Thursday, 28 April 2016
A Very Large Map of the Solar System
We looked at this map of the solar system today to get an idea of just how big it really is. We didn't even get to finish, it was so long. Take a look, and prepared to be amazed....and maybe a little bored....
Wednesday, 27 April 2016
Reminder - Confirmation Forms are Due Friday, April 29th!
If you are planning to have your child confirmed at St. Patrick's on June 1st or 2nd, please make sure to fill out the form and send it into the school by this Friday, the 29th of April. If the form has been misplaced, it can be printed here.
Today in math we took up the review pages we have been working on for the past few days and then played a game of Plickers to help review the concepts. Our test for fractions and decimals is tomorrow.
In language, we continued reading Where the Red Fern Grows, which students seem to be really enjoying. I usually read to students while they are eating their snack. It gives students a chance to enjoy a story and we have great discussions about the characters, plot, and setting as we progress through books. Afterward, students completed a reading comprehension practice sheet, which we will take up tomorrow. I always encourage students to check their written work against our Bump It Up wall to see if they have achieved a level 4, and if they don't think so, try to change it so that they can. On the Bump it Up wall are examples of a reading response at each level, and descriptions of what is needed to get to the next level. You will be able to see our Bump it Up wall during our Open House if you are attending. Once everyone was finished the reading comprehension, we finished the last couple of presentations about Signs in Scripture for Confirmation, and then read about the 7 Sacraments. Students will be doing some guided research about each of the sacraments over the next few days.
During Science today we finished the last presentations about the elements of space (stars, planets, galaxies, etc.). We will begin learning about our Solar System over the next little while. Students will be doing some research about each of the planets, and then building a solar system model.
Today in math we took up the review pages we have been working on for the past few days and then played a game of Plickers to help review the concepts. Our test for fractions and decimals is tomorrow.
In language, we continued reading Where the Red Fern Grows, which students seem to be really enjoying. I usually read to students while they are eating their snack. It gives students a chance to enjoy a story and we have great discussions about the characters, plot, and setting as we progress through books. Afterward, students completed a reading comprehension practice sheet, which we will take up tomorrow. I always encourage students to check their written work against our Bump It Up wall to see if they have achieved a level 4, and if they don't think so, try to change it so that they can. On the Bump it Up wall are examples of a reading response at each level, and descriptions of what is needed to get to the next level. You will be able to see our Bump it Up wall during our Open House if you are attending. Once everyone was finished the reading comprehension, we finished the last couple of presentations about Signs in Scripture for Confirmation, and then read about the 7 Sacraments. Students will be doing some guided research about each of the sacraments over the next few days.
During Science today we finished the last presentations about the elements of space (stars, planets, galaxies, etc.). We will begin learning about our Solar System over the next little while. Students will be doing some research about each of the planets, and then building a solar system model.
Monday, 25 April 2016
More Math Review & Signs in Scripture
Today in math we finished up the review for our test and will correct it tomorrow. I am sending home some math sheets this evening that should assist students in the test on Thursday. Please spend some time with your child working in the Blendspace lessons I posted about here. If they can do everything in the Blendspace, they will do just fine!
In language, some students finished up their writing assignments from last week, and we began reading some scripture passages related to Confirmation and examined signs and symbols within them. We will be doing a large number of EQAO practice tests over the next month in order to prepare ourselves for the testing. Not all of this will be formally assessed, but rather act as practice to give students a chance to see how they can improve. A lot of success in language in grade 6 comes out of answering comprehension questions with sufficient detail, so we will be focusing on how we can best give detail, and determine what the question is asking. Some of the practice tests we will do will be samples the students have seen before. I am using these to measure improvement from the first attempt. Hopefully, we will see improvement from the early practice tests and now.
I will be sending a letter later this week to inform parents about our upcoming unit in Family Life, which is entitled Created Sexual. In this unit, students spend a lot of time learning about how cells develop into a baby, the stages of a mother's pregnancy, and some changes that happen to our bodies and minds during puberty. The letter I will send home will have more detail. If you would like to see exactly what is taught, please ask to borrow a copy of the text.
In science, we watched student presentations about the parts of the solar system. We will finish these on Wednesday, and then do some research about each planet. Next week, I hope to start creating solar system mobiles with students to help them better understand the planets of our solar system.
In language, some students finished up their writing assignments from last week, and we began reading some scripture passages related to Confirmation and examined signs and symbols within them. We will be doing a large number of EQAO practice tests over the next month in order to prepare ourselves for the testing. Not all of this will be formally assessed, but rather act as practice to give students a chance to see how they can improve. A lot of success in language in grade 6 comes out of answering comprehension questions with sufficient detail, so we will be focusing on how we can best give detail, and determine what the question is asking. Some of the practice tests we will do will be samples the students have seen before. I am using these to measure improvement from the first attempt. Hopefully, we will see improvement from the early practice tests and now.
I will be sending a letter later this week to inform parents about our upcoming unit in Family Life, which is entitled Created Sexual. In this unit, students spend a lot of time learning about how cells develop into a baby, the stages of a mother's pregnancy, and some changes that happen to our bodies and minds during puberty. The letter I will send home will have more detail. If you would like to see exactly what is taught, please ask to borrow a copy of the text.
In science, we watched student presentations about the parts of the solar system. We will finish these on Wednesday, and then do some research about each planet. Next week, I hope to start creating solar system mobiles with students to help them better understand the planets of our solar system.
Thursday, 21 April 2016
Math test preparation, EQAO Writing practice & Learning about Sacraments
Today in our morning class we reviewed many of the concepts from our fractions, decimals, ratio, rates and percent unit. We will be having a test on this unit next Thursday. I will send home some review sheets next week for students to practice. In the meantime, I have created many assessments in Prodigy that go over these concepts, and you can also look back at the fractions and decimals blendspaces. Additionally, here are blendspace units for Ratio & Rate and Percent.
In language, we wrote a persuasive letter independently to practice for EQAO. Here is the question from an old EQAO sample test. We will take these up next week and look at what levels 1-4 might look like, and students will self assess their work before I mark them.
In the afternoon, students participated in the annual ECO parade. Because we missed our gym period, we went outside for health time and practiced throwing frisbees to a partner with accuracy.
In language, we wrote a persuasive letter independently to practice for EQAO. Here is the question from an old EQAO sample test. We will take these up next week and look at what levels 1-4 might look like, and students will self assess their work before I mark them.
In the afternoon, students participated in the annual ECO parade. Because we missed our gym period, we went outside for health time and practiced throwing frisbees to a partner with accuracy.
Rates & Persuasive Essay Writing
Yesterday in math, our class learned about how to find rates. We look at rates much like a ratio r a fraction. In class, we drew triangles as fast as we could for 1 minute, and then figured out how many we would be able to draw in two minutes, three minutes or even half a minute. From there, we read about 3 ways to examine rates: drawing a picture or diagram, using a graph, or making a table. Students spent a bit of time practicing this concept afterwards. We are almost finished our unit on fractions, decimals, ratios and rates, and will soon be moving on to Probability. This was a huge unit, so we will be doing some review before having a test on the concepts towards the end of next week.
In language, students were given time to complete the 2 persuasive essays they began on Monday and Tuesday. The first essay was written using an outline that we prepared together. For the second essay, students were given a topic, and then had to develop an outline and then write their essay. Their task was to convince me that they should be given a block of free time on Fridays! I wonder if they will be able to convince me? I am looking forward to finding out!
In science, we worked on banners about biodiversity for our eco-parade tomorrow. We are focusing on Biodiversity, and the banners turned out really well. Thank you to our parent volunteers who will be escorting us on the parade!
In language, students were given time to complete the 2 persuasive essays they began on Monday and Tuesday. The first essay was written using an outline that we prepared together. For the second essay, students were given a topic, and then had to develop an outline and then write their essay. Their task was to convince me that they should be given a block of free time on Fridays! I wonder if they will be able to convince me? I am looking forward to finding out!
In science, we worked on banners about biodiversity for our eco-parade tomorrow. We are focusing on Biodiversity, and the banners turned out really well. Thank you to our parent volunteers who will be escorting us on the parade!
Monday, 18 April 2016
Ratios & Rates
This week we are learning about ratios and rates. Here is a Blendspace lesson that students can use to review the concepts along with some games to practice.
Tuesday, 12 April 2016
Next Language Unit - Evaluating, or Persuasion
Our next unit in language is called evaluating. In this unit we will learn about looking at events in stories and articles from multiple points of view, and how to use evidence from the text to support our opinions. We will also be learning some of the elements of persuasion and trying ot implement these in our written work. Below is a Blendspace unit I created to assist students in learning and reviewing about persuasive techniques.
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Confirmation Information
A letter went home recently about Confirmation. If you wish to register your child for Confirmation at St. Patrick's Parish, please fill out the form and return it by April 29th. Below is a copy of the form and the letter that were sent home.
Science Quiz Monday!
The afternoon class will be having a science quiz on what we have learned so far in our flight unit on Monday, April 11th. Students were handed out the following sheet to assist them in studying yesterday.
Tuesday, 5 April 2016
More information for Holy Trinity Parent Night April 7th
Here is a flyer from Holy Trinity with some further information about the evening:
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