Merry Christmas!

Beautification of St. Cecilia Proud Moments!

 

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Attack of the Equation!

Math

We have been working on solving equations.  Remember to review the meaning of variable, expression and equation.

Example of an equation:

                    99  = 72 + w
               99 -72 = 72 -72 + w
                      27 = w

Do your practice sheet as we will work through all questions tomorrow before our quiz.  PRACTICE USING IXL.  Select solving equations. 

Stocking Art Projects

The students created some beautiful Christmas Stockings to decorate our hallway.

   

Advent Service Projects

1)  Food Bank Box Decorations
All  boxes are now decorated and ready to be filled with Christmas food hampers.   The "Mighty 5's" did a great job completing this project!

 2)  St. Cecilia Beatification

Remember we walk to the church tomorrow morning at 9:20 a.m.  Dress appropriately and bring a small bag to carry your indoor shoes.  We will also be carrying our pails/rags to the church.

3)  Advent Community Cards
I was very proud of how my students worked together to complete our Advent cards which we will deliver next week with Mrs. West's class to members of our community. 

Reminders:

2 Parent Volunteers are still needed for our Feb. 2015 Science Centre Trip
Dec. 10/11     Santa Shop  ($2/$1 costs), wear a Santa Shop  AND bring desk top wrapping paper
Dec. 12          Stocking art projects due AND Hot dog lunch for winning school forms prize!
Dec. 17 pm    All late assignments completed for Dec. 18 concert and party
Dec. 18 pm    Class Party
Dec. 19          Wear nice clothes to school
Dec. 19 pm     Begin a fun filled Christmas Vacation!

 

TO ALL MY ST. FRANCIS STUDENTS AND FAMILIES: 

                  

Advent Class Service Project!

Advent Service Project

Each classroom in our hallway is doing an "Advent Service Project".  On Wednesday, December 10th in the morning; our classroom is going to BEAUTIFY ST. CECILIA CHURCH!  Yes, we are going to clean our church from top to bottom for the Advent season. 

We need students to bring rags and pails for cleaning.  All supplies need to be at school by Dec. 9th.

Math Test
I am so pleased with the Math test results!  Many students fully prepared and were rewarded with "Meeting" or "Exceeding" outcomes for Unit 3.  Way to go to all!

Super Hero Power Point Project
Research was to be finished last week and we have had  2/3 classes (3.5 hours) so far creating our power points.  Research catchup as well as power point creating catchup time needs to be done at home.

All power points along with the research organizer plus rubrics are due:  Monday, Dec. 8th
Remember:  NO LATES ACCEPTED

Presentations will be done on Dec. 9 & 10 for speaking evaluations. 

AR
Read daily along with some extra reading if you need more points for your goals.

FYI REMINDERS
Dec. 4     Math Sheets 2/3 due
Dec. 4     Science lab materials
Dec. 8     Super Hero Power Point due (no lates accepted)
Dec. 9     Rags & pails brought to school
Dec. 10   Clean church in am
Dec. 10   Santa Shop open ($2 or $1 prices)
Dec. 12   Stocking art project due
Dec. 17   All late work completed to watch concert & attend party (3 pm)
Dec. 18   Class Christmas party in pm
Dec. 19   School breakfast, school ends at noon

Math Test Final Countdown!

Math test is tomorrow so please prepare by doing your review, corrections and doing some further practice questions on multiplying and dividing.

Believe in your mental math abilities and step by step thinking!

 

 

 

 



Firebird Student-Led Conference Pride!

Student Led Conferences Update

All student conferences were successfully completed!  I am very proud of how well the students communicated their goals and information with their parents.  They showed great independence and responsibility for their learning.  A big thank you goes out to all parents for their support of this new process.  Also, I thank you for all the compliments.  I truly enjoy teaching your children, my 2014 family!

Science 

I was very impressed with our Science groups demonstrating "Surface Tension".

They worked well together with their "trial & error" experiments!  

 

Surface Tension Experiment

 

 

Homework Reminders:

1) Math Review due Monday

2) Study for Tuesday's Math Test

3) Finish off Super Hero research & pics

4) AR reading for goals
5) Sneaker assignment due Monday

6) Complete late work & Advent Blog
7) Remember to read emails for any potential updates
8) Read our Class Blog for homework/important information.  Read back to re-fresh memory.

COUNTDOWN TO ADVENT: 2 days!

 

Food Bank Box Decorating Service Project

Food Bank Box Decorating Presentation

Today we listened to the Food Bank "Decorate a Box" presentation.  Our class received our 13 boxes for decorating.  Students are working in pairs and the theme is "Christmas".

Stay tuned for pictures showing our box transformations. 

BEFORE THE ARTISTS DO THEIR MAGIC!

A big thanks goes out to all who have donated his/her 3 items for filling our classroom box.  If you still need to bring your items; remember you can also bring them to your student-led conference.  All items are due by Friday, November 28th.

Super Hero Project

All students have chosen or received a "Super Hero" and need to start their research. 
They will get 3 hours of research time and 3 hours to create their power point.

Power Points are due on December 8.  Planning organizer is also due this day.

Presentations will follow right after.  REMEMER, RUBRIC IS YOUR BFF so read your rubrics!

Math

Chapter review sheets (3) were given to practice multiplying/dividing outcomes for the upcoming test.  Practice daily on these 2 skills as well as go online to use our IXL program.

AR

Students need to do their daily 20 min. of reading at home so they can earn their goal points.  Practicing reading strategies should also take place to strengthen comprehension.

Students are currently working on their level #2 goal or doing catchup for the level #1 goal. 
the level #2 goal is due at the start of Jan. 2015.  Level #3 goal decisions will be made the first week back in January.

Upcoming Events:

Nov. 27/28       Student-Led Conferences
Nov. 30            Advent starts
Dec. 1              Advent Liturgy #1 at school
Dec. 1              Math Review
Dec. 2              Unit 3 Math Test
Dec. 1              Sneaker Art assignment due
Dec. 12            Stocking Art assignment due
Dec. 12            Bring Wrapping paper to decorate your desk
Dec. 18            Christmas Party in pm (tentative until final school Advent plans cleared)
Dec. 18            School Christmas Concert for younger grades (gym)
Dec. 19            1/2 Day of School, only in the pm

Advent Countdown:  5 days!

We taught, We learned in our ....PJS!!

I was so proud of everyone who showed their school spirit and dressed up in their pajamas!  Our class had outstanding participation! 

The Mighty 5's Pajama Crew!

 

 Reminders

1)  Email Mrs. B the name of their "Super Hero" by Monday.  (1st come, 1st serve)

• You can start your research once I have okayed your choice. 

2)  Due to today's  technical difficulties, please add to OneDrive a pictures folder.

• Follow this setup:  Fred Pictures (first name then the word: Pictures)
• Students can save their super hero pics/images in this folder for future usage. 
• If having difficulty, save pics onto your memory stick and I can help you at school.

3)  Some students still need to bring their 3 food bank items.

4)  Math corrections for page 102( #6) are due Monday.

5)  Complete your BLOG connection question. 

• Remember to edit/revise your comment before submitting it. 
• Double check that you have all the required parts present in your answer.

6)  Please complete any outstanding late assignments from term 1.

AEA!  Group Challenge

ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ACCEPTABLE CHALLENGE!  Bring your "A" game for this group challenge on procedures, or anything that occurs in the walls of St. Francis!

This challenge begins on Nov. 24 until Dec. 4th. 

Who will be the lucky group that earns a something extra...?

 

 



THE COUNTDOWN TO ADVENT HAS BEGUN!

 

 

Superhero Project here I come!

Super Hero Project

All students received their super hero project paperwork today.  It includes:  assignment sheet plus rubrics for:  speaking, power point, trait of writing and the writing process.

We start this project next Monday so students should pick their 'SUPER HERO" and clear it with Mrs. B as no duplicates will be done.  We start making the planning organizer on Monday.  If students want, they can make one ahead of time using "Microsoft Word"  by making a table in OneDrive.

Reading

We have been hard at work practicing our reading strategies (review 5 W's, check for understanding, read back/ahead, etc) to strengthen their comprehension. Students need to read every day for 20 minutes practicing: making predictions, locating main idea/supporting details, making connections to what they have read plus word strategies. 

Math

We are working hard on long division. Students need to practice steps at home to cement them into their Mathematical memory.  Also, practice your basic skills on our IXL program.

Food Bank Donation
Food Bank items needed to fill our class box.  Each student has been asked to bring 3 cans to school.  Please do this by the end of November.  Each student could bring them to his/her student-led conference if they didn't want to carry them on the bus.

 Class Blogging Site

All students have been emailed the class blogging site to bookmark on their home computers.  Everyone received their password today so they are to go onto the site and practice blogging on the practice topic.  Today I also emailed and showed the class a website where they can create an "Avatar" (picture to represent oneself) on the blog.  It is easy to use, just set up a quick account and create your avatar.  If you need help inserting it into your blog, ask me at lunch and I will try to get done as many as possible.

The next "Firebird" spirit day is soon upon us!  It is..............................................PJAMA DAY!

Wear your pjs, slippers, housecoat, whatever you wear to bed that's appropriate for school! 

Lets strive for 100% participation on November 20th!

 

 

Term 2 Startup!

TERM 2 has OFFICIALLY BEGUN!

The start of term 2 brings more responsibility and a continued expectation of independence in the classroom.  Binders will be cleaned out this week so bring extra duo-tangs to store your work in as you will need it for the yearend Math and RAD Exams. 

Student - Led Conferences
Most students have completed their preparation phase as well as practiced the speaking component. The date is quickly approaching:  Nov. 27th from  3:30 - 8 pm OR Nov. 28th from 8 am - 12 pm.  Please remind your parents that your conference booking is done online and they need to follow the instruction sheet you gave them last week.  Remember, all bookings are 1st come, 1st serve.

Advent Hallway Project
Our hallway along with some younger grades will be decorating "Food Bank Boxes".  Please make sure you have markers available for this project.  Students will be working in pairs to decorate a box. 

Students have also been asked to bring 2-3 cans of food to help fill one of our classroom boxes for the Food Bank.

 

Sneaker Critical Response Assignment
Remember, this assignment is due at the start of December.  If not finished, you will need to complete it at home.  Mrs. B sent you a reminder email Nov. 15th.

Stocking Art Project
Have your cartoon picked and drawn twice as an "identical twin" so you can start your good copy next week.  (week of Nov. 17)

Home Expectations
Remember, everyone is expected to do our IXL online math program covering the skills taught this year.  You can also go into grade 4 to practice upcoming skills.  Always go back to your grade 5 skills for further practice and to elevate grades recorded in the program.

Secondly, everyone is also to read daily an AR book practicing their reading strategies to earn AR points towards their goal levels.  Some students behind in goal points will need to read longer than 20 minutes a day to to get caught up.

Desk Top Wrapping Tradition!
It is a tradition in my classroom to wrap student desk tops with wrapping paper.  Some students add bows and other extras to brighten up their work area.  Please start setting aside wrapping paper now as we will do this the 2nd last week of December.

 

Be a Light in Another's Life!

Special Classroom Visit

Last month when the Myriam sisters visited our classroom they stressed with us:

"I AM UNIQUE, THERE IS NO ONE ELSE LIKE ME!" 

 

They also asked us to challenge ourselves every morning to thank God for who you are. 

Today we were blessed to again have the Myriam sisters, Melanie and Genevieve, visit our classroom. Their energy and spirit is so contagious! They talked, sang songs, and played a game with us about the new saints and how they are like "SUPERHEROES" who inspire us to make a difference in the lives of others!

They gave us a classroom challenge: you all have special qualities, practice your chosen quality for the rest of the month. For example; if your chosen quality is leadership, then you are to practice/share your leadership skills with your classmates to make a difference in their lives. In other words, BE A CONTAGIOUS SAINT!"

These are the new saints discussed in today's visit.

Student - Led Conference

All students have completed their academic goals and have shown them to their parents to read and return to school with a parent signature. Almost all students have completed their preparation sheet of strengths/skills to work as well as selected pieces of work to share/discuss with their parents.  

Upcoming assignments due on Nov. 7th:

Math:  Estimating in division sheets 40/41
Religion:  My Special Prayer

Reminders:

Remembrance Day Liturgy on Nov. 7 at 10:00

Read daily for 15 min. to reach AR goals and use reading strategies for comprehension help

Go onto IXL online Math program 4 days per week to practice skills

Term one report card cutoff date is Nov. 7th. All assignments after this date will appear on the Term 2 report card.

No school for students on November 10/11. 

Halloween Hysteria!

HALLOWEEN FINAL COUNTDOWN!

Just a reminder to all students:  if you have late assignments and still need to earn "1" AR point for level one; you will work on them with a teacher during our class Halloween party.

All assignments need to be handed in by noon on Thurs. Oct. 30 to attend the party.

Science

We made GLUE, yes, GLUE!.  I am very impressed with the trial & error attempts from my groups!  A big congrats goes out to Richmon, Hailey, Jesse D., Jonathan and Mikias as they made the strongest glue in the class.

Math
Page 94 #4:  A- H (student choice to pick 5 questions to do)
Due:  October 30


Nostalgic Song used in Halloween video, Enjoy!

Thriller Animation

REMINDERS:

1)  From Oct. 30th on :  No late assignments accepted for the rest of the term. 
      Students have know about this for 2 weeks.

2)  Oct. 31:  Halloween costume parade during am assembly (student choice), PM Class party or
     doing late assignments with a teacher in a work room.

3)  Nov. 4:  Picture Re-Take Day  (return proof package this day)

4)  4 Times per week go onto IXL math online to practice math skills.

5)  Daily read for 15-20 minutes and review what you have read using our reading strategies to
     strengthen your comprehension.

Halloween Week Mania!

COUNT DOWN TO HALLOWEEN:  4 DAYS

                                        

Student Goals Sheets

Some students still need to return to school their parent-signed goals sheet for the student-led conference.

Math

Corrections on the 7 "X" questions are due on Tuesday then we will have a quiz!  Make sure you go onto the IXL math program to practice your skills.  You should be doing this 4 times each week.

School Picture re-takes

Re-takes will take place on Nov. 4th.  Students must return their proof package if wanting a re-take.

Halloween Reminders:  Class Party on Friday, October 31 (pm only)

Costume parade during the morning assembly for those wanting to dress up. 
(Note:  no class time provided for changing, students are to come to school in their costumes)

 

If students have any late assignments as of noon on Thursday, Oct. 30th, they will have time during the afternoon Halloween party to complete them in a homework room with a teacher.  I hope all students choose to complete all outstanding assignments so they can partake in this fun afternoon.

Please enjoy the following Halloween video, it puts a new twist on an old song!

A Scary Funny Musical - just for you this Halloween.


  

End of Week Update!

EXPOSITORY DUE DATE COUNTDOWN!

For 3 weeks we have been working hard on developing an expository using the rubric criteria. Today was the last work period.  All students are to complete their final draft (most are draft #3 final) with their 2 self - assessment comments written down in the comments section.  They are to choose 2 sections of the rubric criteria we have been working on.  Remember:  the pink highlight represents what you are self-assessing for your comment.

 

Here is an example of what a comment could look like in the comments section:

Self-assessment:
1) Ideas: I am proud of my paragraph #2 idea as anyone who reads it can clearly understand what they are reading about. 

2)  Organization - My paragraph #1 clearly has all the parts of a paragraph telling  Mrs. B my topic sentence,  5-8 sentences with interesting details, and a clear transition sentence.

Remember to highlight in pink what I am to look at for your self-assessment comment.

SELF-ASSESSMENT ASSISTS ME IN:   

UNDERSTANDING WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

 using the rubric criteria! 

 

 

Math:

 

Multiplication sheet due on Monday, students chose what 7 questions they would like to do!

Student-Led Conferences

Please make sure you give your parents the note about your upcoming conference and have them sign your goals sheet as you are to return it on Monday.

Update - October 22, 2014

Today was a busy day for all!  We continued to work hard on draft #2 for the Fuel expository.  Please make the time, if you are behind, (you know who you are), to get caught up to draft #2 with all your editing/revising beyond the basics.  REMEMBER:  RUBRIC IS YOUR BEST FRIEND so refer to it every 5 minutes to stay on track with the criteria.  Expository is due on Tues., Oct. 28 at 9:20 am.

We made an inukshuk today, yes an INUKSHUK out of chocolate!  The students were quite creative in their designs and afterwards, they ate them all up!


2 by 2 Multiplication was started today using the box strategy.  See the below example for help:

October 20, 2014

Today we worked hard on editing/revising beyond the basics in our Fuel Expository.   

Check the rubric criteria every 5 minutes to stay on track with your editing and revising.  The rubric can be found in the headings section.

All students are to only work on Draft #1 and literally rip it apart with yellow highlighted areas showing lots of self-editing.  Parents can help edit/revise but are to use the "blue" editing color.

On Tuesday we will accurately review copy and paste into Draft #2.  Do not go into Draft #2 until Tuesday's review.

AR COMPETITION WEEK:  Read, Read, and Read!  Do AR tests before/during/after school to get as many points as possible!

Lastly, remember to go on IXL math online 4 times a week to strengthen math skills.  (Do grade 4 concepts and grade 5 ones we have covered so far this year)

Have a great night reading and writing!

Mrs. B

Welcome to my blog!

This is a site for students and parents to check out what we are studying in class such as finding assignments, videos and links that connect with what we are learning in class to achieve outcomes. I will update this blog every couple days, so be sure to check out what we are doing regularly.

Expository Writing

Students should be finished the planning organizer for the Fuel Shortage expository.  A rough draft should be finished for typing on Oct. 17.

Reminder to students:  Refer to Revision Codes for Office 365 when revising. 
Make sure you regularly (every 5 minutes) look at the rubric CRITERIA!

Grade 5 Expository Rubric
Grade 5 Expository Editing/Revising Checklist


Expository Writing Video