations! ) We'll be looking at these progress pages again in class next week before interview times.  

Thank you to each of you for everything that you do at home to help your child to grow and succeed!

Fabulous math skills!

We’re practicing for our math quiz tomorrow using Quizziz, an online platform that lets students see their own progress. We can also track how the class is doing all together.  

Look how great everyone is doing!  High 80s for accuracy :)    

If your child was aiming for 100% and didn't get there during class they can try tonight and email me a screen shot! To do that, or just to use it as another way to practice and study - follow this link - Math review on quizziz

 Week of March 8

Monday: 

• Spelling list #10 comes home.  Assignment to be completed by Friday.
• Please book your Parent-teacher-student interview time using the instructions sent to you directly from the LGMS office. * Please ensure the time you choose works for you and your child to be there*  If you expect to need more then the 15 minute time slot, please email me this week so that I can help find a time to make that work :)

Tuesday: 

• Math Quiz (add,subtract,multiply,divide)
• Social Indigenous people - Traditions presentations (students need to have their collected information on a digital or paper poster, plus they need an artifact to show - this could be a model, an item, a video...)

Wednesday:

Thursday: 

• Book talks - the checklist and rubric for this can be found in Google Classroom.  Students are encouraged to share a favorite book/reread for this project.  

Friday (full day):  

• Spelling assignment due and test this morning
• Portfolios come home - please look on Google classroom with your child at their March progress review page after spending time with their portfolio to discuss challenges and celebrations :)
• Parent-teacher-student interview times should be booked by today.  The link and information came to you directly from the school on March 4th.

 Do you know what a magnetic field is?  We used iron filings and magnets today to see these invisible forces during science.  After looking at a bar and horseshoe magnet we got creative and the class wanted to share these pictures of the dog we created using magnetic fields with all of you at home :)

Please enjoy these great action shots taken during gym today. 

Please remember to send in your child's badminton racket with them for the month of March when we will be in the gym three times a week to play :)     

Week of March 1

Monday: Math weekly #9 goes home.  Also - with nice weather in the foreseeable future, all board games from out cold snap should now be back at home.  If yours still hasn't made it, please remind your child to bring it home in their backpack.

Tuesday: Badminton nets will be up for gym for the month of March and we can make use of them a couple of times a week.  From gr.5-8 students are asked to have their own rackets.  If your child has one, please have them bring it into school for this month when we play :)

Wednesday(library):  Reading Records are due back completed and signed.  Social- Indigenous people of Canada - research should be completed by Wednesday, projects will be worked on Thursday/Friday and presentations will be early next week.  Please check in with your child about their progress.

Thursday:

Friday (Half day): Math weekly #9 due 

Coming Soon - 

• Math - using numbers quiz, next Tuesday (review adding and subtracting large number decimals and multiplying and dividing bigger numbers)  Here is a copy of the  Practice quiz students will get in class tomorrow.  This has the same number and type of questions that will be on the quiz next Tuesday so it's a good place to start studying.  If you need more of any style of questions the internet is a great place and I have some links on the math section of the blog to sites for printing out practice pages .
• Parent-teacher-Student interviews will be taking place the evenings of March 17 + 18, as well as the morning of March 19.  Ahead of that time I will be sending portfolios home and I would like you to talk at home with your child about celebrations and challenges as well as a goal or two to work on for the final part of grade 5.

* Also a reminder - appointment times are for parents/guardians and students  (please make sure that your child is able to join during the time that you have chosen) are limited to 15 minutes and will take place online again.  If you feel that we need to schedule something longer, please send me an email so that I can find a time that works for both of us.  

 Wow!  I am so proud of the great conversations that we're been having in class around Pink Shirt day and the importance and value of standing up against bullying.  

Please take a look at these powerful poems created by our students which help to show insight into behaviours from the perspective of the bully, the victim or the bystander.  Some poets chose to focus on one perspective, others balanced all three within the same poem.  

Please follow this link to take a closer look: 2021 pink shirt day poems

* A special thank you goes out to Ms.Kish who is currently teaching online and shared her resources so that we could build these amazing poems *

 Week of February 22-26

Monday: Spelling list #9 goes home.  Assignment to be completed this week is the student's choice.  New     Reading Record handed out - to be completed with a signature by next Wednesday. 

Tuesday:  We will be starting our Indigenous People of Canada project which can be found in Google         Classroom.  Before our break we took some time to explore a few topics and students should now have      one chosen for their research.  

Wednesday:  Pink Shirt Day  - We will be discussing this during class as well, but please take a minute         to talk to your child about Pink Shirt day - what does wearing a pink shirt represent?

Thursday: We are getting near the end of our focus on large number division strategies.  Please check in         with your child about their understanding.  Division "for marks" pages will be near the end of this             week with a review quiz on the four main components of math (add, subtract, multiply and divide)             coming towards the end of next week.  

Friday (full day):  Spelling is due.  The assignment this week was open for students to choose from any         of the standard assignment choices.  Please help your child to remember to complete their full                    assignment - the instructions for each are in the duotang or can be found on the blog in the LA section.

* Flashlight Friday!  Students are invited to bring a flashlight and some favorite books for reading as well as a snack, blanket and stuffy to cozy up with for the morning. 

Tomorrow to celebrate Winter Carnival students are invited to bring in a hot chocolate or tea for an afternoon warm up because we will be heading outside for two short outside activities.  

**Please make sure your child has boots, snow pants, toques, mitts and a warm winter coat so that they can participate.  

In the classroom we will be doing some weaving during art.  These can be able to be used as bracelets, headbands or bookmarks after they are finished.  I have yarn at school, but if you have yarn or embroidery thread at home in colours that your child might prefer to use please send them in with them tomorrow.  

Stuck at home in the cold today?  Go to Google Classroom to see what will be happening at school and what you can work on from home.  

 Some winter smiles from our short DPA break this afternoon.