Tuesday, January 31st

NO SCHOOL FRIDAY - PD DAY!

Thanks for joining us for the assembly today to reward all of our Pillars of Care winners! 

Math

Homework on factor sheets and word problems

Science

Review these videos for tomorrow for Science!

http://www.schooltube.com/video/0d83854d367248a492f6/What%20is%20Propulsion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOsvt36HdN8

Writing

-Zodiac News Report Due Tomorrow

-Review these if that helps you collect facts for your news article. We watched these in class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty0fgAFe-h0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-MS2Vd8qVM

Spelling

-No Spelling this week – Lucky you! Short week and assembly.

See you tomorrow!

Monday, January 30th

Hope ya'll had a great weekend!

Just a reminder that it is a short week. It is a PD on Friday.

Please join us tomorrow at 1:45 pm for our Pillars of Care Assembly in the Gym!

Science 

-Introduction to Propulsion

-Review these videos so you are ready to show what you know in a Frayer model on Wednesday.

Propulsion definition

http://www.schooltube.com/video/0d83854d367248a492f6/What%20is%20Propulsion

Flying Animals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOsvt36HdN8

Writing

-Grammar sheets due tomorrow!

-Zodiac News Report Due Wednesday

-Review these if that helps you collect facts for your news article. We watched these in class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty0fgAFe-h0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-MS2Vd8qVM

Spelling

-No Spelling this week – Lucky you! Short week and assembly.

Math

-We will continue working on factoring and finding common factors in numbers that are in fraction form.

EX. 20 / 30      Common factors are 10, so you divide the numerator and denominator both by 10 and get a reduced fraction of 2 / 3

The goal this week is to have this skill as well as fractions, decimals and percent nailed down so that we can use these skills to solve problems.

Friday, January 27th

Reminders
1. Grammar work due Monday, deadline Tuesday for peer-assessment
2. Genius hour - get planning and do outside research!

Today we changed things up a little due to technology bookings; we had genius hour first.  They students are really engaged into their topics and we are looking forward to their presentations.

In social we learned about the 4 principles of democracy - F.R.E.J.   Freedom, Representation, Equity, and Justice. We are going to be exploring each principle in the coming week.

In math we explored fractions by learning about factors and multiples of numbers.  We hope they can use this knowledge to simplify fractions into their lowest form.

After the spelling test in the afternoon, Rm 14 had music and Rm 15 had health.  In health we focussed on recess: behaviour, expectations, and choices / consequences.

We hope everyone has an excellent weekend and a fun Friday.

Thursday, January 27th

The grade 6 students were awesome reading with their grade 2 reading buddies today. Some of these students get totally into character and change up their voices which is really great modeling for the younger students. Way to go grade 6!

LA

Lots of grammar work today. Ask your child if they can explain what a sentence is.

There are three types that were reviewed to use in our writing.

1.     Question

2.     Declarative

3.     Exclamatory

Grammar work due Tuesday.

There will be weekly grammar work and lessons from now on which is proving to help with the student's writing in other subject areas.

Spelling Test tomorrow! 

Remember Genius hour plans are to be done tomorrow for research time.

Math

Today was a day for calculators.

When reviewing fractions and thinking about how to convert them into percent, the most simple way to do this is to divide the numerator into the denominator. From there, the decimal can be converted to % by multiplying by 100. This work will be continued tomorrow and how factors and multiples fit it will be connected to this learning.

Science

Ask your child about the FRAYER model and the deep thinking that went into this work.

LAST DAY FOR GYMNASTICS TOMORROW!

Mission Impossible Rocks!

Wednesday, January 25th

Reminders
1. Form sent home today about GP Vanier's open house tomorrow night.
2. Spelling sentences due Thursday for Rm 14
3. Spelling test #9 Friday
4. Genius Hour PLAN - due Friday!

Today in class we continued our exploration of mixed fractions, improper fractions, and ratios.  The students were able to show their understanding through a variety of methods: numbers, words, pictures, graphs.  We will be continuing this for the week.

In social today we finished our equity and equality presentations.  The students did an awesome job coming up with unique situations to represent what is fair through equity and showing how sometimes equality isn't the fairest approach.

In LA today students had to research 5 different real news articles from 2017.  They had to research 2 locals, 1 national, 1 international, and a topic of their choice.  They had to identify the headline, subheading, 5Ws 1H, count the sources/quotes, and list 3 facts.  Almost each student had a chance to share one of the articles they read and explored.

In the afternoon, Rm 14 was working on their personal folders: organizing into subjects and finding artifacts that meet their goals.  Once we have the artifacts that prove they met their goals we will upload them onto IRIS for parents by February 3rd at the latest.

Rm 15 corrected their sentences and in health explored depression through Bell Let's Talk Day today.

We hope everyone has a wacky Wednesday. 

Georges P. Vanier School Open House, January 26, 2017

Georges P. Vanier School

January 26, 2017

Open House 6:30-8:00 PM

509 32 Avenue NE

Our open house will begin with a welcome from our Principal in the gym, followed by a breakout

presentation for parents and students interested in the Late French Immersion Program. Teachers and Leadership students will be available to answer your questions during the evening and throughout the school.

There will be school maps provided for parents and students to do a self-guided tour through our displays of student achievement, including live music, drama, arts of all kinds, and hands-on demonstrations of the many kinds of experiences that students take part in at Vanier.

6:30-6:50 General greeting in the main gym

7:00-7:20 Late French Immersion Presentation in Library

7:00-8:00 Self-guided tour of the school

If you have further questions regarding our Open House, please contact the main office at 403-777-7460 or email georgespvanier@cbe.ab.ca

Tuesday, January 24th

Math
Homework due tomorrow from the day before. See Monday's blog.

Language Arts
Articles due!
 PLUS....For Genius hour everyone will have to have a plan of how you are spending your time to show us on Friday, January 27.

If you feel so inclined you can find your international/national/local articles for class tomorrow.

Science
Today we reflected on our airplane designs from Friday. Please ask your child about some of the changes they would have done if they wanted to do this experiment again.

Spelling
Sentences are due tomorrow. Please make sure they are grade 6 quality sentences.
Here is what is expected:
-correct capitalization
-correct punctuation
-6 words at least and the word needs to be used correctly showing that you understand what it means

For example: Instead of writing "I think that numerators are good." Try writing with meaning like, "The numerator is the number that is above the line in a fraction."

Monday, January 23rd

Book Order

These are due to Mr. Shackleton Wednesday, January 25!

Math Homework on RATIOS

Due Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Extra Practice sheet 5

1. Do all questions and DRAW 5 of your answers

2. Do all questions and DRAW 1 of your answers

3. SKIP THIS QUESTION

4. Show all of your steps in answering the questions

5. Do a) and b)

6. Show all of your steps in solving this

7. Do all of these questions except e) – can’t read

New Spelling Words

Denominator

Representation

*Equivalent

*Comparison

Bernoulli’s Principle

*Horizontal

*Vertical

*Stabilizer

*Engineer

Aeronautic

*Strategy

*Estimation

*Relationship

*Ratio

Numerator

Social Studies

In class today many of the groups presented their skits about “equality” and “equity”. Ask your child what some of the skits have been about.

Writing

Students talked about “facts” vs. “opinions” and the importance of having correct and accurate facts when writing newspaper articles.

Students have also begun to pull apart articles online, locating the “headlines”, “subheading”, “5 Ws and H” and the “sources”. This work will continue over the next few days.

If you still have to print and hand in your article.....please do by Tuesday, January 24

Thursday, January 19th

Reminder that there is early dismissal tomorrow!

With that, the grade 6 students will be engaged in a morning of research and problem-solving in Maker Space! Stay tuned for their follow-up!

Writing
News articles are due Monday.
Check to see that it worked if you emailed it to yourself. Otherwise we can get that sorted tomorrow.

Spelling
Test Friday

Math
Students continue to learn about the relationships among fractions and other representations of numbers. RATIOS was introduced which is basically comparing similar objects to each other.

Classroom Info
As is stands, Mrs. Harris (myself) who has taken over Mrs. Tam, plans for Math and Science. Mr. Shackleton currently plans for Social Studies and Language Arts.

What students are working on in the classroom and how learning is progressing is communicated on this blog, through work that is sent home and through conversations. The last math assessment that was sent home was a way for me to tell what students could understand and communicate independently. It was also a way for me to communicate to parents about how mathematical understanding can be communicated is NUMEROUS ways. The students know that I love to see them thinking on paper and visualizing in pictures.

The green or white sheet is a way for students to reflect on their learning themselves. They had something that they did well at, something to improve on and their goals for next time. Sending both of these pieces of information home was a way to demonstrate the thinking of your student and who to move ahead in their learning. There was no number on they assessment because I was checking to see if the students:

-understood the concepts
-were able to problem-solve
-could accurately use a strategy to solve the problem
-communicate their thinking in a variety of ways

This was discussed at length in class with all of the students and it my apologies if this caused any confusion.

In the future, the next math tests will provide clear evaluation according to the report strands based on the 1-4 level system.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day with this lovely weather!! Enjoy it while it is here.

Mrs. Harris and Mr. Shackelton.

Wednesday, January 18th

Reminders
1. Spelling Sentences Rm 14 due tomorrow
2. Spelling Test Friday AM
3. Book orders due Rm 14 and 15 Weds Jan 25th
4. Math test 'green sheets' sent home for signature

Today in math we reviewed the faction quiz and talked about what it mean 'to show every way' you can think of when on a test: numbers, pictures, sentences, number sentences, diagrams with labels and explanations.

In science we explored the key parts of what makes a plane fly.

In LA we continued with peer assessment / feedback of our news reports.  We will be typing them out tomorrow.

A new change to LA is that genius hour will be every Friday for 1 hr when applicable, and every Monday will be basic grammar practice and skills review.

After gymnastics Rm 15 corrected their spelling sentences and Rm 14 took up their short stories being handed back through the good, the bad, and the ugly.  It is a class review technique where the students and teacher share what they think is the good, bad, or ugly about short story writing.

While Rm14 went to music Rm15 worked on their goals due for February.

We hope everyone has a wild-west Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 17th

Please review what was done in class today....lots going on!

Math

Test today

Will be reviewed tomorrow and sent home for signing

Writing

Peer-assessment on article writing today. Please ask your child what they think they need to work on next. Maybe adding more quotes? Answering the 5 Ws and H?

Spelling

Spelling sentences due tomorrow

1 – proper capitalization ---beginning of sentence and if any proper nouns (names and names of places were used) If there are no capital mistakes, they get 1 mark

2 – Use of word – when you read the sentence does it make sense? Did they use spelling word properly?  IF IT'S LESS THAN 6 WORDS = 0

3 – punctuation – does the sentence end with a . ? or !   If it is question, it needs a question mark, if it is a sentence with no emotion is has a ‘.’  If they are screaming or yelling in the sentence it needs a!

Social Studies

Who was Martin Luther King?

What did he believe in?

Please inform your parents about what you learned and how it connects to the classroom we are in today.

Monday, January 16th

Math
In Math today there was a short and quick review about fractions, improper fractions, mixed fractions, decimals and percent. These concepts were reviewed in a problem-solving context.
QUIZ TOMORROW!

Science
Here are the videos for review that we talked about in class

The Aerodynamics of Flight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ltjFEei3AI&feature=related

How can planes fly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyeX6ArxCYI

Stabilizers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21ipfkuicTc

Birds and Flight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3So7OMwNgy8

Writing
Students finished presenting their fairy tale articles and REALLY practiced how to be ACTIVE listeners.

Spelling
New words for this week (they are subject-specific because this brings more meaning for learning).

peer pressure
consensus
*majority
*voting
*leaders
decisions
*communication
*opinions
arbitrator
*choices
consequence
*equality
*fairness
*equity
*democracy

Remember to wear appropriate clothing for the mucky weather! Boots if you can. It is beautiful outside so unless it is -21 with the wind chill we will be outside.

Friday, January 13th

The kids went out today!! Thank goodness for the chinook!!

Math
It was a review session today in math. There will be a quiz / test on Tuesday about fractions, decimals, percent and how they are all related. Word problems will be included.

Mrs. Harris's mini math group - try to finish your planning this weekend so I can review it with you on Monday or Tuesday.

LA
Genius hour plans and research had begun today. Genius hour plans will need to be more detailed and completed for next Friday.

Those of you......fairytale news articles due Monday.

In Science today we reflected on our questions of interest and our own personal inquiries. Continue to research and document your learning on the purple sheets in your folder. Next week we will be talking about flight and how it exactly works. Friday, there will be a flight challenge in the Learning Commons, with the opportunity to apply the concepts learned in class.

Book orders are due to Mr. Shackleton on January 25th.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, January 12th

Reminders
1. Spelling test tomorrow
2. News article based upon the facts of a fairy tale due tomorrow
3. Gymnastics - no hoodies, jewelry, and long hair tied up
4. Genius hour this Friday - don't forget your plans or research

Today in math we continued working with fractions, decimals, percent, and mixed numbers through word problems.  The students are finding it challenging, but are quick to progress once understanding the proper steps

In LA today we continued to work in our groups of 3 creating individual new reports based off the same information.  They had to peer assess each others' work using the 2 stars and 1 wish method.  The best one voted by the groups will present to the entire class, to be continued on Monday.

Health - during our science/social time today we had an S4 safely presentation from the local constable attached to our school.  The focus was internet safety; both classes actively participated in the tasks and responded very enthusiastically to the subject matter.

In the afternoon both classes read excellently with their reading buddies, and in health we continued our whole while the other class had mucks.

We Hope everyone has thrift Thurdsay!! 

Wednesday, January 11

Reminder for Phys. Ed.

For gymnastics: wear appropriate clothing, hair tied back, no jewelry!

Math
Please complete the fraction / decimal / percent conversion chart.
We will be focussing on these concepts in word problems tomorrow.

Writing
News articles due Friday!

Spelling
Test is Friday.

Remember how to write words into sentences with this marking guide in mind from now on. These words are assigned Monday and written into sentences due Wednesday.

Each sentence is worth 3 marks!

1 – proper capitalization ---beginning of sentence and if any proper nouns (names and names of places were used) If there are no capital mistakes, they get 1 mark

2 – Use of word – when you read the sentence does it make sense? Did they use spelling word properly?  IF IT'S LESS THAN 6 WORDS = 0

3 – punctuation – does the sentence end with a . ? or !   If it is question, it needs a question mark, if it is a sentence with no emotion is has a ‘.’  If they are screaming or yelling in the sentence it needs a!

If they have 15words 45 * 3 = /45 plus your intials’

If they have 10 words too,  10 x 3 = /30  left they can finish and move onto phase 2

See you all tomorrow!