Language Learning in Grade 6

I seem to write often about what we are covering math, less so about what we do in Language! I thought I should write a post about what we have been doing lately in our language class. 

Since the New Year, we have been learning about the reading strategy of Making Connections in Language. We teach students to make connections in order to better relate to the text and better understand it. There are 3 types of connections that we generally make:

1. Text to Text - when we relate what we are reading to another book or text we have read
2. Text to Self - when we relate what we are reading to an event that has happened in our own lives
3. Text to World - when we relate what we are  reading to something that we know about that has happened in the world. 

In class we read a story called "Ryan and Jimmy and the Well in Africa that Brought them Together". This was read as a read aloud - I read it to the class - and had students answer questions about the story in their notebooks. This is an excellent, true story about a boy from Kemptville who has started a foundation to help provide clean water to thousands of people around the world. Students were able to make many connections to the text because it is similar to the founders of the ME to We movement, of which our students are very aware. 

We have also been reading Tuck Everlasting in class. In this story, we are learning that not everything that seems perfect is so. We read the story together and answered questions in pairs, groups and individuals. We are going to be completing a book summary of the story in the coming week. The students really seemed to enjoy this story. 

We have also been learning about formal letter writing and how it is different from writing a friendly letter. We have written a letter together as a class, have written letters with a partner and now will be writing a letter to Ryan and Jimmy asking them to come to the school to speak to our class. 

As part of Media, we will be reading a poster called "Are You Water Wise?" and making posters of our own to promote water conservation in our homes. We will be discussing some of the elements that advertisers use to gain our attention and make posters stick out in reader's minds. 

Our next language unit will focus on the strategy of Predicting. In this unit we will be reading a newspaper written from a pet's point of view and writing news articles of our own.  

Thursday is National Sweater Day!

Thursday, February 5th is National Sweater Day! St. Anne will be turning down the heat (by 2 degrees Celcius) and turning up our sweaters in the name of energy conservation. We are going to have a lot of fun (with a sweater contest!) and help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions! Two winners will be selected for each of the following categories, Most Earthy, Most Colourful, Coziest, Wackiest, and Sportiest.... So BE CREATIVE, ORIGINAL, and COZY, and most important, have fun!

Next Mathematics Unit - Fractions!

We are beginning a new unit in math - Fractions! This is often a challenging unit for students, but it is vitally important since a strong understanding of fractions assists students in better understanding other concepts such as decimals, percent, ratio, rates and probability.

In this unit, we will be learning about:

• what a fraction is
• equivalent fractions
• mixed numbers and improper fractions
• comparing an ordering mixed numbers and fractions (on a number line and otherwise)
• Adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators

I have begun compiling some websites that can help students practice these concepts at home in a Blendspace unit. Here is the link:

Fractions Blendspace Unit

After learning about fractions, we will be moving on to decimals, and from there working on percent, ratio, rates and probability.

Baby Maria is here!

Thank you to all my students who were thinking of my family. Our baby Maria Evelyn was born on January 21st. She is doing very well! See you next week!

Mr. Pouliot

Photos for Leaving Ceremony - February 26th

Photos for the Grade 6 Leaving Ceremony will be on Thursday, February 26th. On that day, it is a good idea to send your child to school with a white blouse (girls) or collared shirt (boys). Caps and gowns are usually provided by the photography company. As I receive more information I will update students and have them write anything important in their agenda.

Also, a reminder that the Leaving Ceremony will take place on Tuesday June 23rd. The exact time has not been determined yet, but it will be around 1PM. Perhaps a little earlier or a little later depending on schedules of everyone involved.

Additionally, the year end trip for the Grade 6's will be at the Y-Camp on June 15. More information will follow as we get closer to the date. If you have any questions about any of the year end activities, please feel free to contact me at school any time.

Data Management Unit is coming to an end....

We are finishing up our unit on Data Management in math. Next week, we will be reviewing the concepts taught throughout the unit, and doing some assessments throughout the week. We will be doing some EQAO questions from past years, a problem solving activity, and having our unit test. Hopefully we will be able to have the test Friday, January 23, but it may have to wait until the following week depending on timing. I prefer to give students a few extra days to ensure that they really understand the material before giving them a final assessment task.

To assist your child at home, here is a link to a blendspace unit I have put together. If your child understands and is able to complete everything in this unit, then they will certainly be ready for the test. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at school.

Blendpace - Data Management

Reminder About Field Trip to Museum of Nature

Hello everyone and welcome back to a New Year of learning! I wanted to remind everyone about our upcoming field trip to the Museum of Nature on Tuesday, January 13th. We will be touring the museum and participating in workshops about Our Local Biodiversity.

The classes will be leaving the school at 9:30 AM and returning at about 2PM. We will be eating lunch at the museum. A lunch area has been reserved, but students should bring a packed lunch. I am not certain about the possibility of purchasing a lunch there, or the amount of time it may take, so bringing a lunch is the best option for students that day.

Additionally, please encourage your child to leave any technology at home for this day. Our bags will be in a common area with other schools, and if something were to go missing, it may well be impossible to track it down. The safest option is to leave all technology at home. Also, please remind your child that they should have nothing of value in their bag, in case anything were to go missing.

We are looking forward to a wonderful day. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact myself, Ms. Bontes or Madame Tweedie.