Thank you for all your support of such worthy causes this past week. I know it must seem like we've been asking for a lot of donations lately (and the field trip money wasn't great timing either!). It's funny... on personal note, I always compare my spending to a cup of coffee at Starbucks! If I can spend almost $4 on a cup of fancy coffee then I guess I shouldn't complain about a dollar here or there (OR maybe I should stop buying such expensive coffee) either way, your support has been greatly appreciated! The students really got into the spirit of giving and thinking of others as we put together our Project Love kits today! Sunglasses Day was a bit hit in 5E...it's cool to care!
Besides all of our abundant generosity and spirit of giving this week, we've been busy at work in the classroom and even starting new units in our core subject areas before our holiday break!
So here's what we've been up to and what is coming up....
LANGUAGE ARTS:
The students finally had a chance to share their HERO speeches on Monday with our "Red Carpet Ceremony" in the afternoon. I took plenty of pictures and created a collage of the students for our hallway display. Come take a peek if you're ever in the school! The awards were very unique and represented each individual hero quite accurately.
This week we have begun my favorite Language Arts unit... an extensive Writer's Workshop under the theme of "Chicken Soup Story writing"! Over the course of this unit, the students will be engaged in several writing activities to develop their skills in writing powerful personal narratives. We will be looking at elaborative word choices, exciting leads, endings with a moral and sharing small moments in our lives through a story. The students will NOT be doing a book report this month as they are busy reading "Chicken Soup" stories from my collection of books in the classroom. "It's learning through modelling and exposure!" The more they read, the more they understand what a powerful personal narrative looks like, feels like and sounds like to be able to write their own. Our summative active for this unit will have each student publishing their very own "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books! It's a long process but well worth it!
Our T.U.S.C. meetings are becoming more and more interesting and appealing as the students comfort levels and public speaking skills continue to improve. With their new found confidence, I have informed the students that I will be assessing with a bit more "vigor" from now so it's time to "take it to the next level"! They did an AMAZING JOB this Friday! Next week we only have ONE T.U.S.C. meeting on Wednesday, March 25th...we are doing it in the morning due to the Walk-a -thon in the afternoon!
MATHEMATICS:
Right now we are tackling a difficult outcome in learning Fractions...simplifying/ reducing fractions to their lowest form. We've been practicing a lot this week! Next week, the students will be given a fun assignment to review what they have learned about equivalent fractions and how to simplify them..."How do you spend the typical school day?".
I would also like to assess their understanding of these concepts before the Spring Break so there will be a quiz on what we have learned about Fractions thus far on THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH!
SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our unit on Explorers has also come to an end this week! Their Canadian Explorer Identity Cards look amazing and will make an informative display in the classroom. The students wrote their quiz on Friday and I didn't see anyone break a sweat, so I think we're ready to learn about NEW FRANCE!
What was life like here in Canada for the first europeans who started a colony in Quebec? What were the different roles that people took on in New France? Those are a few of the questions we will be pondering over the next few weeks.
SCIENCE:
We're on to "Part 2" of our unit on Matter! The students experienced their first REALLY big test in Grade 5 with our Physical Properties and Changes test (just getting them ready for grade 6!) so now we will be experimenting with CHEMICAL CHANGES! We will be taking a fun look at molecules, the Periodic Table and of course, the difference between a physical and chemical changes!
FRENCH:
We're still working on our unit on "La Famille". This week we reviewed our understanding of the different members of the family with a funny look at a famous family, the Addams Family! We also began learning different French verbs to express how we share in various celebrations and holidays with our families.
OTHER:
- Thank you for getting the Manitoba Museum permission slips and money in so promptly. It's a fantastic field trip that really reinforces what we are learning about Canadian History and something to look forward to right after the break!
- THE LM WINTER WALK-A-THON is Wednesday, March 25th! Again, thank you for your sponsorship in raising money for some great technology improvements within our very own school. We're hoping to have enough money to purchase a Smartboard in every classroom!
- The countdown is on for Spring Break...No School from March 28th to April 5th!
- Library is Tuesday... get those books renewed for the holidays!
- Spirit Week is ALL NEXT WEEK! Please review the yellow memo that went home on Friday with all the details! Monday is Pyjama Day...stay cozy!
Thanks for a great week, 5E...slowly but surely I'm fighting this cold and getting back on my feet! Stay healthy and enjoy another warm weekend.
Mrs. Eby
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