Friday, September 30th

General:

1. Today was Orange Shirt Day.  Orange Shirt Day is to recognize and remember the effects Canada's residential school system has left in generations of indigenous families and their communities.
2. Swimming begins Monday, Oct. 3rd!  Please come to school wearing your swim gear as we leave first thing in the morning (don't be late for school).  Don't forget to bring the following:

• Swim Bag (a sturdy, reusable one)
• Towel
• Goggles (optional)

Social:

1. The Road Map assignment due date has been extended until Thursday, October 6th.

Language Arts

1. Students had a chance to finish up their narrative conflicts today.  We started our discussion about character development.  We learned that characters can be: (1) protagonist or antagonist (2) dynamic vs. static (3) round vs. flat.  Students will be developing their protagonist characters on Monday.

Math:

1. Today was the last day on long division.  A new strategy was introduced called the Lattice Method.  See if your child remembers what it is.

Science:

1. Continue to collect and press leaves ASAP.  See yesterday's post for instructions on how to press leaves.

How to Press Leaves

To assist with the science project, here are instructions on how to press leaves (some methods will require parent assistance):


http://www.wikihow.com/Press-Leaves

http://www.hometrainingtools.com/a/preserving-autumn-leaves

Thursday, September 29th

Reminders
1. Swimming form and $27 due FRIDAY - you can pay online
2. Parent council letter sent home
3. Missing digital citizenship forms
4. ORANGE SHIRT DAY tomorrow! 
5. Spelling Test tomorrow
6. DEADLINE for science homework FRIDAY

Today we started off working on division in math.  We will continue this tomorrow and begin a new unit on Monday.  There will be a basic skills test next Friday - it will cover addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and word problems.

In science we continued on with our leaf project and learned how to take proper notes.

In LA today we continued our narrative unit by focussing on different types of conflicts, and creating our own conflicts.

Today was our first day of reading buddies with the grade 2s.  The class was great with their buddies.

While one class was in music the other continued with their health project about multiple intelligences.

Wednesday, September 28th

General:

1. Swim forms/$ due as soon as possible.  Swimming for Grade 6s begin on Monday, Oct. 3rd.
2. We are starting to use laptops in Social and Science.  Students who have yet to hand in their digital citizenship form cannot use the laptops for research.

Language Arts:

1. Spelling Assignment overdue.  Spelling Test this Friday.  Study!!  (See Monday's agenda for the list of words)
2. We spent our class time discussing the six different types of conflicts that may be used in story writing.  Please ask your child what they may be.

Math:

1. We've continued our practice with division.  Many students are struggling with this math operation.  We will continue to review the next couple of days.

Social:

1. Road Map of school neighbourhood or your neighbourhood due Monday.  Students will be given one more period (2.5 hours in total).

Tuesday, September 27th

Reminders
1. Spelling sentences due tomorrow!!
2. Spelling Test Friday
3. Science title page / article due Thursday
4. Road Map of school neighborhood / your neighborhood due Monday
5. Swimming forms and $27 due FRIDAY - we need them in Friday so the pool can make the groups     before we get there Monday.
6. ANY missing class contracts (purple) and digital citizenship forms (yellow) ASAP

In math we practiced long division problems of all sorts.  This will continue all week and maybe into the first week of October as revision is needed.

In science today we had a work period for the work due on Thursday for half the lesson.  The other half, a leaf project was introduced.  Once it has been explained the rubric will be posted to allow parents to know how it will be graded.  This project counts for big marks towards our Trees and Forests science unit.

In LA we read, "Catching the Moon" as a class to explore the elements of a narrative.  The class had to analyze and explore the story to find all the elements of the story mountain within the tale.

Our afternoon was a little bit different than normal.  A chunk of grade 6s had to go to patroller training.  We joined classes with 2-grade 1 classes for the rest of the day.  The grade 6s worked extremely well with the younger students.  We did reading buddies, gym, and watched movie about insects, and the environment.  After the movies the students had to draw their favourite scene with the grade 1s, as a team.  We did not have enough time to finish this, but a big thank you to our classes for being great leaders and responsible students!

We hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!  

Monday, September 26th

Reminders
1. Swimming forms sent home - due back Friday Sept 30th with $$
2. Familiarize yourself with Google Earth and your neighborhood!
3. Spelling Test Friday

Today in class we reviewed what division is and how to long divide problems.  We made a list of steps and tips as a class to use and follow when tackling division problems.  Tomorrow we will be doing a lot of practice.

In social studies we explored what a street map is.  We made a checklist and mark rubric.  Students have to use Google Earth and make a street map of their neighborhood or the school neighborhood. They will be given Wednesday and Friday's slot for work periods, if not complete it will be weekend homework.

In LA we continued our narrative writing based on a picture.  Students had 45mins to write as much as they could, using specific details, literary devices and following the story mountain design.

In the afternoon we practiced using our new spelling in proper sentences for the test on Friday.

To end the day we worked on completing our multiple intelligence silhouettes to learn more about how we learn.

We hope everyone has a marvelous Monday!

Spelling Words

Words with “ee” and “ea”

1.     Breath

2.     Already

3.     Meadow

4.     Disease

5.     Creature

6.     Defeat

7.     Threaten

8.     Eager

9.     Breeze

10.     Employee

11.     Disagree

12.     Degree

13.     Seems

14.     Fifteen

15.     Volunteer

Thursday, September 22nd

Reminders
1. Book orders pushed until Monday, September 26th!!
2. Familiarize yourself with Google Maps and Earth - try typing in your postal code and explore your neighborhood.
3. Missing schoolwork- use this weekend to catch up on any work you have missed or not handed in.
4. Any missing forms! Please have them signed and returned for Monday

Today in class we continued our multiplication adventure.  Monday we will begin our long division review.

In science we worked on analyzing scientific articles, the 5 Ws and H, and how to use a mark rubric to create a title page.

In LA we reviewed the plot structure of a basic narrative creating our own story mountain.  The students then had to try to create and write their own based off a picture of a elephant bushing a baby in it's carriage.

In the afternoon we continued our health multiple intelligence project and creative writing before music.

We look forward to seeing everyone tonight!

Hope everyone has a thrifty Thursday!

Wednesday, September 21st

General

1. Meet the Teacher tomorrow!  Please check out the Beddington Heights website or call the school to book online.
2. Still missing a handful of Digital Citizenship forms.
3. No school on Friday.
4. There is a Patrols Meeting at lunch tomorrow if you are interested in the year long club.

Math

1. We have spent the last few classes practicing multi-digit multiplication (with and without decimals).  Our next few classes will be about division.

Social

1. Grade 6s are reviewing mapping skills and the types/uses of a map.

Language Arts

1. We spent the class discussing and recognizing the difference between Narrative and Expository writing.  The purpose of Narrative writing (e.g. stories and personal experiences) is to entertain, where as Expository writing (e.g. news articles, essays) is to inform.

Tuesday, September 20th

Reminders
1. Yellow forms sent home today DUE tomorrow!
2. Parent teacher night Thursday and a BBQ by parent council
3. Book orders due Sept 22nd
4. No school Friday
5. School/Parent Council newsletter sent home
6. The only homework is to finish the finger print poems.

In math we learned how to multiply decimals / reviewed it for some.  We developed a few strategies and steps to follow to make this process easier.  Tomorrow we will be continuing it, and starting division review on Thursday (maybe).

In science we explored how to read and analyze scientific articles as well as created title pages for our unit using a rubric to guide us.

In LA we continued the editing process before we dive into our narrative unit.

During blog time, we focussed on writing with the 5 senses and specific details.

We hope everyone has a tubular Tuesday! 

Monday, September 19th

General

1. Sign up for 'Meet the Teacher' online.  This will take place Thursday evening.
2. No school for students on Friday.
3. Still missing a handful of Digital Citizenship forms from both Room 14/15.
4. We had a Firedrill in the afternoon today.  Grade 6 students needed reminders that this is a serious event, therefore, talking and fooling around (e.g. poking others) in not permitted. We hope to improve for our next Firedrill practice.
5. Today was an "off" day for some of our students.  After a large group discussion, we know we need to work on transitions into the classroom (getting settled quickly), bringing all our materials to class (including homework), and staying focused during lessons.  Please have a chat with your child about these expectations.  We are two weeks into school and should have some of these routines down pat by now.
6. YMCA Membership for Grade 6 students: https://www.ymcacalgary.org/programs-locations-and-membership/grade6/

Language Arts

1. Fingerprint poetry is overdue.  Mrs. Tam's class is missing 5 and Mr. Shackelton's class is missing about half.  Please have the assignment in by tomorrow.  If there is a good reason (e.g. illness) as to why your child has yet to hand it in, please write a note to let the teacher know.

Friday, September 16th

General

1. Start booking for Meet the Teacher Night on Monday on the Beddington Heights website.  An informational form went home with the youngest and only child today.
2. Digital Citizenship forms went home yesterday.  Please review, sign and return as soon as possible.
3. We had our school-wide Terry Fox Run today!  Room 14/15 raised over $280 and ran 273 laps altogether!  Mr. Shackelton had to dye his hair pink and green.  Well done everyone!
4. Scholastic Orders due Sept. 22.
5. There will be a firedrill on Monday (Sept. 19th) in the afternoon.  Our classes have discussed expectations and routines.

Language Arts

1. Fingerprint Poetry is due Monday.  Students were given 4 periods (close to four periods) to draft, revise, edit, peer edit and publish.

Math

1. "Must" sections for the Multiplication Review Booklet.

Thursday, September 15th

Reminders
1. Terry Fox Run tomorrow - we have $100 raised as a class, if we get $50 more (everyone brings $1 tomorrow) we will achieve our goal of $150 and Mr. Shackelton will dye his hair!
2. Spelling Test tomorrow - study!
3. Early Release tomorrow, 11:00am
4. Finger print poetry deadline Monday!
5. Book orders due Thursday Sept 22nd
6. Missing Class Contracts!!
7. School package that was sent home return ASAP please.
8. Digital citizenship forms are sent home (yellow form), please return ASAP.

Today in class we continued our multiplication work.  The students have been adding successful strategies to the whiteboard that we will be exploring tomorrow.

We had our first science lesson today for the unit, Tress and Forests.  Expectations and routines were established before the lesson started.  We explored the different resources we have in the class to be used for science, and began to examine our first assignment.    We also learned how to read to a science article and how to find the key information.

During language arts we continued working our finger print poems; this was our last in class lesson for them.

After gym and DEAR time we explored Terry Fox's journey across Canada.  We looked at his reasons and really tried to use our empathy skills to feel how difficult of journey this was for Terry to endure. We thank everyone for all the support they have shown in fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.

In health class we continued with learning more about ourselves by working on our multiple intelligences project. 

Wednesday, September 14th

General

1. Terry Fox Run Friday!  Bring in Toonies for Terry! - If the class raises $150 Mr. Shackelton will dye his hair any colour they want!
2. Early dismissal Friday at 11:00 am.
3. Still missing some Student Information Packages and Student Contract forms! :(
4. Book orders due Thursday, September 22nd.
5. Magazines still needed for health activity.

Language Arts

1. Fingerprint poetry due Monday.  Last official work period tomorrow.
2. Spelling Assignments were due today.  Spelling Test Friday!

Math

1. We have officially moved on to Multiplication Strategies for both basic facts or multi-digit multiplication.

Social

1. We have started reviewing Geography.  Many students seemed to have forgotten the different between city, province and country (YIKES!).  Please review with your child if you get a chance to.

Tuesday September 13th

Reminders
1. Book orders due Thursday Sept 22nd
2. Terry Fox Run Friday! - If the class raises $150 Mr. Shackelton will dye his hair any colour they want!
3. Friday is early release day, 11:00am
4. Magazines that can be used for art
5. Spelling Test Friday
6. Spelling word sentences due Wednesday --- tomorrow!!
7. Rough draft of your fingerprint poem -- tomorrow!!
8. CLASS CONTRACTS AND STUDENT INFO PACKAGES ASAP!

Today in class we continued our math strategies for addition and subtraction equations, word problems, and fill in the blank problems.   Tomorrow we will be doing the same with multiplication, for the rest of the week.

In social we learned about how to be a good speaker, good listener, and how to give a great presentation.  The students partnered up and had to present their literary terms posters.  We have 1 group left to present, but each student that went was successful at presenting their terms, definitions, and examples.

In LA, we continued with our fingerprint poems and the writing process.  Today's goal was to complete the rough draft, which is due tomorrow.

In the afternoon we reviewed the rules for the library, and attempted to finish the literary term presentations.

After gym we focussed on our multiple intelligence project.

We hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday! 

Monday, September 12th

General:

1. Student Information Packages (brown) are overdue
2. Class behaviour contracts overdue.
3. Please continue to bring magazines.
4. If you are interested in Patrols Club (year-long commitment), there is a meeting in Ms. Nelson and Ms. Grunert's classroom @ 11:30 am.

Language Arts

1. Students were given three full periods (3 hours) to design a literacy device poster.  Most groups have completed their poster and will present tomorrow.  Those who did not finish are to finish it for homework tonight.
2. Spelling Assignment due Wednesday. Test Friday. 

Spelling Assignment Requirements:

›- Write a sentence for each spelling word. (Do not define the word).  Each sentence must be longer than 6 words.

- Use a red pencil crayon to underline the spelling word in your sentence.

›- Start with a capital and end with a punctuation.

  Example:

 Mr. Rattan tried to balance on the bench but lost his footing and messed up his beautiful hair.

• balance
• distance
• twice
• province
• pronounce
• practice
• fierce
• service
• increase
• promise
• release
• license
• false
• purse
• else 

Teamwork Findings

Last week, students were placed into teams to complete four different challenges.  Each challenge required teams to communicate, compromise, problem-solve, etc.. Upon each challenge, we discussed "Things that made the Challenge Easier" and "Challenges".

Here is what we came up with:


Teamwork Strategies:

•  Large group allowed people to play different roles
• Use people's strength (e.g. if they are good at speaking, allow them to present)
• Flexibility; being open-minded
• Role choosing
• Identify common language to better explain ideas
• Good teamwork
• Modeling when you mean
• Being descriptive when explaining
• Have a good sense of humor
• Explain in different ways

Challenges

• Number of people made things more complicated
• Group members doing their own thing
• Materials provided were not enough
• No leader to lead the team
• One person who “drops the ball” affects the whole group
• When one person panics, everyone else does too
• Time pressure
• Having a hard time explaining thoughts
• A loud room
• Memory issues
• When group members disagree

We then discussed how their findings apply to Grade 6.  We will have a lot of group work (partners, groups) that will require us to utilize our teamwork strategies.

Please continue this discussion with them at home.

September 9th

Reminders
1. BHS brown envelope due ASAP
2. Purple class contract due ASAP
3. Bring a DEAR time novel
4. Any extra magazines laying around at home, we will take them for a project
5. Book orders due Thursday, September 22nd

Today in math we took up this week's homework as a class.  We discovered 6 helpful strategies for adding and subtracting and multistep problems.  Next week we will making a strategy guide for math and add to it all year.

We continued working on our figurative language posters.  Already the terms are helping students be more descriptive and creative in their writing!

Next, we started our fingerprint poetry.  It was a real eyeopener for some to be given a rubric and expectations for their first assignment of the year.   This is only in the brainstorm and drafting stage, no homework yet for it.

We hope everyone has a fabulous Friday and even better weekend! 

September 8th

General:

1. Class contract (purple paper) needs to be reviewed, signed and returned by Monday.
2. Student Packages due tomorrow.
3. Send unwanted magazines to school.  Please ensure they are appropriate for Grade 6 students.  They will be cut up and not returned.
4. Bring a DEAR time novel from home.  Book exchange will not begin for another week.
5. School Calendar sent home today.

Language Arts

1. We continued working on our Literary Device (e.g. metaphors, onomatopoeia) posters.  We will have 1-2 more periods to complete them.

Math

1. "Must" section for math review booklet due tomorrow.
• 9 addition questions
• 9 subtraction questions
• Mixed Problems #1: Questions 1-2
2. Students have been doing some grade 5 review.  Adding and subtracting of large numbers.  Many students struggle with subtraction, more specifically, borrowing.  Please take time to review this with your child.  We will be moving on to multiplication and division soon.

September 7th 2016

Reminders

1. Class contract (purple paper) sent home to read with parents and signed/returned by Monday.

2. Pink letter from BHS sent home

3. Forms sent home Tuesday (brown envelope) due FRIDAY! 

4. Multiple Intelligence quiz completed for Thursday (Mr. S' class), Friday for Mrs. Tam's

5. Magazines, newspapers, flyers that can be cut out and never returned home again Thursday/Friday

6. Bring a DEAR Time novel from home

Today we started off in gym.  We practiced fire drill lineups, and lockdown procedures.

After gym we transitioned into math.  We explained the MUST SHOULD COULD system that will be used throughout the year in a variety of subjects.  The students must pick their level of challenge and write must, should, or could in the top corner of the book so the teacher knows what they're working on.   MUST will be the work that has to be done or attempted during the lesson.   SHOULD is the work that we expect to be completed within the time limit given.  COULD will have all the work of 'must' and 'should' as well as more challenging, multistep world problems that extend learning.   There will also be extension challenges for students that are able to complete the 'could' section.  Extensions could be abstract problems, they will not have any guidance and be expected to solve on their own or with another student that is extending their knowledge.  As well extension questions could be related to other subjects, or preview new skills we have yet to study yet this year. 

In math today we focused on a grade 5 review problems.  Today consisted off adding, subtracting, and multistep word problems.   We will be continuing this tomorrow and peer assessing Friday.

We transitioned into the Edmonton Spelling test next to help us gage the classes spelling levels.  We are peer assessing tomorrow.  

In language arts (LA) we are starting to make a Wall of Literary Devices.  We selected 25+ literary terms students will encounter in grade 6 writing and poetry.  With a partner or alone they have to make a poster for their term that includes the term, student language definition, examples and some colour.  We will be continuing this tomorrow.

After DEAR time we had more classroom rules and expectations to go over before explaining our next team strengthening exercise.  We didn't have time for the "Blind Builder" exercise but will continue tomorrow.

We hope everyone has a wacky Wednesday! 

Survived the First Day!

Today, we had the opportunity to go over some school and classroom expectations.  Some items we had a chance to talk about include: supplies, washroom breaks, behaviour in the classroom, food/drink, etc..  We will continue these discussions tomorrow.  

We also went through some team and whole group challenges which we will debrief tomorrow.

General:

1. Please bring the following to school tomorrow:
• Water Bottle
• A Book
• Indoor Shoes
• Magazine (if you have any at home)
2. Return Student Packages by September 9th.

Summer's Over! :(

Hi Folks!

First day of school on Tuesday, September 6th at 8:00 am.  Mr. Shackelton and Mrs. Tam will be outside on the compound to greet you! :)

Enjoy your long weekend!