Persuasive Letter Writing

Day 7

I was in the last day of the in-school workshop today. I am looking forward to being with my Grade 6s tomorrow. Mr. Herlihey (also known as Mr. H) was with my class today. They started the day working on math. They took up the entire review package as a class. Remember to review some more for tomorrow’s unit test on decimals.

Students then worked on this term’s writing piece – persuasive letter writing. They worked in groups to read samples of students writing, discuss each sample, and add strengths and areas for improvement on a T-chart. The groups shared their ideas with the class. Students gave the writing samples a level grade. They gave reasons on why they thought the sample deserved that level. This activity is to help students better understand what a strong piece of writing looks like.

Students continued working on their new inquiry unit into flight. Students were asked to review the steps in the scientific method. They were given the acronym PHEOCA and asked to brainstorm what the letters stand for. They then had to explain what each step means. They were allowed to use devices to research this work. We will be focussing on developing a conceptual understanding of the properties of air this week. Students began this by conducting an experiment with Mr. H today. Ask your child to describe this experiment and what it teaches them about air.

The class attended gym and French class today.

Students that had not completed their story entry for the Polar Expressions Writing competition used recess time to work on this today.

ArtReach workshops are happening tomorrow. Those that are participating should bring an art smock or large T-shirt to cover their uniform.

Homework & Reminders

·       Math review – study for tomorrow’s test on decimals

·       Thursday: Decimals unit test, music, ArtReach workshop

·       December 8: Parent-Teacher conferences

·       December 21: Christmas Concert, Casual Day

·       December 22: Spirit Day

·       December 23: Christmas Break begins

Flight

Day 6

We began our day with math. Students worked on their math review work. I checked their work as they went along. I have checked up to question 9 for all students who got that far. The review packages are going home again today. Students are asked to complete and correct the entire package for tomorrow. Please remember to bring the package with you. The Decimal unit test takes place on Thursday.

We began work on our new unit of inquiry – How the World Works. Students were introduced to theme, the topic, central idea, lines of inquiry, and key concepts for this unit as follows:

How the World Works: An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.

Topic: Flight

Central Idea: Air has many properties that can be used for flight and for other purposes.

Concepts: Function, Responsibility

Lines of Inquiry:

·       The properties of air

·       Flying devices that use the properties of air

·       Societal and environmental impacts of flying devices that make use of the properties of air

Students heard about the final project for this unit, where they will design, build, and test a flying device that can fly as far as possible to participate in an air show.

Students worked in groups to brainstorm all they know about air and flight. They shared their ideas with the class in a short presentation. It was clear that we have a lot to learn in this unit. We will take time to clear up some misconceptions that students have. Students ended our Flight time recording things they know and things they want to know about air and flight in a KWL chart.

The class attended gym, French, and music class today.

Students that had not completed their OWA and story entry for the Polar Expressions Writing competition used gym time to work on this today.

Remember that tomorrow is Casual Day

Please remember to return parent-teacher conference forms.

Homework & Reminders

·       Math review – correct and complete all questions

·       Wednesday: Casual Day

·       Thursday: Decimals unit test, music

·       December 8: Parent-Teacher conferences

·       December 21: Christmas Concert, Casual Day

·       December 22: Spirit Day

·       December 23: Christmas Break begins

Writing and More Writing

Day 5

Sorry for the late blog posting everyone. I was in an in-school workshop again today. Ms. Bannon took my place with the Grade 6s.

The class began the day attending French with Mme. Stella. They had math next, where they took up last Wednesday’s math homework on dividing decimals. They then did a strategy lesson. Everyone should have completed all their work in class. Ms. Bannon handed out the review package for the Decimal Unit test that is taking place this Thursday, December 1^st. Students were asked to start working on the review and to complete the first 10 questions. Any incomplete work must be done for homework. Please ensure that the review is returned to school tomorrow in order for me to check on progress.

After recess the class had gym with Mr. Slyk. When they got back from gym, it was time to work on the short story competition entries for the Polar Expressions Writing competition. Students chose one of their tales to submit. The counted the number of words to ensure they were not over the limit. They then rewrote an edited, neat version of the story for submission. They also completed their entry forms. This will be mailed off this week.

The last segment of class time was used for students to work on the preassessment piece for this term’s Ontario Writing Assessment. We will be working on persuasive writing in December. This work will prepare students for the annual SJA speech competition which takes place early next year. Grade 6s will be expected to write and recite a persuasive speech from memory. Today, students wrote a persuasive essay where they took a position ‘for’ or ‘against’ uniforms. Students who completed their work early worked on their math review packages.

Look out for Scholastic order forms coming home today.

Please remember to return parent-teacher conference forms.

 

Homework & Reminders

·       Math review Q. 1 – 10

·       Tuesday: Music

·       Wednesday: Casual Day

·       Thursday: Decimals unit test, music

·       December 8: Parent-Teacher conferences

·       December 21: Christmas Concert, Casual Day

·       December 22: Spirit Day

·       December 23: Christmas Break begins

Grand Prix

Day 4

Sorry for the late blog posting everyone. I was in an in-school workshop yesterday, but I spent a bit of time with the Grade 6s for a very important event – The Grand Prix! This was as noisy as a real grand prix, but with the voices of screaming students instead of screaming engines :-).  We invited the school to come into our classroom to look at our cars and vote on the best looking car. The results of the Grand Prix are as follows:

The Speedy Award for the fastest car goes to Areej.

The Arrow Award for the car that best travels in a straight line goes to Kaaya.

The Good Looker Award for the best looking car goes to Farah.

The Grade 6 class attended French, music and gym class yesterday.  

Students will be writing a math unit test on Decimals on Thursday, December 1^st.

Students ended the day watching the video of the City of Ember to reward the completion of the novel and to rest a bit after all their hard work.

Term 1 Report cards went home yesterday.

Homework & Reminders

·       Report Cards went home yesterday

·       Wednesday, November 30 – Casual Day

·       Thursday, December 1^st – Decimals unit test

·       December 8: Parent-Teacher conferences

·       December 21: Christmas Concert, Casual Day

·       December 22: Spirit Day

·       December 23: Christmas Break begins

Science Fair

Day 3

The Grade 6s class attended French class with Mme. Stella first thing this morning.

Once in our class we had UOI time. Students who had not completed their unit reflections yesterday did this today. Students received all work (videos and brochures) that was submitted back today. We then worked on our IB portfolios. Students looked through all their work from our Canada in the World unit. They chose four pieces of work to place in their portfolios: My Best Work, Something I Worked my Hardest on, Something I need to improve on, and A Way I Showed a Learner Profile Attribute. It was time to set up our classroom for science fair next. We used the bit of remaining time to watch the rest of the Canada’s Exports videos. Here are the videos for everyone to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

The science fair judging took place after lunch. It took the judges 1 hr and 30 minutes to judge the class. It was a long time for everyone to stand still and quiet.

 

It was then the end of the day when we saw many parents visit out class.

I forgot to mention that Parent-Teacher Conference forms went home yesterday.

Homework & Reminders

·       Friday  - French spelling test, Grand Prix, Music, Report Cards, Dec. hot lunch order forms are due

·       November 30 – Casual Day

More Curling

Day 2

The Grade 6s class attended music with Mr. Andrei first thing this morning.

Once in our class we had UOI time. Students in their groups presented their student-led seminars on The Commonwealth, Doctors without Borders, The United Nations, Organization of American States, and La Francophonie. The class was an enthusiastic audience and participant in quizzes that followed the presentations. Well done on completing this project in a very short amount of time, Grade 6s! You did a fantastic job on developing a conceptual understanding of how Canada is connected to the world.

We had lunch and then headed out to Acton Curling Club for some fun on the ice. The Grade 6s have been working very hard and the deserved the time to relax for a change.

Once back at school we had our final novel study group meetings while we finished off our lunches.

We discussed the expectations for science fair tomorrow:

·       Wear full uniform

·       Make sure you have your engineering design portfolio and car with you

·       Go over what you will say to the judges – describe how you built and tested the car as well as any challenges you had to overcome

·       Demonstrate how the car moves and show how the switch works

·       Our class will be judged at about 12 noon tomorrow in our classroom

·       Families are invited to come see all our (and the rest of the school’s) work at 2:45 – 3:20. We will be in our classroom (room 16)

We reflected on our UOI on Canada in the World. Students described their favourite part of the unit, how they demonstrated inquiry, and how they demonstrated an IB attribute and attitude.

We spent the last few minutes of the day watching a few videos produced by students on Canada’s exports.

I am still waiting for some brochures. Please hand these in first thing tomorrow morning. I am still waiting on some groups to send me their Canada’s exports video. Students that have uploaded their video to YouTube should email me the link at mhaag@stjudesacademy.com.

Homework & Reminders

·       Science Fair is tomorrow J - see above for more information

·       UOI 

o   Ensure you have your binders and all work with you – we will be working on our IB portfolios tomorrow

o   Brochure: Past due. Type up your brochure research. Print it out or email me the brochure.

o   Video: Past due. Upload your video and send me the link if you haven’t already done so

Friday, November 25 –French spelling test, Grand Prix, Music, Report Cards, Dec. hot lunch order forms are due

·       November 30 – Casual Day

International Organizations

Day 1

Students began their day with math. We took up yesterday’s homework on dividing a decimal by a 1 digit whole number. We then did another lesson on dividing decimals when we can add zeros after the decimal to avoid a remainder and when there is a recurring number. Our next math lesson will take place on Monday due to curling and science fair this week. Students are asked to complete practice work on p. 156 - 157 (a, c, e, and skip question 3) of the MMS textbook.

During UOI time, students continued working on our connection concept. We took some time to finish up yesterday’s work on how Canada is connected to other countries through international organizations. We then took this work up as a whole class. We discovered that students who rushed through the work did not have accurate, quality responses. Students then broke up into their groups for their final task – a student-led seminar on an international organization of their choice. Students had 40 minutes to complete their research. They used the quote “Divide and conquer” as a strategy to complete the work in the time given. Later in the day, they had time to decide how they will teach the class about this organization, and practice their lesson. Presentations take place tomorrow.

I am still waiting for some brochures. Please hand these in first thing tomorrow morning. I am still waiting on some groups to send me their Canada’s exports video. Students that have uploaded their video to YouTube should email me the link at mhaag@stjudesacademy.com.

Students are bringing their UOI tests home today. Students that handed their brochures in on time are bringing the marked brochures home today. These need to come back to school as we are working on our IB portfolios this week.

For novel study, students met in their groups to discuss chapter 19. They had a little bit of time to read 20. Students are asked to complete their reading and response for homework.  Our next novel study time will take place tomorrow.

Students attended French and gym class today.

We are curling again tomorrow. Please come to school in your gym uniform. Bring a hat, gloves, and warm jacket for curling.

Homework & Reminders

·       Science Fair

o   Complete car building & testing if you are not done

o   Complete the engineering design portfolio if you are not done

o   Return all science fair work and materials if you took them home

·       Math p. 156 -157 (a, c, e, and skip question 3)

·       UOI 

o   Type up your brochure research. Print it out or email me the brochure. Past due

o   Upload your video and send me the link if you haven’t already done so

·       Novel Study

o   Read chapter 20

o   Complete response

·       French spelling test on Friday

·       Curling letter and permission forms past due – read, complete, and return

o   Wear gym uniform on Wednesday

o   Bring gym shoes to the curling club in a bag

o   Bring a warm and comfortable sweater, gloves, and hat

·       Wednesday, November 23 – Music, Curling Trip

·       Thursday, November 24 – Science Fair (Parents & families welcome to visit for the last hour of the day)

·       Friday, November 25 –Music,  Report Cards, Dec. hot lunch order forms are due

·       November 30 – Casual Day

Curling

Day 10

Students began their day attending French with Mme. Stella.

We had math next. We took up Friday’s homework on multiplying a decimal by a 1-digit whole number. We then did a new lesson on dividing a decimal by a 1 digit whole number. Our strategy was to divide as we usually do while ignoring the decimal. Then we estimate the product by rounding to have only whole numbers. The estimation is used to help us accurately place the decimal point. Students made some progress with the practice work in class. Students are asked to complete practice work on p. 153 - 154 (a, c, e) of the MMS textbook.

During UOI time, students began working on our connection concept. We began learning how Canada is connected to other countries through international organizations. Most students handed in their brochures. I am still waiting for some brochures. Please hand these in first thing tomorrow morning. I am still waiting on some groups to send me their Canada’s exports video. Students that have uploaded their video to YouTube should email me the link at mhaag@stjudesacademy.com.

We had lunch and then headed out to enjoy an awesome curling experience at Acton Curling Club.

 

Once we got back we had snack time, discussed thinkers for the month of November and then had our novel study time. Students met in their groups to discuss chapter 16 - 18. There wasn’t any time left to read chapter 19. Students are asked to complete their reading and response for homework.  Our next novel study time will take place tomorrow.

Homework & Reminders

·       Science Fair

o   Complete car building & testing if you are not done

o   Complete the engineering design portfolio if you are not done

o   Return all science fair work and materials if you took them home

·       Math p. 153 -154 (a, c, e)

·       UOI 

o   Type up your brochure research. Print it out or email me the brochure. Past due

o   Upload your video and send me the link if you haven’t already done so

·       Novel Study

o   Read chapters 19

o   Complete response

·       French spelling test on Friday

·       Curling letter and permission forms past due – read, complete, and return

o   Wear gym uniform on Wednesday

o   Bring gym shoes to the curling club in a bag

o   Bring a warm and comfortable sweater, gloves, and hat

·       Wednesday, November 23 – Music, Curling Trip

·       Thursday, November 24 – Science Fair (Parents & families welcome to visit for the last hour of the day)

·       Friday, November 25 –Music,  Report Cards, Dec. hot lunch order forms are due

·       November 30 – Casual Day