So here's what we've been up to and what is coming up:
LANGUAGE ARTS:
As previously mentioned, the students were introduced to our T.U.S.C program, The Ultimate Speaking Club. We started off brainstorming all the DO'S and DONT'S of public speaking to see how much they already knew about being an effective public speaker. Needless to say, they were right on top of everything! It took us almost the whole week, but we finally read through the entire T.U.S.C. package, so the students are well-informed about all the different roles they will be preparing over the next five months of school. I have asked the students to take home their duotangs to share with you this weekend. Please sign the first page to indicate that you have previewed the contents and understand how the program works. If you have any further questions, please feel free to give me a phone call or e-mail. Our FIRST T.U.S.C. meeting is Thursday, February 19th, so they have plenty of time to prepare for their first role! After that, we will have be having a T.U.S.C. meeting every Day 2 and Day 5 of the school day cycle. I sent home a new timetable for Feb - June that includes when we will be having TUSC meetings so you can help keep your child on track! There is very little time alotted for the students to prepare for TUSC at school, this is more of an ongoing homework responsibility. Having said that, many of the roles do NOT require that much preparation. It all depends on the 'role description' and the ingenuity and ambition of your child!
Next week we will be doing several mini-lessons to help us prepare effective speeches as well as learning how to deliver an engaging speech.
With "I love to Read" month, I thought it was time for a new Literature Circle to begin...our theme this round is HEROES! Each novel will have a main character that portrays the characteristics of a true hero in some form or another. As of right now, I have 3 volunteers for Literature Circles (Rachel &Julia's mom, Laura's mom and Ryan's mom). If I've missed someone who would like to volunteer, please send me an e-mail or a note in your child's agenda! The dates for our meetings will be Tues. Feb.24th at 11:15-12:00 and Tues. Mar.3rd at the same time (these times are somewhat flexible if you have a conflict but would still like to join us for LC). The students will be receiving their books at the end of next week!
One final reminder...Jan/Feb Valentine's book reports are due FRIDAY, FEB..13TH! There will be no book report for Feb. since we are doing Literature Circles.
MATHEMATICS:
I am so amazed at how well the class picked up the concept of decimals. They worked hard this week working on some money problems as well as reviewing their learning through several practice questions. OUR BIG UNIT TEST IS ON MONDAY, FEB.9TH! I have sent home one final review sheet if any of the students wanted to keep up their skills over the weekend before the test (this was an optional homework lesson).
Our next unit ties into decimals quite nicely...FRACTION FUN! However, before we start our next unit, we are going to return to our list of problem solving strategies and spend some time learning about the strategy of "Organizing a List". This type of problem is a little more challenging than our last two strategies so we will be practicing several problems over the next week in Math class.
SOCIAL STUDIES:
We've learned a lot about the Vikings' role in Canadian history of the past two weeks. Next week we will be finishing up our study of the Vikings in Canada and preparing for a quiz to assess our understanding of their impact on Canadian history. I've included a fun game to play to review their knowledge of Vikings, the link is on the sidebar of the blog under "Cool Websites". Have fun playing...can you win the million dollars?
SCIENCE:
We wrapped up our understanding of Physical Properties this week by creating a Pictionary page of all the concepts we had learned during our hands on experiments! On Friday, the students were introduced to the concept of Physical Changes and we brainstormed several physical changes that take place around us everyday! Ask your child the definition of a Physical Change and try to come up with some that are found around your home!
FRENCH:
Our "Souvenirs de la Famille" unit is well underway. The students have been learning the names of the different members of a family and how to write the correct possessive adjective for the different words (ex. ma soeur= my sister, mon frere=my brother). We've started an assignment to create a MODIFIED family tree to practice the vocabulary and correct use of the possessive adjectives. As many of the students have very LARGE families, I've asked the students to just choose one side of the family to include in their family trees. (Not an easy thing to ask as you can tell the students love their families and want to include everyone!!!) The students have been asked to complete their rough copies by Monday so they can begin their good copies next week.
ART:
The students enjoyed their first Art class with Mrs. Van Nice on Wednesday. For many of them it was their first time in the Art room at Linden Meadows...very exciting! They are learning how to write using Calligraphy.
OTHER:
- I hope you have received my note regarding Valentine's Day celebrations in 5E. Just to remind you, our "party" will be taking place after recess in the afternoon in case you have volunteered to bring in a treat for the class.
- Library books are due for renewal or return on Monday, Feb.9th
- It's Louis Riel Day on Tuesday, Feb.16th (No school)!
- Super Lunch is next week on Thursday, Feb.12th.
- With "I love to Read" month, the students received a pink BINGO sheet that is an optional activity to do at home. If they DO finish the activities and get it signed by their parents, they can enter their completed sheet in a draw to win some great book prizes from Mrs. Husack in the library. (I have lots of extras if someone has lost theirs already!)
Have a fabulous weekend! Thank you for returning the report card envelopes and comment sheets so promptly. 5E is an intelligent, motivated group of learners! I'm having a fabulous year teaching and learning with them. Thank you for your continued support in your child's growth and educational experience.
Mrs. Eby
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